I love watching a good movie or TV show. While not overly creative myself, I thoroughly enjoy taking in someone else’s work of art to gain a greater understanding of his or her perspective, and these two mediums are amongst my favorite. My wife would readily tell you that I often think deeply about the message of a movie and can sometimes ruin it for myself or others. However, we’d both emphasize the importance of critically engaging with content to better one’s mind and learn from the perspectives of others. The Foundation for Economic Education’s (FEE) YouTube channel has an amazing series called, “Out of Frame” hosted by Sean Malone. Malone recently moved on to other projects, and I wanted to take the time to recommend the series to anyone who enjoys TV, movies, or economic freedom.

Malone discusses different works of art that he loves ranging from epic fantasy films like Lord of the Rings to anime series like Cowboy Bebop.* He tends to each episode with care and examines some of the deeper implications of the ideas put forward by creators in their works. Strong libertarian preferences immediately come out in his work, but, by using discussions around the art of film, Malone crafts compelling arguments with significant nuance. Whether or not you’ve watched any of the movies or shows he discusses, I think you’ll enjoy the way he engages with the material (I’ve certainly not seen every show or movie he covers). Even when we don’t agree with a creator’s agenda (Malone included), there can be value in engaging with material to expand one’s mind.

By engaging with art, I think he creates discussions about free markets and free people with audiences outside the halls of academia. To me, the most important thing to learn from Malone’s work is neither uncovering the economic implications of an Intergalactic Empire or the horrors of twisted “greater good” morality; instead, Malone shows his audience how to think deeply about the material they intake and engage intelligently and respectfully with their fellow audience members. As believers, this call seems even more important. Each of us possesses different skills and abilities. We all work in different fields. Every one of us has a unique group of people and ideas to engage with for the sake of Christ. It took me a while to appreciate art as art. It took me even longer to understand how to engage with it in a gospel focused way. Malone’s series “Out of Frame” provides and excellent example of how to creatively channel one’s passions to engage with those around us. I pray that I can use these lessons for the sake of the Kingdom.

Some favorites:

Does money ruin art?

The free market of Ghostbusters

V for Vendetta

ATLA and prejudice

Marvel’s economic nonsense

*Special shout out to the intellectuals from Lawlor Hall. You know who you are.