Opening Crawl

‎Democracy Jones Podcast: Opening Crawl on Apple Podcasts

This Opening Crawl gives important background information on the events leading up to 7/13/2040, the day American Democracy falls. Look for multiple episodes to be released on 1/6/2022, the anniversary of the infamous date that inspired DEMOCRACY JONES Podcast.

Check out the Opening Crawl for DEMOCRACY JONES PodioBook, it’s only 2:26 long. Afterward, go HERE (on Apple Podcasts) to listen to the Teaser, then A1E1 – Haisley, and so on. Season 2 has just begun! It’s been fun creating this show and I am so, so very thankful for all of you who have subscribed on Overcast.fm, Google Podcast, Podcast Addict & Spotify.

contact: artofneed@gmail.com

Ep. 8 Democracy Jones Podcast

‎Democracy Jones Podcast: A1E8 – Separation & Extraction on Apple Podcasts

Horror marches into Golden Door Estates. Rogue BATA Zeke Greenlea utilizes General Schenk’s military coup for his own personal revenge on Isaac Fridman and collides into Abra’s world with horrific violence. Across the street, De’ontay runs away toward the only place that is safe, the Everglades. But…

Episode: AIE8 – Separation & Extraction is the perfect place to start. Afterward, go to the beginning HERE.

contact: artofneed@gmail.com

A Horror About Democracy?

A1E9 – Run For Your Life

De’ontay runs for his life as he is being hunt down in the Everglades by Zeke, a tracker. In the horror, Abra’s emotions become displaced and she blames her father for everything, then runs away only to find herself in the warzone of Chatham Projects Town.

To get a taste of DEMOCRACY JONES PodioBook, start here at AIE9 – Run For Your Life,
then go to the “Opening Crawl,” then the “Teaser” etc.

Twitter critics who suddenly found this show have been asking, ‘why write a horror podcast about Democracy?’ Well, Jan. 6, 2021 was a pretty horrifying event. I bet it scared you too. It caused me to think, “what if we lose democracy, like the Romans did? Is this the beginning of the end? How can I bring attention to the incredibly scary comparisons between the Late Republic period in Rome and the decline in American Democracy now?”

The Gracchi Brothers

Answer? “Write a Horror, of course”

As the tagline of DEMOCRACY JONES Podcast says, “There is nothing scarier than a military coup.”

Here are some of the justifications: If the founders of US Democracy turned to the Roman Republic as an example, why wouldn’t we turn to its fall as an example to AVOID the collapse of US Democracy? DEMOCRACY JONES Podcast does.

By comparing the Late Republic period of Rome with near-future American Democracy, DEMOCRACY JONES Podcast seeks to disseminate awareness of the things that brought Democracy to its knees in Rome and what is happening today in the US.

The horrors the citizenry experienced while losing the Roman Republic were real. The society essentially split in two and the people were forced to choose a side. But there are very clear consequences involved in a zero sum game. If you choose the right side, you become a part of the new government’s totalitarian control. If you choose the wrong side, you die or go into exile. Lost are the great, although imperfect, benefits citizens enjoy in a democracy. Even if the new government claims to be democratic, it’s lost its legitimacy. Look to the example of Roman General Marius’s very partisan purges and reforms of the government after he took control, and the opposing Roman General Sulla’s equally partisan actions after he swept through and undid all of Marius’s reforms.

As most Anthropologists will tell you about the collapse of complex societies, it is hardly ever one thing that spells ruin. The Republic of Rome was no different. And although we have made great technological breakthroughs since then, we are still just as susceptible.

By telling this story, and having the audience witness the crossing of the threshold from Democracy to a coup in a small American town, I hope that we can begin to come together, Conservatives and Liberals, so that we can figure this out before it is too late.

“Above all else, the Roman Republic teaches the citizens of its modern descendants the incredible dangers that come along with condoning political obstruction and courting political violence. Roman history could not more clearly show that, when citizens look away as their leaders engage in these corrosive behaviors, their republic is in mortal danger.”
~Edward J. Watts, Mortal Republic

contact: artofneed@gmail.com

Excited for DEMOCRACY JONES Podcast

A1E9 – Run For Your Life

De’ontay runs for his life as he is being hunt down in the Everglades by Zeke, a tracker. In the horror, Abra’s emotions become displaced and she blames her father for everything, then runs away only to find herself in the warzone of Chatham Projects Town.

Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts

Horror Pod DEMOCRACY JONES Podcast (DJP) is excited to share that episode AIE9 – Run For Your Life has obliterated all previous records for downloads. We have also received a number of media and interview requests, though I’m a little hesitant about such things. Instead, I offer direct links to the episode and some information about the show for its growing listeners.

Click here to listen on Google Podcasts

Recommended: listen to AIE9 – Run For Your Life, then go to the beginning of the podcast.

Click here to listen on Stitcher

On the surface, DJP is a Horror fiction pod, and a character-driven audio drama with ambient, scary music. Some have compared it to Mad Max, Blade Runner, Neuromancer, Handmaid’s Tale and The Walking Dead. It’s a Psychological Thriller with heavy doses of Horror & Science Fiction.

For Spotify Listeners

For a detailed look at the characters and important backstory elements, go to this page: DJP Characters & More

If you’re interested in the nerdy, deeper-level aspects of DJP (most people aren’t), well, here we go:

DJP is speculative fiction that utilizes cross-cultural, Political and Socio-Cultural Anthropology to compare the Late Republic period of Rome and near-future American politics. Content Warning: it’s very scary with plenty of cursing.

Click here to listen on Overcast

Inspiration: Basically, here’s what happened. On Jan. 6, 2021, I was as shocked as everyone else to see political violence in America. But there are many historical precedents. Namely, the Late Republic period in Rome (133-27BCE). Particularly, the time period between the Social War and Sulla’s death (91-78 BCE).

Click here to listen on Goodpods

The political violence we witnessed on Jan. 6 was a wake up call. In Rome during the Late Republic period, political arguments became as polemic as our current politics. But when the Conservative Senate refused to give in to the progressive/populist political demands of the increasingly powerful Liberal Tribunes, it got ugly. So ugly that the Senate essentially had gang-like followers murder the leaders of the Tribunes (see Gracchi Brothers) in the streets. This caused the Liberal Tribunes to step up their rhetorical and physical threats through the military general, Gaius Marius, whose populist power increased the tension since he had half the military supporting him. Then the Conservative military general Lucius Cornelius Sulla, who had the other half of the military on his side, then came to power, and Rome was essentially split in two militant sides.

You can see here that AIE9 is trending up much more than any other episode.

On Jan. 6, the similarities to Late Republic Rome struck me as dangerous and threatening. There is no horror movie, novel or television series scarier than a real-life coup, so I decided to write a realistic horror. In a whirlwind of inspiration, I completed a 60-page pilot script six days later.

Around that time, Marc Eliot Stein, a good friend, talked me into starting a podcast after I had, over the years, five novels and a book of poetry published. I thought I’d give it a try since I could incorporate my music as well as some of the voiceover tricks I learned reading my books and poetry in front of large crowds.

The turkey vulture is the official mascot for DJP, lol

On an even deeper level, DJP is a critique of Rhetoric. Structural Anthropology teaches us that there are deep, cross-cultural similarities among all human species. It welcomes us to see ourselves as similar to other cultures, rather than different. We can learn about ourselves and predict the future through historical research and forecasted probabilities. Rhetoric, during the Late Republic period in Roman, was a weapon politicians like Cicero used to convince followers that the opposing side was evil. When both sides use Rhetoric, the result is increasingly volatile anger and violence that grows from a simple argument to name-calling to fist fighting to gang fights and eventually, such as in Rome, entire armies fighting against each other in civil war.

I don’t want that for America’s future. DJP is a warning that Rhetoric is more dangerous than any thermo-nuclear weapon.

Episode AIE9 – Run for Your Life. It’s actually a great place to start. Afterward, I suggest going to the beginning and listen to “Teaser,” then “Opening Crawl” then AIE1, AIE2 etc. in order by the release dates, since this is a serial podcast.



Episode Description: De’ontay runs for his life as he is being hunt down in the Everglades by Zeke, a tracker. In the horror, Abra’s emotions become displaced and she blames her father for everything, then runs away only to find herself in the warzone of Chatham Projects Town. Captain Dick and the BATAs celebrate victory in downtown Ellington when something mystical and unexpected changes everything.

Eamon Loingsigh (sounds like Lynch) is a critically acclaimed author of five novels and a book of poetry. He has been shortlisted for the Langum Prize and was featured in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times among many others.  

contact: artofneed@gmail.com

Review of DEMOCRACY JONES Podcast

Kendall Reviews has taken up DEMOCRACY JONES Podcast as a favorite and gave it a very positive review. Unfortunately I am unable to share it, so I copy/pasted it below. Please visit their link HERE to view the whole thing.

JA Sullivan wrote this review. Come see her blog HERE.

contact: artofneed@gmail.com

It’s Not Too Late (Jan. 6 Bonus Episode)

DEMOCRACY JONES Podcast has released a bonus episode on the anniversary of Jan. 6. Have a listen to what inspired the creation of the Science Fiction-Horror podcast.

Go Here: https://democracyjones.libsyn.com/its-not-too-late

contact: artofneed@gmail.com

Learning from our Mistakes

If the founders of US Democracy turned to the Roman Republic as an example of how to create a Democratic society, why wouldn’t we turn to its fall to AVOID the collapse of Democracy? DEMOCRACY JONES Podcast does.

On 7/13/2040, General Alexander Schenk spearheads a coup against American Democracy. His character is based on Sulla, the Roman General. If you don’t know who Sulla is, look him up, or listen to Mike Duncan’s episode called Marius and Sulla.

By comparing the Late Republic period of Rome with near-future American Democracy, DEMOCRACY JONES Podcast seeks to disseminate awareness of the things that brought Democracy to its knees in Rome and what is happening today in the US.

Listen to DEMOCRACY JONES Podcast
on your favorite podcatcher by going
here: https://democracyjones.libsyn.com/

As most Anthropologists will tell you about the collapse of complex societies, it is never one thing that spells ruin. The Republic of Rome was no different. And although we have made great technological breakthroughs since then, we are still just as susceptible.

By telling this story, and having the audience witness the crossing of the threshold from Democracy to a coup through the eyes of citizens in a small American town, I hope that we can begin to come together, Conservatives and Liberals, so that we can figure this out BEFORE it is too late.

contact: artofneed@gmail.com

Parnassianism

A Parnassian is an archetype of the middle/upper middle class, even elites, who had an uneventful, sheltered childhood and received a respectable education who nonetheless believe they are entitled to have something eventful, relevant or important to add to the literary canon. Every generation in the book industry has a very large Parnassian clique who dominate discussion concerning what is, or is not relevant, yet are often remembered in hindsight as stifling or censoring the writers who come to embody their generation’s writing posthumously due to their conflict with the Parnassians

Original book snob and Parnassian Poet Leconte De Lisle in front of a color-coordinated bookshelf.

The Parnassian poets, where the term Parnassianism derives, were a group of mid-to-late 19th Century bourgeois writers with connections to the French monarchy. They defined French poetry for a while by excluding the likes of Arthur Rimbaud, who famously agitated against their mundane, impassive values and came to epitomize the type of breakthrough poetry the Parnassians could never have imagined the public would embrace. Parnassians instead inspire great poetry via revolt against their established vision. The Parnassians were known for, “stories which the Madame could read whilst her maid was putting on her stockings, or which the Monsieur could devour when, hat on head and cane in hand, he waits till the Madame has buttoned the last button of her gloves.”*

Through the generations Parnassians have been known for their careerist value system when it comes to writing and maintain a loose semblance of power over the writing community through hot takes on social media, editorial or professorships and their presence in the industry’s establishments of public relations, marketing, publishing, reviews etc. Parnassians treat writing as if it were any other capitalist venture, and view their “product” as a brand. Much of their power over the writing community is obtained or retained by their outing of supposed inappropriate writers or topics, and loyalty to the industry’s categorization of writing by genres. The smug, exclusionary tactics they use are often exercised by means of ignoring the pleas of ambitious writers, who they see as attempting to replace their status in the writing community. To cover up their obvious capitalist, corporate-friendly establishmentarian value system, Parnassians often identify as bohemian, liberal-free thinkers.

~Eamon Loingsigh

*R.E. Prothero on Parnassian poet Theodore de Banville The Nineteenth Century (1891):
External Link: https://litkicks.com/revoltonmountparnassus/

DEMOCRACY JONES Podcast

Haisley and De’ontay Jones are ready to start a family. Then. . . They move to Florida. Horror ensues.

DEMOCRACY JONES is a science fiction-horror & dark humor audio drama podcast.

Listen to the Trailer for Democracy Jones Podcast below

Trailer – Democracy Jones Podcast

Haisley and De’ontay Jones are ready to start a family. Then. . . they move to Florida. Horror Ensues.   Scifi-horror & dark humor podcast, Democracy Jones.    A breakthrough in software technology for neural chips called “Rhetoric,” and continued political partisanship combine to create the most explosive day in American history, Friday the 13th of July, 2040.


Please go to your preferred podcast app to listen to more Democracy Jones Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Overcast, Castro, Podcast Addict

Democracy Jones is a serial podcast. Begin at the Teaser (above), then Opening Crawl, then A1E1 – Haisley, and so on.

Show Description: A breakthrough technology for neural chips and continued political partisanship combine to create the most explosive day in American history, Friday the 13th of July, 2040. A day that would live in infamy as 7/13.

If a pregnant Haisley Jones can survive, the software’s simulations prophesies that she will galvanize a movement to overthrow General Schenk and bring democracy back to a post-apocalyptic America.
contact: artofneed@gmail.com

Democracy Jones has many more episodes. Please listen and subscribe on your preferred podcast app: 
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Pocket Casts
Google Podcasts
Stitcher
Overcast
Castro
Podcast Addict

A short video trailer for Democracy Jones Podcast.

LATEST POSTS

Real Reviews of CHIN MUSIC RHUBARB

It’s only been out a week or so, but young adult, coming-of-age novel CHIN MUSIC RHUBARB has gotten a lot of very good reviews so far.

Get a copy of CHIN MUSIC RHUBARB by clicking HERE.

~”Layton’s story touched me, because I feel like many authors don’t like to talk about the things that Layton goes through. It was a refreshingly new way of writing and when the characters’ arc comes into view, wow, that last chapter. Just wow.” ~JL (Amazon)

~”Considering this book is about baseball in the 80s, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it. BUT THE CHARACTERS! Yes, the characters and their struggles made this a very fun read. The storyline is easy enough to follow and offers a nice mix of drama, edged with comedic dialogue. But let’s talk about those CHARACTERS” Janey (Anticipatience Books Blog)

~”It’s funny at times, sad at other times, particularly the times when Layton is searching for a way forward, a way to heal. It’s ultimately an uplifting story that does one’s heart good.” Angela M. (top reviewer) Goodreads

~”From the very first scene, there is a cinematic quality to the writing that makes it easy to picture this as a movie. . . This has all the ingredients of a classic coming of age story as we watch Layton grow up before our very eyes.” Becky (Bookaholic Bex Blog)

~”It is a special occurrence when you find a book that completely hooks you, makes you fall in love with the characters, and lingers long after the last page.” Jade (Amazon)

~”I am so glad that I found this book. . . The lessons and Loyal friendships. The struggles of finding who you are and learning to accept it. Such a great read! This book is amazing, truly amazing.” Ashley (Goodreads)

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