Weird Studies

Every off-week, listeners who have chosen to support Weird Studies by joining our Patreon at the Listener's Tier get to enjoy a bonus episode. These episodes are different from the flagship show. Less formal and entirely improvised, they offer Phil and JF a different way of exploring the weird in art, philosophy and culture. To tide our listenership over until the next new episode drops on January 24th, here is a recent example of a Weird Studies audio extra, recorded as the holiday season was getting under way. Happy New Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hosts explore the metaphysical implications of John Carpenter's 'The Thing', discussing its blend of body horror and psychological thriller. They delve into the misnomer of the movie's title, analyzing the concept of 'The Thing' as a process rather than a physical entity. They also discuss the film's journey from being a flop to becoming a cult classic. The chapter explores the concepts of identity and essence in relation to our perception of the world. It also highlights the mastery of spatial construction in Carpenter's film and delves into the concept of biological horror and body transformations. The hosts discuss a nightmare that eerily predicted the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the importance of essence and infinite possibility, concluding with a reflection on fan intolerance towards ambiguity in art.

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.