On frames, comedy, and podcasters like Theo Von, Joe Rogan, & Marc Maron
They're not going to "come to you."
Over at the Rubesletter (my other newsletter filled with jokes, essays, videos, and more): What the media can learn from comedian podcasters like Theo Von, Joe Rogan, & Marc Maron. Excerpt below…
There’s a lesson the media can learn from comedian podcasters like Theo Von, Joe Rogan, & Marc Maron: the importance of setting a frame.
It's something good standup comics do every night with an audience. They're not going to "come to you." Instead, comics set the vibe/tone/framework of interactions. Others enter their world(view).
When you go to see Doug Stanhope perform, for example, it’s not going to be about your preferred topics of conversation. It’s going to be a discussion (well, monologue) of what he wants to talk about, how he sees the world, and what he thinks is interesting. Come along for the ride or don’t.
That’s what conversation framing is all about:
Framing a conversation is like being a director in a movie. You guide the narrative, set the tone, and shape the journey — all while ensuring that the other participant feels like a co-star, not an extra. It's an art that demands your attention, your empathy, and a touch of tactical skill. Framing isn't about manipulation; it's about mutual engagement. It's steering dialogue in a way that benefits both parties.
This is how you get Trump discussing blow, Rogan getting Peter Thiel to compare LA to Nashville, Maron getting Barack Obama to open up about race, etc. By being real instead of "acting professional," these interviewers extract humanity from guests in a way the George Stephanopouloses of the world can’t.
And here’s more on framing from linguist George Lakoff:
Framing is a crucial concept for people engaged in social change to understand. George Lakoff describes frames as “mental structures that shape the way we see the world.” Framing is the art of communicating such that one’s language activates particular unspoken ideas and associations. Being intentional about framing as part of progressive campaigns means activating relevant values and encouraging more people to think in terms of our worldview.
