Interpreter’s Radio Program Bites the Dust

[Doctor Scratch]

Just announced on “SeN,” it would appear that Interpreter’s radio show has been cancelled. I question the veracity of the explanation, though:

After considerable discussion that began several months ago and grew more intense within recent weeks, we at the Interpreter Foundation have decided to move on from our long-running radio program and to turn, in its place, to a video and audio podcast.

Really? Was this honestly a unilateral decision on the part of Interpreter? Or did the radio station “cancel” them because their shows really suck? Well, I suppose the upshot here—for students of Mopologetics—is that now we can see how many views this program gets, and we can compare it to similar efforts from Scripture Central, which has been absolutely pulverizing Interpreter on just about every metric.

And on a side note: it would seem that I struck a nerve when I said, not long ago, that Interpreter was “obsessed with Brigham Young,” since the Afore has been posting nonstop passive-aggressive comments about it. Perhaps I should revise my assertion to say that Interpreter’s *President* is obsessed with Brigham Young? In any case, I hope that the upcoming Interpreter documentary sets aside time to talk about Brigham’s many children, including B. Morris Young, a.k.a., Madame Pattirini. Surely the Interpreter Foundation—not the slightest bit “obsessed” with BY, and/or whitewashing BY’s story—will spare some time to discuss Pattirini.

[drumdude]

c'est la vie! I’m sure the -2 regular listeners will be heartbroken.

[Mag’ladroth]

What is Scripture Central and why are they eating this other program's lunch?

[Doctor Scratch]

What is Scripture Central and why are they eating this other program's lunch?

Scripture Central is the Interpreter Foundation's primary competitor. They are "competing" (as it were) for attention, for "prestige," and for brownie points with the Brethren. They also seem to be competing for funding: Scripture Central receives far, far more financial support from the LDS Church than Interpreter does and it has a much more robust operating budget.

Scripture Central was founded by John "Jack" Welch, who was also the founder of FARMS back in the 1970s/1980s, though of course, FARMS was eventually gobbled up by the Maxwell Institute at BYU, and then was eventually dissolved after the Brethren got tired of FARMS's penchant for personal attack and bullying. At some point in all of this, Welch seems to have faded into the background while more aggressive people such as DCP, Bill Hamblin, Louis Midgley, and John Gee became the "figureheads" and guiding lights (again, as it were) for FARMS.

But you raise an interesting point when you ask about Scripture Central "eating this other program's lunch." Why the need for two separate organizations that are doing very similar things? Part of the reason, I think (and I freely admit that this is speculation) is that Welch simply does not trust Daniel Peterson. Interpreter, from the very start, was an "amateur hour" operation: those early articles were disastrous, typo-riddled retreads, and things never really improved from that point. Even the "festschrift" for Midgley managed to misspell Midgley's last name in the Table of Contents. Scripture Central, on the other hand, is a slick, polished venture. They stay away from the personal attacks that defined the Peterson-era FARMS, and which continue in the current iteration of Interpreter. DCP, in the final analysis, is a vindictive bully and this stance has infected the way that Interpreter functions. Scripture Central, though, is more even-keeled and professional.

But, hey: as I pointed out, with the move of Interpreter's radio show to YouTube, we can make a much more straightforward comparison of the viewership for the two organizations. (And I still think that it's more likely that the radio station gave them the boot; I think this story about them making some drawn-out, agonized and much-debated decision to withdraw is probably false.)

[Everybody Wang Chung]

And on a side note: it would seem that I struck a nerve when I said, not long ago, that Interpreter was “obsessed with Brigham Young,” since the Afore has been posting nonstop passive-aggressive comments about it. Perhaps I should revise my assertion to say that Interpreter’s *President* is obsessed with Brigham Young? In any case, I hope that the upcoming Interpreter documentary sets aside time to talk about Brigham’s many children, including B. Morris Young, a.k.a., Madame Pattirini. Surely the Interpreter Foundation—not the slightest bit “obsessed” with BY, and/or whitewashing BY’s story—will spare some time to discuss Pattirini.

The President is clearly obsessed with Brigham Young. You definitely touched a nerve, Dr. Scratch.

It has been reported that the President's constant fawning and doting over the actor who played Brigham Young, raised more than one eyebrow among the film crew.

The President's desperate, all consuming obsession with Brigham Young reminds me of the film A Death In Venice.

https://youtu.be/9OkVDj_rAUI?list=RD9OkVDj_rAUI&t=63

[Everybody Wang Chung]

But, hey: as I pointed out, with the move of Interpreter's radio show to YouTube, we can make a much more straightforward comparison of the viewership for the two organizations. (And I still think that it's more likely that the radio station gave them the boot; I think this story about them making some drawn-out, agonized and much-debated decision to withdraw is probably false.)

The President is definitely lying (has he ever told the truth). It will be fascinating to compare the Interpreter's YouTube views with Scripture Central.

[Doctor Scratch]

And on a side note: it would seem that I struck a nerve when I said, not long ago, that Interpreter was “obsessed with Brigham Young,” since the Afore has been posting nonstop passive-aggressive comments about it. Perhaps I should revise my assertion to say that Interpreter’s *President* is obsessed with Brigham Young? In any case, I hope that the upcoming Interpreter documentary sets aside time to talk about Brigham’s many children, including B. Morris Young, a.k.a., Madame Pattirini. Surely the Interpreter Foundation—not the slightest bit “obsessed” with BY, and/or whitewashing BY’s story—will spare some time to discuss Pattirini.

The President is clearly obsessed with Brigham Young. You definitely touched a nerve, Dr. Scratch.

You have to give credit where it’s due. The President is correct in identifying BY as a fundamental problem, and an area of Church history and culture that needs apologetics. There are boatloads of people both within and outside the Church who view BY as an odious, problematic figure. But it’s never quite been clear to me who Interpreter’s audience is supposed to be. Outsiders will (correctly) view the BY material as whitewashed, laughable propaganda. Meanwhile, why would Chapel Mormons care? So we’re left with Internet Mormons and “progressives.” Even here, though, the BY that the Afore is offering up is an obviously toned-down whitewash.

[Everybody Wang Chung]

Good Lord! The Interpreter's first podcast is officially out and it is embarrassingly bad. I doubt you would be able to find another podcast on the internet with worse audio, video and production quality: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVABZDYpGmo

Now, let's compare the video and audio quality to yesterday's Scripture Central podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPsLXyP ... sfrjee9ivY

[Doctor Scratch]

Good Lord! The Interpreter's first podcast is officially out and it is embarrassingly bad. I doubt you would be able to find another podcast on the internet with worse audio, video and production quality: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVABZDYpGmo


Now, let's compare the video and audio quality to yesterday's Scripture Central podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPsLXyP ... sfrjee9ivY

Over 3,000 views vs. less than 100 views. Gee, I wonder why???

[Gadianton]

That is painful. I honestly feel embarrassed for Interpreter the same way I used to feel embarrassed for those faithful who bore inappropriate testimonies on Fast Sunday back in my youth. Are the Mopologists so utterly disliked that they can't find anyone with a basic technical background to help them at least get the audio to a listenable level? It's absolutely ridiculous. Anybody on the planet, it doesn't matter how poor the country, could put up a self-made YouTube video that looks and sounds better than this. This is an organization funded by millions and millions in donations!

And the backgrounds! Don't even get me started here. The Scripture Central folks had blurred rooms that showed real bookshelves in the background and a place fit for study. One of the Interpreter guys has the camera facing a wall, and the other has a stock background with fake books. It makes it look like these guys are a couple of rubes who don't read or study or have any connection to their topic, just a couple of old friends recording a video call and then throwing it on YouTube.

And then the standard Interpreter no preparation or editing. Just fumbling their way into the topic. I didn't make it past 10 seconds. Even if I wanted to I'd have to hunt down headphones to listen to it. I have a few hundred watts going into my desktop setup here and if I put these guys up to a level where I can hear them, I risk damaging something if I forget about it and switch to another channel, or there's sudden mic noise and surely they aren't using a limiter or compressor.