Industry Plant's Pogscast

Accidents happen, and sometimes they lead to better things. After the first two hours of conversation with Timothy Bright, we had less than a minute of recorded material. Originally we talked about his discography, his relationship with Brockhampton, how he deals with cutting off friends and negativity. With all the pre-written questions exhausted, we talk about a slew of topics: Uncut Gems, the American education system, outtareach, DC and Fort Myers rap culture, and so much more. While nothing is ever guaranteed, Timothy looks forward to developing his musical talent and seeing where it takes him.

Recorded December 26, 2020 @ Industry Plant®

Geological timespans are unfathomable. If someone were to mention that the sun has 4.5 billion years left before its death, there would be little effect on one's mental state. In this way, billion might as well be trillion. Simultaneously, humans take the modern world for granted. We want more stuff now. Less than 15,000 years ago, humans found a way to start accumulating that stuff after satisfying basic needs through agriculture. Once people had stuff, in came the rulers and warlords that history remembers fighting for control of it. Such is the fascinating history of the world as told by Daniel, a scholar of agricultural history.

Recorded November 13, 2020 @ Industry Plant®

The death penalty stands today as a punishment that, by some accounts, is as barbaric as exists in the developed world. In recent months, the federal government resumed executions after a two-decade pause in the execution schedule. Leigh Kassem has studied the death penalty for years and suggests future directions for capital punishment as well as addressing the death penalty's shortcomings as a tool for justice. Kassem is also the first instructor to teach an undergraduate course focused on the death penalty at the University of Florida. Through insights gained over the years, there is a wealth of information provided that may be both surprising and disturbing to listeners.

Recorded December 5, 2020 @ Industry Plant®

Narratives abound in daily life. Movie character arcs and literature plot developments usually follow predictable paths with predictable twists. What happens when narratives are created to reflect human experience? The convolution of stream of consciousness, unreliable memory, and ambiguity of situations takes center stage, displacing clichés and predictability. Dr. Jeanne Ewert has studied narratology and read countless novels and films with common and uncommon narratives. Discussion on Hemingway, Faulkner, Robbe-Grillet and unrelated topics populate this long conversation. The world is complicated and so too are its most uncommon stories.

Recorded November 21, 2020 @ Industry Plant®

Fashion in daily life is mostly inconspicuous. Even when trying to make a statement with one's outfit, one will hear comments like "I like your shoes" or "Where'd you get that dress". At celebrity events like the Met Gala, outfits draw thousands of stares as art pieces as well as countless instances of online commentary. At the same time, there exists a hidden world of economic and perceptual consequences for each article of clothing or accessory worn. Sunny realizes this and provides ample discussion and insight into where fashion has been and where it is headed.

Recorded November 6-7, 2020 @ Industry Plant®

The modern world is an inevitably complicated mess of systems, not least of which is economics. Robert understands more than I probably ever could on the topic and offers a unique perspective on how United States industry could shift for a better future.

Recorded October 23, 2020 @ Industry Plant®

Mia has something to say about nearly any topic; this makes her a fitting guest for discussing many topics over the course of an hour. Topics discussed would inevitably take years to properly investigate (if they could be fully investigated). There is no claim that the facts discussed are absolute.

Recorded October 9, 2020 @ Industry Plant®

There is much that can be said regarding the meaning that many seek to find in their lives. Alex Dye finds such meaning in Nietzschean existentialism. In a deep dive, he explains the historical context of existentialism, dispels the association between edgy teens and true nihilism, and more. For those interested in philosophy and those with no exposure, the listening experience grants new and accessible information regarding nihilism from someone who has given the topic years worth of thought. Listen on.

Recorded September 26, 2020 @ Industry Plant®

Joseph is a philosophy scholar with particular interest in AI. He's also quite humorous and cuts quickly into existential topics. There's something to learn from his method of conversation itself.

Recorded September 11, 2020 @ Industry Plant®

This episode concerns topics ranging from the 2K franchise to metaphysical inquiries about the nature of a podcast. Stay safe.

Recorded August 28, 2020 @ Industry Plant®