Susie Watson, trend analyst and pop culture pundit teams up with cartoonist Barbara Luhring. Together they tear through the real and manufactured trends in pop culture today. Listen in!

Archive for the Podcasts category

Future Media Redux

by Susie Watson on October 17th, 2007

Barb and Susie revisit predictions of two years hence on new media to talk of what has come to pass.  Such things as on-demand media and podcasting have been slow to catch on.  Susie is still arguing for transparent, fool-proof idiot-proof technologies to welcome all to the future.  Barb says the younger generation doesn’t need hand-holding and is sprinting ahead.  Susie doesn’t get the 1.5″ screen for primary video viewing, Barb says no problem for youth.   And so on.

Music:  “Analyse” by Thom Yorke from “The Eraser”

 
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Size Me Up

by Susie Watson on September 28th, 2007

Women’s clothing sizing has certainly changed over the years, to the point where we can hardly decide where to start in the clothing stores.  Susie and Barb peruse a 1946 Butterick pattern book and note that measurements for a size 10 were 28-24-31, smaller than today’s size 0  (30-22-32).  What gives?  Partly psychology, partly a lack of standards, and a lot of wishful thinking!  Why is a size 2 the new size 8 in the aspirational diet commercials?

Music: “Suffer For Fashion” by Of Montreal from the CD “Hissing
Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?”

 
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Sensory Overlord

by Susie Watson on September 20th, 2007

Yes, we are captive to assaults on our senses. And smart marketers are picking up on that. In a world of visual clutter, why not address our vulnerability to the song or the smell that captures our imaginations and then, our money? In a new book, Sound Business, Julian Treasure points to the benefits of appropriate music tracks to retailers. And the company ScentAir is all over aroma marketing. Susie and Barb get excited about the possibilities and offer a few ideas of their own.

Music: “Aroma” by Maple from the album “The Daily Charm”

 
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Presidential Candidates - 57 Channels (And Nothing On)?

by Susie Watson on September 14th, 2007

Barb and Susie sift through all 17 current presidential candidates to discuss how they are presenting themselves to their publics. Using their websites as a starting point, it becomes apparent that there is a great deal of sameness.  The biggest quandary “what will become of the Republicans” can a B actor actually rise to the top for a shot at the nation’s #1 spot .AGAIN?

Music: “Election” by Don Dilego from The Lonestar Companion: Volume Two

“D’oh!” - The Simpsons

by Susie Watson on September 1st, 2007

With the Simpson’s movie already a proven success, Barb and Susie discuss a new book on the Psychology of TV’s favorite family. Pop Culture publisher Ben Bella Books coerces us into reviewing their title,”The Psychology of The Simpsons” by GIVING US BOOKS! (At least we believe in full disclosure)

Simpson’s Movie Theme by Danny Elfman orchestrated by Hans Zimmer

 
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