Jeff Goldblum dominates Greek mythology in Netflix’s ‘KAOS’

On this week’s show, Slate’s book and culture columnist Laura Miller is representing Julia. The panel begins with KAOSthe new Netflix series that reinterprets Greek mythology in modern times. Created by Charlie Covell (End of the damn world), KAOS Jeff Goldblum plays Zeus, alongside a number of excellently cast deities. But is the show too smug and complacent? The three investigate. Then they delve into Close your eyesa Spanish film by Victor Erice (The Spirit of the Hive)‌. After a 30-year absence from the medium, the filmmaker returns with a beautiful meditation on the nature of art and identity. Finally, the hosts reflect on Spotify: Is the streaming service a glorious cornucopia or the algorithm that ate your music?‌ This conversation is inspired by this essay by Tiffany Ng for MIT‌ Technology Review:‌ “How to break free from Spotify’s algorithm.”‌

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, the panel hacks productivity, inspired by a recent episode of Vergecast“What’s in a productivity system?”

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Recommendations:

Dana: Inspired by Choire Sicha’s review for The Strategist, this week Dana recommends a fun desk timer: the mooas Dodecagon Time Ball Mini Timer.

Laura:‌ Claim by Rumaan Alam, a novel to be published soon.

Steve: “Never Going Back Again,” a Fleetwood Macs song Rumors album, sung by Lindsey Buckingham. Steve is currently learning to play it on guitar, which has given him a whole new appreciation for the song itself. Don’t miss Buckingham’s performance at USC.

Podcast production by Jared Downing. Production assistance by Kat Hong.