The Makers Rage Podcast

In this episode of The Makers Rage Podcast, Darren tackles the concept of the Western Canon—a collection of literature, music, philosophy, and art considered essential to Western culture. What makes a work canonical? Who decides? From its origins in religious texts like the Bible to Harold Bloom’s defense of aesthetic greatness, Darren explores how consensus, selection bias, an

In this episode of The Makers Rage Podcast, I explore Urania, the Muse of Astronomy, and her influence on the intersection of art, science, and creativity. From ancient beliefs about the music of the spheres to Johannes Kepler’s view of celestial harmonies, I examine how the study of the stars evolved from mystical art to empirical science. I also discuss Urania’s role in poetr

Welcome to the new series on the Makers Rage podcast, where we explore "Five and a Half Great Things" that have defined the Olympic Games across history. We’ll journey back to 776 BCE, when the Olympic flame was first lit, and the stadion race marked the beginning of an era. Discover how the games evolved, from the introduction of the pentathlon and hoplitodromos to the creation

In this episode, we delve into the Hero's Journey, focusing on Joseph Campbell's famous excursus. As an addendum to our previous discussion on epics, we'll explore Campbell's three main stages of storytelling: 'departure or separation,' 'initiation,' and 'return,' which he calls the "nuclear unit of the monomyth." This episode examines how Campbell's seventeen-step breakdown accomm

In this episode of The Makers Rage Podcast, I'll be continuing my series on the Muses by discussing the chief of the nine sister, Calliope, who presides over the Epic. I'll therefore exploring this vast and enduring genre in literature and its powerful influence across time. From the ancient verses of the Iliad and the Mahabharata to the groundbreaking narrative techniques in James

Today, let's explore Immanuel Kant's "What is Enlightenment?" This 1784 essay questioned our perception of enlightenment itself. Kant suggested that enlightenment emerges from self-imposed immaturity, urging us to "Dare to Know." He criticized reliance on external guidance, advocating for independent thinking. Kant warned against surrendering autonomy to societal guardians, urging

In this Introductory episode on a new series, I delve into the intricate evolution of our perception of muses, focusing particularly on the ancient Greek Nine Muses. I challenge traditional notions, questioning the gendered and divine characteristics attributed to muses, while reflecting on their absence in certain artistic domains. Tracing historical references from Homer to Shake

Discussing examples of how the human body has been depicted in the visual arts throughout history, from the ancient world through the middle ages and Renaissance to the present.Introduction:In this episode, we delve into the captivating world of the human body in art, exploring its evolution, representations, and significance across various historical periods and cultures. From the

A reading of Samuel Johnson's brief essay on the limitations of human achievement with commentary and discussion of his life and times. Introduction: Talent Alone Doesn’t Guarantee SuccessHost: DarrenWelcome to the Makers Rage PodcastDiscussion of Samuel Johnson's essay on "The Limits of Human Achievement"Emphasis on the theme of self-reproach for lack of application and laziness

Discussing the role of A.I. in human creativity and its future implications. Also, will a computer ever become conscious, be able to create original art, literature, music, etc.?I. The Luddites and Historical Resistance to TechnologyDescription of the Luddite movement during the Napoleonic WarsIntroduction of the Lace Frame machine and its impact on textile workersWorkers' protests