DanMerrill.Net

Listen to Dan's appearance on WNYC!

Brian Lehrer (Host)

Cristopher Phillips (Guest)

Dan Merrill (Caller)

Socrates (Inspiration)

On July 15th, 2004, I parlayed my degree in philosophy into a phone appearance on "The Brian Lehrer Show" on WYNC. I even name drop Alexis de Tocqueville, proof that I did learn something in Mr. McCarthy's ethics seminar at Vassar.

I was trying to make a point about the subtle but important distinction between the concepts of 'freedom' and 'liberty,' but I doubt my dialectical skills are on par with de Tocqueville or my hemlockin' hero, Socrates. I plan to bootleg the essential snippet at some point and post it here, but until that day you can listen to the whole show by way of the official WNYC web archive.

But if you don't listen, think about this: which do Americans prize more, freedom or liberty?

Song of the Moment

Here's the storied geneology of this bootleg: ??? > Mp3 from Internet circa 1999 > Magnetic Cassette Tape > which was then played on an '80s 'ghetto blaster' line-out to Sony TRV-900 MiniDV camera > VHS transfer > VHS dub > back to MiniDV > captured to Final Cut Pro and boosted volume > exported to AIF > converted to Mp3 > downloaded to your computer. So, mind the pops, clicks and hiss!

Incidentally, if you can give me the name of the track, the artist, or the web site it originally came from, please get in touch with me somehow! Then I can go out and buy the CD if possible, but I might have to go to Japan or call a friend there....