Ep. 49 Michael Frederickson "Awestruck"

Think back to the last time your eyes were opened wide, your mouth agape, and the hairs on the back of your neck stood on end as you took in a profound or inspiring sight… On today's episode of Team Human, Douglas is joined by Michael Frederickson, lead technical director at Pixar Animation, to talk about this deeply human experience of awe.

It's a conversation that spans the “awful” to the "awesome" and all those ambiguous spaces in-between. Rushkoff and Frederickson dig into questions of technology and storytelling, the narrative arc, and the evolutionary, even empathetic value of having our minds blown.

Rushkoff tees off this episode with a monologue inspired by the unresolved and sometimes unsettling world of David Lynch and his new Twin Peaks series. Is art meant to solve our riddles or pose new ones? Join Team Human this week, as we revel in life's liminal spaces and surrender to the power of awe.

Music in today's show thanks to: Mike Watt, R.U. Sirius, Ambiguous Midroll by Stephen Bartolomei, and show closer thanks to Dischord records and Fugazi

Team Human is supported entirely by listeners. Join the team at patreon.com/teamhuman. Members receive access to the Team Human Slack Team where we discuss topics on the show, suggest guests, and more.