Sociology Ruins Everything Matt Sedlar

What if I told you reality TV says a lot about the world around us? I'm sure you're skeptical, but hopefully, this episode will convince you that reality TV is worth paying attention to, especially for social scientists. Joining me are Danielle Lindemann, Associate Professor of Sociology at Lehigh University, and Maddy Rubin as we talk about viewing reality TV while using the sociological imagination. 

Show notes

Lindemann, Danielle J. . 2022. True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Papacharissi, Zizi, and Andrew L. Mendelson. 2007. “An Exploratory Study of Reality Appeal: Uses and Gratifications of Reality TV Shows.” Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media 51(2):355–70. doi: 10.1080/08838150701307152.


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Not many people realize institutions and society regulate silence. The noise in our lives, both external and internal, is actually controlled by laws and norms, and that noise affects our physical and mental health. So what role do the social sciences play in this phenomenon? I'm joined by Leigh Marz and Justin Talbot-Zorn to talk about silence as a human right. 

Show Notes

Chepesiuk, Ron. 2005. “Decibel Hell: The Effects of Living in a Noisy World.” Environmental Health Perspectives 113(1):A34–41. doi: 10.1289/ehp.113-a34.

Dillon, Liam, and Ben Poston. 2021. “Freeways Force out Residents in Communities of Color — Again.” Los Angeles Times.

‎Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast. 2021. "How Freeways Bulldoze California Communities of Color on Apple Podcasts.” Apple Podcasts. (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/how-freeways-bulldoze-california-communities-of-color/id1280087136?i=1000542013424).

Hermes, Will. 2000. "The Story Of '4'33".' NPR, May 8.

Zorn, Justin, and Leigh Marz. 2022. Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise. New York, NY: Harper Wave, An Imprint pf HarperCollins Publishers.


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There are some wild theories about the Denver International Airport. But is it really the headquarters of the Illuminati, guarded by the demonic statue of a blue horse? Believe it or not, conspiracy theories like these can be useful to sociologists and other social scientists. They can teach us about a given society’s beliefs and general concerns and help us counter false beliefs. In this episode, I talk to Jesse Walker, book editor at Reason magazine and author of The United States of Paranoia: A Conspiracy Theory (HarperCollins, 2013), as well as Stephanie Figueroa, public information officer at Denver International Airport. 

Notes

DEN Files
https://www.flydenver.com/great_hall/denfiles

Rubino, J. (2020, March 3). Denver International Airport at 25: From Boondoggle to Boon. The Denver Post. Retrieved September 14, 2022, from https://www.denverpost.com/2020/03/01/denver-airport-25-years-boondoggle-anniversary/

Walker. (2013). The United States of paranoia : a conspiracy theory (First edition.). Harper.
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0062135562/reasonmagazineA/







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In the final episode of season one, I enlist the help of Ruth Yamamoto, PhD and certified improv instructor, to explore the role improv can play in improving science communication. Over the course of two one-and-a-half hour sessions, Ruth worked with me and other sociology graduate students on improv fundamentals. Did we improv(e) our confidence in public speaking? You'll have to listen to find out.

Show notes

Cohen, G. D., & The Center on Aging, Health & Humanities, The George Washington University (GW) (2006). The Creativity and Aging Study: The Impact of Professionally Conducted Cultural Programs on Older Adults. , (). Retrieved from https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/son_ncafacpubs/2 

Yamamoto, R. H. (2021). Improv as creative aging: the perceived influences of theatrical improvisation on older adults. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 45(3), 217-233. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01924788.2020.1763075

The Applied Improvisation Network
https://www.appliedimprovisationnetwork.org/




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How do we identify bullying and how do sociologists in particular study this phenomenon? This episode looks at the infamous Slap to examine whether bullying goes unrecognized among adults or whether we are applying the term too broadly. Sociologist Chris Donoghue, editor of the upcoming book The Sociology of Bullying, joins me to talk about definitions and how experiences in adolescents are guided by social structures.



Show notes

The Sociology of Bullying
https://nyupress.org/9781479803873/the-sociology-of-bullying/
Promo: DONOGHUE30-FM

Black Girl Nerds Podcast - The 2022 Oscars
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bgn-podcast-extra-the-2022-oscars/id1056793768?i=1000555521908


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The world is a mess, so let's talk about trauma. In this episode, I examine trauma in its many different forms and the ways social structures can create as well as mitigate its effects. I also ask if trauma claims can actually be good. You'll have to listen for the answer.

Show Notes

The Jane Addams Collective, "Mutual Aid, Trauma and Resiliency"
https://www.janeaddamscollective.org/matr

Jeffrey C. Alexander, Trauma: A Social Theory
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13762975-trauma

Judith Herman, Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence - From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/542700.Trauma_and_Recovery




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