Culture on My Mind Fly You Fools! (The Second Breakfast) January 21, 2022
If you know The Lord of the Rings, you know that there is a lot to talk about. As a result, the Dragon Con American Sci-Fi Classics Track celebrated twenty years of assembling the Fellowship… twice!
The first panel on this was held on January 13th and discussed here.
On January 20th, the panel of Darin Bush (on Amazon, though you should join me in telling him that he really needs a website), Kevin Cafferty (Gleaming the Tube), Sherman Burris (NerdBurger358 on Twitter), and Beth Van Dusen (Execute Chapter 66, available where all fine podcasts are fed) joined Joe Crowe for one more round of hot Middle-Earth action.
These Classic Track Quarantine Panels will be held once every two weeks (or every fortnight, if you will). If you want to play along at home, grab your internet-capable device of choice and navigate the webs to the YouTube channel and/or the group on Facebook. If you join in live, you can also leave comments and participate in the discussion using StreamYard connected through Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch.
Since this was a special event, the next panel will be on January 27th when we celebrate another 20th anniversary. You can find this and more every other Thursday as the American Sci-Fi Classics Track explores the vast reaches of classic American science fiction.
The episode art each week is generously provided by the talented Sue Kisenwether. You can find her (among other places) on Women at Warp: A Star Trek Podcast.
Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.
Culture on My Mind Fly You Fools! January 17, 2022
One thing that the Dragon Con American Sci-Fi Classics Track does well is anniversaries. Last Thursday, they celebrated twenty years of assembling the Fellowship.
On January 13th, they talked about hobbits and Gandalf and Tolkien galore as they looked back on two decades of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. The live-action movie, not the book. Because the book is much older. Joe Crowe was joined by Shaun Rosado (pneumaz on Twitter), ToniAnn Marini (jersey_devil86 on Twitter), Nathan Laws (host of The 42Cast), and David Wright (Galahad’s Doom).
These Classic Track Quarantine Panels will be held once every two weeks (or every fortnight, if you will). If you want to play along at home, grab your internet-capable device of choice and navigate the webs to the YouTube channel and/or the group on Facebook. If you join in live, you can also leave comments and participate in the discussion using StreamYard connected through Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch.
The future of the Classic Track’s YouTube channel holds another 20-year anniversary celebration. You can find this and more every other Thursday as the American Sci-Fi Classics Track explores the vast reaches of classic American science fiction.
The episode art each week is generously provided by the talented Sue Kisenwether. You can find her (among other places) on Women at Warp: A Star Trek Podcast.
Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.
It’s a new year with some old… no, classic takes. This time around, the Dragon Con American Sci-Fi Classics Track crosses holiday streams by mixing horror and Christmas seasons like chocolate and peanut butter.
On December 30th, they talked about Krampus and Black Christmas and Frosty the Snowman(?) in the magical mixture that is chills and thrills in the wintertime wonderland. After all, the holiday season can be a real killer. Joe Crowe and Gary Mitchel were joined by Shaun Rosado (pneumaz on Twitter), Lola Lariscy (also on Twitter), and Jonathan Williams (Wrestling with Pop Culture).
These Classic Track Quarantine Panels will be held once every two weeks (or every fortnight, if you will). If you want to play along at home, grab your internet-capable device of choice and navigate the webs to the YouTube channel and/or the group on Facebook. If you join in live, you can also leave comments and participate in the discussion using StreamYard connected through Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch.
The future of the Classic Track’s YouTube channel holds two 20-year anniversary celebrations, one of which I will be participating in at the end of the month. You can find this and more every other Thursday as the American Sci-Fi Classics Track explores the vast reaches of classic American science fiction.
The episode art each week is generously provided by the talented Sue Kisenwether. You can find her (among other places) on Women at Warp: A Star Trek Podcast.
Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.
BBC News – Scotland to ban most single-use plastic from June 2022 (Nov 11, 2021/Jan 4, 2022) The legislation will ban the use of plastic cutlery, drink stirrers and food containers made from expanded polystyrene. An exemption will be in place for people who need plastic straws for medical reasons or to ensure they can continue to live independently. Scotland is the first UK nation to pursue the ban.
TED-Ed – Blood, concrete, and dynamite: Building the Hoover Dam (Dec 23, 2021) The engineering of the Hoover Dam, a concrete arch-gravity dam on the Colorado River in the southwestern United States, in five minutes.
It’s Okay to Be Smart – A PBS Digital Studios science show hosted by Dr. Joe Hanson (Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology).
Physics Girl – Hosted by Dianna Cowern, a science communicator and physics alumna from MIT, this show was part of PBS Digital Studios until 2020. She uses her platform to explore complex physics, astronomy, and science-related topics in simple terms.
Ask a Mortician – Caitlin Doughty is a mortician, author, blogger, and YouTube personality known for advocating death acceptance and the reform of Western funeral industry practices. You got death questions, she’s got death answers. Ask a Mortician was suggested by Sue Kisenwether. [S]
NASA – James Webb Telescope The James Webb Telescope has launched and you can keep track of its progress courtest of the Goddard Space Flight Center. Named after James E. Webb, the administrator of NASA from 1961 to 1968 who played an integral role in the Apollo program, the telescope is intended to succeed the Hubble Space Telescope as NASA’s flagship mission in astrophysics.
Practical Engineering – Grady Hillhouse is a civil engineer in San Antonio, Texas. His channel aims to increase exposure and interest in the field of engineering by highlighting the connection between the world around us and the energy, passion, and thought that goes into making it a nicer place to live.
Mark Rober – An engineer and inventor, Mark Rober presents popular science concepts and do-it-yourself gadgets in easy-to-understand terms. He was previously a NASA engineer (where he worked on the Curiosity rover) and a product designer at Apple’s Special Projects Group (where he authored patents involving virtual reality in self-driving cars). One of his best known series involves the development of a glitter bomb to combat porch pirates and internet scammers.
Nick Zammeti – A woodturner and artist based in the United Kingdom, Nick Zammeti thrives in funky and creative projects fueled by a healthy love of pop culture, especially Back to the Future. [A]
The Smugglers Room – Building something out of nothing with a Star Wars flair is the order of the day in the Smugglers Room.
Moonpie Creations – Ken is a woodworker and creator who likes to have fun. A combat veteran, he uses his tools as a way to relax and deal with everyday stress. He loves to try new things, think outside the box, and stay cool.
JackJack – YouTuber JackJack is based in the United Kingdom and does phenomenal work with models and resin.
PF Woodturning – Peggy Farrington is a woodturner from Maine who allows the wood to speak for itself as she crafts it into works of art.
Veritasium – A combination of the Latin for truth, veritas, and the suffix common to many elements, -ium, this show is literally an element of truth. It is hosted by Australian-Canadian science communicator, filmmaker, and inventor Derek Muller (Ph.D., Physics Education Research). [S]
Emmymade – Whether it’s trying to figure out if it’s really worth it to wait a hundred hours for a batch of brownies, finding out what Ranch gummies or giant centipedes taste like, making mayonnaise from a vintage gadget, or tasting desserts and dishes from around the world, Emmy wants to learn about our world through food.
Smarter Every Day – Mechanical engineer and aerospace engineer Destin Sandlin explores the world using science in this series. He was one of three YouTube personalities chosen to conduct a one-on-one interview with President Barack Obama after his final State of the Union address. His secondary channel provides additional details and interviews to supplement his primary channel’s videos.
Frank Howarth – A Portland, Oregon based architect and woodworker, Frank Howarth uses stop-motion animation to demonstrate his design and building process for a variety of projects and art pieces.
I Like To Make Stuff – Bob Clagett likes to make stuff, whether it be home renovations, fixing up a vintage car, or building an astromech droid.
Sam the Cooking Guy – Sam Zien is a Canadian-born television cook, restaurateur, and cookbook author Based in San Diego, California, his often-irreverent cooking channel on YouTube focuses on the simple fact that everyone can cook. He makes it easy and fun.
If you have any suggestions for STEAM Saturday, please leave them below in the comments. Thanks for stopping by. I hope that something inspired you to get out there and explore the universe.
STEAM Saturday is a periodic celebration of curiosity and imagination through science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics, the very building blocks of the universe around us.
Culture on My Mind Rankin-Bass Thunderdome! December 27, 2021
Welcome back. I hope you all had a happy, safe, and warm holiday season. This time around, I’m taking a look at Rankin-Bass and a face off on the Dragon Con American Sci-Fi Classics Track.
On December 16th, they pit sixteen Rankin-Bass Christmas cartoon favorites against one another in a winner-take-all competition. Joe “Mr. Heat Blister” Crowe and Gary “Mr. Green Christmas” Mitchel were joined by Kevin “First Podcaster to the King” Eldridge (The Flopcast) and Kevin “Too Much” Cafferty (Gleaming the Tube and Let’s Get Chatty About David and Maddie).
These Classic Track Quarantine Panels will be held once every two weeks (or every fortnight, if you will). If you want to play along at home, grab your internet-capable device of choice and navigate the webs to the YouTube channel and/or the group on Facebook. If you join in live, you can also leave comments and participate in the discussion using StreamYard connected through Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch.
The future holds a little holiday horror and two 20-year anniversary celebrations. You can find this and more every other Thursday as the American Sci-Fi Classics Track explores the vast reaches of classic American science fiction.
Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.
Culture on My Mind Ask Gary and Best Franchises December 10, 2021
It’s been a hot minute (or two) since we visited the crew at the Dragon Con American Sci-Fi Classics Track, so here’s what’s been happening.
On November 18th, the Garys had a face-off. It was Classic Track co-conspirator Gary Mitchel’s birthday, and in track tradition he was forced to answer questions and address topics sent in by the audience. It’s like an Ask Me Anything, but more entertaining. The face-off came about with Gary’s co-host, Other Gary (Lindros), as they competed for the title of ULTIMATE GARY.
You can find Gary Mitchel on the Twitter and Gary Lindros on the Facebook.
On December 2nd, a panel was assembled with Deanna Toxopeus, Lola Strickland, Shaun Rosado, Bobby Nash, and Sherman Burris to discuss the top movie franchises for holiday binge watching. Some might think you should skip Thor: The Dark World, but I’m not one of them.
These Classic Track Quarantine Panels will be held once every two weeks (or every fortnight, if you will). If you want to play along at home, grab your internet-capable device of choice and navigate the webs to the YouTube channel and/or the group on Facebook. If you join in live, you can also leave comments and participate in the discussion using StreamYard connected through Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch.
The future holds the return of Sci-Fighters, a little holiday horror, and two 20-year anniversary celebrations. You can find this and more every other Thursday as the American Sci-Fi Classics Track explores the vast reaches of classic American science fiction.
Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.
Since at least 1909, a superstition has lived in North American and the United Kingdom that if a person says or repeats the word “rabbit” upon waking up on the first day of the month, good luck will follow for the remainder of that month.
Elements of the tradition exist in the United Kingdom, New England, and even in various First Nation cultures.
While I’m not necessarily endorsing the superstition, it provides a way to look in depth at each month of the year, from history and observances to miscellaneous trivia. The topic this month is December.
History
December is the twelfth and final month of the year, but it used to be the tenth in the old calendar of Romulus. That’s why it has the Latin decem (meaning “ten”) in its name.
Roman observances for December included one of the four Agonalia, particularly in honor of Sol Indiges, on December 11th. This was the same day as Septimontium. Dies natalis (“birthday”) was held at the temple of Tellus on December 13th, Consualia was held on December 15th, Saturnalia was held from December 17th to 23rd, Opiconsivia was held on December 19th, Divalia was held on December 21st, Larentalia was held on December 23rd, and the dies natalis of Sol Invictus was held on December 25th. As usual, these dates do not correspond to the modern Gregorian calendar.
Anglo-Saxons also referred to December and January as Ġēolamonaþ or Ȝēolamōnaþ, translated to “Yule month”. The Anglo-Saxon scholar Bede explained in his treatise De temporum ratione (The Reckoning of Time) that the entire winter solstice period was known as Ġēola. December later became known as Ǣrra-ġēolamōnaþ and January became known as Æfterra-ġēolamōnaþ, translated as The Preceding Yule and The Following, respectively.
Yule was the festival historically celebrated by the Germanic people, which was connected to the Wild Hunt, the god Odin, and the pagan Anglo-Saxon Mōdraniht. These pagan celebrations were later assimilated by the Christians, transforming the period into Christmastide. Some present-day Christmas customs and traditions such as the Yule log, Yule goat, Yule boar, Yule singing, and others are connected to the pagan traditions. Yule is still celebrated in various forms in Nordic countries, Estonia, and Finland, as well as through modern neopagan movements.
Observances
December is the Month of the Advent of Christ in the Catholic Church. It also includes National Egg Nog Month, National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, National Fruit Cake Month, and National Pear Month. The international stage adds No Gender December, a campaign to educate the public about gender neutrality.
On the astronomical front, December meteor showers include the Andromedids (September 25 to December 6, with a peak around November 9th), the Canis-Minorids (spanning December 4 to December 15, with a peak around December 10th or 11th), the Coma Berenicids (between December 12 and December 23, with a peak around December 16th), the Delta Cancrids (December 14 to February 14, with a main shower from January 1-24 and a peak on January 17th), the Geminids (December 13-14), the Monocerotids (typically December 7-20, with a peak on December 9th), the Phoenicids (spanning November 29 to December 9, and peaking around December 5th), the Quadrantids (which is usually a January shower, but can start in December), the Sigma Hydrids (December 4-15), and the Ursids (December 17-26, with a peaking around December 22nd).
December also contains the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the day with the fewest daylight hours, and the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, the day with the most daylight hours. Both of these, of course, exclude the polar regions.
Trivia
December’s birthstones are turquoise (wisdom, tranquility, protection, good fortune, and hope), zircon (wisdom, success, honor and wealth), and tanzanite (wisdom, truth, and dignity).
The western zodiac signs of December are Sagittarius (until December 21st) and Capricorn (December 22nd onwards).
The month’s birth flower is the narcissus.
Rabbit Rabbit is a project designed to look at each month of the year with respect to history, observances, and more.
Culture on My Mind Rogue Squadron Grounded
November 22, 2021
I’ve seen various reports about the Star Wars: Rogue Squadron movie to be directed by Wonder Woman alum Patty Jenkins. The more reputable sites are saying that movie is merely delayed while others are reporting that the film is shelved indefinitely due to “creative differences” and friction with Lucasfilm.
Either way, this makes the third (at least) film project in the galaxy far, far away that is delayed, following trilogies by Rian Johnson (Star Wars: The Last Jedi) and the David Benioff/D.B. Weiss duo (Game of Thrones).
The film by Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok) is still on the books.
Honestly, considering the immense popularity of starfighter titles in Star Wars history and the success of television for the franchise, this might be for the best.
In 1993, LucasArts released a space flight simulator game called Star Wars: X-Wing. It placed the player in the cockpit dogfighting against the Empire. It was followed by TIE Fighter, X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter, and X-Wing Alliance, along with several expansion packs. These titles advanced the stories of the galactic jet jocks and their missions.
Between 1996 and 2012, authors Michael A. Stackpole and Aaron Allston crafted a ten-book series about the adventures of Rogue and Wraith Squadrons. This series still stands as a major milestone and fan favorite in the former Expanded Universe, divorcing readers from the Skywalkers and the Force and exploring the world of aviators. Michael Stackpole also had explored this territory a year earlier with the 35-issue comic book series Star Wars: X-Wing – Rogue Squadron. That series also included the 2005 prequel X-Wing – Rogue Squadron, which tells the story of Luke Skywalker’s departure from the fighter team.
The Prequel Era also got involved with 2001’s Star Wars: Starfighter and 2002’s Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter.
The tales of Star Wars fighter squadrons are immensely popular. It’s evident thanks to nineteen years of books, comics, and video games that the stories are easily serialized. I think that Lucasfilm would be better served by putting Rogue Squadron on television, treating an eight to ten-episode stretch as a novel length presentation in a continuing series of missions against the Empire, Imperial Remnant, or First Order. The stories of these pilot heroes are better served by long-form serialization instead of one-shot film treatments.
The room exists in the Star Wars legend and has potential for many years on Disney+ as the pilot roster can naturally shift. It’s also a great chance to explore the galaxy without lightsabers, Jedi, and the Force.
Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.
Culture on My Mind Your DNA is Everywhere
November 12, 2021
This week, I have Veritasium on my mind again. I’m fascinated by DNA testing and forensic applications. This video, years in the making, was catnip to me.
If one of your third cousins runs a DNA test, your DNA is essentially on file. No consent required.
The implications are both fascinating and frightening.
Happy Friday. See you again soon.
Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.
Culture on My Mind Disney+ Day 2021 November 15, 2020
You get a bonus edition of Culture on My Mind because I’m thinking Disney.
Disney+ Day marks the anniversary of the Mouse House’s streaming service, and the second anniversary was on November 12th. The event served as a teaser for new content and features as well as a premiere day for new titles.
New Arrivals
To celebrate the second anniversary of Disney+, several new titles were added to the service, including:
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Jungle Cruise
Home Sweet Home Alone
Marvel Assembled: The Making of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Marvel Studios’ 2021 Disney Plus Special
Under the Helmet: The Legacy of Boba Fett
The Making of Happier than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles
Entrelazados
Enchanted (2007)
Spin
The World According to Jeff Goldblum: Season Two
Fancy Nancy: Season Three
Olaf Presents (a series of animated shorts)
Ciao Alberto (a Luca short)
The Simpsons in Plusaversary
The list also included an assorted collection of Walt Disney Animation Studios shorts.
IMAX Enhanced Films
Select Marvel films have been upgraded on the service to include their IMAX presentations. A typical theater presentation is in either the 1.85:1 or 2.35:1 aspect ratio, which means that for every inch tall, a movie is either 1.85 inches or 2.35 inches wide. IMAX uses a 1.90:1 ratio, which offers up to 26 percent more screen space.
The films included in this lauch are:
Iron Man (2008)
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Doctor Strange (2016)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Black Panther (2018)
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Ant-Man and The Wasp (2018)
Captain Marvel (2019)
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Black Widow (2021)
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
The IMAX presentations on Disney+ do not include the IMAX Enhanced DTS sound, but there is a possibility of adding it down the road.
Star Wars Teases
Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) – A teaser is available on Disney+.
Marvel Teases
X-Men ’97, a revival of the beloved 1997 Fox animated series (2023)
Moon Knight, based on the Marvel Comics series. For more information and a peek at the First Look footage, check out the New Rockstars video.
She Hulk, based on the 1980s Marvel Comics series created by Stan Lee and John Buscema. For more information and a peek at the First Look footage, check out the New Rockstars video.
Ms. Marvel, based on the Marvel Comics series. For more information and a peek at the First Look footage, check out the New Rockstars video.
Secret Invasion, an original series based on the Marvel Comics series and presuambly playing off all of the Skrulls that we keep seeing in the MCU. Once again with the breakdown, I present New Rockstars.
New Rockstars also recorded a discussion on all of the titles from the presentation today.
Pixar Teases
Cars on the Road (an original series based on the films, coming 2022)
Win or Lose (an animated series about baseball in Fall 2023)
Behind the scenes feature-length documentaries are also coming in 2022 for Turning Red and Lightyear.
Disney Teases
Zootopia+, a short form series based on Zootopia (coming in 2022)
Tiana, a new long-form musical series continuing 2009’s The Princess and the Frog (2022)
The Ice Age Advenures of Buck Wild (a spinoff of Ice Age, coming January 28, 2022)
Baymax! (an original series based on Big Hero Six, coming Summer 2022)
Cheaper By the Dozen (a movie presumably based off the 1950 and 2003 films, premiering in March 2022)
Disenchanted, the sequel to 2007’s Enchanted (Fall 2022)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (which is getting yet another revision) (December 3, 2021)
Pinocchio (the next live action reimagining, coming Fall 2022 with Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis)
Limitless with Chris Hemsworth (from National Geographic, coming 2022)
Welcome to Earth (a National Geographic series with Will Smith, coming December 8, 2021)
America the Beautiful (from National Geographic, coming 2022)
Sneakerella (an original movie, coming February 18, 2021)
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (February 2022)
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: Season Three (2022)
The Spiderwick Chronicles (a new live-action series)
Willow, a series following the 1988 film (2022)
We’ll probably get more information at the Disney Investor’s Call, but it’s good to see what’s in the hopper for many of our favorite franchises and properties. Also remember what came from last year’sinvestor call. All of those things are still on the horizon, including more Marvel and Star Wars content.
Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.
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Creative Criticality 