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Post by librarylady on Sept 18, 2019 1:02:58 GMT
I know who he is, but I didn't answer the poll. The yes answer with "I thought everyone did" struck me as snobbish. I apologize for being offensive. In my world he is so well known that I really thought he was "common knowledge" However, upon reflection, and the comments here--that is drawing a very small loop in the world. There are lots of areas in which I have no knowledge and others would think "What?? I thought everyone knew that!"
Just points out the fact that we all have different interests and often those interests keep our "worlds" separated.
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Post by elaine on Sept 18, 2019 1:12:43 GMT
You are right - we do all have our things! If horror movies, outside of psychological thrillers or those with a strong psych component - like those by Stephen King or Jordan Peele - were banned, I wouldn’t notice. You couldn’t pay me to watch a regular horror film - I turned to my date when we were watching Alien (the first one - when I was in high school) in the theater and asked how much longer I had to sit there. We left. I haven’t seen one in a theater since then. (Poor Marc G. - my date) So, together, you and I make a well-rounded viewing audience! 😄😄😄. I love this so much! And see I would be so bummed if there were no more movies from Peele or King adaptations. And James Wan! That guy can make a scary movie! I love them. They are thrilling and make my heart pound and give me that nice, creeped out feeling. Or, sometimes you get a really really good one. One where you can dissect it and pull apart all the layers and themes and figure out the underlying message or how it relates to politics or other global events of the time. Those are the best ones. I have seen Room 237, the documentary about The Shining. And it is so good. I especially loved the part where they break down the floor plan of the hotel and explained how it doesn’t make sense in a variety of ways. So, we do share a love of Peele and King movies (and I love the various King series - like Haven and Castle Rock with the guy who plays It). I even stayed in the hotel in Estes Park, CO where the Shining was shot. In high school I read all the King I could get my hands on and Castle Rock was a great tribute to all his books. Get Out was a classic movie that deserved Best Picture of the Year. But that to me is a psych thriller, rather than slasher horror. I loved it for all the reasons you mentioned. Maybe we will need to watch one together and I’ll even share my popcorn. I just can’t stomach the Saw, Ring, Texas Chainsaw Type movies. Blood and violence and stupid people who go down into a dark basement when the lights are out aren’t my thing. And, I will admit to watching every single docu-series that Ken Burns has made. We love that he gets people like Tom Hanks to narrate, or has people like Wynton Marsalis featured as commentators. Dh and I are admitted nerds that prefer PBS most nights to other television. And, with that, Dh just asked to put on the second episode of Ken Burn’s Country Music that we DVR’d, so I’m off to watch!
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DEX
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,396
Aug 9, 2014 23:13:22 GMT
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Post by DEX on Sept 18, 2019 1:17:25 GMT
In the interest of full disclosure, I had only heard of KB as someone who does documentaries after dropping cable about a year ago. I watch a lot more Netflix and Amazon Prime now. I love documentaries because I never paid attention in history class. Now I am a voracious watcher of documentaries. Making up for lost time, I guess.
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Post by Merge on Sept 18, 2019 1:20:30 GMT
Just started the country music series this evening and it’s great. So far it’s a really good introduction to the origins of American popular music. Fascinating no matter what kind of music you prefer.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 11:17:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2019 1:40:12 GMT
I know who he is, but I didn't answer the poll. The yes answer with "I thought everyone did" struck me as snobbish. I apologize for being offensive. In my world he is so well known that I really thought he was "common knowledge" However, upon reflection, and the comments here--that is drawing a very small loop in the world. There are lots of areas in which I have no knowledge and others would think "What?? I thought everyone knew that!"
Just points out the fact that we all have different interests and often those interests keep our "worlds" separated.
Thank you 🙂 I do understand the occasional astonishment!
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Post by femalebusiness on Sept 18, 2019 1:41:47 GMT
Just started the country music series this evening and it’s great. So far it’s a really good introduction to the origins of American popular music. Fascinating no matter what kind of music you prefer. I've been watching this too. My husband is a Bakersfield boy and my mom was a hillbilly so I've listened to country music all of my life. I am really enjoying this series.
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Post by quinlove on Sept 18, 2019 1:44:42 GMT
I thought I knew who he was. But my guess was wrong. I don’t know of him.
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Post by alexa11 on Sept 18, 2019 1:59:14 GMT
Never heard of him- don't watch documentaries.
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,168
Jun 26, 2014 8:22:26 GMT
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Post by Gennifer on Sept 18, 2019 3:03:39 GMT
So, the results of my super-scientific FB poll are significantly different than the one here: about 25% knows who he is, 75% do not. I can guarantee that if I ran a FB poll of my 200 or so friends - mostly my age - the results would be drastically different than yours. We are friends with people we have things in common with. You actually can't poll on your personal page, so I did it in an extended family group. Ages range from 13-70ish. I'm not sure if family is more or less homogenized than friends, though... I definitely didn't have the option to choose my family based on common likes.
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Post by elaine on Sept 18, 2019 3:55:55 GMT
I can guarantee that if I ran a FB poll of my 200 or so friends - mostly my age - the results would be drastically different than yours. We are friends with people we have things in common with. You actually can't poll on your personal page, so I did it in an extended family group. Ages range from 13-70ish. I'm not sure if family is more or less homogenized than friends, though... I definitely didn't have the option to choose my family based on common likes. While you might not agree with quite a bit of what some of your family members think/believe/like/dislike, you still have quite a bit in common with them. You share a common background culture, even if you end up different in a variety of things. Having things in common is much broader than simple likes and dislikes - you share religion, ethnicity, SES, education, region of the country, etc., with at least your immediate family and probably with some of your extended family too. I can’t think of anyone in my, nor Dh in his, family who doesn’t know who Ken Burns is. And I come from an upper middle class Los Angeles Jewish background and my Dh is Protestant lower middle class from rural West Virginia. We both have talked about the current series and past ones with family members - so I know they are watching them. I learn so much about our country and sometimes my family from watching his documentaries, because they always cover the topic within the context of what was happening during the world at any given year. It has been interesting to see how intertwined were Country Music as a developing genre of music and the advent of radio and radio stations in the USA. I also found out from Burns’ documentary on the Dust Bowl that Black Sunday occurred on the day my mother was born- something I never knew before. Oh Brother Where Art Thou? is one of my top 10 movies. I will stop and watch it whenever I come across it on television. I’ve owned the soundtrack since it came out. Dh and I like to listen to it while driving. Watching this current Burns documentary has made me somewhat amazed by how much research the Coen brothers must have done before making that movie, because some of the events - not to mention versions of the music - are so close to what really transpired with radio and country music. I don’t know. I grew up talking politics and the arts (movies/theater/books/television) at the dinner table, like many loud Jewish families. It is who we were and still are as a family. For me, and my family, this is the stuff that we find interesting. And, even though my Dh comes from a different demographic background, the family interests/culture are similar which is probably a big influence in why we were attracted to each other and our marriage has lasted so long. But then again, I can also tell you which team Colin Kaepernick played for, and I’ve seen several Kubrick films and can name them. So, apparently I am nerd/geek and can live with that.
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Post by glory77 on Sept 18, 2019 4:17:46 GMT
Yes, I know who he is. I love history and documentaries, although I may skip the country music one. Country music is not my thing at all. I’m more of a Motown type of girl!
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ComplicatedLady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,083
Location: Valley of the Sun
Jul 26, 2014 21:02:07 GMT
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Post by ComplicatedLady on Sept 18, 2019 4:52:14 GMT
I hear stuff about Ken Burns all the time, but I’ve never seen one of his documentaries ... unless wait, did he do one on the dust bowl? I did see that one...I guess I’m also surprised more hadn’t heard of him, but no biggie. Yes, that was Ken Burns, too. And just so everyone knows, since I’m probably being tarred with the “snobbery” brush, I had no idea who Freddy Mercury was until everyone got in my face with that movie (which I still haven’t seen). I mean, I knew the name, knew he was some kind of rock star, but that’s it. Could not put him together with his music and knew nothing of his personal story. I suck when it comes to popular culture. Ok I was starting to feel completely uncultured until I read this. (Thank you for making me feel somewhat normal! ) Not knowing Freddie?? Gasp! Commence pearl clutching! I guess we all come to Pea Village with different knowledge, experience, and norms. My norm is that I don’t typically watch tv, movies, emmys, oscars, or whatever else related. I lived for several years without a tv and didn’t miss it. My mom bought me a tv because she was concerned my middle kid would be ostracized from junior high if he couldn’t watch tv shows, sports, movies, etc. I’d be ok getting rid of my tv now but dh and ds won’t live like that. Now, I pretty much watch kids shows on tv and no mention of Ken on spongebob or loud house—at least no reference that I’ve caught. Because I've been pretty much busted, I voted no in the poll. My first thought was he is the guy who kept winning on Jeopardy.
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Post by lucyg on Sept 18, 2019 5:34:09 GMT
Yes, that was Ken Burns, too. And just so everyone knows, since I’m probably being tarred with the “snobbery” brush, I had no idea who Freddy Mercury was until everyone got in my face with that movie (which I still haven’t seen). I mean, I knew the name, knew he was some kind of rock star, but that’s it. Could not put him together with his music and knew nothing of his personal story. I suck when it comes to popular culture. Ok I was starting to feel completely uncultured until I read this. (Thank you for making me feel somewhat normal! ) Not knowing Freddie?? Gasp! Commence pearl clutching! I guess we all come to Pea Village with different knowledge, experience, and norms. My norm is that I don’t typically watch tv, movies, emmys, oscars, or whatever else related. I lived for several years without a tv and didn’t miss it. My mom bought me a tv because she was concerned my middle kid would be ostracized from junior high if he couldn’t watch tv shows, sports, movies, etc. I’d be ok getting rid of my tv now but dh and ds won’t live like that. Now, I pretty much watch kids shows on tv and no mention of Ken on spongebob or loud house—at least no reference that I’ve caught. Because I've been pretty much busted, I voted no in the poll. My first thought was he is the guy who kept winning on Jeopardy. Does that mean you missed Downton Abbey, too?
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Post by refugeepea on Sept 18, 2019 5:48:11 GMT
I definitely didn't have the option to choose my family based on common likes. so true!
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Post by monklady123 on Sept 18, 2019 10:53:13 GMT
I equate it to knowing about Tupac, you didn't have to listen to his music or watch his videos to be aware of who he was. I’m not quite sure I agree. I couldn’t tell you any of Tupac’s songs, but I know he was a rapper that was shot. I don’t know what team Colin Kaepernick played for (or even his position) but I know he’s a football player. I have no idea what movies Stanley Kubrick directed, but I know he’s a director. These people are all very well-known within their field, but even someone who doesn’t listen to rap, watch sports, or pay much attention to movie directors knows their name... I don’t think this guy falls into the same category at all.I disagree with that, totally. Besides having a "thing" named after him -- "The Ken Burns Effect" he has made SO many movies and documentaries -- The Dustbowl, Prohibition, National Parks, The Roosevelts, The West, The War (WWII), Lewis and Clark, Baseball, Jazz, Mark Twain, The Civil War, Thomas Jefferson, Radio, Statue of Liberty, Congress, The Shakers, The Central Park Five, and more. There's something in there for everyone who has even a passing interest in something. He's been nominated and/or won for Academy Awards, for Emmy Awards, he's won the American Film Festival award, and bunches of others. I'd consider him to be in a "higher" category than someone like Tupac, for sure. Tupac is a rapper who was shot. Of course I know who he is, he's considered a great rapper. But definitely not Ken Burns' worthy. In my opinion, of course. And honestly, I would be just as amazed if someone said they'd never heard of Colin Kaepernick. I also have no idea what team he played for, but his influence on our culture has been huge once certain people used his actions [insert political commentary here...but since this is not a political thread ] I'm finding this entire thread to be pretty amazing.
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,684
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Sept 18, 2019 12:16:54 GMT
What are your sources for pop culture news? (sincere question, no snark ) This wasn't directed at me, but I'm gonna answer anyhow......quite honestly? I get most of my pop culture news from here (at least the headlines), so based on Gennifer 's search of the board it's no surprise I've not heard of him
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rickmer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,137
Jul 1, 2014 20:20:18 GMT
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Post by rickmer on Sept 18, 2019 12:22:00 GMT
not american and yes i do.
have watched civil war and vietnam. and maybe something about the roosevelts??
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lisaknits
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,483
May 28, 2015 16:14:56 GMT
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Post by lisaknits on Sept 18, 2019 12:41:06 GMT
I'm watching the Country Music documentary and am really enjoying it. My other favs are The National Parks, The Roosevelts, and Lewis & Clark.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Sept 18, 2019 13:30:30 GMT
Now that @monkeylady123 has posted a list, I've even seen some of his work - the Lewis & Clark and Thomas Jefferson not too long ago. But I didn't really notice who the filmmaker was I'm sure it doesn't help that his name is Ken Burns - not particularly memorable.
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Post by librarylady on Sept 18, 2019 13:54:10 GMT
Yes, I know who he is. I love history and documentaries, although I may skip the country music one. Country music is not my thing at all. I’m more of a Motown type of girl! I also am a 60s Motown/Beatles loving person.........but I am enjoying this series. Learning a lot about how early music was presented to the public.
Example: In early years, the radio stations had a live band come in and perform--no record playing. (but records were not being mass produced either) I just can't imagine a live band in a radio station studio.
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julie5
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,611
Jul 11, 2018 15:20:45 GMT
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Post by julie5 on Sept 18, 2019 13:58:57 GMT
I’ve never heard of him. And yes I thought the tone implied meant those of us who haven’t must somehow be less intelligent than the rest of you.
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Post by peano on Sept 18, 2019 14:09:47 GMT
I know who he is, but I didn't answer the poll. The yes answer with "I thought everyone did" struck me as snobbish. I'll own snobbish. I have never watched a Ken Burns doc, and it's actually a source of "this is something I should do that I've never done" shame for me. The subject matter is only mildly interesting to me, (although the country music one looks interesting) but he's such a household name in filmmaking, I think I should at least watch one of his series. But I can't imagine that people haven't at least heard of him. When a new series of his comes out, it's like it's publicized EVERYWHERE. Like you can't go anywhere without seeing his name. And I'm not a huge PBS watcher, because DVRing that channel has always been a pain in the ass, and I don't watch anything in real time.
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Post by peano on Sept 18, 2019 14:14:29 GMT
I'm posting before reading the thread, would assume most in would know him. He's done a broad spectrum of documentaries. There was a jazz series years ago and baseball, I'd have to google to name more, the war ones seem to get the most press. I equate it to knowing about Tupac, you didn't have to listen to his music or watch his videos to be aware of who he was. But maybe I'm just old - it seemed like they both became well-known figures around the same time and lots of interviews in the regular old press / television. I'm pretty sure that I've never heard Tupac Shakur's music but I have a general awareness that he is a rapper that was killed in a drive-by. I'm a weirdo that has always thought it's important to stay at least reasonably informed about popular culture, although I think I'm at the giving up point about pop music.
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schizo319
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,030
Jun 28, 2014 0:26:58 GMT
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Post by schizo319 on Sept 18, 2019 14:17:34 GMT
I've heard the name, but I had no idea what he did. Turns out I've actually watched a few of his documentaries and while they are very in depth and well done, they are WAY too long for me.
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Post by questioning on Sept 18, 2019 14:28:08 GMT
I'm posting before reading the thread, would assume most in would know him. He's done a broad spectrum of documentaries. There was a jazz series years ago and baseball, I'd have to google to name more, the war ones seem to get the most press. I equate it to knowing about Tupac, you didn't have to listen to his music or watch his videos to be aware of who he was. But maybe I'm just old - it seemed like they both became well-known figures around the same time and lots of interviews in the regular old press / television. I'm pretty sure that I've never heard Tupac Shakur's music but I have a general awareness that he is a rapper that was killed in a drive-by. I'm a weirdo that has always thought it's important to stay at least reasonably informed about popular culture, although I think I'm at the giving up point about pop music. I'd add young actors/celebrities to that list. Are there actually more "famous" people now than before? I can't / don't keep up. Slightly off topic but... A friend and I were having a similar conversation about awareness yesterday. She has a new (by marriage) three-year old nephew who's never seen TV or a Movie. He has a Woody doll but doesn't understand what Toy Story is. A teacher, she's tactfully suggesting to his Mom he be exposed so he will be culturally aware at school.
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Post by katlady on Sept 18, 2019 15:01:06 GMT
I know who he is, but I didn't answer the poll. The yes answer with "I thought everyone did" struck me as snobbish. I'll own snobbish. I have never watched a Ken Burns doc, and it's actually a source of "this is something I should do that I've never done" shame for me. The subject matter is only mildly interesting to me, (although the country music one looks interesting) but he's such a household name in filmmaking, I think I should at least watch one of his series. But I can't imagine that people haven't at least heard of him. When a new series of his comes out, it's like it's publicized EVERYWHERE. Like you can't go anywhere without seeing his name. And I'm not a huge PBS watcher, because DVRing that channel has always been a pain in the ass, and I don't watch anything in real time. Where do you see his new shows advertised? This is a genuine question because I never see or notice ads for his shows. But since I am not interested in documentaries, I probably don’t notice the ads. Of course, now due to this thread, I’ll see his name everywhere.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 11:17:20 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2019 15:06:51 GMT
Had no clue. I do not watch award shows or documentaries. Can't even tell you the last time I watched an entire movie, even at home. Been years since I was in a movie theatre.
ETA : Wasn't there a guy on Jeopardy named Ken Burns who was a long time contestant? Again, I don't watch - I find Alex Trebek annoying - but I thought that was a contestant.
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Post by MichyM on Sept 18, 2019 15:16:40 GMT
I've never seen any thing about him on the news. I don't watch late night TV or late night talk shows. I don't read tabloid magazines, nor do I look at magazine covers in the grocery store. I don't watch the Rose parade. I've never seen the Simpsons. Ever. I've never heard of Clifford's Puppy Days (though my son liked Clifford the Big Red Dog when he was little). I don't Twitter. I DO keep up with pop culture as much as possible.
It feels to me that anyone who doesn't know him is considered "out of touch" by several posters on this thread. The above list wasn't meant to be exhaustive - it was kind of tongue in cheek to show how far and wide his work is known. I never said tabloid magazine and honestly doubt he has been covered by them. But you will see him covered regularly in news magazine (Time, Newsweek, etc.), Rolling Stone, The New Yorker and Vanity Fair, etc. He isn't a new phenomenon and has a pretty significant body of work going back 30 years, so I am seriously surprised so many don't know his name. What are your sources for pop culture news? (sincere question, no snark ) If I’m home alone, chances are that the TV or radio are on for company. I’ll turn on The View, The Talk, Ellen, the news (no game shows/ soaps/ or anything like that) during the day. I don't sit down and watch them, just listen while I’m doing whatever it is that I’m doing. I also read about pop culture online from various sources. And lastly, my son. As this thread continues, I definitely feel a completely (IMO) unwarranted “air of superiority” from some posters in this thread who are well versed in Ken Burns accomplishments, but for the life of me I cannot understand why.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Sept 18, 2019 15:20:55 GMT
some people just don't know names, I think- my DH and I have watched a NUMBER of Ken Burns documentaries, but when I asked him last night if the name "Ken Burns" was familiar, he said, "well, I went to school with a kid named Ken Burns, I think, but that's probably not who you're talking about, right?" lol. So he really doesn't pay attention to the credits when we watch those documentaries. (the Dust Bowl one is VERY fascinating, BTW... )
And I didn't take the OP question to be meant in the spirit of snobbishness... I think this is one of those instances when you just can't read the 'tone' of a written statement.
Re: history and whether people enjoy it or not- I hate history if you're just talking about names & dates, but seeing a documentary (and yes, they can be loooong) series like these at least puts the history in the context of the people who lived thru it, which is what makes learning about historical events palatable- for me, at least.
ETA: perhaps the air of 'snobbishness' comes from the viewpoint of some people that, "if we don't learn from history we're doomed to repeat it" ?? Meaning, even though some people might not think history is important at all, learning about history really IS important to our present, AND future, situations. ?? Just a thought.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Sept 18, 2019 15:21:51 GMT
Yes, I do know who he is, even though I have never seen a single one of his documentaries.
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