Dan Carlin's Common Sense

In an earlier post I mentioned Dan Carlin's podcast, "Common Sense" and suggested that it might very well be worth a listen to, but that before recommending it, I'd listen to some episodes and get back to you. Well, consider yourself gotten back to.

I had high expectations for Common Sense based on the quality of Hardcore History, and I knew going in to it that it would be unlikely that Common Sense would be as exceptional as Hardcore History. Well, I was right. Common Sense (IMO) is not as good as Hardcore History, but it is not off the mark by very much. Realistically, it is still likely one of the best podcasts out there.

What I don't like about Common Sense is hardly its fault: the fact that it's not Hardcore History. I can't really blame the show for being what it is. And verily, there is much that I do enjoy about Common Sense. The first among them is that Dan Carlin (the host) actually thinks about the topics he is discussing. In the world of "news" and "op-ed" programs today, this is sadly atypical. Furthermore, Carlin, though he does have a political bias, is not averse to calling out the demagogues and policies of either mainstream party. I say this with caution, because it is easy to jump to the conclusion that he's just one more blowhard like Lou Dobbs, venting like an angry old man over the sad sad state of the world. Dan Carlin is not that.

At the other extreme we have Bill O'Reilly little more than a vitriolic marionette for the Republican party. Dan Carlin is not like that, either. Sadly, he is something most of us under 40 probably have little experience with: an informed, thoughtful, and educated commentator on the news; one who does not go for the cheap and obvious soundbyte; and one who picks up ideas and gives them shape as if he were a potter working with clay. His show is about the news and current events for sure, but it is really about the intersection of current news and events with interesting ideas (many historical in nature). It is theater of the mind in a very cerebral sense.

So, while it comes in second to Hardcore History, Common Sense is a podcast I am already quite fond of and one that I'll likely stay subscribed to for a long time to come.

Links:

• Hardcore History
• Common Sense

Some Podcasts I'm Addicted To

Since I've severely neglected this blog of late, I thought I'd chime in and update it with a note about a few podcasts I've grown quite fond of. You can find them all by searching the podcasts in the iTunes store...but I've also included links for those of you who don't use iTunes or who want to get more info.

Spacemusic with TC
Fuck. This is some good stuff....and I'm not just saying that 'cause he gave me a shout-out on his latest episode (actually, if you are curious, it's a "behind the scenes" episode that you only see in the episode feed...it's not listed on the web site). For whatever reason, I've found that many of TC's podcasts really help enhance my creative energy and concentration. I liken it to what I read about those who espouse binaurial beats (which never seemed to do anything but annoy me).

I think I have every episode he's done, and well, there are only a few that I don't replay frequently.

One last note. TC also has another series called FreshAir, which is also very good and worth checking out if you enjoy Spacemusic.

Links:

• Spacemusic with TC
• FreshAir

Hardcore History with Dan Carlin
I was turned on to this quite recently, and I've already listened to all the episodes and am anxiously awaiting the next. Also, if anyone knows where I can find episodes 1-9, do let me know!

I just found out that he does a companion series called Common Sense with Dan Carlin. I've not yet listened to it, so I can't recommend it. I'll chime back in once I get a chance to have an opinion.

Links:

• Hardcore History
• Common Sense