How do you like it so far? cover art

How do you like it so far?

How do you like it so far?

By: Henry Jenkins Colin Maclay
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About this listen

 Academics Henry Jenkins and Colin Maclay use their combined knowledge to dig deeper and ask more ambitious questions than most pop culture podcasts out there – not doing recaps or just remaining on the level of entertainment coverage. For them, popular culture offers resources for asking questions about who we are and where we are going, questions that can be political, legal, technological, economic, or social, but often cut across all of the above. Art Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Pop Culture's Political Tie-ins with Jonathan Taplin

    Pop Culture's Political Tie-ins with Jonathan Taplin
    Aug 29 2025
    In this episode, Jon Taplin— director Emeritus of the Annenberg Innovation Lab at the University of Southern California—joins us to discuss his early years working with Bob Dylan, to his recent research on tech billionaires' growth in legislative influence. Taplin historicizes the changes in media’s ties to politics between the McCarthy era to the 2024 election cycle. The discussion delves into the power of music to spark political thought and changes in people’s connection to pop culture during difficult times. We ask whether the media landscape has become more nihilistic and if there is room for local community-driven efforts. Taplin leaves us questioning where the relationship between pop culture and politics will go in America, as the system seems to be limiting the powers of creativity and political disobedience. Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:Academic TextsThe End of Reality: How Four Billionaires are Selling a Fantasy Future of the Metaverse, Mars, and Crypto [Amazon]Move Fast and Break Things: How Facebook, Google, and Amazon Cornered Culture and Undermined Democracy [Amazon]The Magic Years: Scenes from a Rock-and-Roll Life [Amazon]People MentionedBob DylanEdward R MurrowRhiannon GiddensJohn Perry BarlowElon MuskJeff BezosPeter ThielCharlie ParkerJohn Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie Paul Butterfield Blues Band Mike BloomfieldAlan LomaxShows, Films, and Other MediaA Complete Unknown IMDB Mean Streets IMDB The Last Waltz IMDBSquid Game watch on NetflixBeast Games watch on PrimeTed Lasso watch on Apple TV+Schitt’s Creek watch on Double Indemnity IMDBClipped watch on HuluBreaking Bad IMDBMad Men watch on AMC+Succession watch on Max\The Wire IMDBHomicide: Life on the Street IMDBHill Street Blues IMDBMatlock (2024) watch on Paramount+Knives Out IMDBGlass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery watch on NetflixColumbo IMDBGrand Theft Auto [YouTube Clips of Trailers for GTA 1-6]The Sopranos IMDB Newport Folk Festival of 1965 Bob Dylan Performance [YouTube clip]FanDuel [Website]Potluck [Website]Virginia Public Radio [Website]Extra Fun Tidbits + NewsWhat does “kayfabe” mean in wrestling?Criterion Channel “Dangerous Work: Cy Endfield, Film Noir, and the Blacklist” series LA Fire Mutual AidLA Community Combats Fires Poker Face Is the New ColumboWhat does culture eats strategy for breakfast mean?Trump vs 60 Minutes Lawsuit and Paramount Merger with Skydance Public Media Defunded ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at howdoyoulikeitsofarpodcast@gmail.com.Music:“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmetSpaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumentalFree Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceshipMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Political Engagement in the Digital Age with Elizabeth Losh

    Political Engagement in the Digital Age with Elizabeth Losh
    Jul 1 2025

    In this episode, Elizabeth Losh, Professor of English and American Studies at William and Mary, joins us to explore the transformative role of digital technology in politics, from past presidents' strategies to the present-day campaigns shaping our future. We dive into Kamala Harris’s first presidential run, examining her use of Instagram Live and how her social media presence has evolved since then. We also discuss her approach to engaging with voters this election cycle in public spaces, creating a dynamic connection between candidate and community.

    We dissect the phenomenon of the memification in the election cycle, revealing how viral moments can shape narratives and influence public perception. Plus, we look at Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s savvy social media tactics to galvanize voters.

    Finally, we ask the question: if Kamala Harris secures the presidency, how can the momentum of youth engagement and enthusiasm cultivated through social media be sustained? Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on the future of political engagement in the digital age!

    Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:

    Selfie Democracy: The New Digital Politics of Disruption and Insurrection by Elizabeth Losh

    Obama administration’s We The People platform

    Obama addressing the interest in legalizing marijuana at the first ever White House online town hall

    “Kamala is Brat” / Coconut tree tiktok

    Vance’s Epic Egg Fail https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5BWPmIfFKo&t=70s

    “Eating the dogs” remix from tiktok

    Tim Walz car repair video clip

    Jon Lovett on Survivor

    Kamala Harris is reclaiming what it means to be a "woman in the kitchen" (Salon.com)

    Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Harris/Walz on Instagram

    Trump Uses AI for Church Photo https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattnovak/2023/03/23/donald-trump-shares-fake-ai-created-image-of-himself-on-truth-social/

    US Representative Mike Garcia https://mikegarcia.house.gov/

    ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

    Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at howdoyoulikeitsofarpodcast@gmail.com.

    Music:
    “In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.
    In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmet
    Spaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeats
    Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
    Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumental
    Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceship
    Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q
    ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
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    46 mins
  • The Secret Life of Data with Aram Sinnreich and Jesse Gilbert

    The Secret Life of Data with Aram Sinnreich and Jesse Gilbert
    Jun 20 2025

    In this episode, Professor and chair of the Communication Studies division at American University’s School of Communication, Aram Sinnreich, and Jesse Gilbert, an interdisciplinary artist working at the intersection of visual art, sound and software design, join us to explore the presence of data in our life and the future of data. The conversation starts with personal experiences at rallies and the challenges of digital activism. The guests reflect on their long-standing collaboration, which began in high school and led to their recent book, The Secret Life of Data.

    Key themes include data privacy, the ethical implications of technology, and the influence of corporations on our digital lives. We examine the limitations of AI, the psychological impact of surveillance, and the need for technology to reflect societal values. This episode offers concise insights on building a more equitable tech future.

    A full transcript of this episode will be available soon!

    Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:

    Aram Sinnreich

    Jesse Gilbert

    The Algorithmic Mirror: Reflecting data's role in modern life

    “The Carrier Wave Principle” – International Journal of Communication

    Health Care Reform Initiative · Clinton Digital Library

    General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

    Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring

    Foucauldian discourse analysis

    John Henry (folklore)

    What Did Cambridge Analytica Do During The 2016 Election?

    Watch Black Mirror on Netflix; IMDb

    Steve Mann

    The Truman Show on IMDb

    Donna Haraway Archives - EERA Blog

    ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

    Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at howdoyoulikeitsofarpodcast@gmail.com.

    Music:
    “In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.
    In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmet
    Spaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeats
    Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
    Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumental
    Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceship
    Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q
    ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
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