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Right Angle: Backstage (11-22-2022)

Bill Whittle speaks into the turbo-encabulator without over modulation as the men of Right Angle launch into 90 minutes of detailed analysis of current events…or a stream of consciousness ramble across miles of trackless mental wasteland.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt6qWicnImU

22 replies on “Right Angle: Backstage (11-22-2022)”

I went to school when they were actually teaching those things in grade school. As Bill gave examples I was able to name continents and visualize the location of the cities etc without any effort. So Bill you seem to be wanting to give a grade school education. Sadly, it is needed because of the state of the dis-education that has been going on for so long.
Another fed dpt that needs to be de-funded and dismantled, NEA.

Here is a blog post I made a while back to collect Youtube videos by a guy that does prop creation, though not on LotR. I think he also had an interview with a guy that DID work on LotR but I cannot find it right now. The detail they put into things that might be on screen for a few minutes is something they discuss. They also describe what Bill called hero armor, but more in the weapon category, with three different kinds of prop weapons (the sharps that are seen up close, near enough blunts that might be carried or used in other close up shots while the actors are fighting, and a rubber type replica that is used for the actual fights either by the actors or stunt doubles.
https://billwhittlecom.wpenginepowered.com/youtuber-tods-workshop-on-movie-and-tv-props-weapons-and-replicas/
I also like BIll’s idea about short teaching segments. The author of the xkcd comic strip, Randall Munroe has three books out with explanations of how things work, though from a humorous angle or sometimes just the absurd. In one he breaks things down to basic concepts and uses only common words to explain the parts of things. I am not sure you need to be that basic, but it might be an idea to consider for some topics. Doing it in a visual style as well (for example drawing a plus shape, or T shape maybe, to show the three branches of federal govt and three layers of the republican style?).

Bill’s idea about short videos on “Don’t be an idiot about…” reminds me of a kids’ show that aired when my children were young called “Make A Wish”. Children would mail in their questions, such as How Are Brooms Made?, and the entire show would be start to finish on how brooms were made, i.e., shaping the wooden broom stick; gathering, binding and cutting the straw; attaching the broom to the broom stick, etc. It was absolutely fascinating. I was glued to the TV watching that show even when my boys were outside playing. My favorite, even after nearly 50 years, is how are peppermint candy canes made? I’ll never forget it. All of this to say, yes, Bill, go for it! I think many people would benefit from small pieces of knowledge, especially in our short-attention-span world and a lot of it will stick with them for decades, if not for lifetimes, depending on the presentation, which we all know you have mastered. Your Firewalls and Afterburners are wonderful and so full of vital information and facts. I look forward to seeing them, if you decide to act on your idea.

Cathy, I also remember that show and loved it when it came out, though I was probably a little older than the ABC target audience. Just a year or so ago, I saw a clip of Tom Chapin, the host narrator (and theme song singer) knocking the whole program style as kind of a crack for ADD kids. He inferred that the whole style did more damage than good. I do beg to differ with him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz9cQOX4X3w
When Bill was discussing his short video idea during a portion of a recent TSL, I kept writing in the chat “I’m just a Bill, I am only a Bill, and I’m stuck up here on Capitol Hill…..” Bill’s basically describing Schoolhouse Rock. Breaking down complex topics in ways people can understand. I just hope he doesn’t sing…..On the other hand, as a theater major in college, and a huge human to boot, he’s probably got a set of pipes on him. A Gomer Pile voice with a Jim Nabor’s singing voice perhaps.

Alternate titles to “Don’t be an idiot about. . .” (which I kind of like, but also like alternatives)
You CAN fix stupid: Aiprlanes (etc)
Be Smarter than an 8th grader (reference to that old test that runs around the interwebs that Bill mentioned)
Stuff you must know
Know more than your FB friends
What everyone should know, but doesn’t
Stuff your friends don’t know (but think they do)
Secrets teachers don’t tell you
Knowledge is Power
What can you learn in just 5 minutes?
Things you are not cool enough to know

Bill….Do it ( “Don’t be an idiot about…”)!!!!! AND, check out PragerU’s website. It has several short (5 min.) videos about how America’s teachers are brainwashing our children. Nelson

I read “Moonwalking with Einstein” years ago and got frustrated with my poor skill set at putting information in memory holes. Obviously it takes training and training takes intentionality and intentionality is hard with ADHD and if I’m getting by … What made me think was how all stories – think the Iliad by Homer – were passed down primarily verbally until the invention of the printing press. Our brains have been shrinking since we are no longer hunter gatherers and have adopted not only a printing press but all information available at the pressing of a button.

What’s amazing, if you went back to the spring of ’42, would be tell our guys about the squadron of Marine fighters operating off a brand new Japanese carrier… to train their people up and make sure the carrier works as advertised.
Or tell Brits back in 1820, about how the Royal Navy sent it’s flag ship over to America so those US Marines could train up their crew.

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