Fruitless

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/103466040Josh Boerman (@boshj, The Worst of All Possible Worlds) joins me on a last minute "emergency" episode about the Palestinian solidarity protests at Columbia, CUNY, UCLA, and elsewhere. We recorded this on the evening of May 1. Some things may have changed since events on campuses are moving fast.Music by SHADE08

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/veggies-derechos-103210759Chris Barker and Josiah talk about "environmental history." We talk a bit about Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond, the ecology of the Midwest, and how vegetables are a technology. This is a pretty casual episode, mostly just to introduce a few themes to the show going forward. Music by SHADE08

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/people-who-eat-1-103024783EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/101162953 This is a part of a new monthly series on Fruitless called the Music Exchange (MX), featuring Josh Christianson. Every month, Josh and I will pick out an album that's meaningful to us and we try to compare, contrast, and enjoy both.This week we are discussing People Who Eat People Are the Luckiest People in the World by AJJ and Magrudergrind by Magrudergrind. These two albums have never been discussed in the same podcast. Probably for good reason. But we're boldly going where no podcast will go.Music by SHADE08

Tyler Stone (@TylerStoneArt) joins Josiah to discuss his work as a freelance paleoartist. Paleoart (scientific illustration of prehistoric life) is a field with an interesting relationship between art and hard sciences. They discuss this relationship and the nitty gritty of the business side of paleoart, before delving into the challenges of being a science communicator in a field that attracts conspiracy theories, and how AI image generation is impacting the field.Follow Tyler on Twitter @TylerStoneArt // TikTok @TylerStoneArt // Instagram @TylerStoneArtFind more of Tyler's work: https://tylerstoneart.wordpress.comBecome a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonMedia referencedTyler's animation of the evolution of whales, "From Feet to Flippers: The Evolution of Whales," https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKbC7QSjWfEOld episode of Very Legal, Very Cool, "sh*tty creationism," where we discussed the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter, https://share.transistor.fm/s/96070284A short video by Tom Scott about the Crystal Palace dinosaurs Tyler discusses briefly, "The Scientifically Inaccurate Dinosaurs That Must Stay That Way," https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWItLyDzMyE. I'm including this in case you'd like a visual of them.Episode of QAnon Anonymous that I (Josiah) reference briefly, "The Tartarian Empire," https://soundcloud.com/qanonanonymous/episode-273-the-tartarian-empireThe Paleoartist's Handbook: Recreating Prehistoric Animals in Art by Mark P. WittonOne Million Years B.C. (1966) directed by Don ChaffeyJurassic Park (1993), directed by Steven SpielbergJurassic World (2015), directed by Colin TrevorrowPrehistoric Planet, Apple TV+, produced by Jon Favreau & Mike Gunton.Music & audio creditsYesterday – bloom.Crumble – Dinosaur Jr. (The only reason I put this song in the end is because of the artist's name. That's the dumb joke there. Nothing deeper or more thoughtful.)

Wesley Klingele (@MannnMiami) joins Josiah to discuss his new short film, Somnium, and the artistic themes he finds compelling. They talk about dreams, coming of age in your 20s, how religion and spirituality intersects with film, slow cinema vs. montage, and Wes' connection to the Pacific Northwest. Special thanks to Phil Cozzi for providing the microphone I used in today's episode and going forward.You can watch Wes' short experimental film, Cortex, here on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/838056217. DM him directly for a screener of Somnium or wait until it's publicly available. Follow Wes on Twitter @MannnMiami // Letterboxd @CantinaBand // Instagram @WesleyKlingeleCheck out more of Wes' work: https://linktr.ee/wesaleeBecome a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonMusic & audio creditsYesterday – bloom.Rejoice - Pedro the Lion

This is the fourth installment of the Fruitless Bookclub, a show-within-a-show, featuring Chris Barker and Jake the Lawyer, where we read all those nonfiction books we've been meaning to read. Today's episode is about Ramp Hollow: The Ordeal of Appalchia by Steven Stoll. We talk peasants. We talk agrarians. We talk about peasants and agrarians getting destroy by industry. We take a closer look at rural class dynamics and the history of the Appalachians. This is probably the longest episode of Fruitless yet. Sorry.Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work here: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonOther referencesEric Waggoner, "I'm From West Virginia and I've Got Something to Say About the Chemical Spill," https://www.huffpost.com/entry/west-virginia-chemical-spill_b_4598140.Here's a massive google doc with my notes for the episode if you want more, https://docs.google.com/document/d/17JJPM3aChJqhLIQ7rJ0HTtIRjFIFJ5Ric9OcZHEBxv0.Squatters' rights battle in Florida, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/03/28/squatter-rights-laws-florida-bill/73128455007.Black Reconstruction in America, by W. E. B. Du BoisThe Color of Law, by Richard RothsteinGasland (2010), directed by Josh FoxMusic & Audio creditsYesterday – bloom.Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford

Alien aka Stewie Griffin DJ joins Josiah to discuss Synecdoche, New York and whether or not life is worth living. Happy Good Friday!Follow today's guest on Bluesky @stewiegriffindj.bsky.socialBecome a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work here: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter & Bluesky @josiahwsutton(.bsky.social)ReferencesSynecdoche, New York (2008), directed by Charlie Kaufman.'Waiting for God in the Dark Night of the Soul: On Peter Rollins' Atheism for Lent,' Jeremy John in Sojourners, https://sojo.net/articles/lenten-reflections/waiting-god-dark-night-soul-peter-rollins-atheism-lent.MovieGuide review, https://www.movieguide.org/reviews/movies/synecdoche-new-york.html"Taste of Cherry: Stay Near the Tree," A. S. Hamrah, https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/7026-taste-of-cherry-stay-near-the-tree.The Worm at the Core: On the Role of Death in Life by Jeff Greenberg and Sheldon SolomonMusic & Audio creditsSynecdoche, New York (2008)Yesterday – bloom.Piano Three - John BrionPriests and Paramedics - Pedro the LionIn My Dreams – bloom.Free At Last - PUP

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/101162953Josiah catches up with his brother, Caleb aka The Bog Hog. We talk about what we've been watching and listening to, and get a little into the history of punk, post-punk, folk punk, surf rock, and emo. We also spoil Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, and Train to Busan, and then have a conversation about blood donation.Music by SHADE08, Taking Back Sunday, American Football, The Afghan Whigs, Sunny Day Real Estate, Sleater-Kinney.

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/101034575Chris Barker returns to talk to Josiah about the war in Ukraine, reflect on the episode they did about the conflict in 2022, see what ways their views have changed in the following two years, and discuss the other global conflicts that have been impacted by the war in Ukraine. Music by SHADE08

Josiah is joined by Will Sloan (@WillSloanEsq, Important Cinema Club, Michael & Us) to discuss Motern Media and the artistic philosophy of Matt Farley and Charles Roxburgh. Follow today’s guest on Twitter.Check out the Important Cinema Club and Michael & UsBecome a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work hereFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonReferencesThe Paperboy (1999), directed by Matt Farley & Charles RoxburghSammy (2002), directed by Charles RoxburghAdventures in Cruben Country (2002), directed by Matt FarleyDruid Gladiator Clone (2003), directed by Matt FarleyDruids Druids Everywhere (??), directed by Charles RoxburghObtuse Todd (2006), directed by Matt FarleyFreaky Farley (2007), directed by Charles RoxburghMonsters, Murder, and Marriage in Manchvegas (2009), directed by Charles RoxburghDon't Let the Riverbeast Get You! (2012), directed by Charles RoxburghLocal Legends (2013), directed by Matt FarleySlingshot Cops (2016), directed by Charles RoxburghHeard She Got Married (2021), directed by Charles RoxburghMetal Detector Maniac (2021), directed by Charles RoxburghMagic Spot (2022), directed by Charles RoxburghHeard She Got Murdered (2023), directed by Charles RoxburghBoston Johnny (2023), directed by Charles RoxburghMusic and audio creditsYesterday – bloom.In My Dreams – bloom.Opening clip is from Ep 5 of Lessons From a Middle Class Artist, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXnK9Xl3zzE.

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/mumbling-safdies-99383330Dylan Weaver (@DJWeaver29, WODFAMCHOCPOD) joins me in a final defense of Mumblecore (I promise I'll drop this subject next month) by discussing the Safdie brothers' first two films, The Pleasure of Being Robbed (2008) and Daddy Longlegs (2009). Also just some broader discussions about Mumblecore.Follow today's guest on Letterboxd @djweaver29 or Twitter @djweaver29Music by SHADE08

Josiah is joined by AJ Ditty (@thefuzzymask, The Worst of All Possible Worlds) to discuss The Puffy Chair (2005) and how Mumblecore can actually be pretty good sometimes. Follow today’s guest on Twitter.Check out The Worst of All Possible WorldsBecome a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work hereFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonReferencesThe Puffy Chair (2005), directed by Jay Duplass"'The Puffy Chair' Tells the Story of a Trip to Atlanta (and to Adulthood)," A.O. Scott in New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/04/movies/04puff.html.Jay and Mark Duplass at the Academy, 2015, Oscars YouTube Channel, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el_O0rFDCkM.Jay Duplass breaks down his career, Vanity Fair, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeWiogEnMic."What Makes This Film Great: The Puffy Chair," Aaron Hunter, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgBYD7j-yME. I (Josiah) forgot to say I pulled the point about Josh ripping off the motel but being indignant when he gets ripped off later from this lovely little video essay about the film.Matthew Christman reviewing the film on Letterboxd, https://letterboxd.com/worsethan/film/the-puffy-chair.Music & audio creditsYesterday – bloom.At the Bottom of Everything - Bright EyesPrevious TWOAPW episode where I insulted Mumblecore (Episode 84)

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/98462326Francis Cooper (@AttnFrancis) joins me to talk about how he ended up at a Jimmy Dore show and the strange political comedy he witnessed. Music by SHADE08

Josiah is joined by Finch (@santo_pinzon, Mammonburg) to talk about Society of the Snow (2023) and the discourse around the film in the Spanish-speaking world.Finch’s essay about the film and Catholic spirituality on Substack: https://jmkazmierczak.substack.com/p/a-voice-cries-out-in-the-wildernessFollow today's guest on Twitter @santo_pinzonCheck out Finch's Substack here: https://jmkazmierczak.substack.com/Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work here: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter & Bluesky @josiahwsuttonReferencesSociety of the Snow (2023) directed by J. A. BayonaAlive (1993), directed by Frank MarshallSociety of the Snow: The Definitive Account of the World’s Greatest Survival Story by Pablo VierciBergara defends his comment about Society of the Snow, El Pais, https://www.elpais.com.uy/informacion/politica/bergara-defendio-su-polemico-tuit-sobre-la-sociedad-de-la-nieve-y-comentario-sobre-la-tragedia-de-los-andes-el-espiritu-del-tuit-lo-mantengo."More Dead Than Alive," Madeleine Kearns, https://www.nationalreview.com/2024/02/more-dead-than-alive.Music and audio creditsYesterday – bloom.In My Dreams – bloom.TODAY report on the 1972 crash, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzkFyeTB-wE.

This is an unlocked episode from the Fruitless Patreon, originally published 1/12/2024. Enjoy!James Eric (@cigarette_liker) joins Josiah to talk about Idiocracy (2006). Yes, it's a eugenicist movie. Yes, it is a product of the smug, upper class liberalism of the Bush years, and it was popular during the resurgence of that sentiment during the Trump years. But what does it mean now? And is it funny?Follow today's guest on Twitter @cigarette_liker and on Bluesky @cigarettelikerReferencesIdiocracy (2006), directed by Mike Judge.Office Space (1999), directed by Mike Judge.Mike Judge on Info Wars, video from YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khTqmN2Lths.Terry Crews, io9 on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHZfcltOFPc."The Jock/Creep Theory of Fascism" John Ganz in Unpopular Front, https://www.unpopularfront.news/p/the-jockcreep-theory-of-fascism."How Idiocracy Perpetuates Itself," Rod Dreher in the American Conservative, 2014, https://www.theamericanconservative.com/how-idiocracy-perpetuates-itself."I Loathe Every Person...," https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/i-loathe-every-person-i-see-on-the-street-r-crumb-comic.Starship Troopers (1997), directed by Paul Veerhoeven.Team America: World Police (2004), directed by Trey Parker.Benny's Video (1992), directed by Michael Haneke.Music by SHADE08 & Hansiii

Josiah is joined by Luke Savage (@LukewSavage, Michael & Us, Jacobin) to reflect on the last fifteen years of U.S. electoral politics in light of the current election year: the failures of the Obama administration, the hyperpolitics of the Trump administration, and the attempted 'return to normalcy' of Biden's first term. Follow today's guest on Twitter @LukewSavageCheck out Michael & Us here: https://soundcloud.com/michael-and-usLuke Savage in Jacobin: https://jacobin.com/author/luke-savageBecome a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work here: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter & Bluesky @josiahwsuttonReferencesThe Dead Center: Reflections on Liberalism and Democracy After the End of History by Luke SavageSeeking Social Democracy: Seven Decades in the Fight for Equality by Ed Broadbent, Jonathan Sas, Frances Abele, and Luke Savage.Leave the World Behind (2023), directed by Sam Esmail."Everything is Hyperpolitical," Anton Jäger in The Point, https://thepointmag.com/politics/everything-is-hyperpolitical.Trust the Plan: The Rise of QAnon and the Conspiracy That Reshaped the World by Will Sommers"The Biden Era's Defining Characteristic: Anti-Politics," Luke Savage in Jacobin, https://jacobin.com/2023/09/biden-administration-anti-politics-trump-books-media-coverage. This is the article discussing political book sales and online news engagement during the Trump admin vs. the Biden admin that Luke references.The Day One Agenda, The American Prospect, https://prospect.org/day-one-agenda."Why Liberals Pretend They Have No Power," Luke Savage in The Atlantic, https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/10/why-liberals-feign-powerlessness/616644.Everything Was Forever, Until It Was No More: The Last Soviet Generation by Alexei Yurchak"The Ultimate Election Year: All the Elections Around the World in 2024," Koh Ewe in Time, https://time.com/6550920/world-elections-2024.MusicYesterday – bloom.In My Dreams – bloom.

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/96745407Alien (aka Stewie Griffin DJ) returns to discuss two Aughts-era films about sex: Kissing on the Mouth (2005) and Shortbus (2006). They talk about Joe Swanberg's dick and ask the really hard question: Is Shortbus a Mumblecore movie?Music by SHADE08

After some positive reception, I've decided to release this Patreon episode from 12/18/2023 to the free feed as a resource. Enjoy!Keanu Heydari returns to teach Josiah the strange history of Christian Zionism and the story of how the United States became obsessed with Israel.Follow today’s guest on Twitter, and remember to check out his podcast and his website.Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work here: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter & Bluesky @josiahwsuttonResourcesEvangelicals and Israel: The Story of American Christian Zionism by Stephen SpectorAllies for Armageddon: The Rise of Christian Zionism by Victoria ClarkGod's Country: Christian Zionism in America by Samuel GoldmanThe Evangelicals: The Struggle to Shape America by Frances FitzgeraldMusic by SHADE08

Josiah is joined by Jesse Goodman (@platofan402, Post-Cultural Amnesiac) to discuss 2023. Beginning with a focus on 2023 in personal media consumption, the conversation evolves into a broader discuss of the anecdotal "vibe shift," the sense of living in a hyperpolitical age, and the difficulty of talking about film or art while genocide and war unfolds in the background. Correction: I (Josiah) briefly discuss the strange Osama Bin Laden going viral on TikTok situation and suggest that we will eventually find out who is behind that. We already have. It was Yashar Ali who platformed it. Follow today's guest on Twitter @platofan402Check out Jesse's Substack, Post-Cultural Amnesiac, here: https://jessedgoodman.substack.com.Some of Jesse's poetry can be found in issues 17 and 24 of Wild Roof: https://wildroofjournal.com.An essay by Jesse in Litro US: https://www.litromagazine.com/usa/2023/06/baltimore-by-the-mid-morning-light.Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work here: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter & Bluesky @josiahwsuttonReferencesPoor Things (2023), directed by Yorgos Lanthimos."Everyone Is Beautiful and No One Is Horny," R.S. Benedict in Blood Knife, https://bloodknife.com/everyone-beautiful-no-one-horny."The Strange Undeath of Middlebrow," Phil Christman in The Hedgehog Review, https://hedgehogreview.com/issues/who-do-we-think-we-are/articles/the-strange-undeath-of-middlebrow. An edited version of this essay appears in his collection, How to Be Normal."Everything is Hyperpolitical," Anton Jäger in The Point, https://thepointmag.com/politics/everything-is-hyperpolitical.If We Burn: The Mass Protest Decade and the Missing Revolution by Vincent Bevins"An Issue of Concern," John Ganz in Unpopular Front, https://www.unpopularfront.news/p/an-issue-of-concern."Eyeless in Gaza," Death Is Just Around the Corner, https://www.patreon.com/posts/199-eyeless-in-90901189.Tweet Josiah paraphrased: https://twitter.com/LukewSavage/status/1270048044881502209."Salvador Allende's Brief Experiment in Radical Democracy in Chile 50 Years Ago Today," Interview with Marian Schlotterbeck in Jacobin, https://jacobin.com/2020/09/salvador-allende-chile-coup-pinochet.MusicYesterday – bloom.In My Dreams – bloom.

It's the Fruitless Christmas special. Chris Barker and Alien (aka Stewie Griffin DJ) join Josiah to discuss Children of Men (2006), the incredible craft behind the film, and the politics of hope and futurity. Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work here: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter & Bluesky @josiahwsuttonReferencesChildren of Men (2006), directed by Alfonso Cuarón.Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative? by Mark FisherThe Possibility of Hope, an archival documentary about Children of Men on the Arrow Blu-Ray release.There Is No Future, video appreciation about Children of Men by Philip Kemp on the Arrow Blu-Ray release."Count-Down to Dystopia," Armond White https://www.nypress.com/news/count-down-to-dystopia-DGNP1020080109301099976.O-Bi O-Ba, The End of Civilization (1985). I (Josiah) kind of mischaracterized the ending of this movie. It's a lot more ambiguous than that, and I kind of projected a hopeful ending on a dreamy, weird final scene. Watch it for yourself and decide what the ending means: http://exmilitai.re/film.html."Why Children of Men haunts the present," Gavin Jacobson, https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/film/2020/07/children-of-men-alfonso-cuaron-2006-apocalypse-coronavirus.No Future: Queer Theory and the Death Drive by Lee EdelmanOut of the Red Closet, https://files.libcom.org/files/out-of-the-red-closet-kasama-pamphlet_0_0.pdf.Music & Audio creditsChildren of Men (2006)Interviews with James Lovelock, Slavoj Zizek, and Naomi Klein from The Possibility of Hope, an archival documentary about Children of Men on the Arrow Blu-Ray release.O Come, O Come Emmanuel, played by Kaleb Brasee, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLnlhpXV5IM.Yesterday – bloom.In My Dreams – bloom.