Light On Light Through

  A special Episode 73 of Light On Light Through  -- in which I discuss my current assessment of the Prius I've been driving since September 2006, and which was the subject of Episodes 1 and 32 of this very podcast.   Given the serious problems with accelerator and brake action reported for the Prius and other Toyotas, I though I'd chime in here with at least one data point:  which is, although I did have a little problem with a headlight, my Prius is driving just fine.   Links: Light On Light Through Episode 1: Prius and BlueTooth Light On Light Through Episode 32:  My Sweet Prius, Part 2   Like science fiction? Jump into my short story, The Other Car, in which a Prius is a bridge to an alternate reality       home page: http://paullevinson.info more blogs: http://InfiniteRegress.tv                                         videoclips: http://www.youtube.com/user/PLev20062006                                                                            published on 3 September 2009:  New New Media my latest no

A special Episode 72 of Light On Light Through  -- recorded an hour after ABC-TV pulled its station off Cablevision in the New York area.   Link to blog post:  Memo to Cablevision and ABC TV   home page: http://paullevinson.info more blogs: http://InfiniteRegress.tv more podcasts: http://Levinsonnewsclips.com                                          videoclips: http://www.youtube.com/user/PLev20062006                                                                            published on 3 September 2009:  New New Media my latest novel: The Plot to Save Socrates "challenging fun" - Entertainment Weekly "Da Vinci-esque thriller" - New York Daily News and Brian Charles Clarke says The Plot to Save Socrates "resonates with the current political climate . . . Sierra Waters is sexy as hell . . . there's a bite to Levinson's wit"-- in Curled Up With A Good Book Read the first chapter of The Plot to Save Socrates .... FREE

Welcome to Light On Light Through, Episode 71: New New Media and Religion, in which I briefly discuss how blogging, Twitter, and "new new media" - which enable consumers of information to become producers - enable more human beings to consider and communicate about what it is that makes us human, what we're doing here in this universe, in other words, the essence of religion. Links: Free Twitter chapter from New New Media more about New New Media also Realspace: The Fate of Physical Presence in the Digital Age The New Landscape of Religion Blogosphere  with 9 commentators, including me.   home page: http://paullevinson.info more blogs: http://InfiniteRegress.tv more podcasts: http://Levinsonnewsclips.com                                          videoclips: http://www.youtube.com/user/PLev20062006                                                                            published on 3 September 2009:  New New Media my latest novel: The Plot to Save Socrates "challenging fun" - Entertainment Weekly "Da Vi

Welcome to Light On Light Through, Episode 70:  A January 2010 TV Review Sampler.  I've been speaking and writing for several years - here on Light On Light Through, in my classes, on my blogs, in newspaper op-eds, and in my books - about the "new golden age of television" we are enjoying.   Indeed, I've been reviewing many of these great dramas - The Sopranos, Lost, Dexter - over on one of my other podcasts, Levinson News Clips.   These reviews are usually just 5-7 minutes, and I often post them within minutes of a show's broadcast.   This month of January 2010 has been an especially excellent month for television, so I decided to put together this special Light On Light Through sampler of my Levinson News Clips TV reviews of 24, Big Love, Bones, Damages, Fringe, Heroes, and House - all of which have come back on television with fine new episodes.   You'll find continuing reviews of every episode of these and other television shows on Levinson News Clips. Links: continuing podcast reviews of television on

Welcome to Light On Light Through, Episode 69:  Leno, Conan, and New New Media .... in which I replay for you the entire 48-minute interview Fred W. Hofmann conducted with me on KCPS Radio, January 19, 2010, about the shake-up with Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien at NBC.  My thesis is that this has little to do with the talents of either late-night comedian, but rather is a result of the shift in audiences from network television to cable and the Internet.   I began to explore this shift in my 2009 book, New New Media, and I see the Leno-O'Brien events as just the latest rumblings in a television revolution which has just begun... Links: more about New New Media Twitter chapter from New New Media - free! Fred W. Hofmann on KCPS Radio   home page: http://paullevinson.info more blogs: http://InfiniteRegress.tv more podcasts: http://Levinsonnewsclips.com                                          videoclips: http://www.youtube.com/user/PLev20062006                                                                  

Welcome to Light On Light Through, Episode 68:  Weep Not for Newspapers .... in which I explain why the decline of paper newspapers may be the best thing that ever happened to journalism and its goal of keeping citizens in a democracy well informed.   This is the latest installment in my continuing series, What's Newer than New New Media, which until now has consisted only of written blogs.Links: more about New New Media Twitter chapter from New New Media - free! my brief essay on this issue in The Chronicle of Higher Education home page: http://paullevinson.infomore blogs: http://InfiniteRegress.tv more podcasts: http://Levinsonnewsclips.com                                          videoclips: http://www.youtube.com/user/PLev20062006                                                                            published on 3 September 2009:  New New Media my latest novel: The Plot to Save Socrates"challenging fun" - Entertainment Weekly"Da Vinci-esque thriller" - New York Daily News and Brian Charles Clark

Welcome to Light On Light Through, Episode 67:  How Does It Feel To Have A Book Published? .... in which I chronicle the publication of my latest nonfiction book, New New Media, on September 3, 2009, with descriptions of events and expectations in August 2009, through the day of publication, and continuing with adventures in September and October 2009.   Highlights include mentions of the book in The New York Times and other newspapers prior to publication, interviews on radio shows, the book tour, the use of a blog in promoting the book, the first book review, the Kindle edition, and much more.   These reflections of an author - me, about New New Media - were first detailed in a series of eight short (5-minute) episodes in my Ask Lev podcast, where these writerly accounts will continue.Links: more about New New Media Twitter chapter from New New Media - free! my other books Ask Lev podcast - practical advice for writers my Four Rules for Writers home page: http://paullevinson.infomore blogs: http://Infini

Welcome to Light On Light Through, Episode 66:  Robert J. Sawyer Talks About FlashForward .... With less than a week to go until the premiere of FlashForward on ABC Television on September 24, 2009, 8 pm Eastern time - based on Rob Sawyer's novel of the very same name - I was delighted to catch Rob on the phone in Toronto for this sage, penetrating interview in which Rob reveals what it feels like to be on the verge of having his novel seen on screens around the world in this ABC series.  Rob takes us through the steps of moving from novel to screen, his admiration for the stellar cast, his clear vision of possible future paths for his FlashForward novel universe, at a time when everyone will be coming to know the slightly different story in the television series, and much more.  Whether you're a writer with dreams of seeing of your words on the screen, or a fan of great science fiction is this new golden age of television, this is the interview you'll always remember.Links: more about Rob's novel, FlashForw

Welcome to Light On Light Through, Episode 65:  An Introduction to New New Media ... with the publication of my latest book, New New Media, just weeks away (Penguin Academics will be publishing the book on 4 September 2009),  I thought I would share with you the interview Dr. Howard Gluss did with me on his KFNX Radio show on June 12, 2009.  It provides a 20-minute introduction to the way that Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and what I call "new new media" are changing all of us from consumers into producers, and in the process revolutionizing all aspects of our lives, from the way we watch television to the way we elect Presidents...Links: more about New New Media more about Dr. Howard Gluss radio show I'm interviewed about New New Media on Kojo Nnamdi show home page: http://paullevinson.infomore blogs: http://InfiniteRegress.tv and http://open.salon.com/blog/paul_levinson                       more podcasts: http://Levinsonnewsclips.com                                   videoclips: http://www.youtube.co

Welcome to Light On Light Through, Episode 64:  Moon 40 ... in which I reflect on watching our species land on the Moon 40 years ago, regret that we have not gone much further, and offer some reasons why we must.  They are more than scientific and economic, though outer space will give us much data and access to vast resources of energy.  But the deepest reasons are closer to spiritual - we will never understand who we really are, what we are doing here in this cosmos, from down on here on Planet Earth.  The universe beyond is, after all, part of our larger home...Links: my blog post: Forty Years from the Moon, and Still Counting my book: Realspace home page: http://paullevinson.infomore blogs: http://InfiniteRegress.tv and http://open.salon.com/blog/paul_levinson                       more podcasts: http://Levinsonnewsclips.com                                          videoclips: http://www.youtube.com/user/PLev20062006                                                                            coming in

Welcome to Light On Light Through, Episode 63:  Sonia Sotomayor vs. the First Amendment: An Interview with Avery and Lauren Doninger.  The First Amendment has almost never been under greater fire.   Broadcasters are being fined record amounts and the FCC and Congress are calling out for more.   Students are being taught the wrong lessons about freedom of expression in some of our schools, and courts are supporting these schools.  One of those cases - involving a 16-year old high school student, Avery Doninger - made its way to the Second Circuit Appeals Court, where Sonia Sotomayor and two colleague justices supported the school.   Judge Sotomayor now seems likely to be confirmed by the US Senate to serve a lifetime position on the United States Supreme Court. In this special episode of Light On Light Through, I interview Avery Doninger and her mother, Lauren Doninger.  You can hear in their own voices what was at stake in Avery's case - what the case was all about - and their reaction to the adverse decisio

Welcome to Light On Light Through, Episode 62:  Star Trek: Reborn, Reset, Resplendent ... in which I explain how the new May 2009 Star Trek movie succeeded in delighting lifelong fans (including me) as well as reinventing the Star Trek universe from the beginning (which I also immensely enjoyed) ... hint: think time-travel ...Helpful links: complete blog post: Star Trek: Reborn, Reset, Resplendent historical context: How Star Trek Liberated Television blogs about time travel check out Night Guy - our latest promo-suite podcast partner Enjoy... home page: http://paullevinson.infomore blogs: http://InfiniteRegress.tv and http://www.myspace.com/twiceuponarhyme                          videoclips: http://www.youtube.com/user/PLev20062006                                                                           my latest novel: The Plot to Save Socrates"challenging fun" - Entertainment Weekly"Da Vinci-esque thriller" - New York Daily News and Brian Charles Clarke says The Plot to Save Socrates "resonates with

Welcome to Light On Light Through, Episode 61:  Author and Critic: Perilous Symbiosis ... in which I examine the love/hate mutually catalytic relationship of authors (or creators) and critics.   I look especially at the dangers and benefits to aspiring authors of writing critical reviews of works by other authors...Helpful links: My Advice to Writers - including my Ask Lev podcast List of my books - for you to read and criticize Enjoy... home page: http://paullevinson.infomore blogs: http://InfiniteRegress.tv and http://www.myspace.com/twiceuponarhyme                          videoclips: http://www.youtube.com/user/PLev20062006                                                                           my latest novel: The Plot to Save Socrates"challenging fun" - Entertainment Weekly"Da Vinci-esque thriller" - New York Daily News and Brian Charles Clarke says The Plot to Save Socrates "resonates with the current political climate . . . heroine Sierra Waters is sexy as hell . . . there's a bite to Levinson's

Welcome to Light On Light Through, Episode 60:  Isaac Asimov's Foundation and Frank Herbert's Dune Trilogies as Sources of Philosophy ... in which I discuss how the fate of Hari Seldon's "psychohistorical" equations in the Foundation trilogy and Paul Muad'dib's ability to see the future in the Dune novels gives us vivid, compelling answers to the perennial philosophic problem of what can we know of the future ... (Plot points mentioned only for the first two books in each trilogy.)  Helpful links: Invigoration of a Philosophic Issue in Science Fiction -my essay Asimov's Foundation trilogy and Herbert's Dune trilogy A postcard from Isaac Asimov to me from 1979 about Foundation Added in July 2021: new podcast episode: Thinking about Asimov's Foundation on AppleTV+ Enjoy... home page: http://paullevinson.info another blog: http://InfiniteRegress.tv                           videoclips: http://www.youtube.com/user/PLev20062006                                                                            my l

Welcome to Light On Light Through, Episode 59:  The Future of Media ... In the Fall of 2007, I sat down for an interview by Mark Molaro, for his popular Internet TV show, The Alcove.   His guests have included Arianna Huffington, Carl Bernstein, Campbell Brown, and other notables.  Mark and I talked for 20 minutes about the future of media, the impact of new media on everything from politics to television shows such as Mad Men, to my view that "information overload" is really "information underload," or lack of vital navigational information.   This interview was the first time I publicly started talking about New New Media, the subject of my forthcoming book (to be published by Pearson, Allyn & Bacon in the Summer 2009).  You can see the interview on television via the link or YouTube screen below.  Or, if more convenient, or you'd like to listen while running, walking, or driving, you an listen to the major excerpt presented in this podcast...Helpful links: Mark Molaro's interview with me on The Alcove

Welcome to Light On Light Through, Episode 58:  A Conversation with Paul J. Feiner, Town Supervisor of Greenburgh, NY, about Blogging, Obama, and Caroline Kennedy.  Paul Feiner has been Town Supervisor - a two-year elected office - since 1991.  He has a weekly radio show, The Greenburgh Report, on WVOX Radio in New Rochelle, NY.  He also maintains a blog, and has trail blazed new media in our Westchester County town, including the introduction of competition in cable television providers.  I was a guest on his radio show on January 9, 2009, and this episode of Light On Light Through is excerpted from our conversation.  We talk about Paul Feiner's blog, Facebook, Twitter, the role of new media in Barack Obama's administration, and why Governor David Paterson should appoint Caroline Kennedy to the Senate...Helpful links: Paul Feiner's blog Paul Feiner's Wikipedia article I'm interviewed by Mark Molaro about New Media on The Alcove My New New Media book, to be published in Summer 2009 by Pearson, Allyn & Ba

Welcome to Light On Light Through, Episode 57:  I'm A Progressive Libertarian ... in which I explain how one can insist that the government respect the Bill of Rights, and stay out of our business whenever possible, but also act to promote our welfare by supporting rights of women, gays, and minorities, and spend money to reduce poverty, provide health care, and explore space.  I'm in favor of no income tax for anyone earning under a million dollars a year, and raising taxes on millionaires and billionaires.  Regarding governmental intervention to help with the current economic crisis, I see that intervention as an antibiotic.  In general, we want our bodies to fight off infection on their own.  But if our lungs are filling with fluid from bacterial pneumonia, we better get some antibiotic intervention as soon as possible.Plus flashes ... Contrary to critics such as Heather Havrilesky in Salon, I see the new golden age of television roaring back in 2009, with Lost, 24, Damages, Battlestar Galactica, Fringe, L

Welcome to Light On Light Through, Episode 56:  24 Season 6 Plus Redemption...a special, super-jumbo compilation episode, in which you'll hear my reviews of every episode of 24 Season 6  ... including my impersonation of Secretary Heller, somewhere in the middle of the reviews ... originally presented on my Levinson news clips podcast a few minutes after each broadcast of 24 back in 2007 ... plus a brand new review of Redemption, the two-hour 24 movie broadcast on Fox in November 2008.  A great way to rev up for the return of 24, Season 7, on January 11, 2009.  Hey, if you're a student, and you want to surreptitiously listen to this podcast in the back of a boring class, I won't tell anyone...  Helpful links: 5-min podcast review of just Redemption - look in right column Levinson news clips - the original podcasts (scroll down); also - watch there for weekly podcast reviews of 24 Season 7, starting January 11, 2009 Infinite Regress - blog post reviews of all episodes of 24 Season 6, plus Redemption, and look

Welcome to Light On Light Through, Episode 55, a very special episode about cyberbullying and a remedy - the music of the Truth on Earth band.   It's been in the news, especially recently - the 13-year old girl who took her life after being set up on MySpace by a 49-year woman, who pretended to be a boy in love with the girl and broke her heart.  The Truth on Earth band, consisting of three teenagers - Serena, Kiley, and Tess - decided to do something about this problem of people assuming false identities on social media and hurting other people.  The band wrote and recorded a song - "Shot With a Bulletless Gun".  It's receiving a lot of attention.  And with good reason - an example of the best of the Internet -    providing an MP3 remedy of lyrics and music for one of its own, worst ills.   You'll hear the song, and more music from the talented band in this podcast.  And also a 20-minute interview with Serena, Kiley, and Tess.  This is a song, a band, and an interview anyone who spends any time on the In

Welcome to Light On Light Through, Episode 54 LOST 4 and 13 ...another special, jumbo compilation episode, in which you'll hear all of my reviews of the second part of Season 4 of Lost ... originally presented on my Levinson news clips podcast a few minutes or hours after each Thursday's broadcast of Lost ... reviews of the final five episodes of Season 4:  9-13.... These five episodes, in my opinion, were among the best ever on Lost ...Helpful links: Levinson news clips - the original podcasts Lost 4 and 8 - Light On Light Through Episode 53, with reviews of Lost Season 4, Episodes 1-8 Infinite Regress - blog post reviews of all episodes of the Lost this season (and many from last season) ... the first review from Season Four is here - Lost's Back Full Paradoxical Blast - and contains links to all the others Lost: Keys to What's Really Going On - my 2006 essay, continually updated... Enjoy... home page: http://paullevinson.infomore blogs: http://InfiniteRegress.tv and http://www.myspace.com/twiceuponarhyme