Stride & Saunter

Because of the ever-connected nature of the Internet, 21st century media has the opportunity to be dynamic, iterative and fluid in real-time. Posts on social media can be edited, collaborative documents can be edited by multiple parties simultaneously and even live-stream functions have incorporated comments from the viewing audience. The ubiquity of content iteration also carries over to the world of gaming. This week, we return to our “For Non-Gamers” series and welcome Tom Loughney to discuss downloadable content (DLC) in gaming. Because of modern connectivity, developers are able to add content (including missions, costumes and bug-fixes) to games after the fixed release date. How might consumers react if book chapters were released after a book was published? In what ways does DLC represent a chance for developers to extract as much profit as they can? Would a hard rule on the deadline of a media product produce more “complete” products without the safety net that DLC can provide?

In various areas of our lives and spheres of our society, choice and freedom lead to diverse identities and communities. In the contexts of technology and brand identity, the choices we make can lead to very strong sentiments of allegiance and potential hostility towards those with different persuasions. History shows us various conflicts along these lines in the realms of religion, politics and geographic difference, but what about modern technological allegiances? This week, we welcome Jack Zellweger to discuss the phenomenon of “technological judgment”. How and why do we criticize those who use different software and hardware than us? In what ways to we internalize these arguments as statements on relative progress or stagnation? How might we better capitalize on these distinct communities to better appreciate different approaches to technology?

Numerous cultural and societal fixtures encourage us to seize the day, to reach for what is ours and to trust in the engines of our ambitions. This mentality may benefit us in certain circumstances, but in the realm of developing social connections, the rules change. We are compelled to strike a balance with the friendships we hope to encourage. Too much honesty can scare some away while a more aloof approach may communicate disinterest. But the burden of pursuing and maintaining such a relationship does not always fall evenly. This week we welcome Olivia Sabik to discuss the value of proactivity in friendship. Are certain friends more likely to slip into the "driving" role of a friendship? To what extent does distance impede proactive behaviors? And ultimately, are we allowed to approach those we feel could be more even in maintaining the social responsibility of friendship?

Especially around and after Valentine's Day, it's worth reexamining our cultural definitions of love, how we express it and how we relate to it. In particular, the phrase "I love you" has various connotations and contexts tied to its utterance. It seems to represent gentle, almost habitual moments but also the dramatic, life-or-death circumstances depicted in romantic cinema and literature. It can be said in platonic, romantic and even euphoric circumstances. So this week, we welcome Anna Gomez to talk about how we use this phrase, what we might reduce or obscure in the process and what its cultural functions are. Do we overuse or misuse the phrase in any way? Has it become an emotional substitute for more complicated feelings? We would also like to thank Mark Ashin, Richard Pera, Charlotte Graham and Megan Carr for their written contributions to this episode.

In our respective attempts to understand the world and societies in which we live, many of us turn to journalism and the narratives it helps convey. Some stories illuminate hidden details about our communities while others clarify obscurities surrounding our leaders and icons. But when looking for stories and journalists we find reliable, objectivity becomes key. Can we trust that a story is "fair" if it involves sensitive information and arguments? Does fairness mean equal representation or the acknowledgment of a biased perspective? This week we welcome Gabe Brison-Trezise to discuss his thoughts on the subject. How are journalists required to balance objectivity and gripping stories? How do economic concerns regarding journalism factor in?

A few weeks ago, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) awarded the 74th Golden Globes. As art reflects life and the societies in which we live, the films, shows and their stars and creators were given particular attention in these times of great social and governmental change. We are pleased to welcome Olivia Sanabria to help dissect some of the awards given, the status they confer and the atmosphere of awards season as a statement on our culture. How might recognition through awards actually delay meaningful conversation? What do the winners and nominees suggest about our preferences in the arts? What do their creations indicate about the stories which are and are not told and the tone with which we expect stories to be addressed?

A few weeks ago, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) awarded the 74th Golden Globes. As art reflects life and the societies in which we live, the films, shows and their stars and creators were given particular attention in these times of great social and governmental change. We are pleased to welcome Olivia Sanabria to help dissect some of the awards given, the status they confer and the atmosphere of awards season as a statement on our culture. How might recognition through awards actually delay meaningful conversation? What do the winners and nominees suggest about our preferences in the arts? What do their creations indicate about the stories which are and are not told and the tone with which we expect stories to be addressed?

In our daily lives, routines and schedules often demand that we streamline our thoughts and behavior. Especially surrounded by colleagues, friends and peers, we do not always have the chance to spend time alone with our thoughts. But at night, many of us have the freedom to think more openly and with greater freedom to explore our deepest ruminations. This week, we are joined by CJ Clinkscales to discuss our experiences with late night thoughts. How do they help separate us from society in order to think with more clarity? How can they help us to confront buried or layered thoughts in new ways? And how can late-night thoughts translate into more intimate and socially-bonding conversations with those around us?

In our daily lives, routines and schedules often demand that we streamline our thoughts and behavior. Especially surrounded by colleagues, friends and peers, we do not always have the chance to spend time alone with our thoughts. But at night, many of us have the freedom to think more openly and with greater freedom to explore our deepest ruminations. This week, we are joined by CJ Clinkscales to discuss our experiences with late night thoughts. How do they help separate us from society in order to think with more clarity? How can they help us to confront buried or layered thoughts in new ways? And how can late-night thoughts translate into more intimate and socially-bonding conversations with those around us?

Though we might have the tendency to overlook them as mundane or commonplace, gift cards play an interesting role in our gift-giving practices. Increasingly, they are more popular than tangible gifts and present a comfortable middle ground between the effort of finding a gift and the impersonal association we have with giving cash. We are grateful to have Leland Holcomb return this week to discuss these and other ideas about gift cards. And though their convenience is undeniable, how does it affect our gift-giving culture and by extension, our relationships? Does convenience stifle our otherwise creative and arduous journeys to find perfect gifts? Do we distance ourselves further from in-person shopping experiences? What might gift cards suggest about our knowledge of the recipient?