The Daily Stoic The Stoic Question David Mamet Engraved on His Watch
David Mamet, a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and screenwriter, shares his insights on craft and discipline. He emphasizes that courage is more vital than talent, revealing that simply delivering lines can be the hardest challenge. Mamet discusses the importance of restraint in performance, the value of simplicity, and how audience feedback sharpens artistic expression. He also explores Stoicism, sharing the question 'What hinders you?' engraved on his watch, urging listeners to confront their obstacles to enhance their creativity and authenticity.
56:52
Just Say The Words
- Say the words clearly and stop embellishing; the script will supply what's needed.
- David Mamet says actors need courage more than talent to deliver a truthful performance.
Simplicity Beats Over-Preparation
- Over-preparing invites false interiority; simplicity often yields stronger performance.
- Mamet argues rehearsal is about learning lines and blocking, then letting the play awaken truth.
Audience As Real-Time Teacher
- Audience feedback corrects and sharpens performance in ways rehearsal cannot.
- Mamet compares performing to boxing: you learn only when you face real opponents or audiences.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Epictetus, Acting, and Playing Your Part
01:34 • 5min
Saying the Words: Courage over Talent
06:27 • 4min
Restraint, Rehearsal, and Simplicity in Performance
10:20 • 2min
Narration, Audience, and Theatrical Honesty
12:26 • 3min
Audience Feedback and the Limits of Celebrity
15:05 • 10min
Ad break
24:53 • 3min
Discovering Stoicism and an Engraved Question
27:26 • 1min
Naming Obstacles to Change Behavior
28:40 • 2min
Character as Action: Theater and Life
30:34 • 3min
Simplicity, Choices, and Moral Responsibility
33:17 • 2min
St. Ives, Stoics, and the Porch Philosophers
35:40 • 3min
Directing, Throwing Out the Unnecessary
38:32 • 3min
Learning by Doing and Artistic Education
41:10 • 4min
Ad break
45:00 • 3min
Education, Heritage, and Teaching's Purpose
48:20 • 2min
Industrial Revolutions, Instability, and Human Nature
50:46 • 5min
Constitution, Checks, and the Limits of Power
55:19 • 4min
Modern Addiction to News and Doing Without
59:38 • 2min
Reading, Art, and Replacing Consumption Habits
01:01:56 • 2min
Outro
01:03:41 • 58sec
#30997
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Oleana
David Mamet
Oleana, de David Mamet, es una obra de teatro que explora la dinámica de poder entre un profesor universitario y una estudiante.
La obra presenta una crítica feroz al sistema universitario y a las élites, mostrando cómo la desigualdad de poder puede llevar a situaciones de abuso y manipulación.
El conflicto central gira en torno a una acusación de acoso sexual, dejando al espectador cuestionando la verdad y la moralidad de ambos personajes.
La obra es una metáfora de la lucha de poder en la sociedad, donde los privilegios y las estructuras de poder se enfrentan a la rebelión y la búsqueda de justicia.
La complejidad de la obra radica en la ambigüedad moral de sus personajes y la falta de una resolución clara, lo que la convierte en una pieza pertinente para el análisis de las relaciones de poder en la sociedad contemporánea.
#11909
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Some Recollections of St. Ives
David Mamet
#78758
Bambi vs. Godzilla
On the Nature, Purpose, and Practice of the Movie Business
David Mamet
In this witty and candid book, David Mamet examines the contradictions of the movie business, portraying screenwriters and directors as 'Bambi' battling the monstrous studio 'Godzilla.
' He discusses the good people of Hollywood like writers and crew, critiques producers' repressive mechanisms that produce bad films, and offers practical screenwriting advice including key questions like 'Who wants what from whom?
' The rambling yet entertaining structure draws from Mamet's experiences, touching on Jews in show business, population genetics, and the rape and theft screenwriters face.
#3964
• Mentioned in 11 episodes
What Makes Sammy Run?
Budd Schulberg
Published in 1941, 'What Makes Sammy Run?' is a satirical novel that chronicles the meteoric rise of Sammy Glick, a Jewish boy from New York's Lower East Side who becomes a Hollywood mogul through sheer ambition and ruthlessness.
The story is narrated by Al Manheim, a newspaper columnist and screenwriter who is both repulsed and fascinated by Sammy's relentless pursuit of success.
The novel explores themes of ambition, the cost of success, and the moral compromises one makes to achieve it.
It is known for its candid portrayal of the Hollywood industry and the darker aspects of the American Dream.
#143
• Mentioned in 126 episodes
Hamlet
William Shakespeare
The play revolves around Prince Hamlet's journey to avenge his father's murder, which was committed by his uncle Claudius.
Hamlet's father's ghost appears and reveals that he was poisoned by Claudius, who then married Hamlet's mother, Gertrude.
Hamlet feigns madness while he investigates and plots his revenge.
The play explores themes of betrayal, mortality, and the human condition, culminating in a tragic finale where nearly all main characters die, including Hamlet, Claudius, Gertrude, and several others.
#66
• Mentioned in 205 episodes
The Odyssey
Homer
The Odyssey, attributed to Homer, is an ancient Greek epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. The poem explores Odysseus's encounters with various mythical creatures, divine interventions, and natural challenges.
Upon his return to Ithaca, he must confront the suitors who have been vying for his wife Penelope's hand in marriage.
With the help of his son Telemachus and the goddess Athena, Odysseus devises a plan to defeat the suitors and reclaim his throne.
The poem is a reflection on human nature, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions, and it remains a crucial component of ancient Greek literature and Western cultural heritage.
#1283
• Mentioned in 28 episodes
Othello
The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice
William Shakespeare
Written around 1603, 'Othello' is a tragedy that delves into the destructive nature of jealousy and the vulnerability of trust in relationships.
The play follows Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army, whose marriage to Desdemona is manipulated by his ensign Iago, leading to tragic consequences.
Iago exploits Othello’s insecurities about his race and marriage, sowing seeds of doubt that ultimately result in the death of Desdemona and Othello's own downfall.
The play is renowned for its exploration of racial and cultural issues, as well as its nuanced portrayal of human nature and the complexities of love and trust.
#10350
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Glengarry Glen Ross
David Mamet
Glengarry Glen Ross is a play by David Mamet that explores the ruthless and competitive world of real estate sales.
Set in a Chicago office, it follows a group of desperate salesmen who engage in unethical tactics to survive in their industry.
The play critiques the darker aspects of capitalism and human nature, highlighting themes of desperation, greed, and betrayal.
It is known for its intense dialogue and complex characters, offering a powerful commentary on the American business culture.
#2243
• Mentioned in 18 episodes
Torah
The First Five Books of the Hebrew Bible
Moses (traditionally attributed)
The Torah is a compilation of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, which includes Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
It narrates the creation of the world, the early history of the Israelites, their descent into Egypt, the Exodus, and the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
The text includes religious obligations, civil laws, and historical accounts that form the foundation of Jewish identity and culture.
Traditionally, it is believed that Moses received the Torah from God, but modern scholarship indicates that it is a product of multiple authors and redactions over several centuries.
#10382
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Chicago
Its History and its Builders, Volume 2
Josiah Seymour Currey
This volume is part of a five-volume set that provides a detailed history of Chicago.
It covers topics such as Douglas and Lincoln in Chicago, the Great Fires, the Civil War, Evanston, and the Universities.
The work is designed to engage historically interested readers without being a mere catalogue of dates, offering a rich understanding of the city's development and its importance in Western history.
#113
• Mentioned in 144 episodes
Anna Karenina
Leo Tolstoy
Published in 1878, 'Anna Karenina' is a novel by Leo Tolstoy that delves into the complexities of Russian society in the late 19th century.
The story centers around the extramarital affair between Anna Karenina, a married socialite, and Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky, which scandalizes the social circles of Saint Petersburg.
The novel also follows the parallel story of Konstantin Levin, a wealthy landowner, and his struggles with marriage, faith, and managing his estate.
Tolstoy explores a wide range of themes including love, loyalty, betrayal, hypocrisy, and the differences between rural and urban life.
The novel is known for its detailed character development and its profound commentary on the human condition.
#70
• Mentioned in 199 episodes
War and Peace
Leo Tolstoy
Set during the Napoleonic Wars, 'War and Peace' follows the lives of several Russian aristocratic families, including the Bezukhovs, the Rostovs, and the Bolkonskys.
The novel spans from 1805 to 1820 and is known for its realistic detail and psychological analysis.
It explores the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Russia on the characters and society, delving into themes of love, family, war, and personal growth.
The novel includes historical events such as the Battle of Austerlitz, the Treaties of Tilsit, and the French invasion of Russia, intertwining historical and fictional elements.
#4817
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
Cato
A Tragedy
Joseph Addison
Written in 1712, 'Cato: A Tragedy' by Joseph Addison explores themes of individual liberty, government tyranny, and personal integrity through the story of Marcus Porcius Cato Uticensis.
The play was highly influential during the American Revolution, symbolizing virtue and patriotism.
It weaves Stoic philosophy throughout its narrative, highlighting Cato's unwavering commitment to his principles.
David Mamet is one of the most influential writers of the last half-century, so when he talks about craft, discipline, and courage, it’s worth listening. In this episode, David joins Ryan to talk about acting, writing, Stoicism, and why most people make things far more complicated than they need to be. David breaks down his blunt philosophy on performance and life, why courage matters more than talent, why “just saying the words” is often the hardest part, and the Stoic question he literally engraved on his watch.
David Mamet won a Pulitzer Prize for Glengarry Glen Ross and first broke through in the 1970s with plays like American Buffalo and Sexual Perversity in Chicago. He’s also written and directed films including House of Games, The Spanish Prisoner, and Heist, and wrote the screenplays for The Verdict and The Untouchables. Most recently, David released the film Henry Johnson and published the novel Some Recollections of St. Ives: A Novel.
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