{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Middle of Culture","title":"Look Back: Emotional Devastation in 58 Minutes","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/3687df42\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3821,"description":"This week, we dive headfirst into emotional ruin — courtesy of Look Back, the devastatingly beautiful anime film by Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto. Before we get our hearts ripped out, we unpack a flood of new music releases — including Testament’s Para Bellum and Fayle's haunting Heretics and Lullabies — rail against Microsoft’s Game Pass price hike, and talk streaming fatigue and piracy. Peter also shares his new plan to train like a writer-athlete with a three-month learning sprint, while Eden reviews Nine Inch Nails’ Tron: Ares soundtrack, gushes about Apothecary Diaries, and explains why a Regency “choose your own adventure” romance might be the most fun book they’ve read all month. It all ends with tears, cello music, and a haunting meditation on why we create art in the first place.📝 Episode NotesIntroThe “lost” episode vanished into the ether — maybe because it was too powerful for the far right to handle.Both hosts are feeling post-busy-season burnout and existential malaise.Music Corner 🚨 Rush Reunion Tour: With Neil Peart’s family’s blessing, Rush returns with drummer Anika Nilles.Eden: “Neil was never the fastest.”Peter: Debates whether to travel for the tour or keep his memories intact.🎻 Raphael Weinroth-Browne – Lifeblood: Beautiful, emotive cello-driven prog from the Leprous collaborator.⚡️ Testament – Parabellum: Experimental thrash with black, death, and groove elements.🕯 Frayle – Heretics and Lullabies: October-perfect doom — haunting vocals and atmosphere. Peter’s album of the month.Gaming & Streaming RantMicrosoft’s Game Pass price jump to $30/month = cancellation time.Broader discussion: streaming bloat, rising costs, and the rise of “ethical piracy.”Quote of the section: “You wouldn’t scrape all the art ever made to create an anime titty generator.”Writing & Learning SprintPeter’s “Three-Month Learning Sprint” inspired by Dave Perell’s athlete model of skill-building.October–December: studying the craft of novel writing before...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/3-7NX9uIL8RD1xA_7xTb80V-108Lf3xuEMQhLzvEbRA/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lZGY0/NzA4M2FmM2Q3Yjg4/NDczMzkzMTA2NTJk/NmQ1ZS5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}