Technology and Human Values

BLACK MIRROR REFLECTIONS podcast, Ep7: “Playest” with C. Thi Nguyen

  For Episode 7, I am joined by Dr. C. Thi Nguyen to talk about “Playtest” (Season 3, Episode 2), which premiered in 2013 and is the only Black Mirror episode that follows a straightforwardly “horror” format. Before getting to the Episode 7 notes, I want to announce that BLACK MIRROR REFLECTIONS now tweets! Please follow…

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BLACK MIRROR REFLECTOINS podcast, Ep8: “The Waldo Moment” with Jason Read

For Episode 8 of the BLACK MIRROR REFLECTIONS podcast, I am joined by Dr. Jason Read to talk about “The Waldo Moment” (Season 2, Episode 3 of Black Mirror), which first premiered in 2013 and has been, in retrospect, one of the most unfortunately prescient episodes of the series so far. This was my first…

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BLACK MIRROR REFLECTIONS podcast, Ep9: “Shut Up and Dance” with Rick Lee

For Episode 9, I am joined by Dr. Richard A. Lee to talk about aruveillance, trolling, forgiveness/absolution, and  “Shut Up and Dance,” (Season 3, Episode 3 of Black Mirror), which first premiered in 2013.  “Shut Up and Dance” is one of only a handful of Black Mirror episodes that does not include any futuristic technology, so…

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BLACK MIRROR REFLECTIONS, Ep 5: “San Junipero” with Michael Norton

For Episode 5 of BLACK MIRROR REFLECTIONS, I am joined by Dr. Michael Norton to talk about one of the most widely-beloved Black Mirror episodes, “San Junipero.” It premiered in 2016, the fourth episode of Season Three, and made a million tech-savvy queers *swoon.* Not trying to be the party-pooper podcast hostess here, but SJ…

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BLACK MIRROR REFLECTIONS podcast Ep6: “The Entire History of You” with John Cerrito

  For Episode 6 of BLACK MIRROR REFLECTIONS, I am joined by filmmaker John Cerrito to talk about Season 1, Episode 2 of Black Mirror entitled “The Entire History of You,” which originally premiered in 2011. Before we get to the episode notes, though, I have some exciting Black Mirror news to share! Charlie Brooker has apparently…

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BLACK MIRROR REFLECTIONS, Ep4: “Striking Vipers” with Adriel M. Trott

  In Episode 4 of BLACK MIRROR REFLECTIONS, I am joined by Dr. Adriel M. Trott to discuss the first episode from the latest Season of Black Mirror, “Striking Vipers” released in 2019. Please make sure that you watch (or re-watch) “Striking Vipers” before you listen to our conversation, because all of the BLACK MIRROR…

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BLACK MIRROR REFLECTIONS Ep3: “The National Anthem” with Ammon Allred

In Episode 3 of BLACK MIRROR REFLECTIONS, I am joined by one of my absolute favorite human beings, Dr. Ammon Allred, who is also quite literally the only person with whom I feel comfortable recording a conversation about Black Mirror‘s inaugural episode, “The National Anthem.” And, after having recorded said episode, I’m already having second thoughts about…

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BLACK MIRROR REFLECTIONS, Ep2: “White Christmas” with Chris Gilliard

  In Episode 2 of BLACK MIRROR REFLECTIONS, I am joined by Dr. Chris Gilliard to discuss the first Black Mirror holiday special, first aired in 2014, “White Christmas.” Again, I strongly recommend that you watch (or re-watch) the episode before listening to this podcase episode. Even though Chris and I spend waaayyyy more time talking about…

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BLACK MIRROR REFLECTIONS, Ep 22: “Smithereens” with James Buchanan Wallace

  For Episode 22 (our last episode!), I am joined by Dr. James Buchanan “Bru” Wallace to talk about religion, techniques of the self, guilt, the imperative to look up from your screen and really see others, and “Smithereens” (Season 5, Episode 2 of Black Mirror), which first premiered in 2019. Dr. James Buchanan Wallace, known…

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