The Modern Moron

Oh my god, I have so many elderly meandering things to ask you and tell you… so many things I don’t understand.

A couple of items I found interesting in the past couple of weeks regarding some minor events we’ve experienced, mainly what I’m hearing is the first war in Europe since WWII.  A couple of things:

1. On the day Russia invaded Ukraine I heard a story on NPR, one of my main news sources along with the Associated Press, Reuters and The Wall Street Journal.  In this NPR story, which I could not find later, the reporter in Ukraine was asked how citizens were handling it on the first day.  She said “humor”.  She said the usual tensions of day to day life seemed to dissipated and that there were more Ukranians helping each other.  Particularly helping the elderly with their supplies… helping them carry groceries and assisting with finding bomb shelters and that there was a sense of quiet unity.  I found that sort of hopeful and very cool.
2. Another NPR story which I did find the link to and so will you at the bottom of this description, is regarding US Military intelligence for Ukraine that was being delayed and therefore was not nearly as valuable, because of attorneys.  The interview is with  Republican Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse who is on the Senate Intelligence Committee.  Yes, it sounds like an oxymoron, but let’s leave that alone for now.  
3. Also, while we’re on Ukraine can we talk about how to pronounce it’s capital, Kiev. I always thought it was Kiyev.  In fact I thought it was a different city, but then I found out it wasn’t so I thought it was like Niche.  Remember when the word niche was pronounced niTCH? But then I wasn’t fancy enough to have a nitch and I had to have a niche.  So I left my niTCH in Key-yev.  Actually there’s more to it.  Key-yev  

But this episode is about my guest… my college senior and the value of learning to write, to convey a thought and support an argument or position.  Isn’t there a thing called a position paper?  

My senior mentions writing in MLA.. MLA style refers the style recommended by the Modern Language Association (MLA) for preparing scholarly manuscripts and student research papers. It concerns itself with the mechanics of writing, such as punctuation, quotation, and, especially, documentation of sources.  The “Modern” Language Association was Founded in 1883.   How that makes it modern? I have no idea.  Maybe the same thing that makes this moron modern.

Do you remember doing research papers and having to have a bibliography… and citing sources?  Remember ibid?  I remember using that a lot so I had to re-look it up and ibid is when you’re using the same source but a different section, so you just put ibid… I-B-I-D which is latin for in the same place —used to indicate that a reference is from the same source as a previous reference.  Which you probably already knew… and proceeded to forget, like me.

We talk about studying art and applying techniques vs. studying art history and studying techniques.  Also how most artists that create art piece together their career and their income.  Most artists at one time or another teach art.  I’ve heard the expression, “those that can’t do, teach”, which is utter horse manure.  Most artists, in addition to creating art, teach or find commercial applications for their art.  You’ve heard of actors who do one film “for the studios” and for the money, so they can take smaller roles or roles in smaller independent films for art’s sake.  In the art  world not everyone can become a Takashi Murakami, Jenny Saville, David Hockney or Yayoi Kusama.  And to those iconic names you’re probably saying, who said what now?

No, I’ve never heard of any of those artists either but apparently they are among 10 artists you should know about.  There is a link to the article at the bottom of the description.

We get back to our discussion about mental health and the growth that occurs between freshman and senior year of both high school and college.  More wisdom from youth and my college senior on the Modern Moron… thanks for listening.  

CLOSE - What better way to conclude an episode about art than to talk about the Simpsons and Bob’s Burgers.  Like most shows I was way late to the party when it comes to Bob’s Burgers.  My daughter and I watch it and it does crack me up.  And if you appreciate the aesthetics of different animation styles you really should watch episode 1 of the 8th season of Bob’s Burgers.  Some refer to it as a “fan-imation” episode where non professional animators were allowed to animate a scene of the show.  I really enjoyed it and again it is the first episode of season 8 called “Brunchsquatch”.

Thank you to my guest and an early congratulations on her graduation in just a couple months!  Now… it is a rare occasion where I actually know who my next guest is and can promote it and I have a pretty great guest coming up next time.

Are  you familiar with the Netflix show “The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window”?  It was on Netflix’s top 10 when it first came out, and has received some great reviews.  It is a satire of the psychological thriller, keep that in mind when you watch.  My GUEST is one of the creators of the show along with being one of the writers and producers.  He has been on the show before when he was writing for the animated show Mike Tyson’s Mysteries, an episode that included an interesting story about Mike Tyson and it’s our most downloaded episode!  Of course I’m talking about Larry Dorf.  He’s my guest next time, I’m very excited, so stay tuned… to the Modern Moron.

Kyiv or Kiev? Why people disagree about how to pronounce the Ukrainian capital's name - NPR

Why Is Ukraine's Capital Pronounced 'Kyiv' and Not 'Kiev'? | HowStuffWorks   

10 Contemporary Artists you should know - Artsper Magazine 

The Bob’s Burgers Cast Improvises a Mini-Episode About the Birds and the Bees - YouTube | Vulture Magazine 

https://www.listennotes.com/e/b74cfb9a78ec488fbae6c7156db34d46/