2019: a year in review
Mike and Josh look back over some of the major events of 2019, from authoritarianism and political unrest to fires in the Amazon and the climate change emergency.
The cult of Christmas
In a special festive episode of the podcast, Mike and Josh talk about all things Christmas, and the way concepts of Christmas are being ever-shaped by big business and the pressure to consume at all costs.
Flowers for Algernon
In the first instalment of the In The Zone Book Club, Mike talks about his favourite novel, Flowers for Algernon (1966), and some of the philosophical implications of Charlie Gordon’s journey to genius.
Soldiers and states: who are the ‘good guys’ in war?
Who are the ‘good guys’ in war? And why is it important that we are seen to be doing the right thing? In this podcast, Mike and Josh discuss the case of Marine Gallagher, a US Navy Seal who was tried for warcrimes and found guilty of taking a photo with a dead detainee.
Gender and AI
Why are so many digital voices female? Why do we ‘prefer’ female voices to male? In this episode, Mike and Josh discuss the question of gender and AI, and some of the many factors that have led us to a world dominated by ‘female’ digital assistants such as Alexa, Siri and Cortana.
The death of the high street
Mike and Josh consider the death of the high street, and the impact of technology on the way we shop for goods. They also discuss the role of libraries, among other things, and how the market has slowly eroded the heart of many local communities. Is more regulation the answer? Download the latest episode to find out.
Academic self-publishing
Mike and Josh turn their attention to the world of academic self-publishing, and whether the freedom granted by online platforms and print-on-demand technology can help overcome the many issues associated with academia and the dissemination of knowledge.
The PhD submission episode
Mike and Josh reflect on their thesis submissions, and return to the murky world of the academic jobs market.
Perceptions of the PhD
What’s it really like to do a PhD? Mike and Josh discuss the different perceptions of the PhD and how its viewed by the public at large.
Terrorism and technology
Mike and Josh are joined by Rosie Mutton to discuss the role of technology in modern-day terrorism, and the technological arms race between the citizen and the state.
The university campus and the academic ‘bubble’
Is there really such a big difference between campus and city universities? Mike and Josh share their thoughts about campus life and the university bubble.
The future of automation
Are we heading to a fully-automated future? If so, what are we going to do with all our spare time? Mike and Josh discuss the future of automation and the implications of automation for the jobs market and future of the human race.