Documentaries Prove Long Attention Spans Aren't Lost

Resources

Books

• "The Civil War" by Ken Burns - This documentary series is mentioned as having shaped the understanding of the conflict for a generation.
• "Prohibition" by Ken Burns - Mentioned as one of Ken Burns' significant documentary series.
• "Jazz" by Ken Burns - Mentioned as one of Ken Burns' significant documentary series.
• "The Vietnam War" by Ken Burns - Mentioned as a stunning piece of work that prompted listeners to download other series.
• "Baseball" by Ken Burns - Mentioned as one of Ken Burns' significant documentary series, though one host found it not to their taste.
• "Brooklyn Bridge" by Ken Burns - Mentioned as Ken Burns' first film.
• "The American Revolution" by Ken Burns - The subject of Ken Burns' new series, discussed extensively in the episode.

Videos & Documentaries

• "The Civil War" - Ken Burns' 1990 epic documentary series that shaped how many people understand the conflict.
• "The Vietnam War" - Ken Burns' 2017 documentary series, noted for its depth and comprehensive scholarship.
• "The American Revolution" - Ken Burns' new documentary series, the primary focus of the discussion.
• "Cop Rock" - A musical cop show by Steven Bochco mentioned as an example of new media trends that critics thought would deter viewership for Ken Burns' work.

Research & Studies

• "1619 Project" (The New York Times) - Mentioned as a package that suggested 1619 was America's true founding, which angered many people.

Tools & Software

• Google Ads - Celebrated its 25th anniversary, discussed in relation to digital advertising's evolution.
• YouTube - Mentioned as a platform that has paid out significant amounts to creators and is part of the Google ad system.
• Pew Research Center - (Implied) Mentioned in the context of adults forever denouncing the end of children's attention spans.

Articles & Papers

• "The American Revolution" (Ken Burns' Film) - Discussed in the context of its release and potential reception in the current media landscape.

People Mentioned

• Ken Burns - The guest, a documentarian known for his historical film series.
• Sema - A character in the documentary "The American Revolution" whose story is used to illustrate the complexity of the war.
• Mark Twain - Quoted on the idea that "history doesn't repeat itself, but it rhymes."
• Samuel Adams - Mentioned as an example of an unscrupulous newspaper person in the revolutionary era.
• Ferguson - A British officer who led loyalists at the Battle of King's Mountain.
• Benjamin Franklin - Mentioned as having a son who was the royal governor of New Jersey.
• William Franklin - Benjamin Franklin's son, the royal governor of New Jersey, who later started a terrorist organization hunting patriots.
• Lord Dunmore - A deposed royal governor of Virginia mentioned in the context of freeing enslaved people of rebels.
• George Washington - Highlighted as a crucial figure in the founding of the country, with acknowledgment of his flaws.
• Jane Kaminsky - A historian quoted in Ken Burns' film about the "leaky" nature of liberty talk.
• William F. Buckley - Mentioned as a leading conservative who had a show on PBS for 32 years.
• Josh Spangler - Google's VP of Marketing, interviewed about digital advertising.
• Dayton Duncan - Ken Burns' producing partner.
• Huey Long - A figure Ken Burns was once urged to make a film about.
• Morgan Neville - A documentarian mentioned as doing amazing work.
• Werner Herzog - A documentarian mentioned as doing amazing work.
• Errol Morris - A documentarian mentioned as doing amazing work.
• Fred Wiseman - Mentioned in the context of cinema verité.
• Vincent Canby - The former chief film critic for The New York Times, who in 1985 noted the viability of non-fiction.
• Paula Kerger - The CEO of PBS and the public editor for the episode.
• Sheena Ozaki - Producer of the podcast.
• Josh Billinson - Mentioned in the thanks for production.
• Chad Lewis - Mentioned in the thanks for production.
• Rachel Oppenheim - Mentioned in the thanks for production.
• Anna Bezino - Mentioned in the thanks for production.
• Garrett Wiley - Mentioned in the thanks for production.
• Jules Zern - Mentioned in the thanks for production.
• Tori Koor - Mentioned in the thanks for production.
• Billy Libby - Created the theme music for the podcast.

Organizations & Institutions

• Semafor Media - The podcast production company.
• PBS - Public Broadcasting Service, discussed in relation to funding cuts and its importance.
• The Trump Administration - Mentioned in relation to congressional Republicans' decision to rescind funding for PBS.
• Congressional Republicans - Mentioned in relation to the decision to rescind funding for PBS.
• The Atlantic - A publication where Ken Burns has appeared.
• The Reagan Library - A venue where Ken Burns has spoken.
• The Academy in Hollywood - A venue where Ken Burns has spoken.
• The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco - A venue where Ken Burns has spoken.
• Colonial Williamsburg - A venue where Ken Burns has spoken.
• The Iroquois Confederacy - Mentioned for its system of union, which influenced the founding of the United States.
• The Six Nations - Mentioned through the spokesman Kanastagega.
• The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) - Discussed in the context of funding cuts.
• NPR - National Public Radio, mentioned as being potentially hurt by CPB funding cuts.
• The New York Times - Mentioned in relation to the 1619 Project.
• Google - Mentioned in relation to Google Ads and YouTube.

Courses & Educational Resources

• Classroom of the Air - A program provided by PBS, mentioned as something that would be lost with funding cuts.
• Continuing Education - A type of programming provided by PBS.

Websites & Online Resources

• Think with Google (thinkwithgoogle.com) - A resource for marketing insights, practical guides, and strategies.
• YouTube - Mentioned as a platform for content consumption.
• PBS App - A digital offering from PBS.

Other Resources

• Mail Order Lobsters - The very first advertiser on Google 25 years ago.
• The Continental Army - Mentioned as a key fighting force in the American Revolution.
• The British Army - Mentioned as the opposing force in the American Revolution.
• The Hessians - Mentioned as part of the British forces.
• French and Spanish Aid - Mentioned as crucial support for American independence.
• The 1619 Project - Mentioned as a New York Times package that suggested 1619 was America's true founding.
• The 1776 Commission - Established by Trump to counter the 1619 Project.
• The Iroquois Confederacy - Its system of union is mentioned as an influence on the U.S. founding.
• The American Experiment - A term used to describe the ongoing endeavor of the United States.