Episode 110: Questions – Detailed Summary

Release Date: March 22, 2025
Podcast: Literature and History
Host: Doug Metzger

In Episode 110 of Literature and History, host Doug Metzger offers a special two-hour installment dedicated to answering listener-submitted questions. This episode diverges from the usual deep dives into literary works and their historical contexts, providing insights into the podcast's creation, Doug's personal experiences, and his perspectives on various aspects of literature and history. Below is a comprehensive summary structured by the main themes and individual questions addressed.

1. Surprising Discoveries in Podcasting

Listener: Tammy from Alabama
Question: What is the most surprising thing you've learned while producing Literature and History?

Doug shares a revelation from his academic journey, expressing astonishment upon discovering Bronze Age literature. He recounts reading Samuel Noah Kramer's Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth, which opened his eyes to the vastness of ancient literary traditions beyond the familiar Old Testament narratives.

“When I started getting into Bronze Age literature... my jaw dropped. That changed everything for me.” [00:03:15]

He highlights surprising texts like the BAAL Cycle and the Nag Hammadi Library, emphasizing their deep connections to the Old Testament and the scarcity of their mainstream recognition.

2. Literature Shaping Historical Perspectives

Listener: Daniel Solano from Zurich
Question: Have you ever discovered a historical event or figure through literature that changed completely how you viewed that period of history?

Doug illustrates how literature humanizes historical tumult, citing Virgil's Eclogues and Horace's writings about personal struggles during the fall of the Roman Republic. He explains how poetic narratives offer nuanced views of historical events, contrasting with the often stark accounts found in traditional history.

“Reading history is like watching a silent movie. But literature turns the sound on and you get to hear what people were actually saying.” [00:10:42]

3. Challenging Personal Biases and Assumptions

Listeners: Roxy from Romania and Joseph Maltby
Question: How has researching the podcast challenged or confirmed any previously held biases or assumptions?

Doug reflects on his inherent optimism about human nature, reinforced by ancient and early medieval histories depicting both cruelty and kindness. He underscores the importance of organized societies in fostering compassion over callousness.

“The show has reinforced my optimism more often than not then, and showed me that... we're at our best when we're in front of each other or even just reading about each other in detail.” [00:15:30]

4. Common Misconceptions in Antiquity

Listener: Malte from Berlin
Question: What is your favorite misconception you frequently encounter on the topics you researched so far?

Doug debunks two prevalent myths:

1. Origins Misconception:
   “Everything always is much older than we think, and two, everything was always already much more interconnected than we think.” [00:20:15]

2. Survivability Misconception:
   “Ancient civilizations like the Greeks or Judahites might have been first to produce certain works, but that doesn't mean theirs were the very first creations.” [00:20:45]

5. Planned Content and Future Topics

Listener: Jeff from the UK
Question: Are you planning to do an episode on the Rule of St. Benedict?

Doug acknowledges the significance of The Rule of St. Benedict in Christian monasticism but indicates it won't be covered in this episode to maintain the show's momentum.

“I'm sorry to have skipped it, but we've got to keep the train rolling.” [00:25:00]

6. Research Methodology and Tools

Listener: Mark from Cleveland
Question: What is your search algorithm? How do you start looking for information? What are your favorite databases?

Doug outlines his systematic research approach:

1. Primary Text Engagement:
   “First step is read or reread the text.” [00:30:10]

2. Secondary Sources Exploration:
   Utilizes scholarly introductions and bibliographies from editions like Oxford or Harvard University Press.

3. Digital Resources:
   Uses Libby for eBooks and JSTOR for academic articles, appreciative of free access provided by the latter.

“Once a great big bundle of notes is compiled... then I'm ready to write the episode.” [00:32:50]

7. Time Management and Production Efforts

Listeners: Perla from Mexico and Barbara from Amsterdam
Questions: How do you manage your time to research and produce episodes? What is your day job?

Doug reveals the demanding nature of podcast production, requiring 80 to 200 hours per episode depending on complexity. Balancing this with his career as a technical writer, he attributes his efficiency to fast reading/writing skills and an intrinsic passion for the project.

“This podcast isn't like something that I have to force myself to do by strength of will. It's almost always what I want to do.” [00:40:20]

8. Organizational Tools for Reading and Note-Taking

Listener: Nick from Virginia
Question: What is your system for taking reading notes? How did you develop it?

Doug emphasizes a digital note-taking strategy, maintaining soft copy notes with bibliographical citations and page references. This allows efficient retrieval and cross-referencing across episodes.

“I've kept soft copy notes for almost 25 years now.” [00:45:05]

9. Incorporating Contemporary Scholarship

Listener: Hector from California
Question: How often do you use contemporary sources for research on your episodes?

Doug consistently integrates contemporary academic scholarship, citing modern monographs, journal articles, and scholarly projects to support his analyses.

“I use contemporary sources for researching every single episode and quote contemporary scholarship in every single episode.” [00:47:30]

10. Balancing Summary and Analysis in Episodes

Listener: Huzefa from Mumbai
Question: How often do you juggle between reading the translated text and explaining the context and story of literature?

Doug explains his pedagogical approach, prioritizing thorough summaries to acquaint listeners with the texts before delving into historical and cultural analyses.

“Teaching the text itself is always the first priority.” [00:50:10]

11. Community Engagement and Listener Interaction

Listener: Mary from Madison, Wisconsin
Question: Are you planning any events that bring your history-loving listeners together to experience the sights you discuss?

Doug expresses interest in organized tours, recommending his friend Jack’s Ancient Greece tours, but admits he lacks the bandwidth to host similar events himself. He fantasizes about informal gatherings but remains pragmatic about organizing such events.

“I have thought just sort of fantasized about some kind of event where we... rented out a campground or ranch.” [00:55:45]

12. Host's Personal Interactions with Listeners

Listener: Ming from Shanghai
Question: What has meeting listeners in person been like? Have you been surprised by them?

Doug shares positive experiences, noting diverse listener backgrounds from various academic and professional fields. He recounts a humorous interaction where a listener expected a more stereotypical academic persona.

“You know who you're listening to right now? It's Doug.” [01:00:30]

13. Daily Routines and Personal Practices

Listener: Abdul from Saudi Arabia
Questions: Describe an average day. Do you meditate?

Doug outlines a disciplined routine balancing work, podcast research, and personal time, emphasizing efficiency and passion for the podcast. While he doesn’t meditate formally, he finds relaxation through outdoor activities and creative pursuits.

“Every day I try to learn new things to read, to write and to play songs in ways I've never played them before.” [01:05:20]

14. Perspective on Science Fiction in Literature and History

Listener: John from Colorado
Question: What is the role of science fiction in literature and history?

Doug defends science fiction’s significance, citing early works like Lucian of Samosata’s True History and Ibn Tufail’s Hayy ibn Yaqdhan for their philosophical impact and role in inspiring scientific thought.

“Science fiction is often an imaginative laboratory for playing around with intellectual and ethical questions.” [01:10:15]

15. Curating Authors and Visual Representation

Listener: Olivier from Ottawa, Canada
Questions: How did you curate which authors to feature? Why does Emily Dickinson have the headphones on the cover?

Doug explains the album cover represents a historical spectrum of authors, with personal favorites like Emily Dickinson symbolizing his deep appreciation. Dickinson’s portrayal reflects her transformative influence on his approach to reading poetry.

“Emily Dickinson gets the special blue headphones... A thoroughly personal, arbitrary and unacademic reason.” [01:15:50]

16. Excitement and Reluctance Towards Future Topics

Listener: Nicole from Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Question: Are there any pieces of literature or periods of history you are excited or not excited to discuss?

Doug expresses enthusiasm for the upcoming season on early Islamic history, motivated by personal connections and a lack of existing educational content. Conversely, he is less passionate about medieval scholastic philosophy, likening it to an awkward combination.

“Medieval scholastic philosophy... seems like trying to attach a boat to a car.” [01:20:40]

17. Addressing Audience Feedback and Quality

Listener: Jacob from Japan
Question: Can listeners purchase season six Late Antiquity songs?

Doug affirms, directing listeners to the website’s bonus content section for purchasing music related to the episodes.

“They're up there right now... you can get them in the bonus content section of the website.” [01:25:10]

18. Balancing Original Content and Listener Interests

Caller: Jesse Davis from Upstate New York
Question: Why dedicate episodes to less engaging figures like Gregory of Tours?

Doug justifies the inclusion by highlighting Gregory’s role in the desecularization of European historiography and the contrasts between Merovingian and early Islamic expansions, emphasizing their historical significance.

“Understanding the Merovingian and Visigothic history... is a useful counterpoint to the more explosive events of the first two caliphates.” [01:30:00]

19. Ethical Considerations in Representation

Listener: Joseph Maltby
Question: Are there voices or perspectives you wonder if you've been unkind to or too kind to?

Doug acknowledges his bias towards finding the good in texts and individuals, striving to minimize personal prejudices in his analyses. He reflects on figures like Plato and Augustine, exploring their ideologies within historical contexts to understand their perspectives better.

“I see a local rock band play and I want them to succeed... I always try to look for the good.” [01:35:25]

20. Genesis and Evolution of the Podcast

Listener: Mike from St. Louis
Questions: How did Literature and History start and evolve? Was the podcast’s trajectory pre-planned?

Doug recounts the podcast’s inception, noting he wrote the first 24 episodes before launching to refine his voice and approach. He emphasizes the organic evolution driven by his expanding knowledge and listener interactions.

“Before I even started recording, I wrote the first 24 episodes all the way to the end of the Old Testament.” [01:40:10]

21. Musical Integration in the Podcast

Listeners: Ellie from London, Malte from Berlin, and Nick from Copenhagen
Questions: Details about the podcast’s music, composition process, and actors involved.

Doug passionately describes his role as a one-man band, composing and performing all musical elements himself. He plays various instruments, including piano, guitar, and harmonica, integrating original compositions to enhance the storytelling.

“All of the music in this show is me. I play piano, guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, accordion and harmonica.” [01:45:05]

22. Favorite and Influential Literature

Listener: Andrew from Delaware
Questions: What are Doug’s favorite books and literary theorists?

Doug highlights Middlemarch by George Eliot, History of Western Philosophy by Bertrand Russell, and James Joyce’s Ulysses as his top favorites. He mentions influencers like Erich Auerbach and Mikhail Bakhtin but notes his focus remains on literature over theoretical frameworks.

“Middlemarch by George Eliot... is the most profound and complete thing I’ve ever read about being a human.” [01:50:30]

23. Inclusion of Non-Western Literature

Listener: Ryland from Durham, North Carolina
Question: Do you plan to cover indigenous mythologies or story cycles in American literature?

Doug confirms his intention to incorporate Native American studies, leveraging his academic background to enrich the podcast's exploration of diverse literary traditions.

“I had pretty good Native American Studies coursework as an undergrad at Berkeley... so I'll be glad to try and pass on what I learned in this show.” [01:55:40]

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Doug wraps up the episode by reflecting on his connection with listeners, appreciating the shared passion for learning and literature. He emphasizes the podcast’s role in fostering a community of inquisitive minds eager to delve into the depths of literary and historical scholarship.

“You're not alone. People like us want to know more. We want to know how stuff works. We want to learn because it brings us some of the purest, purest and most indomitable joy we know.” [02:00:00]

He closes with a playful musical number, underscoring the episode's blend of scholarly discussion and creative expression.

Notable Quotes:

1. “When I started getting into Bronze Age literature... my jaw dropped. That changed everything for me.” [00:03:15]

2. “Reading history is like watching a silent movie. But literature turns the sound on and you get to hear what people were actually saying.” [00:10:42]

3. “Everything always is much older than we think, and two, everything was always already much more interconnected than we think.” [00:20:15]

4. “This podcast isn't like something that I have to force myself to do by strength of will. It's almost always what I want to do.” [00:40:20]

5. “I see a local rock band play and I want them to succeed... I always try to look for the good.” [01:35:25]

6. “All of the music in this show is me. I play piano, guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, accordion and harmonica.” [01:45:05]

7. “Middlemarch by George Eliot... is the most profound and complete thing I’ve ever read about being a human.” [01:50:30]

8. “You're not alone. People like us want to know more. We want to know how stuff works. We want to learn because it brings us some of the purest, purest and most indomitable joy we know.” [02:00:00]

This episode serves as a window into Doug Metzger's extensive efforts behind the scenes of Literature and History, offering listeners a deeper appreciation of the dedication, passion, and scholarly rigor that underpin each meticulously crafted episode.