Critical Media Studies

This is the first of two episodes on Simone Weil’s 1943 essay, “On the Abolition of all Political Parties. In this episode Barry and Mike discuss the distinction Weil draws between “truth” and “ideology”.

This is a repost of the Guy Debord episode that was originally posted on 3/15/23.In This episode of the Critical Media Studies podcast we discuss Guy Debord’s The Society of the Spectacle. As the book is aphoristic, rather than trying to address the work as a whole, Barry and Mike look at what Debord means by Spectacle and hone in on a few particular sections (24-28). The focus of this episode settles around the question of whether or not there is a continuity between Debord's mediated society and our own digital mediasphere.We hope you enjoy and welcome any feedback or suggestions.

In this episode Barry and Mike discuss Federica Merenda’s essay, “Reading Arendt to Rethink Truth, Science, and Politics in the Era of Fake News”. They discuss Arendt’s distinction between factual truths and rational truths and how they reveal of the interplay of truth and politics.

In this episode Barry and Mike discuss the uncanny ways that Sigfreid Kracauer’s 1927 essay, Photography, anticipates the modern media landscape.

Barry and Mike discuss Siegfried Kracauer's 1926 essay "Cult of Distraction: On Berlin's Picture Palaces." Written nearly 100 years ago, the essay is strangely relevant to our current political landscape. We pay special attention to Kracauer's unique notion of distraction, which contra Stiegler, Kracauer views as a stimulus to thought.

Barry and Mike dive into the troubling predictions of superhuman AI threatening humanity's existence. They dissect the authors' claim that any advanced AI development could lead to catastrophic outcomes. Comparing sci-fi scenarios, they explore the nuances of control and alignment in AI systems and critique the linear view of impending doom. Discussions on financial incentives driving AI development, resource limits, and geopolitical dynamics offer fresh perspectives. Ultimately, they emphasize the importance of caution and addressing capitalist motivations before it's too late.

Rachel Bitecofer argues that smartphones are a major contributor to declining education metrics worldwide. The hosts question whether banning phones in classrooms will truly solve the problem or if it's just a Band-Aid. They explore how generational differences impact attention and learning, noting that contemporary students and teachers experience distraction uniquely. The discussion highlights the need for engaging lessons that compete with digital distractions and emphasizes the importance of teaching attention-management strategies in an age of constant connectivity.

In this episode we discuss Alberto Romero’s Substack article on AI video.  While Romero argues that perhaps we should seek legal remedies to the problems of deepfake video, Barry and Mike consider an alternative.  They discuss the issues that deepfake video brings to the fore and wonder whether the problems caused by deepfake technologies can be resolved by law or if these technologies should be engaged pharmacologically.

In this episode Barry and Mike discuss “The Most Important Skill in the 21st Century,” Alberto Romero’s polemical defense of boredom in the media entertainment age. They discuss whether it’s possible to be bored today in the way that Romero seems to require.

Dive into a thought-provoking discussion on the implications of digital technology as a 'pharmakon.' Explore critiques of social media, particularly Facebook, and its impact on authentic relationships. Unpack the dangers of passive consumption shaped by hidden algorithms. Discover the importance of learning to engage with technology thoughtfully. Reflect on the internet's dual potential and the toxicity of digital spaces today. The conversation wraps on hopeful practices like walking and daydreaming to reclaim our attention.