The Curious Case of the Pheromonophone

By: Michael Epstein

Narrated by: Michael Epstein

Length: 1 hr and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

The Curious Case of the Pheromonophone is an audio story that takes you on an irreverent, true-life adventure with one of Silicon Valley’s successful failed inventors - Jonathon Keats. A philosopher, an inventor and an artist, Keats has been inventing janky contraptions for over two decades, like a factory you can control with your mind and an emotionally responsive car. In this story he debuts one of his new inventions, what he calls a “pheromonophone” - a kind of smell telephone that can send your personal scent over digital networks.

With his friend and participant journalist Michael Epstein, the duo attempt to turn Keats’ invention into a commercial product. We’ll follow along in their journey to find funding and partners, from a digital smell entrepreneur in Africa, to a tele-dildonics inventor in Singapore, to an artist colony in one of San Francisco’s largest software companies.

In the process, they’ll expose the transgressive world of contemporary art, the far-flung edges of entrepreneurship, and a new perspective on why inventors invent.

Contains sensitive content.

©2020 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.

An interesting surprise!

I wasn't sure what to expect from this title but what I got was a highly informative, engaging piece about a very intriguing man and his inventions. Skillfully presented by Michael Epstein, the listener is taken on a journey to discover Jonathon Keats and his inventions. A quick, fascinating listen.

Took a Strange Trip but in Good Company

Really enjoyed the author and narrator. The story of Jonathan was almost frustrating but in a good way and exactly how I believe it was intended to frustrate us. He's a trip, lol. Regardless of the subject, I really enjoyed the journalistic approach, viewpoint and narration of the story. I would absolutely listen to more by this author.

Silicon Valley, stars. Entertaining. Funny story

Engaging and humorous. if you liked the sitcom, Silicon Valley, then you will enjoy this podcast.

View on the Gap Between Art and Business Practices

Michael structured the story so that he experiences the ongoing journey of artist Jonathan Keats with the listener, and made it masterfully immersive with its detailed descriptions. I thoroughly enjoyed Michael's not unfounded doubts on Jonathan when Jonathan is seemingly unable to see eye to eye with the executives of each business pitch. The analysis on Michael's part is compassionate as he tries to rewire his viewpoints to align with that of Jonathan's ambitious, philosophical, abstract ideologies. Investigation on similar artists such as John Chamberlain were done as a comparison, while Michael provides more commentaries on the differences between trying to deconstruct technology and the corporate framework.

If compromisation between corporate molds and creative art isn't possible, and collision is the only way an artist is able to get their point across, what does that entail? How does the consumer play into all of this? Did consumer desires as a collective alter the rather narrow minds of the capitalistic corporation, or is it the other way around? The conclusion leaves a lot to think about!

Fun story of a brilliant, oddball inventor

Great relationship development between characters, and certainly thought provoking. The only thing I couldn’t buy into is that the main character all along had some long term, master plan as a purely altruistic disruptor. It seems much more likely that he flies by the seat of his pants as every thought emerges from his brain.

Witty look at a brilliant conceptual artist

This audiobook is an entertaining and strange trip into the brain of mind blowing conceptual artist Jonathan Keats, his interpretation of the tech world and humanity. Author Michael Epstein fills this audio adventure with wittiness and a sense of curiosity. I'd listen to it over and over again!

A fun, unexpected journey!

I really enjoyed listening to this. I especially found the chapter intros funny where Michael calls Jonathan and hears about whatever crazy invention he's working on next. Such an interesting guy!

Fascinating

This is a podcast style exploration of the artist Jonathan Keats’ idea of changing the way we as a society think, using art to question our assumptions.
It’s a really interesting journey which I don’t feel qualified to explain. But I really enjoyed listening to it and thinking about it.

As a 'central' character... WOW

Even I didn't know where this was heading. What a story, what characters, what a trip. Michael and Jonathon - thank you for letting me in on this journey. I hope this Audible Original is able to help others see the world, and more importantly themselves, in a different light.

-Adam

Strange, Yet Fascinating

I'm not 100% sure what I listened to, but I know that I found it to be very interesting.