Reporting on Capes, Cowls, Threats and Menaces

Imaginary Worlds

Eric Molinsky

Arts, Science Fiction, Fiction, Society & Culture

4.8 • 2.1K Ratings

🗓️ 8 July 2021

⏱️ 34 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In superhero stories, the public is usually there to be saved by the heroes or killed by the villains. But as a journalist, I always wonder if these people are well informed enough about the threats to their lives, and who is protecting them. I talk with Maya Phillips of The New York Times, James Queally of The Los Angeles Times, and freelance reporter Sean Kelly about a range of fictional journalists from Lois Lane to Peter Parker, and whether their portrayals affect the way we view the news media in the real world. Plus, Petra Mayer of NPR, and journalist Liz Publika discuss why Spider Jerusalem is a model comic book reporter, even if he’s completely gonzo. And actress Mallory Kasdan reads the fanfiction story, “Can I Quote You on This” by Wix from Archive of Our Own about what happens when a more realistic journalist interviews The Avengers. Today’s episode includes minor spoilers for Falcon and The Winter Soldier, Daredevil, Superman and Lois, The Flash, and the graphic novel Watchmen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Tab for a cause is a browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing
0:04.9	your thing online.
0:06.6	Whenever you open a new tab, you'll see a beautiful background photo and a small ad.
0:11.6	And part of that ad money goes towards a charity of your choice.
0:15.6	It's free and incredibly easy.
0:18.1	Transform your tabs into a force for good in just 30 seconds.
0:22.4	Sign up at tabforacaws.org slash imaginary worlds.
0:29.3	A show about how we create them and why we suspend our disbelief.
0:34.4	I'm Eric Blansky and it heads up.
0:36.7	Today's episode will contain spoilers for several superhero movies and TV shows.
0:42.4	If you want to double check first what they are, I put a list of them in the show notes.
0:47.7	In a superhero movie or TV show, the general public is usually just fodder to be killed
0:53.1	by the villains or saved by the heroes.
0:56.6	But as a journalist, I always wonder how well informed are these people about the threats
1:02.2	to their lives.
1:04.0	I thought about this a lot when I was watching Falcon in the Winter Soldier.
1:07.8	The show is about Sam Wilson becoming the new Captain America.
1:11.6	And the most dramatic moment isn't a fight.
1:16.2	It's a speech that Sam gives to a powerful group of politicians, which is broadcast live
1:21.1	on TV or on the country.
1:24.2	Like you people have just as much power as an insane god or a misguided teenager.
1:32.7	Question you have to ask yourself is how are you going to use it?
	...

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