More Problems at Interpreter? Has Martin Tanner Been "Canceled"?

[Doctor Scratch]

Hello, Friends and Colleagues.

It would seem that *some*thing is afoot in the world of Mopologetics. A few weeks back, we learned that Interpreter's long-running radio program has been terminated, and that, after "lengthy conversation," the Powers-That-Be decided to pivot to YouTube/podcasting instead, with disastrous results. So bad was the new Interpreter podcast/YouTube video that President of the Interpreter Foundation openly declared, on "SeN", that the video was "awful" and "embarrassing," with "production quality" that was "absolutely terrible." All true observations, and noteworthy as well in that they represent some of the only examples in history where the Interpreter President actually admitted that something was wrong.

Meanwhile, we've been told that there is something of a "shakeup" happening at Scripture Central, with longtime contributors "disappearing," and with speculation swirling about possible funding cuts. So *some*thing appears to be happening behind the scenes. Will this have any kind of impact on the upcoming FAIR Conference? That remains to be seen.

But it's worth backtracking for a moment to think about how huge of a development it is that the Interpreter Radio Show has now been silent for close to a *MONTH.* I'm sure you will all recall that one of the main (arguably the *only*) bragging point for Interpreter has been its steady output. Every week, week after week--we have been reminded ad nauseam--Interpreter slaps something up onto its blog. This has been happening for weeks and weeks without end. And so now the radio show is totally kaput? This would seem to represent a massive lapse--a huge step back in terms of what Interpreter is capable of doing. The key questions, of course, is: Why?

I cannot help but speculate. I already noted the very unusual, unprecedented step that the Interpreter President took in publicly slamming the YouTube video: the denunciation was quite sharp, and I cannot help but wonder if the hosts took this criticism personally. Martin Tanner, the long-time and apparently principal host of the radio program may well have felt that he was being personally upbraided by this criticism. And curiously, Tanner's bio appears to have been removed from Interpreter's website. Nearly all the other hosts' bios are "clickable," but not Tanner's! What is going on here? Was he blamed for the "absolutely terrible production quality" and summarily given his walking papers? (As it were, since Interpreter allegedly only relies on "volunteers"?) Did Tanner feel insulted by the President's harsh condemnations of the YouTube video--did he leave due to being "offended"?

Whatever the case may be, it does seem like whatever was happening at Scripture Central is now spreading to Interpreter. It will be interesting to see if anyone else is "let go," and whether there are any further attempts to resurrect the radio program. Very striking developments, in any case.

[Tom]

I believe the podcast resumed earlier this month. Esquire Tanner seems to remain in the Interpreter Foundation’s employ.

[Doctor Scratch]

I believe the podcast resumed earlier this month. Esquire Tanner seems to remain in the Interpreter Foundation’s employ.

Huh. No accompanying YouTube, though? So much for "taking advantage of technology," I guess? And am I mistaken, or are these a great deal shorter than the old broadcast radio programs? And are you able to access Tanner's bio, Tom? Perhaps only his bio has been "cancelled"?

[Tom]

On a related topic, has anyone here seen any of the Interpreter video shorts featuring Br’er Rasmussen? Did the Proprietor approve them?

[drumdude]

It appears no one ever got around to filling in Tanner's bio, lol

https://interpreterfoundation.org/author/martint/

Such are the vagaries of DCP's Potemkin journal.

[Doctor Scratch]

On a related topic, has anyone here seen any of the Interpreter video shorts featuring Br’er Rasmussen? Did the Proprietor approve them?

Oh, wow. If the Proprietor thought the radio show YouTube videos were bad, then how on earth are *these* allowed to stand? The whole "Interpreting Interpreter" thing has always seemed like filler. It's like, "Hey, we're really hard-up for original material, so why don't we get this dorky individual to write summaries of our new stuff?"

Just when I think that Interpreter could not surprise me any further with its unrelenting awfulness, something new manages to turn up. Just wow.

[Tom]

I believe the podcast resumed earlier this month. Esquire Tanner seems to remain in the Interpreter Foundation’s employ.

Huh. No accompanying YouTube, though? So much for "taking advantage of technology," I guess? And am I mistaken, or are these a great deal shorter than the old broadcast radio programs? And are you able to access Tanner's bio, Tom? Perhaps only his bio has been "cancelled"?

The Proprietor mentioned last month that the Interpreter podcast would forgo video for some time:

There were specific reasons for that disastrous quality and, both by telephone and via email, a few of us have been discussing them and what steps we’re intending to take to ensure that things become better in the future. For one thing, we’re likely to opt in the near (and perhaps in the middle) term for an audio podcast rather than a video podcast. (Some have always preferred that approach anyway.) In any case, be assured that we’re aware of the issues and that we won’t be continuing in that vein.

Yes, the podcasts are oddly short. I’m not even sure that the full podcasts have been posted in every case. One posted podcast I opened seems to be about 12 minutes in length.

I’ll have to see if I can access a bio for Esquire Tanner later. I cannot open the website right now. Strange things are afoot at the Foundation.

[Everybody Wang Chung]

I don’t think you would be able to find any organization (and I use that term loosely) that puts out more crappy content on a consistent basis than the Interpreter Foundation.

If Peter$on had any shame, he would step down, apologize and immediately resign.

[Doctor Scratch]

I’m sure they’ve opted for audio-only in order to avoid the transparent viewing metrics that YouTube provides. Barely a hundred or so views has to be demoralizing.

[Gadianton]

Did Tanner feel insulted by the President's harsh condemnations of the YouTube video--did he leave due to being "offended"?

If so the offense was justified. The leader should have taken responsibility for the failure and then dealt with his subordinates internally rather than throwing all the blame of the lowest tier dudes just doing their best, and then throwing the bus into reverse to finish the job.

91 And if any one offend openly, he or she shall be rebuked openly, that he or she may be ashamed. And if he or she confess not, he or she shall be delivered up unto the law of God.

92 If any shall offend in secret, he or she shall be rebuked in secret, that he or she may have opportunity to confess in secret to him or her whom he or she has offended, and to God, that the church may not speak reproachfully of him or her.

If the podcasters defied the Afore on their podcast and said the LGT is garbage, then it would be understandable that the Afore publicly chastise them. That wasn't the case here. I recommend the Afore re-read Section 42 of the Doctrine and Covenants.