Philosophy Talk , 49:00
Engaging, Intriguing, Unusual
This show demonstrates that there are philosophical questions at the root of nearly every topic--a wonderful selling point that makes "Philosophy Talk" more broadly appealing than a general audience might expect. I wonder whether the need to attract a wider audience during pledge-time resulted in the selection of a trendy topic (wine) and "dumbing down" the discussion of underlying philosophical concepts (perception, value, etc.) . Due to the need to do pledge breaks, the hosts and their guest don't seem to explore the subject with their usual depth. Nonetheless, their sense of humor is delightful and this is an enjoyable listen.
As someone who has a degree in Philosophy I'm inclined to enjoy *any* program these guys do! I was especially curious about how they would approach this subject. A caveat: I'm probably a tougher critic about this show than most people--as one who has completed a college-level certificate program in Wine & Food pairing, I found the balance of the discussion off: too much about wine basics and too little about philosophy. So, while I was amused, I was somewhat disappointed in the level of discourse. (Though I'm intrigued enough by the guest to want to read his book.)
This particular episode would be a good one to introduce the "Philosophy Talk" program to listeners who may feel philosophy is too intellectual or "boring" to explore. Audiences who are (or want to be) educated about wine will probably enjoy it. I think it would play well on stations in wine-producing areas, especially around the time of a major event and would attract sponsorship.
Those who enjoy philosophical discussions--especially if they've heard some of the other "Philosophy Talk" episodes--may find this one a bit less satisfying than others, even if they are also enophiles. While it's not as full-bodied and rich as usual and has a bland finish due to the pledge-drive verbiage, it's still pleasurable.
C. W.
, CA
July 6, 2008
