Bob & Ben discuss how people see and feel in today’s tech-driven world, comparing old and new thinkers. They discuss the role of TV in shaping our lives and touch on books like “Finnegans Wake” and artists like Zappa. They chat about changes from old to new ideas and how it’s challenging but rewarding to truly understand each other in our digital age.
Bob Dobbs is a McLuhan Scholar and Zappa researcher.
Ben Watson is a music writer and author of Frank Zappa: The Negative Dialectics of Poodle Play.
0:00 – Introduction
2:44 – Percept vs. Concept
Discussion shifts to the idea of “percept versus concept”, referencing Lenin, materialism, and the nature of spoken vs. written text.
6:00 – Lenin’s Perspective on Experience
Exploration of Lenin’s views on experience, its relation to media like television, and contrasts with McLuhan’s views.
9:26 – Experience in Modern Society
Deep dive into the nature of experience in today’s world, influenced by romanticism, bourgeois thinking, and modern technology.
12:10 – Challenges in Communication
Reflection on complexities of understanding, interpretation, and the dynamics of dialogue in deep discussions.
14:55 – McLuhan’s Take on Modern Media
Insights into McLuhan’s ideas on percepts, concepts, and the influence of media like television on shaping experiences.
17:05 – Literary Influences: Joyce and Zappa
Exploration of the impact and relevance of works like “Finnegans Wake” and artists like Frank Zappa in shaping contemporary thought.
21:46 – McLuhan in Modern Discourse
Discussion on the influence and relevance of McLuhan’s ideas in contemporary discourse and challenges of introducing new perspectives.
25:14 – Radio Show and Literary Performances
Introduction to a radio show, the act of reading “Finnegans Wake” out loud, and challenges and rewards of performing literary works.
30:24 – Thunder in “Finnegans Wake”
Exploration of the significance of thunder in “Finnegans Wake” and its symbolism representing pivotal moments in human civilization.
33:02 – Artistic Evolution: Modernism to Postmodernism
Journey through the evolution of art from the early 1900s, the influence of artists like Zappa, and the transition from modernism to postmodernism.
39:34 – Joyce’s Legacy and Cultural Interplay
Discussion on James Joyce’s impact, the significance of “Finnegans Wake”, and its encapsulation of cultural development.
48:04 – Revolution in the Digital Age
Conversation on the objectives of revolutions, the need for understanding in the digital age, and striking a balance between comprehension and provocation.
54:04 – Conclusion
Recorded Feb 25, 2009
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