Myoclonic Jerk

Myoclonic Jerk

By Daniel KaufmanPersonal Journals
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Myoclonic Jerk episodes

  • Episode 12 - Race
    What is race? What is privilege? How did we get here and where do we go from here? Dan talks to psychologists, educators, anthropologists, and a comedian, to try to get a little bit less dumb on the issue. Check out the website for more information on the show and join the conversation on our Facebook page.
    2 hr 51 min
  • Episode 11 - The Long View
    What do we see when we zoom out? Scientists Michelle Thaller and Sean Carroll talk about the beginning and end of the Universe. Dan Carlin talks hardcore history, poker pro Annie Duke advises on improving your long game, Prof Hal Hershfield explains how we are disconnected from our future selves, psychologist Gabrielle Oettingen says positive thinking actually leads to negative outcomes, comedian Jimmy Dore relates a fight with a disgruntled audience member, and much more! Check out the website for more information on the show and join the conversation on our Facebook page.
    1 hr 29 min
  • Episode 10 - Evil
    We know people do horrible stuff, but why? Is there really such a thing as evil, or are bad people just sick? If so, how do we handle them? Daniel hashes it out with Derf Backderf (author of My Friend Dahmer), Adrian Raine (author of The Anatomy of Violence), Rick Nevin (economist who explains how lead leads to crime), Bill Miller (author of Eye for an Eye), and Fred Luskin (Author of Forgive for Good). There will also be talking snake. Check out the website for more information on the show and join the conversation on our Facebook page.
    1 hr 33 min
  • Episode 9 - Sex
    What does sex mean? Is loveless sex okay? Daniel chews it over with Chester Brown, Tracy Quan, Ryan Ridley, and more. Check out the website for more information on the show and join the conversation on our Facebook page.
    1 hr 40 min
  • Episode 8 - Eating Animals
    In this episode we consider the ethics of eating animals with help from a chef, a slaughterer, a hunter, a scientist working on lab-grown meat, a vegan advocate, an undercover slaughterhouse investigator, a Humane Society VP, an animal behaviorist, ranchers, a doctor, an ecologist, three comedians and a buddhist! Check out the website for more information on the show and join the conversation on our Facebook page.
    2 hr 40 min
  • Episode 7 - Failure
    How do we think about failure? How should we? Cory MacLauchlin uncovers the myths surrounding the life and death of author John Kennedy Toole. Jane Anne Staw looks for the deeper causes of writer's block. Comedian Jimmy Pardo tells about bombing on the Tonight Show. Plane crash follies returns, Uncle Marty debuts, and much more! Check out the website for more information on the show and join the conversation on our Facebook page.
    1 hr 34 min
  • Episode 6 - Enemies
    Why can't we all just get along (and why do people think that question is funny)? Guests include comedian and political commentator Jimmy Dore, scholar Lee Ross, an Israeli who went from Right to Left, a Cypriot who lost his home in the Turkish invasion, a new episode of Plane Crash Follies. And much more!
    1 hr 24 min
  • Episode 5 - Addiction
    Part 2 of the Gaming series! In this episode we look at the dark side of games, how they hook us and the damage they can do, and where they might be taking us. Daniel talks to therapist and author Shavaun Scott about her time as an in-game therapist. Comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani talks about his life in games. Writer/performer Justine Barron explains why games are more appealing than guitar lessons. Online gaming pioneer Richard Garriott (aka Lord British) and Vlad Cole of Blizzard Entertainment both return to defend games. All this and much more!
    1 hr 1 min
  • Episode 4 - Escape
    Part 1 of the Gaming series! In this episode we look at why games are so seductive, why we choose to lose ourselves in them, what they do for us and how. Daniel talks to online gaming pioneer Richard Garriott as well as Vlad Cole of Blizzard Entertainment. Costaki Economopoulos talks Fantasy Football and Ryan Ridley talks about his time in Oblivion. David Cale performs a story about a troubled girl, and much more!
    1 hr
  • Episode 3 - The Beast
    Part 2 of the Beauty and the Beast series! In this episode we look at the beast's side of things. If you had to be one or the other in a relationship, which would you be? Why? Daniel talks to Jesse Case about a humiliation he suffered at the hands of a beauty. We hear more from our beauties from last episode, and more from therapist Sagit Schwartz. Ryan Ridley defends himself against Dan's ugly attacks. A cockroach writes a poem, and much more!
    57 min

About Myoclonic Jerk

From the publisher's feed

"Beautifully made... brilliantly original," says The Telegraph. A 20-part public-radio-style series that asks big questions about life and how to live it. Ex-lawyer/comedian Daniel Kaufman takes on a…