When artists like Stephen Malkmus find themselves navigating the concrete jungle, the resulting conversations often veer into unexpected territory. The latest episode of the NPR quiz show Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! brought that theme to the forefront as the show recorded in Chicago.
Malkmus made an appearance to tackle a specific topic: construction zones. Rather than simply observing the cityscape, he dove headfirst into a game titled Pavement repairs are underway!
The segment offered a hilarious, hyper-literal look at the often frustrating world of infrastructure. For those of us who regularly encounter signs boasting about GROOVED PAVEMENT, there’s an inherent appreciation for the sheer absurdity of digging up the street. Malkmus seemed to appreciate this straightforward approach to roadwork.
While the episode explored the complexities and realities of asphalt and construction, the true wisdom delivered by the game wasn’t found in measuring road depths or calculating traffic flow. Instead, the most profound realization emerged from a much softer, more domestically focused observation.
The central takeaway from Malkmus’s adventure through the construction zones? It turned out to be entirely unrelated to concrete and asphalt. The real lesson, it seemed, was found in something far more practical and relatable: towels.
Credit: Stereogum
