Selected Shorts: "Keeping Score" Episode Summary
Release Date: January 2, 2025
Host: Meg Wolitzer
Producer: Symphony Space
Introduction: The Concept of Keeping Score
Host: Meg Wolitzer
Timestamp: [00:07]
Meg Wolitzer opens the episode by contemplating whether life inherently keeps score. She muses on various metrics people use to measure success—ranging from career achievements like becoming a CEO or winning prestigious awards to more personal milestones like family moments or fulfilling biological imperatives. Wolitzer questions the objectivity of these measures, highlighting their subjective nature based on individual values and beliefs.
Notable Quote:
"Life doesn't offer one way to measure success... there's no perfect system for tracking a life's wins or losses, unless we just decide to start keeping score."
— Meg Wolitzer [00:07]
She sets the stage for the episode by proposing an experimental point system to gauge life's outcomes, inviting listeners to explore the implications of such an approach through the stories featured in the hour-long program.
First Story: "The Tribal Rite of the Strombergs" by Simon Rich
Reader: John Hodgman
Timestamp: [02:51]
John Hodgman narrates Simon Rich's story, which delves into the Stromberg family's unique and sinister tradition of scorekeeping through intergenerational games. The narrative centers around Jeremy and his father during a tense Scrabble match, where the competition escalates beyond mere game points to a dark, ritualistic ritual known as the "Tribal Rite."
Key Plot Points:
- Jeremy challenges his father's longstanding dominance in Scrabble.
- The father enforces the family's dark tradition when Jeremy attempts to win.
- Historical context of the Stromberg family's violent practices is revealed, illustrating the high stakes of their scorekeeping obsession.
Notable Quotes:
“Life doesn't have a scoreboard. Or does it?”
— Meg Wolitzer [00:07]
“Congratulations on beating me in Scrabble.”
— Jeremy [11:00]
“Eat my weakened body.”
— Jeremy's Father [05:57]
The story culminates in a tragic ritual where scoring a game translates into a deadly family tradition, illustrating the perils of taking scorekeeping to an extreme.
Supporting Commentary: After the story, Meg Wolitzer reflects on the darkness of the narrative, humorously assuring listeners that her family isn't as "bloodthirsty" and quips about her Scrabble prowess, reinforcing the episode's theme of the dangers of obsessive scorekeeping.
Second Story: "Some News" by Dylan Marin
Reader: Dylan Marin
Timestamp: [13:18]
Dylan Marin both writes and narrates his own story, "Some News," which explores themes of envy and social media comparisons. The protagonist, Peter, grapples with feelings of inadequacy as he observes his old friend Jameela's meteoric rise to fame and god-like status on social platforms.
Key Plot Points:
- Peter reminisces about his deep friendship with Jameela and his role in supporting her early struggles.
- Jameela's sudden announcement of becoming "God" garners massive social media attention, leading to Peter's intense feelings of envy and obsolescence.
- Peter's futile attempts to reconnect with Jameela highlight the personal toll of measuring one's worth against others' successes.
- The story culminates with Peter receiving an anonymous repayment of a long-overdue loan, symbolizing closure but offering no solace for his emotional turmoil.
Notable Quotes:
“Envy is just the worst feeling, isn't it?”
— Meg Wolitzer [34:14]
“Are you supposed to be like, all knowing or something?”
— Peter [24:12]
“I just wanted my old friend back.”
— Peter [34:14]
Themes and Insights: Marin's story poignantly captures the modern struggle with social comparison amplified by social media. It underscores how relentless scorekeeping—comparing likes, achievements, and status—can erode personal relationships and self-worth.
Supporting Commentary: Meg Wolitzer discusses the relatability of the story, emphasizing how many listeners have experienced similar feelings of envy and the universal challenge of measuring personal success against others'.
Third Story: "Fool's Gold" by Joanne Harris
Reader: Gildart Jackson
Timestamp: [36:47]
Gildart Jackson brings to life Joanne Harris's "Fool's Gold," a tale about Mr. Fisher, a disillusioned English teacher who discovers what he believes to be the "last story in the world," written by his student Alistair Tibbett. The narrative explores themes of creativity, legacy, and the teacher-student dynamic.
Key Plot Points:
- Mr. Fisher, weary from years of teaching uninspired students, stumbles upon a uniquely original story by Tibbett.
- Believing this story to be a groundbreaking literary work, Mr. Fisher contemplates capitalizing on its uniqueness.
- His excitement leads to careless actions, resulting in the loss of the manuscript and a frantic search that spirals into obsession.
- The abrupt end sees Mr. Fisher's breakdown, ironically portraying him as a "bad teacher" despite his dedication.
Notable Quotes:
“In 40 years of teaching, Mr. Fisher had come to believe that nothing was new.”
— Narration
“He was digging like the clappers. You'd have thought there was gold under there.”
— Sergeant Merle [57:31]
“Look like God owes him $200.”
— Narration
Themes and Insights: "Fool's Gold" examines the futility of rigidly keeping score in one's professional and creative life. Mr. Fisher's obsession with the singular, groundbreaking story serves as a metaphor for the human tendency to cling to notions of legacy and validation through external achievements.
Supporting Commentary: Meg Wolitzer humorously critiques Mr. Fisher's character, labeling him a "bad teacher" while simultaneously acknowledging the undervalued dedication of real educators. She reinforces the episode's caution against letting scorekeeping overshadow genuine personal and professional fulfillment.
Conclusion: Reflections on Scorekeeping
Host: Meg Wolitzer
Meg Wolitzer wraps up the episode by reiterating the central theme: while keeping score can provide structure and focus, an excessive fixation on points and rankings can blind us to the true essence of our experiences and relationships. Through the stories of the Stromberg family's deadly game, Peter's envy-fueled social struggles, and Mr. Fisher's misguided obsession, the episode illustrates the complex ramifications of quantifying life's intangible elements.
Final Notable Quote:
“Points are not always the point and scorekeeping may keep us from knowing the score.”
— Meg Wolitzer
She encourages listeners to consider the value of intangible rewards and cautions against allowing scorekeeping to distort one's perception of success and happiness.
Additional Information:
- Final Story: "Fool's Gold" by Joanne Harris, performed by Gildart Jackson.
- Themes: Success measurement, envy, legacy, the dangers of obsessive scorekeeping.
- Production Credits: Produced by Jennifer Brennan and Sarah Montague, with performances recorded live at Symphony Space and other venues nationwide.
Selected Shorts continues to deliver thought-provoking narratives that challenge listeners to reflect on their own lives and the metrics they use to gauge success. This episode, "Keeping Score," masterfully intertwines humor, tragedy, and introspection to explore the human inclination to quantify achievements and the profound impact it can have on personal fulfillment.