Podcast Discussion: Invisibilia: "The Culture Inside"

Invisibilia is one of my favorite podcasts. Like some of the best ones out there, it's produced by NPR, and it focuses on what makes us "us," as in our thoughts, our beliefs, our biases, etc. An episode from June 8, 2017, called, "The Culture Inside" takes us on a fascinating exploration of the things we've been conditioned--by society, by the media, by our upbringing--to think without even realizing we think that way. In other words, it tackles the concept of "implicit bias," sometimes also called "unconscious bias." It's what makes us cross the street when we encounter a black man in a hoodie. It's what makes employers prefer to hire Bobs and Sandras over Laquans and Keishas. It's why disrespectful kids in red MAGA hats are called "dumb kids" and their behavior excused but black kids in hoodies are called "thugs" and are shot in the back by police, presumed guilty of all manner of criminal behavior.

But it's not always about race. We hold implicit biases about so many aspects of life, some of which are shameful and unpopular and frequently denied. They tend to stem from one common cause:
Stereotypes. They're handy psychological shortcuts that are based in just enough historical truth to trick us into believing they're accurate.

I have my own implicit biases, of course. I caught myself double-checking my car locks while driving through a poor neighborhood the other day. And I was disgusted with myself. Because I've obviously bought into the lie that poor people are dangerous. Does desperation make people do questionable things? Sometimes, yes. Have I EVER had a problem in any of my town's low-income areas? Nope. And still, I hit those locks. What did I think was going to happen? Someone was going to tackle my car at 30 m.p.h.? Ugh. And it's not like I'm Miss Rich Girl. I drive a leased Accord, and we rent our home. We're drowning in credit card debt and living paycheck to paycheck, despite having well-paying jobs. Maybe people should be afraid of me. But they're not. Because I'm white, and I hide my financial worries well.

This topic is probably making some of you uncomfortable. Good. It's supposed to. Do you think I'm perfectly sanguine talking about faking my way through a middle class life and fearing people who fake it less well than I do? I'm not. But until we talk about these things frankly and honestly, they're going to continue to be things we suffer in silent shame about. We're going to continue to wonder, "Does this make me a bigot?" Or misogynist? Or sexist? Or all-around bad person?

Chances are, you're not any of those things. I don't know that for a fact, but I'm willing to wager you're not, if you're still reading. The difference between you and people who are those things is that you actually ask yourself if you are. You cringe when you notice yourself locking your car doors in poor neighborhoods or crossing the street when you notice a poorly-dressed person (particularly a male, particularly a black male) approaching you. You might say, "I'm just being cautious," especially if you're a woman on her own, but you hate the overwhelming urge to do it, much less follow through on it. No matter how justified you feel, you also tell yourself, "I'm sure he's a perfectly nice person." Or maybe not. Maybe self-preservation overrides everything else, and you've seen enough reports on the news or true crime shows (ahem...) that you're convinced there's no such thing as "too safe." Everyone is capable of evil. Except you don't cross the street to avoid women. Or well-dressed white men. But okay. Fair enough. If you're a typical civilian, your implicit bias is only going to serve to make you look like a snob or racist. If you're a police officer, however, those same instincts can get someone killed.

"The Culture Inside" confronts all of these issues and challenges us to recognize our own biases. In this way, they ask us to DETECT, REFLECT, and REJECT. That's what I'll be doing next time I have one of those urges based on my implicit biases. What about you? What are some prejudices that you struggle with and want to change? Safe place, no judging. Only love and support here for those who want to do better.



P.S.
Since I'll be talking a LOT about podcasts on this blog, here are some links to popular podcast services where you can start to build your playlists:
Castbox
Spotify
You can also search on your smart phone in the app store for:
Podbean
Podcast Addict (I really like this one)
Stitcher
Or just type in "podcast" and pick the one you like best.

Documentary Review/Recommendation: The Ted Bundy Tapes

I have a crush on Ted Bundy. Okay, not really, but he is quite dashing in a 70s nerdy-chic way, if you manage to forget that he was a SERIAL KILLER and rapist. Oh, yeah... that. Anyway, there's a new Netflix docuseries out that I'm obsessed with. It's called Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes, and it documents exactly what the title says: conversations on tape between Bundy and a young (at the time) reporter. It's more than just listening to the tapes, although those conversations are pretty interesting, especially how the reporter eventually tricked Teddy Boy into spilling his guts. It's a four-hour series, and if you're interested in true crime stuff, it's well worth a watch.

As you'll find out from this blog, I love the True Crime genre. In fact, my morbid curiosity is kind of a problem. Well, it's not a problem for me, but it's probably not the most pleasant thing for the people who live with me. And I do get strange looks from friends and family who don't get it. Fortunately, a lot of people do get it, and they share my obsession. Producers crank out documentaries, movies, and shows on this topic as fast as we can watch 'em. In fact, there's a movie currently in production about Ted Bundy, starring--wait for it--ZAC EFRON as Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. To say, "I'm there," is understating it.

The only criticism I have about The Ted Bundy Tapes is that they focused way more on the trial(s) than they needed to. By the end of the fourth and final episode, I was a a little bored with everyone involved. The district attorney at the time when Ted was indicted in Florida was a ham, Ted's wife was pathetic (and that's saying something, coming from me), Ted's legal team was toothless, and Ted, himself, started to remind me--personality-wise--of a certain narcissist who currently dominates the news cycle. Ugh. Crush cured.

Other than that, though, I thoroughly enjoyed it and give it...

How about you? Do you enjoy the True Crime genre? What are some of your favorite true crime books, films, documentaries, and podcasts? Do you have a "favorite" serial killer. You can tell us. No judging here.

UPDATE:
Netflix says, "STOP CRUSHING ON TED!"

Message: received, Netflix. You're right; it's gross.

Reintroducing... Me!

Hey, there! It's been a while. As in, like, years. Yeah, so... it's kind of like I left the room to use the toilet and sneaked out the bathroom window, right? Truth is, I just got so focused on writing fiction and trying to keep up with a pretty aggressive publishing schedule (three[ish] books a year?) that I didn't have the mental capacity--or the time--to dedicate to blogging. And it seemed like blogging, in general, was dying off. Like I was typing into the void. I'm not sure that blogging is any more popular or alive in 2019 than it was when I walked away from it a couple of years ago, but... I do seem to have more to say now in this medium than I did back then. And time. Author burnout is real, yo. The only cure for it--for me, anyway--is to step away for a while and let that scorched earth regenerate. It's taking longer than I anticipated, and I feel a bit useless doing NO writing in the interim, so here I am.

Which brings me to blathering. That word might turn some people off. I get that. It doesn't seem very focused or directed, does it? I brainstormed what this blog could be about, and I came up with several categories that I felt inspired to write about, but when it came to choosing just one or two related themes, I started to feel panicky. I didn't want to limit myself to being just a mommy blog or a writing blog or a blog about books and films, because I didn't want to get bored. I also didn't want to run out of material too quickly. Instead, I'm going to discuss a variety of things here (and ask for comments and feedback) and make generous use of labels, so you can skip over the stuff that doesn't interest you. My current interests are:

1. Writing (duh)
2. Reading
3. Podcasts
4. Documentaries, particularly those about social issues and crime
5. Light Philosophy
6. ASMR
7. Politics
8. Social Justice
9. Psychology and Sociology
10. Faith and Spirituality

As for an overarching theme or themes, I hope to approach all of these topics with the goals of self-exploration, humor, and entertainment. I'd also love to open up a dialog on these topics. I enjoy building off of others' thoughts and perspectives. And I hope with this fresh slate, I can build a friendly, compassionate, thoughtful space. It's not that we all have to agree here. But I'd like us to communicate in a longer form, with carefully chosen words, not memes and one-liners.

My goal is to post something once (or twice) a week. I'm not going to go nuts with graphics and pictures and videos or anything fancy. Just words. Some links, so you can read what I've read or see what I've seen and to facilitate more conversation, but that's it. That way, I can maximize the time spent interacting with you. And if it ends up that I'm typing into a void--again--at least it won't be a lot of time wasted.

Deal? Sweet.

On My Way!

Hey, y'all! A real post coming soon! Just getting my bearings here and getting back into the blogging/website game. See you soon!