Weird Studies Episode 200 – On 'The Call of Cthulhu'
Oct 29, 2025
Delve into the eerie world of H. P. Lovecraft as the hosts explore the unsettling themes of 'The Call of Cthulhu.' They reflect on the balance between reason and irrationality, revealing Lovecraft's dark warnings about modernity's grip on superstition. In a surprising twist, the discussion unveils a thread of optimism nestled within the horror. They also unpack Lovecraft's narrative style through fallible narrators and confront the complexities of the artist's personal failings. Throughout, they highlight the joy of piecing together fragmented knowledge.
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Episode notes
Structure As Emergent Discovery
- Lovecraft's story structure mirrors Weird Studies: a slow piecing together of dissociated knowledge.
- This emergent assembly reveals vistas neither creator expected, making discovery central to the project.
Myths As Traces Of Hidden Reality
- The story treats myths as symbols of inaccessible realities that nonetheless persist alongside us.
- Lovecraft urges taking mythical images seriously as possible traces of primordial beings or forms.
Show Up On Schedule
- Keep a strict release schedule to build and retain podcast audiences.
- Showing up regularly creates listener expectation and fosters growth.
