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On the Media

The Simpsons in a Time of Nuclear War

On the Media

WNYC Studios

Media, Magazine, News, Studios, Transparency, Politics, Advertising, Newspaper, Newspapers, Wnyc, Technology, Radio, Amendment, Tv, Journalism, Society & Culture, History, Npr, Micah_loewinger, Brooke_gladstone

4.69.1K Ratings

🗓️ 30 March 2022

⏱️ 18 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In "Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play," playwright Anne Washburn imagines how our society might cope with a sudden nuclear catastrophe...with the help of The Simpsons.

Transcript

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0:00.0

Oh, hi, it's me, Katya.

0:03.0

I have a favour to ask. Don't hang up. It's not a huge favour, but it's something that I need you to do.

0:10.0

The last few years have been rough for so many reasons.

0:14.0

And, you know, we've covered it all.

0:17.0

And you are loyal listeners have been right by our side.

0:20.0

We rely on you, you rely on us, you know how it goes.

0:23.0

You always come through for us when we ask you to, except when you don't.

0:29.0

But what we've observed, actually, is that when the country is in a like a deep crisis,

0:34.0

like really deep, the public radio listener, you guys, you step up, you feel the urgency, you donate.

0:43.0

But then when the news temperature drops, even by a few degrees,

0:47.0

and it feels less like we're an oppressor piss, you just don't feel as compelled to give.

0:52.0

You know, you put the pocketbook away.

0:55.0

Or maybe you just feel exhausted by the relentless nature of it all.

1:00.0

And you want to check out for a bit. We're all human. I understand the impulse.

1:04.0

I really, really do.

1:08.0

But here's the deal. If we don't keep this show financially supported, it will go away.

1:13.0

It's that simple.

1:15.0

I mean, how would you feel if the next time the news cycle spins completely out of control?

1:20.0

And you turn to your favorite podcast to help you through it, and we're just not there.

1:25.0

Okay? Picture it.

1:27.0

It's not like it can't happen.

1:30.0

Here's the solution. Become a sustaining member.

...

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