Stride & Saunter

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?

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?

In the 21st century, many content creation tools are increasingly accessible and user-friendly. As a result, platforms like YouTube have become especially popular as means of distributing music, news commentary and other video content. Fans of video games have gravitated towards "Let's Plays" which feature extensive playthroughs of games that are popular, fascinating or under the radar altogether. This week, Phoebe Lewis returns to help us examine the gray area surrounding Let's Plays. They represent content created by video game developers but altered by gameplay and additional commentary and information. Why do we judge those who watch gamers and not those who watch sports or other reproducible events? Do creators have a right to claim revenue and ownership of this new multimedia product? Is it an authentic means of advertising an interesting product? How can our understanding of video games as non-linear media be applied to creations like films and books which often have a straightforward means of consumption?

In the 21st century, many content creation tools are increasingly accessible and user-friendly. As a result, platforms like YouTube have become especially popular as means of distributing music, news commentary and other video content. Fans of video games have gravitated towards "Let's Plays" which feature extensive playthroughs of games that are popular, fascinating or under the radar altogether. This week, Phoebe Lewis returns to help us examine the gray area surrounding Let's Plays. They represent content created by video game developers but altered by gameplay and additional commentary and information. Why do we judge those who watch gamers and not those who watch sports or other reproducible events? Do creators have a right to claim revenue and ownership of this new multimedia product? Is it an authentic means of advertising an interesting product? How can our understanding of video games as non-linear media be applied to creations like films and books which often have a straightforward means of consumption?

In the 21st century, many content creation tools are increasingly accessible and user-friendly. As a result, platforms like YouTube have become especially popular as means of distributing music, news commentary and other video content. Fans of video games have gravitated towards "Let's Plays" which feature extensive playthroughs of games that are popular, fascinating or under the radar altogether. This week, Phoebe Lewis returns to help us examine the gray area surrounding Let's Plays. They represent content created by video game developers but altered by gameplay and additional commentary and information. Why do we judge those who watch gamers and not those who watch sports or other reproducible events? Do creators have a right to claim revenue and ownership of this new multimedia product? Is it an authentic means of advertising an interesting product? How can our understanding of video games as non-linear media be applied to creations like films and books which often have a straightforward means of consumption?

In a country that has and continues to struggle with issues of race in our society, the topic is all at once heavily debated and rarely discussed in patient, honest forums. It is simultaneously sensitive and necessary to talk about so we thoroughly appreciate Conor Tazewell for joining us to speak about his experience being raised in a biracial family. What do the circumstances of biracial identity permit or prohibit in our culture? How can a biracial perspective illuminate thinking of those who identify with a single race? How might discomfort surrounding discussions of race perpetuate misunderstanding and generalization?

In a country that has and continues to struggle with issues of race in our society, the topic is all at once heavily debated and rarely discussed in patient, honest forums. It is simultaneously sensitive and necessary to talk about so we thoroughly appreciate Conor Tazewell for joining us to speak about his experience being raised in a biracial family. What do the circumstances of biracial identity permit or prohibit in our culture? How can a biracial perspective illuminate thinking of those who identify with a single race? How might discomfort surrounding discussions of race perpetuate misunderstanding and generalization?

In a country that has and continues to struggle with issues of race in our society, the topic is all at once heavily debated and rarely discussed in patient, honest forums. It is simultaneously sensitive and necessary to talk about so we thoroughly appreciate Conor Tazewell for joining us to speak about his experience being raised in a biracial family. What do the circumstances of biracial identity permit or prohibit in our culture? How can a biracial perspective illuminate thinking of those who identify with a single race? How might discomfort surrounding discussions of race perpetuate misunderstanding and generalization?

This week, we give a third reading of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff and further discuss some chapters in the book, focusing on minding one's own business, paying attention to the snowball effect of our thoughts and embracing the problems in our lives rather than avoiding them outright. If you enjoyed this episode, you can listen to our first or second reading from the book. As before, if you are interested in getting the book for yourself, we've included some links below.

This week, we give a third reading of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff and further discuss some chapters in the book, focusing on minding one's own business, paying attention to the snowball effect of our thoughts and embracing the problems in our lives rather than avoiding them outright. If you enjoyed this episode, you can listen to our first or second reading from the book. As before, if you are interested in getting the book for yourself, we've included some links below.