S Town anyone?

[SleeplessinSoCal]

I'm up to Chapter 6. Just past John's screed asking Putin to put us out of our misery and drop the bomb.

[Iris]

1. Omg! Yes! Listening to it a second time now

When you finish, post here and l'll share a link to a Flannery O'Connor short story this podcast made me think of

[SleeplessinSoCal]

2. I have finished. Still front and center in my thoughts.

Finding it hard to escape. Especially his the manifesto. And his prognostication for our future.

Share away. Thanks.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

3. these points were published and I read them after episode 1.

http://www.edrants.com/why-s-town-is-worth-your-seven-hours

Also, Jon Lovett on his "Lovett or Leave It" podcast was so upset that S-Town was #1,2,3,4,5,6,&7 on iTunes that he basically cajoled me into listening.

[alarimer]

4. Absolutely

One of the best things I've ever heard. It went in unexpected directions.

I don't really want to say too much for fear of spoiling it for others.

But let me say that I do identify a bit with John B., as an outsider virtually everywhere I go, with a tendency to push people away out of fear of being hurt (and also being very sensitive to perceived slights), but without the crippling depression.

I don't know what exactly kept him from leaving that town, but I suspect it's some version of fear of the unknown. Sometimes what you know, even if you don't like it, is easier to deal with than taking a chance elsewhere.

On edit:

I think Brian Reed did an excellent job with empathy for all of these people and a willingness to consider everyone's viewpoint. It turns out...people are complicated.

[SticksnStones]

5. Listened to it on a seven hour drive home

Start to finish.

Wow. What a captivating story. Though I did have to tamp down the sense of voyeurism that creeped me out by part six and seven.

The Florida cousins were shady as hell. That story that they stopped by the house before going to the hospital was complete bs. They hadn't seen 'Mama' in years. How would they know what clothing or toiletries she wanted in the hospital? How would they even know if someone else had brought her things before they even got to town? And the 'cut the nipple' crack was just cold, heartless.

I think the police/Fay got the gold from the freezer before anyone arrived...IMO ~

[SleeplessinSoCal]

6. Woah! You may be right.

I was actually more in Rita's corner when she called around episode 5. It seemed totally plausible to me, and I wondered why I was so quick to believe Tyler.

I noted that nearly all involved spoke in very colorful ways. The use of language seemed fun to them. At the same time there were a lot if damaged people there. And possibly the comfort that gave to John B kept him there. His college experience may have undercut his confidence.

So much to chew on. I may have to listen a 2nd time.

[SticksnStones]

7. I can see why his town tormented him so

Surrounded on all sides by folks with sketchy ethics...John B. was a brilliant, hot mess...

And I was in Rita's corner for a bit too...until the nipple ring tale. That spoke volumes as to her character, IMO. Tyler was no saint either, the forgery on the car title was a bad idea...

Yes, a lot of damaged people in that town ~

7 very captivating hours, I could listen again...

[SleeplessinSoCal]

8. Why cyanide? I have a theory.

Listening to Fresh Air on NPR discussing Jonestown, those people were taught to believe in an apocalyptic vision of the future. Possibly John B opted to leave another message, one that related to an apocalypse. It makes sense to me. There were too many options. He chose cyanide.