W. David Marks
Cultural critic and author of Blank Space: A Cultural History of the 21st Century who analyzes shifts in popular culture and the political turn described in the episode.
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137 snips
Dec 12, 2025 • 25min
Pop culture is conservative now
Max Tawney, media editor at Semaphore and co-host of Mixed Signals, discusses how political lobbying, particularly by Trump, shapes studio deals like Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. Cultural critic W. David Marks analyzes the conservative shift in pop culture, exploring the rise of right-wing transgressiveness as a counter-response to liberal dominance. They delve into Trump's eclectic tastes and efforts to rehabilitate controversial figures, questioning whether current conservative trends in culture are here to stay.
78 snips
Jan 28, 2026 • 37min
Is Culture Stuck?
W. David Marks, author and culture critic behind Blank Space, argues the 21st century shows a gap in cultural innovation. He contrasts rapid 20th-century shifts with slower modern change. He uses examples from the Beatles to Taylor Swift, debates the internet and TikTok’s role, and outlines how small scenes can reignite inventive culture.
