The Old Fashioned Breakdown: A Mad Men Podcast

In this episode Helen invents a drinking game at the same time Fola learns a new word: demagoguery, take a shot every time you hear it.

Our duo also talk a bit Andy Warhol, Populism and Pop Art. And Helen breaks down the bird scene for Fola.

Citations

Demagogue

Populism

Populism explained

Andy Warhol: School of Life

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In this episode Fola tries to discuss Ayn Rand and Objectivity, and Helen starts to talk about elements of identifiers and the identified through the use of labels... which is more Lacan stuff, but Fola totally misses this and continues talking about Ayn Rand. 🤦‍♂️

Although Helens theory that this ep is about labels goes well with objectivism because objectivism is concerned with the honest reality of a situation and labels help cover that up the honest reality of a situation.

Fola would like to point out he isn't a massive supporter of Ayn Rand, despite this episodes even take on her.

Citation:

Examples of Objectivism

Biloxi wade-ins

Ayn Rand

Biloxi Wade-ins

Anyway if Ayn Rand makes you mad...

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In this episode Fola begins to think subtextually this is the most important episode of the first season and as such tries to explain the idea of Lacanian Theory, which doesnt really exist, and is what he retrospectively now understands to be the phenomenon of "Structuralism".

Beyond that Helen and Fola also talk about Defence Mechanisms and repression. Theres a lot in this episode.

FYI There is a 2 hr uncut version of this podcast which Fola said he'll release if the demand is there #releasethefolacut lets get it trending...

Anyway Fola found this episode hard

Citations

Freudian Defense Mechanisms

WTF semiotics

The Mirror image, the Imaginary and social media

The Real 

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Hi Everyone, in this episode Helen and Fola discuss utopias, dystopias, ideologies and being trapped in a cage, like a bird.

Side note, does anyone have any ideas about the red balloon in this episode of Mad Men?

Citations

Is Utopia always Dystopia? Is Utopia possible?

Utopia is Dystopia

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So this is effectively the reboot of the podcast.  In this Episode Helen continues to get to the point where as Fola decides each episode of Mad Men refers to a Philosophy, and then proceeds to name and explain them.  Going forward Fola has set himself the task of learning about and trying to explain what philosophy/philosopher corresponds to each episode.  If you like that, or know anyone who would join in the conversation.

Citations

Freud - Death drive, reality principle, and pleasure principle | Behavior | MCAT | Khan Academy

Pleasure Principle

Freuds Theory of the Psyche

Mind/Body Dualism

Nietzsche and the Ubermensch

Philosophy of Liberty

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In this episode Fola and Helen slowly start to work out what they are doing and what they want this show to be as they take a closer look at the philosophy of John Stuart Mills and Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness... and its a decent length!

Citation

Philosophy of Liberty

On Liberty

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In this episode Helen schools Fola with her powers of perception with seemingly a 10th of the effort. 

We don't mention it in this particular show but this is a huge part of this episode that we missed

Nietzsche and the Ubermensch

But dont worry we'll cover it in our recap show

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In the third episode of Mad Men Fola discovers that its central theme is Mind/Body Dualism, then tries to fin d out what that means.  While Helen thinks its rubbish and he's overthinking it.

Citation

Mind/Body Dualism

Lady Chatterleys Lover

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In this rewatch episode Helen and Fola discuss the second episode of Mad Men. They consider Freuds Psychoanalytic theory of the ego and spot something in the episode that blows their tiny little minds!

Citation

Freuds Theory of the Psyche

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In the first real rewatch episode Helen and Fola discuss the pilot episode of Mad Men.  Who is Don Draper? Why is this show so enigmatic? Whats up with the fly in the ceiling?

Citation

Century of the Self Part 1

They miss certain things out.  Dont worry they address them in a later episode. It'll involve a lot of this:

Freud - Death drive, reality principle, and pleasure principle | Behavior | MCAT | Khan Academy

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