Origin Story
Have you noticed how politicians, pundits and media commentators will often throw around phrases and buzzwords when discussing the news and other major political talking points? “Cultural Marxism” and “Metropolitan Elite” are two examples that spring to mind. Often it is clear that the person using these phrases has no idea what they mean or what their provenance is. Perhaps you’ve thought that it would be useful to learn more about these terms or the background behind certain institutions or movements. If this is the case then I wholeheartedly recommend the Origin Story podcast. To quote from their website “What are the real stories behind the most misunderstood and abused ideas in politics? From Conspiracy Theory to Woke to Centrism and beyond, Ian Dunt and Dorian Lynskey dig into the astonishing secret histories of concepts you thought you knew”.
Have you noticed how politicians, pundits and media commentators will often throw around phrases and buzzwords when discussing the news and other major political talking points? “Cultural Marxism” and “Metropolitan Elite” are two examples that spring to mind. Often it is clear that the person using these phrases has no idea what they mean or what their provenance is. Perhaps you’ve thought that it would be useful to learn more about these terms or the background behind certain institutions or movements. If this is the case then I wholeheartedly recommend the Origin Story podcast. To quote from their website “What are the real stories behind the most misunderstood and abused ideas in politics? From Conspiracy Theory to Woke to Centrism and beyond, Ian Dunt and Dorian Lynskey dig into the astonishing secret histories of concepts you thought you knew”.
I discovered the Origin Story podcast a few episodes into season one. I was aware of Ian Dunt as a journalist and had read his book How to be a Liberal, which is an extremely interesting history of Liberalism as a movement and how that has changed over time. I was not familiar with the writer Dorian Lynskey but subsequently read his book, 33 Revolutions a Minute, which was an excellent history of protest songs and political songwriting. What quickly caught my attention about the podcast was how both hosts make complex and sometimes rather scholarly subjects fun and engaging, while still retaining appropriate levels of intellectual rigour. All of which helps put the listeners at ease when the show tackles such complexities as The Partition of India or Stalin’s purges.
The standout feature of the Origin Story podcast is that each episode is well-researched and informative. This is because both hosts prepare for each season of the show by reading prodigiously. They also list all their information sources which is very useful. With episodes between anything from an hour to ninety minutes running time, the topic at hand is analysed to a high level and from multiple angles. If the facts run counter to established but incorrect assumptions, then both hosts will happily highlight such points. Both Churchill and Gandhi are shown to have been flawed human beings in reality, despite their saintly contemporary reputations. The show also places a great deal of significance upon historical context while not using it as an excuse. Overall Origin Story handles the issue of balance and bias well, with both hosts acknowledging their own worldviews and politics but endeavouring to keep them separate from the discussion.
Considering how potentially dry some of the subject matters can be, both Dorian and Ian are engaging and humorous hosts. They clearly get on and have the measure of each other, frequently riffing off each other’s comments and asides. Sometimes the language can be a little ripe but this fits well within the informal style of the podcast. Both have analytical minds and have clearly thought a great deal about the subjects that they explore. The tone of the show is just right, making the discussion accessible to a wide audience. However, thinking is required. The production values are professional. Like all podcasts, over time some injokes have emerged such as Dorian’s dualistic relationship with definitions found in the Oxford English dictionary. There’s also a potential drinking game stemming from how often George Orwell is referenced and maniacal figures from modern history whose nickname was “Bunny”.
Origin Story began in May 2022 and is currently in its eighth season. During this time it has covered a broad range of subjects. This includes McCarthyism, Conspiracy Theory, Centreism, Neoliberalism, Climate Denial and Eugenics. The latest season is dedicated to a History of Socialism which has episodes about Karl Marx, The UK Labour Party and the Sixties Movements and the New Left. The show has also looked at individuals of note such as Elon Musk, Ayn Rand, Benjamin Netanyahu and Martin Luther King Jnr. There have also been some interesting pop culture analyses of Superheroes, Doctor Who and the history of the British Board of Film Censors/Classification. One of the most notable and in some ways significant episodes is a dissection of Russell Brand. It’s a far from pleasant listen but incredibly informative.
Origin Story is available free of charge with adverts from all major podcast outlets. There is also a Patreon edition which features longer episodes which are released earlier. They are also sans adverts. At present the podcast market is awash with shows about politics and social issues. Many of which are extremely partisan with a clear agenda. If you want something more factual, that explains and provides relevant background information, rather than hectoring you with alarmist propaganda, then Origin Story is the podcast for you. It offers a great way to find out about the major social and political talking points of the moment and the ideas that drive them. It does so in a fun and laid back fashion. A bit like going down the pub and being schooled by your smart friends, rather than the lounge bar bore.
Supporting Content Creators
I was perusing the various YouTube channels that I subscribe to recently, enjoying a broad range of high quality content, when I suddenly realised that the majority of them had some sort of optional monetisation scheme associated with them. By realised I mean that it suddenly clicked with me that so many people are trying to raise funds to pay for their production costs. It’s certainly something I can identify with. I’ve been running a blog since 2007 and even that can be a money pit. There’s domain registrations, hosting costs, design work etc. It was even more expensive when I was producing a podcast. That incurred further hosting expenses and then there was the hardware to buy. So I fully appreciate the situation that many YouTubers find themselves in. They spend their own precious time and money creating quality material that many consume assuming that it is all just “free”.
I was perusing the various YouTube channels that I subscribe to recently, enjoying a broad range of high quality content, when I suddenly realised that the majority of them had some sort of optional monetisation scheme associated with them. By realised I mean that it suddenly clicked with me that so many people are trying to raise funds to pay for their production costs. It’s certainly something I can identify with. I’ve been running a blog since 2007 and even that can be a money pit. There’s domain registrations, hosting costs, design work etc. It was even more expensive when I was producing a podcast. That incurred further hosting expenses and then there was the hardware to buy. So I fully appreciate the situation that many YouTubers find themselves in. They spend their own precious time and money creating quality material that many consume assuming that it is all just “free”.
The democratisation of journalism and video production that the internet has brought over the last 25 years has not been without negative consequence. Trying to get paid for any sort of creative gig is an uphill struggle these day. There’s always someone who’ll undercut you, making it very much a buyers market. If you’re unsure about this point, just go look on Fiverr. And of course there’s that tedious mantra of offering “exposure”, which is still trotted out as a bullshit excuse for not paying you for you’re hard work. The gig economy is not all that it’s cracked up to be. So-called “free content” has damaged the notion that good quality videos, podcasts and longform essays have an inherent value. Furthermore, livestreaming and it’s interactive community elements is often seen as appealing to some viewers, as they get their egos stroked as the make a donation. The bottom line is if you produce content on a regular basis, getting any sort of financial return is a challenge.
I am not a wealthy man by any definition. I gave up self employment in 2016 to become a carer to my parents. I have sufficient funds to get by but I have to live within a monthly budget. However, I recently decided that I should try and be more supportive of those who are producing so much of the material that I regularly enjoy. After crunching some numbers I concluded I could afford to subscribe to two YouTube creators. I really wish I could afford more. I would love to be able to be an online philanthropist. However, my personal financial reality means that its just two. I then spent the next 24 hours pondering who to pick. Again, I felt I was short-changing those who weren’t chosen. I currently subscribe to 76 YouTube channels. But eventually I made a decision based upon the following simple metric. Whose videos do I look forward to the most?
As I am a consummate film fan, I am always on the look for interesting film criticism and analysis. There are lots of YouTube channels that provide this, especially when it comes to genre and cult material. But it can be a bit of an echo chamber at times and hard to find a source offering a different perspective. However, Dark Corners Reviews has successfully managed to fill that gap, offering droll reviews of various low budget genre movies as well as incredibly detailed retrospectives of classic actors and film makers. The former are entertaining due to presenter Robin Bailes’ dry sense of humour. The latter are extremely satisfying for the serious film aficionado. Robin is a free lance writer and very knowledgeable on the subjects he discuses. Material of this quality puts some of the extras I’ve seen on officially sanctioned DVDs to shame. Hence I signed up on Patreon to the Acolyte tier, affording me early access to content and additional videos.
In the last few years, I have started taking walking for pleasure more seriously. At present I do a lot of urban walking or I use the Green Chain Walk; a linked system of open spaces covering five London boroughs. My long term goal is to tackle some of the more iconic walks around the UK. But it is a pastime that requires some thought and planning. Hence I found Marek Larwood’s Cool Dudes Walking Club. Marek regularly publishes videos documenting his experiences, which are both informative and incredibly restful. His blog has a very useful gear guide and his entire approach to walking is very accessible and down to earth. Too many enthusiast videos on YouTube seem to fetishize the paraphernalia around their chosen hobby or use it as a means of posturing. Marek’s seems to find the right balance between preparation, equipment and having fun. So again, I subscribed via YouTube, choosing the Super Cool Dude tier.
It seem woefully inadequate to only support two content creators but I would argue that two is better than none. As someone who creates content myself, as well as consuming large swathes of material made by others, I understand the need to see beyond the myth of free content. I benefit on a daily basis through the hard work of others. So hence the two subscriptions. Financially, it works out as the equivalent of subscribing to one or two online games, or a couple of pints of beer a month. So if you, like me, enjoy a lot of online content and look forward to new material each week, please consider supporting some of those folk who work hard to produce it. Nothing is free. Making a contribution is always appreciated and at the very least helps content creators to meet their production costs. Please do what you can. You’ll feel better for it.
More Podcast and You Tube Recommendations
As part of the Blaugust Festival of Blogging, I thought I’d take the time to promote some of the content creators whose work I enjoy. Despite all the white noise, click bait and snake oil salesmen, there is still a wealth of good material to be found online, be it blogs, podcasts, You Tube channels or streamers. Most of what I currently enjoy, I discovered through word of mouth. I feel more disposed towards trusting the views and opinions of friends than I do of “recommendations” made by Google and You Tube, driven by their “questionable” algorithms. These are often determined by key words and have no ability to ascertain quality. So here are a mixture of You Tube channels, podcasts and blogs that I wholeheartedly recommend. Between them they cover such subjects as movies, gaming, comedy and history. Feel free to leave comments about my choices and share your own recommendations.
As part of the Blaugust Festival of Blogging, I thought I’d take the time to promote some of the content creators whose work I enjoy. Despite all the white noise, click bait and snake oil salesmen, there is still a wealth of good material to be found online, be it blogs, podcasts, You Tube channels or streamers. Most of what I currently enjoy, I discovered through word of mouth. I feel more disposed towards trusting the views and opinions of friends than I do of “recommendations” made by Google and You Tube, driven by their “questionable” algorithms. These are often determined by key words and have no ability to ascertain quality. So here are a mixture of You Tube channels, podcasts and blogs that I wholeheartedly recommend. Between them they cover such subjects as movies, gaming, comedy and history. Feel free to leave comments about my choices and share your own recommendations.
Dark Corners Reviews. If you have a liking for cult, obscure and trash cinema, then Dark Corners Reviews can provide in-depth commentary upon such content. Presented by writer Robin Bailes, films such as The Clones of Bruce Lee, Trog and Warriors of the Apocalypse are dissected in a droll and knowledgeable fashion. Robin also provides some very detailed retrospectives on classic horror movie franchises such as Universal Horror movies of the thirties and Hammer Studios Frankenstein series. These are extremely well researched and offer intelligent genre analysis along with clear love and affection. Dark Corners Reviews has been running for over five years so there is a wealth of content available on the channel. It is also interesting to see Robin refine his style and technique over time.
Extra Credits. Created by Daniel Floyd and James Portnow in 2008, Extra Credits was initially a You Tube channel about video games studies. However over the years it has broadened its scope and now offers regular content analysing Science Fiction, History and Mythology. Each subject is presented as an animated video with casual but extremely informative narration. It’s a great way to come to grips with weighty subjects such as the history of the Irish Potato Famine or Greek Myths. The games study videos are all written by those with first-hand experience and explore such subjects as common mechanics, development schedules and sales and monetisation. Furthermore, the videos are always presented in an upbeat fashion, even when tackling tough issues. The team also put out updates to previous videos and will correct or append content where appropriate. It’s all extremely professional, intelligent and yet presented in an entertaining and easily digestible format. All involved seem to be genuine and likeable. Something that’s quite rare online these days.
Rule of Three. This is a somewhat niche market podcast but is really excels at what it does. British comedy writers Joel Morris and Jason Hazeley invite other comedians, actors and writers to discuss what they find funny and provide one example for discussion. Hence you will get the likes of comedian Phil Jupitus waxing lyrical about animator Chuck Jones, comic actor Kevin Eldon heaping praise upon The Rutles and writer Charlie Brooker dissecting the comedy genius of the movie Airplane. The show is informative, extremely funny and at times an utter geekfest. These guys know about their craft (as do their guests) and among all the humour and banter, the budding writer can glean a lot of useful information via their show.
Scormus Fails. As long as I can remember, Scormus (formerly known as the MMO Troll) has been writing, podcasting, producing You Tube videos and live streaming. He is a familiar face in the MMO fan community; part of the furniture if you will. Like many of us, he has seen an ebb and flow in his content and audience. Yet he doggedly produces content, tries different mediums and talks about the things he loves. He knows he’s not to everyone liking but he is resolutely his own man. You have to admire someone who just does their own thing and keeps going. Over the years his sense of humour has grown on me and I enjoy dipping into his various content. I think he sends a very positive message to those who are just starting out on their blogging, podcasting or streaming career.
Murf Versus. I wrote a blog post a while ago about how overfamiliarity can be fandom’s Achilles Heel. In my case it’s movies. I’ve seen a lot and therefore, it takes more to impress, surprise or inspire me. However, a great tangential way to enjoy material you’re already familiar with, is through the experiences of others. And that is why I enjoy Murf’s blog. He and his partner Diane regularly sit and view classic films and do their upmost to put aside their own cultural baggage and give a fair and logical appraisal. Sometimes they find a point of entry and some common ground. Other times not so. Murf writes eloquently and thoughtfully. His musings are often astute and mature. He is also happy to eschew critical consensus. If he doesn’t like a cinematic sacred cow, he’ll happily say so and provide cogent reasons for doing so. So if you are more than just a casual movie viewer then do take a look at his blog. You may or may not agree with him on certain films but you cannot fault his honesty.
Podcast and You Tube Recommendations
I have no problems finding podcasts and You Tube channels that explore the subjects that I like. It’s determining which ones are any good that is the real trick and the only way to do this is to sit down and listen or watch them. Sometimes you need to give two or three episodes a go before you can truly determine if a show is for you. So, I thought it may be useful to share another small selection of the content that I am currently enjoying, so you don’t have to wade through quite so much “white noise” that fills the internet. I’ve made a conscious decision to select a broader spectrum of material and not to focus just on gaming. All the shows recommended are freely available although you can support the content creators if you wish to. Feel free to leave comments on the titles listed and share your own recommendations.
I have no problems finding podcasts and You Tube channels that explore the subjects that I like. It’s determining which ones are any good that is the real trick and the only way to do this is to sit down and listen or watch them. Sometimes you need to give two or three episodes a go before you can truly determine if a show is for you. So, I thought it may be useful to share another small selection of the content that I am currently enjoying, so you don’t have to wade through quite so much “white noise” that fills the internet. I’ve made a conscious decision to select a broader spectrum of material and not to focus just on gaming. All the shows recommended are freely available although you can support the content creators if you wish to. Feel free to leave comments on the titles listed and share your own recommendations.
The Infinite Monkey Cage. Science can be very complex, esoteric and daunting. Many of the big topics can seem inaccessible to the layman. However, The Infinite Monkey Cage addresses this with its witty, irreverent look at the universe. Physicist Brian Cox, comedian Robin Ince and a selection of guests discuss and debate such subjects as the Big Bang, Infinity and human irrationality. The light-hearted approach helps break down barriers and make the topics somewhat clearer, without trivialising matters. Guests have included Neil deGrasse Tyson, Richard Dawkins and Alan Moore. This is a very entertaining show which appeals on multiple levels. The mixture of academic and non-academic guest often means that explanations are rendered in clear and understandable terms. Frequently the subjects discussed will remain with the listener for days after the show as they are so thought-provoking. Furthermore, if that wasn't enough to recommend this podcast to you, a few years ago it acquired a great new theme tune by Eric Idle.
A Podcast to the Curious. This show explores and dissects not only the collected works of author M R James, but in more recent episode focuses on the short stories that influenced his writing. The two hosts Will Ross and Mike Taylor are knowledgeable entertaining and easy to listen to. The production is slick and academic, with all the appropriate references discussed clearly appearing in the show notes. I live in the hope that others will listen to the show and be inspired to produces a similar podcast focusing on the works of comparable authors. If you are an avid reader, then listening to A Podcast to the Curious is like joining a book club where you can swap ideas and discuss the meaning behind the text. It’s a great show that is both enjoyable to listen to and very illuminating. The subtleties of the authors work are fully explored, and I’ve gained a wider insight into the work of M R James as a result.
The Geek to Geek Podcast. There are many game related podcasts and shows that also talk about pop culture. What makes The Geek to Geek Podcast different from others is the quality of the discussions between host Beej and Void. Their respective tastes are similar but not identical and therefore they’re not afraid to disagree. The banter is thoughtful and at times quite scholarly, but the tone remains light, enthusiastic and engaging. Void also does an extremely good job of moderating the discussions and the show is well edited. As a result, a lot of material is packed into the hour running time and the pair maintain a regular publishing schedule. Beej and Void are also happy to engage with their listeners and have a subreddit where they expand upon subjects covered in the show. It is this attention to detail along with good natured and informed conversation, that makes The Geek to Geek Podcast stand out from similar shows about gaming, comics, the MCU and all things geek.
The Evolution of Horror. One of my minor podcasting regrets is that I never managed to get the movie related show I was planning off the drawing board and into production. However, The Evolution of Horror has recently come along and filled that gap for me. Hosted by freelance video producer Mike Muncer, the show explores the long-term evolution of the horror genre, through analysis of its respective sub-genres. The primary focus is that of horror cinema, but the show is not shy from tackling the subject from a literary, television and even theatrical perspective. Mike is well informed and dedicated. He regularly draws upon his professional contacts and peers as guests who are always illuminating and engaging. These have included writer Alan Jones, actor and writer Andy Nyman and director Lesley Manning. Furthermore, horror fandom is sometimes perceived as a male dominated province. The Evolution of Horror flies in the face of this not only by having female guests but frequently exploring the subject from a gender perspective. So, if you are a fan of horror and enjoy the audio equivalent of long-form critiquing, then this podcast is essential listening.
Good Bad Flicks. As a consummate movie fan who likes material from both ends of the cinematic spectrum, Good Bad Flicks is a refreshing change from some of the dry and dusty shows that explore more cerebral movies. Cecil Trachenburg regularly creates videos that explore cult classics, obscure horror as well as exploitation and other sub-genres. These analyses are in-depth, well researched and humourlessly narrated. The latter is a real skill as all too often other video hosts come across as mocking the very material they explore. Cecil does not do this, and his light-hearted approach is born of affection for the subject rather than scorn. I’ve watched several films as a result of reviews on Good Bad Flicks. I found Operation Avalanche to be exactly as described although I didn’t reciprocate Cecil’s stance on Doom. However, Good Bad Flicks isn’t a dogmatic fanboy show entrenched in a defensive stance. It’s about enjoying something even if it’s bad and Cecil makes it clear that not everything will be to everyone taste. Hence, I can wholeheartedly recommend his You Tube channel as it encapsulates the good things about fandom and not the negative.