Psychiatrists have noticed an increase in patients who believe they are subjects of a reality TV show. Today, we learn about “the Truman Show delusion,” and the provocative hypothesis linking psychosis not only to brain chemistry and genetics, but culture and environment.
Then, studies on television viewing habits can be confusing: it shortens lifespans, improves sex-lives, decreases motor skills, and builds empathy. But what if it were your job to be glued to the tube?
Listen to the full show.
Suspicious Minds
Reality TV seems to be everywhere since the new millenium. Fortunately, it is a spectacle that most of us do not directly experience. Psychiatrist Joe Gold talks to Virginia about the patients he has encountered with what he calls the "Truman Show Delusion," in which they see themselves as the protagnists of an elaborate reality show.
Suspicious Minds is now out in paperback.
Why You Should Ignore TV Research
TV critic Neil Genzlinger discusses why he has decided to ignore TV research and why you should too. For someone who watches five hours of TV a day, he has some authority. Listen to the interview below and read his article in the New York Times here.
Surrealist Games
Roger Miller is one of the founders of the influential punk band Mission of Burma and of the Alloy Orchestra, an experimental ensemble that provides live scores to silent films. He's also a writer and visual artist.
You'll find his soundtrack for surrealist games and more at this link: A Surrealist Soundtrack
He'll be at 3SArtspace on June 23rd. Tickets and info here: 3SArts.org
Song Exploder - Bjork
From a rock and roller and surrealism to a musician and composer whose work has been described as surreal. Hrishikesh Hirway, creator of the podcast Song Exploder delves into “Stonemilker”, a song from Björk's 2015 album, Vulnicura.
You can hear this episode again, and catch up on past episodes at SongExploder.net
