We Defy Augury

Professor G. Truck
  • 4.3 (6)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY
We Defy Augury

Thoughts and theories (loosely) inspired by literature, life, and all the rest.

  1. JUL 1

    Trust No One: Unreliable Narration in Life and Art

    Thoughts about narration, reliable and otherwise, loosely inspired by the novels of Jim Thompson and the Richard Russo essay "In Defense of Omniscience." There is also a film quiz . . . see how you fare.

    1h 3m

  2. JUN 16

    Weezer, Creativity, and the Nullity of Identity

    Thoughts on creativity and identity (or the lack thereof) loosely inspired by the SNL Weezer sketch, Jonah Lehrer's article "Groupthink, Song Exploder episode 70: Weezer "Summer Elaine and Drunk Dory," the Atlantic article "Is This the Worst-Ever Era of American Pop Culture?" by Spencer Kornhaber and a bunch of other stuff.

    1h 5m

  3. MAY 20

    The Serendipitous Miracle of Creativity

    A philosophical, literary, and musical meditation on creativity and good ideas. Thoughts (loosely) inspired by Jonah Lehrer's article "Groupthink," Plutarch's "The Ship of Theseus Dilemma," and Steven Johnson's book Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation.

    1h 15m

  4. MAR 31

    Money: It's a Gas

    A meditation on wealth and its consequences, at both the human and national scale. Thoughts and theories (loosely) based on Taffy Brodesser-Akner's novel The Long Island Compromise and Andrew Bacevich's political critique The Age of Illusions: How America Squandered Its Cold War Victory. Special Guests: Tana French, Pat Martino, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Tom Wolfe, Ayn Rand, Bret Easton Ellis, Gordon Gekko, Noam Chomsky, Ross Perot, and Miley Cyrus.

    1h 34m

  5. JAN 21

    A Transcendental Perspective on the L.A. Fires

    Thoughts (loosely) inspired by various articles on the L.A. Fires, Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay "Nature" and Joan Didion's essay "The Santa Anas." Special Guests: The Bicycle Man, Conrad Bain, Nellie Bowles, David Gelles and Austyn Gaffney, Leighton Woodhouse, The Rivieras, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the delta smelt, the gang from Full House, and the gang from WKRP in Cincinnati.

    34 min

  6. JAN 13

    Medieval Times, Good Times?

    Thoughts loosely inspired by Ian Mortimer's history book Medieval Horizons: Why the Middle Ages Matter, Christopher Buehlman's fantasy novel Between Two Fires, and Connie Willis's science fiction novel The Doomsday Book. Special Guests: Jim Carrey, Matthew Broderick, Janeane Garofalo, The Beastie Boys, George Carlin, Rick Moranis, MF Doom, the Monty Python Troupe, Kiefer Sutherland, 100 Gecs, Metallica, Arya and the Hound, Jimmy Walker, the Wu Tang Clan, and medievalist professor Dorsey Armstrong.

    1h 17m

  7. 12/13/2024

    The Suburban/American Scream

    Thoughts on the history and future of the American suburbs (loosely) inspired by four books: Disillusioned: Five Families and the Unraveling of America's Suburbs by Benjamin Herold The Fifties by David Halberstam Outside the Gates of Eden: The Dream of America from Hiroshima to Now by Peter Bacon Hales The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit by Sloan Wilson Special Guests: Monty Python, Bill Cosby, Rush, Descendents, Bob and Doug McKenzie, Edward Scissorhands, Arcade Fire, Dead Milkmen, Malvina Reynolds, Helen Keller, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Bruce Springsteen, and The Who.

    1h 34m

  8. 10/24/2024

    The Horror? The Horror!

    Thoughts (loosely) inspired by three Paul Tremblay horror novels: Horror Movie, The Cabin at the End of the World, and A Head Full of Ghosts. Special Guests: Joe "the Zombie" Biden, Donald "Apocalypto" Trump, Foghat, Bernard Herrman, John Carpenter, Evil Dead, Hector Berlioz, Joey, Rachel, and Randy Meeks.

    36 min
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4.3
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Thoughts and theories (loosely) inspired by literature, life, and all the rest.

Information

  • Creator
    Professor G. Truck
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    75
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Professor G. Truck
  • Show Website
    We Defy Augury

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