Skip to content
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • PodBean
  • Subscribe To The My Pal Sammy Newsletter
  • ABOUT
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

My Summer Lair

Think NPR's Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: My Summer Lair with host Sammy Younan: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.

  • Home
  • Podcast
    • My Summer Lair
    • Space Station Oddity
  • Set The VCR
  • New Book Alert
  • True Sammy Stories
  • Toggle search form
Astra Taylor (What Is Democracy?) My Summer Lair 87

087 | Astra Taylor (What Is Democracy?)

Posted on September 11, 2018March 6, 2023 By Sammy Younan No Comments on 087 | Astra Taylor (What Is Democracy?)

My Summer Lair Chapter #87: What Is Democracy?

Filmmaker Astra Taylor did something remarkable with her latest documentary: she asked a question “What Is Democracy?” and then she…listened. Like actually, actively listened. Listening has become…revolutionary.

We’re told to vote and protest and stand up for our rights and stand against all kinds of Twitter-branded evil and yet listening is one of the most powerful activities we can undertake.

Listening is a lost skill. To listen to somebody…to hear what they have to say; even if we don’t agree with it. Especially if we don’t agree with it! That’s freedom. Freedom is so inspiring.

Astra Taylor is the talented writer of 2014’s The People’s Platform: a non-fiction book exploring gap of the internet dream that was sold to us and the harsh reality of the internet. That’s not freedom.

She’s following up that book with this documentary premiering at TIFF 2018. As she puts it…it’s not a question than an answer: she’s doing the hard work of grappling with democracy. The work you are supposed to do.

In that sense the documentary is inspiring because it pushes one to do their own hard work…to commit to doing the work. Truth is weddings…those are easy…marriages are hard. Do The Work.

Following the 2 TIFF screenings and a number of festival screenings; this documentary can be seen at the NFB and streamed on CBC Gem.

Astra Taylor @ W • T • F

Host & Photography Sammy Younan

Recorded: Saturday September 8, 2018 at 5:00 pm (at Girth Radio)

Stress free pop culture tastefully harvested for your divine delight. Once a week a carefully curated edition of My Pal Sammy goes directly to your inbox. Sign up for my newsletter so we can have some fun…like putting the demo in democracy!

My Summer Lair, Podcast Tags:Astra Taylor, Cornel West, Director, Documentaries, What Is Democracy?

Post navigation

Previous Post: 086 | Nick Cannon (Wild ‘N Out)
Next Post: 088 | Ryan North (How to Invent Everything)

More Related Articles

022 | Paul Vermeersch (The Holy Order of the Sasquatch) My Summer Lair
My Pal Sammy Episode 5: Community Podcast
Dead Dicks & Majic (Blood In The Snow Film Festival) 135 | Dead Dicks & Majic (Blood In The Snow Film Festival) My Summer Lair
Johnny Sweet (Quiet Storm: The Ron Artest Story) 115 | Johnny Sweet (Quiet Storm: The Ron Artest Story) My Summer Lair
Wild N Out Nick Cannon Sammy Younan 086 | Nick Cannon (Wild ‘N Out) My Summer Lair
Johnny Sweet (Last Call: The Shutdown of NYC Bars) 198 | Johnny Sweet (Last Call: The Shutdown of NYC Bars) My Summer Lair

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • #SetTheVCR: September 18-24, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    For this week's TV recommendations we got a Superpower, Super Models, a Saint and Saving people. That's right it's #SetTheVCR where this weekend we check into The Continental for a 3 night stay.
  • #SetTheVCR: September 11-17, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    This week's #SetTheVCR is Based on a True Story. Lots of TV recommendations that'll guide you through the Wilderness but do look out for a sudden Swarm or even a comedic Wolf.
  • #CouchWorthy: August 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    A terrific TV recap of August 2023. Here some August TV highlights that are #CouchWorthy. Maybe you missed em or didn’t hear about em. Sweet Sammy Suggestions for August 2023…
  • #SetTheVCR: September 4-10, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    This week's #SetTheVCR is a Rogues' Gallery of thieves, creeps, killers and criminals. Oh and lots of Star Trek to balance out all the dark TV recommendations.
  • #SetTheVCR: August 28-September 3, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    RoboCop and a Wanted fugitive. Choose Love because it's time to #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: August 21-27, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    Flash forward and see yourself enjoying these TV recommendations with your Vacation Friends: It's #SetTheVCR!
  • #SetTheVCR: August 14-20, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    Take Shelter from the Summer heat with these Untold TV Recommendations: from Elvis to Tracy Morgan this week's #SetTheVCR is Killing It.
  • #SetTheVCR: August 7-13, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    You maybe Summering but with this #SetTheVCR post is All Up In The Biz of TV recommendations. Only Murders In The Building returns so we should kick off this TV week with a Clue.
  • #SetTheVCR: July 31-August 6, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    Welcome to the Paradise of TV Recommendations: this week's #SetTheVCR is bursting with blockbusters and concludes with a Lollapalooza livestream. Not bad for the dog days of Summer.
  • #SetTheVCR: July 24-30, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    Need some TV recommendations while you laze by the pool and enjoy the Summer? From Good Omens to Twisted Metal…this week's #SetTheVCR has TV covered from Soup to Nuts.
  • MSL Space Station Oddity: DCEU Is Pee-Ew | Batgirl vs HBO MaxAugust 5, 2022
    Sammy & Rob Gaudette discuss and review the status of the DCEU following the cancellation of Batgirl on HBO Max. Rob still has hope.
  • MSL Space Station Oddity: Contact Photography Festival 2022 | Culture SnapMay 12, 2022
    Sammy is joined by photographer Henry VanderSpek aka Culture Snap to discuss and recommend a happy handful of Contact Photography Festival exhibitions.
  • MSL Space Station Oddity: A Taylor Hawkins MemorialMarch 28, 2022
    Sammy & Stephanie discuss the shocking and sad passing of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins on March 25, 2022.
  • MSL Space Station Oddity: All The Batmans | Keaton To Nipples to BatfleckMarch 10, 2022
    Sammy & Stephanie discuss All The Batmans: from Michael Keaton to Ben Affleck.
  • MSL Space Station Oddity: 2021 Induction Ceremony | Rock & Roll Hall of FameNovember 25, 2021
    Sammy & Stephanie discuss their happy highlights from the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

  • Yaron Weitzman (Tanking to the Top) and Sammy Younan in My Summer Lair 148
    Under-Review: Tanking to the Top: The Philadelphia 76ers
    by Sammy Younan
    My Summer Lair host Sammy Younan reviews Yaron Weitzman's Tanking to the Top. Trust The Process of The Philadelphia 76ers?
  • New Book Alert: January 10-14, 2022
    by Sammy Younan
    My weekly collection of new and notable books for your pop culture pleasure and edification: #ReadMoreTweetLess.
  • New Book Alert: January 3-7, 2022
    by Sammy Younan
    My weekly collection of new and notable books for your pop culture pleasure and edification: #ReadMoreTweetLess.
  • New Book Alert: November 8-12, 2021
    by Sammy Younan
    My weekly collection of new and notable books for your pop culture pleasure and edification: #ReadMoreTweetLess.
  • New Book Alert: November 1-5, 2021
    by Sammy Younan
    My weekly collection of new and notable books for your pop culture pleasure and edification: #ReadMoreTweetLess.

Copyright © 2023 My Summer Lair.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme