Data journalist Walt Hickey discusses the influence of Jurassic Park on his career, exploring the portrayal of mathematicians in media. He shares his experiences in mathematics and journalism, including the challenges of collecting and analyzing cultural data. The chapter also delves into the process of mining information from movies and how countries expand soft power through pop culture. The podcast ends with a discussion about favorite movies and a recommendation for 'Millenium Actress'.
The power of storytelling and popular culture in shaping public perception and influencing geopolitical relationships.
Analyzing the techniques of Steven Spielberg in building tension and manipulating emotions to engage viewers.
The importance of data analysis in understanding the impact of pop culture on society and bridging the gap between mathematics and art.
Deep dives
Exploring the Influence of Pop Culture on Public Perception and Soft Power
The book delves into the way countries like the United Kingdom, Japan, and Korea have used their pop culture to expand their soft power and influence on a global scale. It examines how movies, TV shows, and music can shape people's views and win them over to a country's point of view and values. Examples of successful cultural exports are highlighted, including James Bond, Monty Python, anime, and K-pop. The book explores the power of storytelling and the impact it can have in shaping public perception.
Analyzing the Tension-building Techniques of Filmmaker Steven Spielberg
The book analyzes the films of Steven Spielberg and how he effectively builds tension in his movies. Through graphing the plot and using eye-tracking technology, the author examines Spielberg's mastery at directing viewers' attention and manipulating emotions. The analysis reveals patterns and techniques that contribute to Spielberg's success as a filmmaker. This section offers insights into how Spielberg creates suspense and engages viewers on an emotional level.
The Intersection of Math, Data Analysis, and Pop Culture
The podcast episode discusses how the speaker has used their background in math and data analysis to explore various aspects of pop culture. From applying statistical analysis to movies like Jurassic Park to examining the influence of culture on geopolitical relationships, data journalism has provided unique insights into the world of entertainment. The speaker emphasizes the importance of using data to enhance storytelling and understand the impact of pop culture on society.
The Role of Data in Journalism and Cultural Analysis
The speaker highlights the significant role that data plays in journalism and cultural analysis, particularly when it comes to understanding the influence of pop culture. They discuss how data-driven journalism has allowed for a deeper understanding of how movies, TV shows, and music shape public opinion. By using data to analyze trends and patterns, journalists can provide valuable insights into the cultural and societal impact of various forms of entertainment.
Finding the Intersection Between Math and Art
The podcast explores how the speaker has been able to bridge the gap between mathematics and art by using data analysis to study and analyze various forms of media. From analyzing tension-building techniques in films to examining the impact of pop culture on public perception, the speaker showcases how mathematics can be applied to enhance our understanding and appreciation of art. This intersection between math and art allows for new insights and perspectives on the world of entertainment.
Data journalist Walt Hickey looks deep into the numbers behind movies, TV shows, and all types of popular culture.
Walt’s new book is You Are What You Watch - https://amzn.to/3F8SwVo
Walt’s Website - https://walthickey.com
Numlock News - https://www.numlock.com
Dr Ian Malcolm from Jurassic Park - https://jurassicpark.fandom.com/wiki/Ian_Malcolm
Does Hollywood ruin books? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUD8h9JpEVQ Math and Movies (Animation at Pixar) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX0NB9IyYpU
The problem in Good Will Hunting - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW_LkYiuTKE
Numberphile is supported by Jane Street - https://www.numberphile.com/jane-street
We also work with the Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute - https://www.slmath.org
You can support Numberphile on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/numberphile
Here are our Patrons - https://www.numberphile.com/patrons
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