Tag: Discussion

DNA Podcast 121 – Novel Horizons with Jonathan Solis

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The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 121 - Novel Horizons with Jonathan Solis
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In this episode, Don and Rob sit down with Jonathan Solis, author and publisher of original English light novels at Novel Horizons. The three discuss Jonathan’s philosophy about publishing light novels, the challenges of being a publisher, and Novel Horizons’ unique strategies for promoting their books. All this, and the ancient war between “plot” and “ba-donka-donk,” will be revealed to you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:
Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Novel Horizons
Azure Wing
Buck Rogers
RE: Zero
Jobless Reincarnation
High School DxD
Dog Days
Redo of Healer
One-Two-Five Daphne 1/7 Scale Limited Edition Figure
ACX : Audiobook Creation Exchange
Keijo- Hip Whip Girl
Irregular at Magic High School
Maoyu Mao Yusha

DNA Podcast 116 – Leadership in Popular Culture

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The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 116 - Leadership in Popular Culture
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Star Trek': Kirk vs. Picard: Who is the ultimate captain?

In this episode, Rob and Don discuss the disconnect in popular culture between how leaders act in film and television and how they really act in real life. Along the way, they touch the third rail of geekdom – Kirk versus Picard – and even talk about why Optimus Prime is a bad leader. All this, and how Hitchhiking went from patriotic to evil in a generation, is waiting for you in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:
Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Flash Gordon
Winner Take All
Bavarian Fire Drill
The Illuminatus Trilogy
Influence by Robert Cialdini
Culture Shock
Cheddar: Why Hitchhiking Ran Out of Favor
Hitchiking Robot Murdered
Epic of Gilgamesh
Master and Commander
The Saga of Tanya the Evil

DNA Podcast 111 – The Secret Origin of Generation X

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The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 111 - The Secret Origin of Generation X
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Generation X (1994) comic books
No! Not the Marvel comic! Technically, none of those kids are actually Gen-Xers, since they were born after 1980!

In this episode, Don and Rob are joined by Jack Ward to discuss the cultural foundations of the children born between 1965 and 1980 – Generation X! Like the mutant superheroes they share a name with, these young people were bridges between the old world and the new – the pre and post internet ages. From Saturday Morning TV to Dungeons and Dragons – this episode looks at the things that have shaped their choices as they’ve stepped out to take the reins of society. So, come join us as we explore, the secret origins of Generation X in this episode of The Departemnt of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:
Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Gen X Notes
Generation X *(definition)
Generation Eccchh
Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture by Douglas Coupland
The Prime Time Access Rule 1972
Goofus and Gallant
Highlights Magazine
Weird Al’s UHF
William Shatner’s “Get a Life” Speech
Mazes and Monsters
Pirates of Silicon Valley (film)
Starsuckers Documentary (YouTube)
Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future
CNN’s first broadcast
Bubblegum Crisis

DNA Podcast 109 – Competition in Popular Culture

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The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 109 - Competition in Popular Culture
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In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by their friend Jack Ward to discuss the concept of competition as it plays out in our society and media. Some societies see competition as healthy, while others consider it destructive and wasteful, and the media often goes back and forth between the two approaches. Along the way, the three discuss comics, politics, old TV, and crappy movies, and how each offers an insight into competition. So come on and join us, if you think you can handle it! All this, and the most watched TV show of all time, is waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:
Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Act-Age Manga
Ratemypoo.com
Geeks versus Nerds
Most Watched TV Show of All Time
Cerebus the Ardvark
John Carter of Mars
Dark Shadows
Magnum PI
Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World by Anand Giridharadas
Life of the Party
The Stanford Marshmallow Experiment (Don calls it candy, but the experiment with kids was originally marshmallows.)
Tragedy of the Commons
George Orwell’s Theory of Revolution

DNA Podcast 106 – Lost Genres 2 Sitcom Bugaloo

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The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 106 - Lost Genres 2 Sitcom Bugaloo
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In this episode, Don and Rob dive into another round of the genres that time forgot as they explore more things that have washed away into the river of time. The pair jump right into the types of TV shows and TV stories that once ruled the airwaves but have faded, and then go on to explore lost corners of print, toys and music. All this, and why Pac Man Fever was the end of an era, is waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:
Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Variety TV Shows
Texaco Star Theatre
Pink Lady and Jeff
Carol Burnett Show
Smothers Brother’s Comedy Hour
Sitcoms
The Spin-Off
All in the Family
Happy Days
Laverne and Shirley
Hooterville Trilogy
Good Times
Diff’rent Strokes
High Concept
Mork and Mindy
Quark
Herman’s Head
My Mother the Car
The Munsters
Daytime Soap Operas
Christmas Specials
That’s Incredible!
America’s Funniest Home Videos
Magazines
Korean Webtoons
Video Game Market Crash of 1983
Pac Man Fever
Shining Force
Novelty Songs
Dr. Demento
Nerdcore
Gloryhammer
Edguy
Beast in Black
Outlaw Country
Crooners
Surf Music
Gangsta Rap

DNA Podcast 105 – Disaster Films

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The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 105 - Disaster Films
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In this episode, Don and Rob struggle to understand the apocalypse they’ve found themselves in by talking about disaster films and how they reflect human society. They’re joined in the raging chaos by Jack Ward and Dave Towers, who drop by to share a few thoughts on the genre. Along the way, the group discusses Irwin Allen, Social Anxiety, and why disaster films may have been ruined by CGI. All this, and Jack Ward’s creepy new hobby, is waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:
Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

The Fire (1901)
The Omega Man
The Poseidon Adventure
The Children of Men
2012
Godzilla (1953)
War of the Worlds (1950)
Empire of the Ants
The Birds
Kingdom of the Spiders
The Swarm
Left Behind
Twister
A Night to Remember
Top 100 Best Disaster Films
Virus
Towering Inferno
Irwin Allen
The Day After
Threads (movie)
Panic in Year Zero
The Mist
When the Wind Blows
On the Beach
METEOR
Skyscraper
Night of the Comet
Roland Emmerich
The Kingdom (Netflix Korean Disaster Drama)
Snowpiercer
World War Z
Cracked Podcast on Apocalypses
The East Coast Blackout of 2003
The Bird Box
The Road
One Upon a Time: Man

DNA Podcast 099 – Trust Us, We’re Lying

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The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 099 - Trust Us, We're Lying
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In this episode, Don and Rob are joined by Jack Ward to discuss the book Trust Me, I’m Lying by Ryan Holiday and the implications that come with his tell-all book about media manipulation. The three delve into the techniques used by Holiday and media manipulators, how the media hacks human psychology, and why fake news may have always been with us. All this, and the startling truth about the reptilian invasion, is waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:
Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Trust Me, I’m Lying by Ryan Holiday
“You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war.” – William Randolph Hurst
Source Amnesia
The Thunderbird Photo
The Backfire Effect
Yellow Journalism
I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell
James O’Keefe
Andrew Brietbart
D&D Satanic Panic
The Internet Research Agency (Russian Troll Farm)
A Russian Facebook page organized a protest in Texas. A different Russian page launched the counterprotest.
Gawker Media
4-chan
8-chan
Nick Denton
Jezebel
Freakonomics
The Lumiere Brothers
The New York Sun / Benjamin Day
Mutual Audio Network
Scott Adams (Created Dilbert)
Kinda Racist? Try Diet Racism! (Collegehumour)
This Video Will Make You Angry
What is an Influencer?
Help a Reporter Out (HARO)
Quora
Jordan Peterson
The Year 2525
The Congress (film)

DNA Podcast 098 – Vampires in Popular Culture

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The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 098 - Vampires in Popular Culture
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In this episode, Don and Rob explore vampires and their place in history and popular culture. The two intrepid stalkers of the night discuss vampire legends, obscure vampire lore, and the history of vampires on film. All this, and Rob’s rant about stupid vampire lords, is waiting to suck your attention in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:
Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Dracula
Aswang
Kappa
Penganggulan (Bodyless Malyasian Vampires)
Jiangshi (Chinese Hopping Vampire)
Lich
Varney the Vampire; or, the Feast of Blood
The Vampyre by John William Polidori
Carmilla
Elizabeth Bathory
Yuka Kinoshita (YouTube, Japanese eating champion)
Nosferatu (1922)
Dracula (1931)
The Thing from Another World
Who Goes There (short story)
Planet of Blood (Alternate title for this; or this….)
Queen of the Damned
I Am Legend
The Last Man on Earth
Blade: Vampire Hunter
The Lamia
The Daughters of Lilith
‘Salem’s Lot
Fright Night
The Lost Boys
The Vampire Lestat
The Van Helsing Tapes (Actually, “The Dracula Tapes”)
True Blood TV Series
Doctor Spektor
Dark Shadows
Nick Knight / Forever Knight TV Series
Tomb of Dracula Comic
Vampirella
Dracula Eats a Hamburger
The Strain
Van Helsing Movie
Vampire: The Masquerade RPG
Chill RPG: Vampires
Vampire Hunter D
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Twilight
Count Yorga films
Count von Count
2000 AD Werewolf Story
Paranormal Romance

DNA Podcast 097 – Education in Popular Culture with Jack Ward

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The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 097 - Education in Popular Culture with Jack Ward
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In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by their favorite teacher Jack Ward to discuss education and how it’s reflected in popular culture. The three explore the roles education plays in society, and how pop culture and education both reflect and change each other. They also discuss the different kinds of movies about teachers and students, and Jack shares a few teaching stories. All this, and Jack’s theory that education is a virus, is waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:
Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Grave Robbing
Andy Hardy
Mad Scientist
Pontypool Changes Everything
Doctor Who
The Wonderful Stories of Professor Kitzel
Ms. Frizzle (The Magic Schoolbus)
Mission Magic
Bill Nye
Dexter’s Lab
Beakman’s World
John Bell’s Mr. Wizzard
Our Gang
Poindexter
Darwood Kaye (aka Waldo, the nerd from Our Gang/ Little Rascals)
Dead Poet’s Society
To Sir With Love
Blackboard Jungle
The Class of 1984
The Class of 1999
Don’t Knock the Rock
Footloose
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Animal House
Revenge of the Nerds
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Rebel Without a Cause
What can be done about violence against elementary school teachers? (CBC article)
Mister D
One Eight Seven (Film with Sam Jackson as Teacher)
Fredrick Douglas
Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
Bodily Humours

Rob Note: the early women’s fashion magazine which I was referring to at the start was the Gynaeceum, sive Theatrum Mulierum (Theatre of Women, in which are reproduced by engraving the female costumes of all the nations of Europe), printed in 1586. I mistakenly confused it with another publication. My apologies.

DNA Podcast 094 – Gaming Tropes

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The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 094 - Gaming Tropes







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In this episode, Rob and Don dig into the concept of tropes and discuss how they connect with tabletop RPG gaming. Few people think about how Hit Points are actually an artificial idea created by games, and how they affect the way we think about games- this is an example of a gaming trope. Don and Rob also discuss many popular games like CHILL, TOON, and TORG, and how these genre-simulating games play on the tropes of other media. All this, and why the DC Heroes RPG was the best game ever, is waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed

DC HEROES RPG (Mayfair)
Call of Chthulhu RPG
Ninja Crusade
Champions RPG
Villains and Vigilantes
Superworld
Superhero 2044
GURPS:Supers
Chill RPG
Hammer House of Horror
TOON RPG
MAGE RPG
It Came from the Late Late Late Show RPG
TORG
Cabin the Woods (movie)
William Castle (B-Horror Movie maker, Don calls him Frank Castle by accident. Frank is The Punsher, William is the Tingler!)
The Magician’s Podcast #97 – Teller
litRPGs