Episode 202: Waffle Party | Severance, Lockean Philosophy & the Oneida Community

We bring you this episode for the glory of our beloved company, in deference to Kier. We’re back! With a breakdown of one of the year’s most puzzling, thrilling, and mind-boggling new shows, Severance. This show has everything: Kafkaesque bureaucratic nightmare; Humorist drama inspired by Hippocratic medicine; late capitalism; academic buffoonery; wellness horror; and ritualistic workplace waffle parties. As we try to unravel the mysteries of Lumon, the controversial Severance procedure, and the rather hollow notion of “work life balance,” a couple of key themes necessitate further exploration. We’ll look to philosopher John Locke for the emergence of modern conceptions of the self and human consciousness as they relate to memory. Plus, we’ll jump in the time machine to explore a lesser-known moment in American history with strange parallels to the cult-like corporate labyrinth of Lumon: John Humphrey Noyes’s 19th century free-love commune, the Oneida Community. — Support us at www.patreon.com/midnightmyth Check out our merch store for Midnight Myth, Boomerangerang, and Wheel of Ka tees and totes! Learn more, view sources and inspiration, and sign up for e-mail updates at www.midnightmyth.com Interested in starting your own podcast? Try using Anchor by clicking on this link to get started: anch.co/midnight Twitter Facebook Instagram If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!