Weird Studies

Meredith Michael, a music scholar and co-host of Cosmophonia podcast, joins JF and Phil to discuss songs by Lili Boulanger, Vienna Teng, and Iron & Wine. The conversation covers topics like time, impermanence, control, (mis)recognition, and the affinity of art and synchronicity. They also explore the significance of Lili Boulanger's music, the illusion of robotic voices, and the concept of identity and liberation.

Delving into Plato's 'Timaeus', the hosts analyze its creation myth and its encompassing of metaphysics, biology, ethics, and politics. They explore the esoteric significance of the opening lines and discuss the fictional nature of Plato's dialogues. The podcast touches on the idea of discovering lost knowledge, the influence of 'Timaeus' on Christian theology, and the shift from mythical to geometrical understanding of the cosmos. It also examines the difference between esoteric and scientific thinking.

In this live episode, the hosts discuss David Cronenberg's 'Videodrome', exploring its plot, themes, and philosophies. They also delve into the influence of Toronto and City TV on the film, the enigmatic nature of 'Videodrome', and the symbolism in the main character's apartment. The chapter ends with a discussion on various themes and factions in the movie.

Exploring Donna Tartt's novel 'The Secret History' as a work of weird fiction, discussing its machinesque writing style and supernatural possibilities. Gratitude expressed towards patrons and listeners for their support. Origins of dark academia genre explored, highlighting Tartt's influence. Nostalgia for college experience and impending doom discussed. Metaphysical and psychological aspects of the novel analyzed, character as fate and absence of redemption explored. Loss of classical departments and performances in academia emphasized. Internal conflict of following the heart or conforming to society examined.

The hosts discuss the documentary 'The Unbinding', exploring the ethics of paranormal investigation and the significance of storylike experiences. They delve into the concept of a 'spoil sport' in games and intellectual life. The contrasting perspectives of religious rituals are examined. Eerie encounters with a moving statue are recounted. The limitations of evidence-based methods in understanding artworks are debated. The Orthodox tradition's view on witchcraft is explored. The ethical implications of interacting with non-corporeal entities are discussed. The concept of coldness and its ethical implications are examined. The significance of the unbinding ritual in witchcraft is explored.

This podcast explores the weird and captivating world of William Hope Hodgson's novel 'The Night Land', discussing its post-apocalyptic setting, the power of sound, the themes of mythologies and cosmic horror, and the appeal of post-apocalyptic landscapes and hierarchical societies. It also delves into the motifs of watching and spectator culture, the concept of acousticism and uncertain perception, and explores the imaginative possibilities of 'The Time Machine' within a Darwinian framework.

The hosts discuss the significance of the Temperance card and its connections to cybernetics, art making, and self-divinization. They explore the symbolism and interpretations of the card, challenging misconceptions and discussing its political connotations. They also delve into machines' agency, negative dialectics, and the importance of religion in awakening individuals to the mystery of reality.

In this episode, the hosts explore the impact of artificial intelligence on the arts, discussing topics such as early science fiction, the potential impact on artistic imagination, the existential threat to classical music posed by AI-generated music, the value of amateurism in art, and the importance of art and music in society.

The podcast explores the impact of large language models and artificial intelligence on art and society. It delves into the backrooms meme and corporate horror. The concept of affectations as a way to express personal identity is discussed, along with the value of sitting in Zen meditation. The chapter also delves into authenticity in spiritual practice and writing.

On the last week of July, 2023, Phil and JF were delighted to speak at Shannon Taggart's Science of Things Spiritual Symposium in Lily Dale, the nerve centre of the Spiritualist movement. As speakers, your hosts were part of an inspiring lineup of scholars, artists, and researchers committed to exploring the borderlands of art, science, religion, and the paranormal. They also had the honour of launching the symposium with a live recording held on the evening of the July 27th. The topic was Frederic W. H. Myers' autobiographical essay, "Fragments of Inner Life," first published in full in 1961, some sixty years after the author's death. Myers was one of the original members of the Society for Psychical Research in England. A poet and classicist, he remained committed to the scientific promise of paranormal investigation until the end of his life. His book Human Personality and Its Survival of Bodily Death, also published posthumously, argues that psychical studies have confirmed, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that death is just the beginning. In this talk, JF and Phil discuss Myers' relevance to 21st-century thinking on the Weird. Support us on Patreon and gain access to Phil's podcast on Wagner's Ring Cycle. Listen to Meredith Michael and Gabriel Lubell's podcast, Cosmophonia. Download Pierre-Yves Martel's new album, Mer Bleue. Visit the Weird Studies Bookshop Find us on Discord Get the T-shirt design from Cotton Bureau! REFERENCES The Science of Things Spiritual Symposium: July 27-29, 2023 Frederic Myers, Fragments of Inner Life Alan Bennett, History Boys Arthur Machen, A Fragment of Life Alan Gauld, The Founders of Psychical Research Donna Tartt, The Secret History Arthur Machen, The Great God Pan Frans de Waal, Mama’s Last Hug Daniel Dennett, American cognitive scientist Frederic Myers, Human Personality and its Survival of Bodily Death Gabriel Marcel, The Mystery of Being Phil Ford, Dig William James, Principles of Psychology Akashic Record, Theosophical idea Jeff Kripal, Authors of the Impossible Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices