Explore world issues from varying perspectives through this new five episode postcast series, created by Pixel Sift Producer and Murdoch Alumni Gianni di Giovanni.
Each episode brings together two Murdoch academics from different disciplines, discussing a range of social, educational, political and religious topics.
In 2019, Pixel Sift won the inaugural gaming category at the Australian Podcast Awards, an event judged by industry veterans and some of the biggest names in the country. Pixel Sift are currently collaborating with Murdoch to produce a five part series of thought provoking podcasts that challenge present day issues and opinions. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming topics and episodes.
Episode 1: Critical Web Literacy in an age of Participatory Media
Why is media literacy no longer part of the school curriculum? What critical skills do we need in order to understand how knowledge is 'made' on the internet? What do we need to know about things like online privacy, credibility, copyright, algorithmic bias and web design? In this episode, Gianni discusses these questions with Associate Professor of Global Media and Communication, Ingrid Richardson, and Lecturer in Philosophy, Tim Flanagan.
Episode 2: Artwork, the artist, and the spectator/fan: the ethical boundaries
It’s never been easier to create new forms of artwork and distribute them to the world, but sometimes the behaviour of creatives outside of their work can cause people to question what they’ve made. Can art exist and be enjoyed independently of the artist? Can you ever really separate what’s been created, from the creator? In this episode, Gianni is joined by Helena Grehan, Professor in Creative Arts, and Anne Schwenkenbecher, Lecturer in Philosophy, to discuss the role of the spectator in determining the ethical boundaries and moral obligation to refuse engagement with certain types of art and artists.Episode 3: What is the primary function of film – to entertain, to inform, to offer escape?
The way we watch films has changed, as we continue to consume more screen content online. Has this new technology impacted how filmmakers produce their work? If so, what effect does this have? In this episode, Gianni is joined by Damian Fasolo, Associate Lecture in Creative Arts, and Lubica Ucnik, Associate Professor in Philosophy, to discuss the evolution of media viewing platforms and how this is impacting the way we value film.
Episode 4: Refugees: conversations in different voices
Conversation in Australia around refugees and asylum seekers has been tricky for a long time. Socially complex and it's at a standstill politically, but where should this conversation be happening? Is it in the law, is it in that political sphere or should it be in the creative arts? In this episode, Gianni is joined by Anne Surma, Associate Professor in English and Creative Arts and Mary Anne Kenny, Associate Professor in Law, to discuss how we bring these conversations together.Episode 5: Religion and Violence
Psychologist and author Steven Pinker argued in his 2011 book 'The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined' that we're currently living in the most peaceful era of the human species. Yet the history of humanity is marked by war and violent action, some of those wars were waged for a religious belief. So does religion motivate violence or do political, economic, or social conditions have a greater role to play? In this episode, Gianni is joined by Mark Jennings, lecture in religious studies, sociology and religion, and Robert Myles, lecturer in new testament religion, to discuss the impact of religion and violence.
To find out more, listen now!