|
POPULAR CULTURE
 
Alice B. Sheldon
|
James Tiptree Junior wrote some
of the most critically-acclaimed science fiction stories in the
1960's and 1970's....classics like "Houston, Houston, Do You Read?"
and "The Women Men Don't See." But James Tiptree was actually
the pseudonym of a 61-year-old woman, Alice B. Sheldon. In this hour of
To the Best of Our Knowledge, we'll explore the double life of
Alice Sheldon. Also, Greil Marcus on America's story of self-invention
and nationhood...as told through its contemporary artists. And the mysteries
behind the popular TV series, "Lost."
SEGMENT 1:
Critic and journalist Chuck Klosterman
is the author of "Chuck Klosterman IV: A Decade of Curious People
and Dangerous Ideas." He tells Steve Paulson why Phoenix Suns basketball
player Steve Nash is associated with Marxism, and how he picks subjects
to write about. Also, Greil Marcus calls his new book "The
Shape of Things to Come: Prophecy and the American Voice." He tells
Steve Paulson that self-invention has been a part of American nationhood
since Puritan times and is a tradition best expressed by artists like
writer Philip Roth and film-maker David Lynch.
SEGMENT 2:
Henry Jenkins is the Founder
and Director of the Comparative Media Studies Program at MIT. He tells
Jim Fleming that "The Matrix" is a good example of what we
can expect from a convergence culture a story that is told in
more than one medium. We don't get it, but our kids do. Jenkins' book
is "Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide."
Also, Doug Gordon reports on the TV phenomenon "Lost."
He offers some explanations about why it's so popular and has some theories
about the island.
SEGMENT 3:
Julie Phillips is the author
of "James Tiptree, Jr.: The Double Life of Alice B. Sheldon."
She tells Anne Strainchamps that as a middle-ages woman, Sheldon, writing
as Tiptree, became one of the most critically acclaimed writers of science-fiction
short stories. The male pseudonym freed her to express herself in a
novel way.
CD copies are available at 1-800-747-7444.
Ask for program number 06-10-01-A.
................................................................
Books:
| Chuck Klosterman , Chuck Klosterman
IV: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas (Scribner) |
 |
| Greil Marcus, The Shape of
Things to Come: Prophecy and the American Voice (Farrar, Straus
and Giroux) |
|
| Henry Jenkins,
Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide
(New York University Press) |
 |
| Henry Jenkins, Fans, Bloggers,
and Gamers: Exploring Participatory Culture (New York University
Press) |
 |
|
Orson Scott Card,ed: Getting Lost: Survival, Baggage
and Starting Over in J.J. Abrams' LOST (Smart Pop/Benbella
Books)
-- To download a free copy of "The Best of Smart Pop, Volume
2"...
http://www.smartpopbooks.com/download/index.html
|
 |
| Julie Phillips, James Tiptree,
Jr.: The Double Life of Alice B. Sheldon (St. Martin's Press) |
 |
Websites:
Clips:
Music:
- -- "Hillbillies From Outerspace"/The
Vaughan Brothers from the CD, "Family Style" (Epic/Associated)
- -- Music from "Lost Highway"
Composed by Angelo Badalamenti
from the CD, "Lost Highway: Soundtrack" (Interscope Records)
- -- "Brain Liaters"/Drums & Tuba
from the CD, "Mostly Ape" (Righteous Babe)
http://www.drumsandtuba.com/
- -- "Computerlove"/Kraftwerk
from the CD, "The Mix" (Elektra)
http://www.kraftwerk.com/
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Music used in "Lost" production piece:
-- "Main Title" Composed by J.J. Abrams
-- "The Eyeland" Composed by Michael Giacchino
-- "World's Worst Beach Party" Composed by Michael Giacchino
Performed by Hollywood Studio Symphony from the CD, "Lost -- Original
Television Soundtrack"
(Varese Sarabande Records)
http://www.varesesarabande.com/
http://tinyurl.com/z4c5d
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- "Desert Trip" from "The Andromeda Strain"
Performed by Gil Melle, The Universal Orchestra from the box set, "Brain
in a Box: The Science Fiction Collection"
(Rhino)
http://www.rhino.com/
Distribution dates:
................................................................
Questions and comments can be
addressed to: flemingj@wpr.org
|