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PODCAST

Silent Generation

Silent Generation

Silent Generation is a Chicago-based cultural analysis podcast that surveys the cultural consequences of car-oriented development in the mid-20th century. It explores what was lost between the Silent Generation and Generation Z. Topics discussed include aesthetics, fashion, history, and urbanism.Find us on Instagram: silent.generation

society & culture

All Episodes

01:10:32

Ep. 11: The '70s

Silent Generation ·

2024/02/14

The ‘70s can be construed as being one of the darkest decades in American history. Crises such as stagflation, declining union membership, the 1973-1975 recession, the Energy Crisis, and the Vietnam War all occurred simultaneously. Said clothing produced during the ‘70s showed a shallow optimism which can be seen in garments like newsboy caps, satin shirts, bell bottom jeans, tube socks, and platform shoes. In addition they discuss the dominant colors of the ‘70s (brown, avocado green, and harvest

en

01:50:52

Ep. 10: Cowboys w/ Kone Ranger

Silent Generation ·

2024/02/05

This week the boys are joined by Kone, a local fashion designer who co-owns the eponymous Kone Ranger clothing brand along with his brother Kevin. Kone Ranger opened up a permanent location in Avondale in 2022 to offer Chicagoans the opportunity to buy handmade Western-inspirted garments. But what do cowboys mean to Kone? To answer this question, they begin by critiquing both the function and form of the various elements that make up a cowboy’s’ outfit: cowboy hats, handkerchiefs, Western shirts,

en

01:18:41

Ep. 9: Department Stores

Silent Generation ·

2024/02/01

Department stores are in many ways the ultimate third place. You can use them to meet up with friends, to avoid the elements, to get a bite to eat, to look at interesting displays, to get advice on your wardrobe, and to buy a wide variety of consumer products. So why are they declining and what can be done about it? This week Joseph and Nathan begin by talking about the early history of department stores (with particularly sharp focus on Chicago) before talking about their personal experiences in

en

01:59:31

Ep. 8: Silicon Valley Aesthetics w/ Rafa

Silent Generation ·

2024/01/22

This week the boys are joined by their personal friend and the pod’s first ever guest, Rafa, a Palo Alto native and Chicago transplant. They begin by examining the aesthetics of individual FAANG companies (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google) before examining the tech industry and silicon valley as a whole. Amongst other things they discuss skeuomorphism, Corporate Memphis, the Clear Craze, the Thompson Center, BART’s Silicon Valley Extension, blobitecture, and the philanthropic pursuits of

en

01:31:40

Ep. 7: Men in Uniform

Silent Generation ·

2024/01/17

Are men in crisis? What role can uniforms play in mitigating the “deaths of despair” and anomie we see in our larger society? This week Joseph and Nathan begin with a quote from Uniforms by Paul Fussell and start to address the various social and psychological effects that uniforms induce: patriotism, pride, shame, and (on a darker note) deindividuation. Amongst other things they discuss the Village People, Nathan’s cycles, chainmaille epaulets, Trump’s Space Force uniforms, and the dress code of

en

01:26:31

Ep. 6: Legalize Slums

Silent Generation ·

2023/12/27

This week the boys discuss one of the most controversial ideas alluded to by the Strong Towns organization: “legalize slums.” Strong Towns is a non-profit organization that advocates for walkable neighborhoods, higher-density housing, ending parking minimums and many other urbanist policies but they have largely avoided addressing the topic of informal housing. While “legalize slums” can be interpreted quite literally, Joseph and Nathan envision on this week’s episode that the slogan can be used as

en

01:09:37

Ep. 5: Interwar Modernism

Silent Generation ·

2023/12/13

The interwar period is defined as being from 1918 to 1939 while the modernist period is loosely defined as being from the early 1900s to 1940s. What were architecture, design, and art like during the time period where the two overlapped? Within this week’s episode Joseph and Nathan pay particular attention to the Streamline Moderne, Bauhaus, Deutscher Werkbund, and International styles of architecture and design. Other ideas explored include the aesthetics of the future, the color chrome,

en

01:21:27

Ep. 4: Mid-2000s Prep

Silent Generation ·

2023/12/08

Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, Aeropostale, American Eagle, and Pink were dominant clothing brands during the mid-2000s. Despite their immense popularity during this time period they are scarcely referenced in alternative fashion today. In this week’s episode Joseph and Nathan suggest that said logo-centric aesthetic be labeled “logoprep.” Amidst a larger discussion about prep in the mid-2000s the boys discuss the great recession, malls, Uggs, American Apparel (again), the Netflix film White

en

01:22:05

Ep. 3: Crystal Castles

Silent Generation ·

2023/12/02

Crystal Castles was a Canadian electronic music group known for their experimental sound characterized by video game sound effects and synthesizers. It was initially formed in 2006 by vocalist Alice Glass and producer Ethan Kath and lasted until it ended in controversy in 2017. Their music has become popular on Tiktok recently and has influenced a new wave of electronic producers such as Pastel Ghost, JUHVAHN, Akiaura, and Alice Gas. Joseph and Nathan discuss Crystal Castle's troubled past, present

en

01:29:58

Ep. 2: Saudade & Nostalgia

Silent Generation ·

2023/11/28

This week the boys discuss saudade, an emotion unique to Portuguese-speaking cultures that is similar to nostalgia. In the second half of the episode they discuss notalgia-driven media in American culture. Amongst other things they discuss Nathan’s undergrad thesis, culture bound syndromes, the stories of how they got their names, Grief and a Headhunter’s Rage by Renato Resaldo, American Apparel, and Lady Bird.Links: Wisconsin Dells location on a map Homesickness by Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam

en

01:32:54

Ep. 1: Flaneur

Silent Generation ·

2023/11/24

Silent Generation is a Chicago based cultural analysis that covers topics in art, fashion, politics, and urbanism. In this episode Joseph and Nathan discuss the flaneur, a French literary archetype that described modern young men who wandered around Paris and observed modern life in the late 19th century. They also discuss Paris’s boulevard system, lindy walks and LindyMan, watching as entertainment, early trend forecasting, and the film In Time starring Justin Timberlake. Links: LindyMan’s

en

91 results

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