Digest

The Pastimes podcast, hosted by Garrett Reynolds and Dave Anthony, features guest Brooks Wheelan as they analyze a random newspaper from March 4, 1887, the San Francisco Examiner. The episode delves into the early days of William Randolph Hearst's media empire, highlighting his audacious self-promotion and the impact of his newspapers on American society. The hosts then uncover a bizarre story about a fierce war between the towns of Coronado and Leody, Kansas, over county seat status, showcasing the violence and absurdity of these conflicts in the American West. Brooks shares humorous anecdotes about his childhood, including being drafted last in his town's baseball league due to his dad's unpopularity and a disastrous performance at Gator Growl, a University of Florida event, where he was booed off stage after a drunken performance. The hosts also discuss the changing dynamics between fathers and sons, reflecting on the parenting styles of their generation. The episode takes a turn for the bizarre as the hosts analyze a series of articles about a chaotic wake where attendees got so drunk they passed out in coffins. The story highlights the absurdity of the situation and the unexpected nature of the experience, prompting discussions about the nature of friendship and the lasting impression of these events.

Outlines

00:00:04

The San Francisco Examiner: A Glimpse into 1887

The Pastimes podcast hosts analyze a random newspaper from March 4, 1887, the San Francisco Examiner, uncovering the early days of William Randolph Hearst's media empire and a bizarre county seat war in Kansas.

00:03:56

The Coronado-Leody War: A County Seat Conflict

The hosts delve into the Coronado-Leody war, a conflict between two towns in Kansas over county seat status, highlighting the violence and absurdity of these conflicts in the American West.

00:08:56

Brooks's Childhood Anecdotes: Baseball, Gator Growl, and Dad's Influence

Brooks shares humorous anecdotes about his childhood, including being drafted last in his town's baseball league due to his dad's unpopularity and a disastrous performance at Gator Growl, a University of Florida event.

00:15:59

The Changing Dynamics of Fatherhood

The hosts discuss the changing dynamics between fathers and sons, reflecting on the parenting styles of their generation and the shift from physical discipline to emotional detachment.

00:52:47

A Wake Gone Wrong: The Absurdity of Excessive Drinking

The hosts analyze a series of articles about a chaotic wake where attendees got so drunk they passed out in coffins, highlighting the absurdity of the situation and the unexpected nature of the experience.

01:01:00

The Aftermath: Friendship and the Lasting Impression of Absurdity

The hosts discuss the aftermath of the wake, highlighting the importance of friendship and the lasting impression of these absurd events.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the format of the Pastimes podcast?

  The Pastimes podcast features two hosts, Garrett Reynolds and Dave Anthony, who analyze old newspapers from random dates in history. They are joined by a guest each week who has never seen the newspaper before.

• How did William Randolph Hearst gain control of the San Francisco Examiner?

  William Randolph Hearst inherited the San Francisco Examiner from his father, Senator Hurst. He took over the newspaper and quickly established himself as a powerful media mogul.

• What is the significance of the Coronado-Leody war?

  The Coronado-Leody war was a conflict between two towns in Kansas over the location of the county seat. This conflict highlights the importance of county seats in the American West and the violence that often erupted over their control.

• What is Brooks's theory about dads of the 80s and 90s?

  Brooks believes that dads of his generation, who grew up with physical discipline, were more likely to be emotionally detached from their children. They saw not hitting their kids as a sign of good parenting.

• What is the \"Save the Cat\" writing technique?

  The \"Save the Cat\" writing technique emphasizes giving a protagonist a positive action that endears them to the audience. This technique is popularized by Blake Snyder's book of the same name.

• What is the significance of the man who never smiled?

  The article about the man who never smiled is an example of the often trivial and nonsensical nature of local news. The hosts discuss the absurdity of the story and the lack of substance in the news.

• What is the historical context of the Chinese pork story?

  The story about the man arrested for carrying ham and bacon reflects the anti-Chinese sentiment prevalent in 1880s San Francisco. This story highlights the racism and discrimination faced by Chinese immigrants during this period.

• What is Brooks's experience with a LAPD cop?

  Brooks dated a woman whose father was a LAPD cop for 40 years. This experience challenged his preconceived notions about cops and forced him to confront the complexities of their role in society.

• What is the significance of Murphy's wake?

  Murphy's wake is a story about the absurdity of excessive drinking and partying, even at a funeral. The hosts discuss the chaotic events that unfolded and the level of intoxication involved.

Show Notes