e370. Free Comic Book Day and Geek Third Spaces

Guess what?! We’re finally back from our conference and so the series of PCA specials is over. And so we return to business as usual and talking about the cultural significance of current pop culture. And this week we had an annual tradition that if you know about it you might be somewhat excited about it. And if you’re not excited… well, chances are you’ve never even heard of it. BUT, we believe we can turn you around on it and why it’s important. And so, this week, Mav and Wayne are joined by returning guests Henry Arrambide and Michael Luxemburg of TechnoPoverty to talk about Free Comic Book Day, an annual event that occurred last weekend where comic book stores across America give away free comic books. The name is pretty descriptive. But, we’re arguing there’s more to ti than that. Free Comic Book Day, and comic book stores in general are an important instantiation of Robert Putnam’s concept of third spaces pioneered by his book Bowling Alone. Did you go to Free Comic Book Day? Do you think third spaces are important? Do you not know what we’re talking about at all? Listen to this week’s episode and then let us know your thoughts in the comments. Citations and Links: * Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community by Robert Putnam * Free Comic Book Day website * Thank you to Maximilian’s thoughtForm Music for our theme * Follow TechnoPoverty on Twitch: @TechnoPoverty * Follow Mav on BlueSky: @chrismaverick * Follow Wayne on Instagram: @tetroc2017 * Follow us on BlueSky: @voxpopcast * Follow us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/voxpopcast * Subscribe to our YouTube channel * Make sure you subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or wherever podcasts are found and please leave us a review!

Om Podcasten

Vox Populorum is a blog and podcast devoted to pop culture criticism. We believe that the best way to understand culture is to discuss it. But we also believe that it's a lot more fun to have these conversations throwing back a couple beers at the bar rather than in a classroom. Please join our weekly round table of media critics, academics, creators, artists, professors, students and fans for an engaging discussion about movies, novels, comic books, television, video games, music or whatever else we happen to think of! Nec audiendi qui solent dicere, Vox populi, vox Dei, quum tumultuositas vulgi semper insaniae proxima sit.