The Critical Technology podcast explores cutting edge research on the social, cultural, and political implications of new technological developments. For our second season, we're focusing on game changing scholarship and theories about children, youth, and digital technology -- in recognition of the adoption of General Comment 25: Children's Rights in the Digital Environment by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, in early 2021. The Critical Technology podcast is an initiative of the ...
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The podcast where we finally get to the books/movies/games that have been sitting on our shelves for forever. Hosted by Leif Nelson and Emily Miner.
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Games, memes, and parodies are increasingly used by extremist groups to spread misinformation and to lower the barriers to entry into extreme ideologies. But is there a deeper strategy at work? And if so, what's the end game? In Part 2 of this special two part interview, Dr. Sara Grimes chats with three researchers from the Reactionary Digital Poli…
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Digital technologies are increasingly used as ideological weapons of misinformation, manipulation, propaganda, and radicalization. But how exactly are social media platforms and memes used by ideological extremists? And what are they trying to achieve? In this episode, Dr. Sara Grimes (Director of the KMDI) chats with three researchers from the Rea…
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While Dall-E, Stable Diffusion, and other popular AI-image systems have rekindled the debate about the future of creative work in the digital age, many cultural industries are already heavily reliant on machine learning and automation to produce content traditionally created by artists and designers. A key example is the digital games industry, whe…
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Land-Based Relations in/and Digital Technology
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Many of us are thinking more deeply about our relationships with the land these days. Through land acknowledgements inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. In response to the growing urgency, and immediacy, of climate change and its impacts. But what about our digital technologies and online cultures? How does the …
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Leif sits down at the table with a bevy of video games to talk about. What starts as a simple journey through the waters of Subnautica and Abzu soon descends into a deeper, more frightening look at the interactive medium. Leif and Tim talk video game culture, games as art, and thalassophobia. Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for extra tidbits t…
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Tim is finally given reign to let loose. How will he wow us with his newfound historical knowledge? We discuss the Revolutionary War, dry history, and hypothetical dereliction of duty. Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for extra tidbits that don't make it into the episodes!Music by Veltpunch.
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#45 – The Wheel of Time: The Eye of the World
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Leif scratches the surface of Robert Jordan's fantasy epic, The Wheel of Time. Emily rejoins to talk of this Lord of the Rings-like book. Like, extremely Lord of the Rings. We discuss literary influences, returning to old books, and why fantasy adaptations tend to disappoint. Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for extra tidbits that don't make it…
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Although computing technologies are now ubiquitous in much of the West and other parts of the world, there are still significant inequalities when it comes to who has access to computer science education. Powerful cultural stereotypes about who is or can become a coder persist, leading to the underrepresentation of girls and children of colour from…
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Tim was all ready to get started talking about his book when Emily decided to visit us from beyond the grave! Apparently the afterlife has a healthy library. After our initial shock, we discuss defacing books, fantasy maps, and Peter Jackson's changes to Tolkien's fantasy epic. Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for extra tidbits that don't make …
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How, where, and what kids and teens learn about safe sex, substance use, and other health-related topics is incredibly important. Especially for young people who are already dealing with higher risk factors, such as neighbourhood poverty and violence--a disproportionate number of whom are young people of colour, specifically Black, Latinx or Indige…
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#43 – Once and Forever: The Tales of Kenji Miyazawa
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Leif returns with another late Christmas gift, with Once and Forever: The Tales of Kenji Miyazawa. Listen as he truly gushes over an excellent collection of stories from this 20th century Japanese author and poet. Leif and Tim discuss Pixar and Ghibli animation, and people who are too good for children's stories. Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPo…
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Leif and Tim return from a winter break to talk about their Christmas hauls, and some good old fashioned fantasy. Leif is reading Swords and Deviltry, a sword and sorcery fantasy book starring Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, by Fritz Leiber. Topics of discussion include prolific authors, unlikeable characters, and D&D. Follow us on Twitter at @Tsundoku…
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As smart toys, virtual assistants, and machine learning apps spread across our homes and schools, an increasing number of children are now living, learning, and growing up around artificial intelligence or “AI”. Yet, we still know very little about children’s relationship with AI, how they feel about the seemingly knowledgeable voices coming out of…
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Ongoing debates about how digital technologies impact children’s health and well-being often frame sports as the opposite or even antidote to sedentary screen time. For centuries, children’s sports have served as a symbol of a “good” childhood -- one that privileges some children while historically excluding many others, especially girls, Black chi…
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We all know that the global data economy relies on the ongoing collection, exchange and use of massive amounts of our data – from personal information, to what we do online, to algorithmic forecasts about what we might to do in the future. But what about children’s data? Although there are special laws in place to protect children’s privacy in many…
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It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Emily is no longer with the podcast. She'll still drop in from time to time, but the fact of the matter is she didn't have what it took to put out a bi-monthly podcast. So, to step in and fill the void, Tim Everson has deigned to join us. This week, Leif read The Collected Works of Lovecraft, and comes…
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There is incredible diversity in children’s relationships with digital technologies, which introduce a range of opportunities and challenges for their rights, learning, and wellbeing. Kids on the spectrum, however, must also contend with popular stereotypes and misinformation about autism and technology, which impact them in complex ways. In this e…
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Leif returns with another belated Christmas reading, this time with Shirow Masamune's Ghost in the Shell. Leif and Emily discuss the manga, its various adaptations, and cyberpunk vs cyberfascism. Emily forgets Scarlet Johansson's name, and Leif also forgets the word for sweatshop. Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for extra tidbits that don't ma…
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#39 – Stories of Your Life and Others - By Ted Chiang
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Leif begins the laborious process of finally reading through his Christmas gifts through the years. He starts with Stories of Your Life and Others, a collection of short stories by Ted Chiang, and gifted to him by none other than Emily! Join us as we talk about short stories, the grandaddies of science fiction, and adapting stories. Follow us on Tw…
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Learn about what's going on in PalestineDecolonize PalestineDecolonization in Palestine w/ Ussama Makdisi How you can support PalestiniansIslamic ReliefThe Palestine Children’s Relief FundAddameerBoycott, Divestment, SanctionsMore ways to help here... Emily has surpassed the average lore nerd and delved into the grandaddy of all fantasy bibles: The…
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From sourdough starters and "covid gardens," to homemade face masks and Sea Shanty TikToks, the pandemic has inspired a boom in crafting, making, artistic expression, and everyday creativity. In this episode, Dr. Sara Grimes (Director of the KMDI) chats with Dr. David Gauntlett, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Creativity in the School of Cre…
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Digital gaming is a vital source of fun, relaxation, learning and social connection for kids and adults alike. But people don’t always “play nice” and games can also become the sites of interpersonal conflict, trolling, and seriously harmful behaviours. In this episode, Dr. Sara Grimes (Director of the KMDI) chats with Dr. Kelly Boudreau, a profess…
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In his critically acclaimed new book, Distributed Blackness: African American Cybercultures (2020, New York University Press), Dr. Andre Brock Jr, professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology, positions Blackness at the very centre of Internet culture. In so doing, Brock uncovers the complex ways that race and racism, but also joy and humour, h…
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Leif is back with another video game to complain about! This time, it's all about the Dark Knight, and his best friend the Arkham Knight. Leif and Emily talk about video games, comic books, and horny game developers. This episode will really make you feel like you played Batman. Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for extra tidbits that don't make…
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Leif and Emily return for 2021, with a new episode, and some new cats! For the first episode of the new year, Leif is talking about rogue-likes, and how much he loves them. Emily joins him for discussions of video game difficulty, progression, and Supergiant Games. Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for extra tidbits that don't make it into the e…
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The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across our devices, information systems, and built environments is reshaping the design and function of the technologies that surround us. From AI-generated designer chairs to smart cities, this shift introduces a range of new relationships, possibilities, and risks into our lives. In this episode, Sa…
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Educational Technologies in Refugee Camps
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Educational technologies and online learning have received a lot of attention lately, as schools worldwide shifted to remote delivery. But for children and youth in refugee camps, access to education has long been embedded in digital technologies, presenting unique opportunities, and big challenges, for teaching and learning. In this episode, Dr. S…
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As the media and cultural industries have shifted to digital platforms (like Facebook, Apple, and Amazon), massive changes in how cultural content is made, distributed, and consumed have unfolded. In this episode, Dr. Sara Grimes (Director of the KMDI) chats with Dr. David Nieborg, a professor at the University of Toronto, and one of the lead inves…
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A new series from the Knowledge Media Design Institute (KMDI) and Director/Professor Sara Grimes, featuring interviews with Prof. David Nieborg, Prof. Negin Dahya, Prof. Beth Coleman and other experts on the intersections of digital technology and society. Premieres Fall 2020.By KMDI
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Emily returns with her second book of the quarantine! It turns out, enjoying a book makes it far easier to read. Who knew? Emily discusses "great books", gender, race, and global warming. Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for extra tidbits that don't make it into the episodes!Music by Veltpunch.
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One month is better than three, right? No apologies though, it's time for us to rip into grammar and punctuation and other super interesting things. Leif and Emily discuss English degrees, snobs, and early 2000's internet humor. Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for extra tidbits that don't make it into the episodes!Music by Veltpunch.…
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We are back, with some other podcast recommendations. But first, donate what you can! Hoodrat to Headwrap: a Decolonized Podcast by Ericka Hart and Ebony Donnley Hella Black by Blake Simons and Delency Parham The Red Nation Podcast by Nick Estes and The Red Nation Citations Needed by Nima Shirazi and Adam Johnson Ear Hustle by Nigel Poor, Earlonne …
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Emily has big news, which will be broadcast across the country! Will Tsundoku Book Club survive this shake up? Will Leif ever learn to trust again? Leif and Emily discuss school, being forced to read, and ask each other: How many books is too many? Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for extra tidbits that don't make it into the episodes!Music by …
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Leif liked Emily's A.D. comic book, so he decided to follow up with one of his own. A.D.: After Death asks important questions like: what is the cure for death? What killed off humanity? And should you get back with your ex? Leif also tries to get over his desire for newer, flashier art. A.D. After Death was written by Scott Snyder, and illustrated…
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Leif finishes off his Humble Bundle collection with Song of Kali, a horror novel by Dan Simmons, sort of. Join Leif and Emily as they discuss racism, humanity, and the Fairly Oddparents. It's... a strange one folks. Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for extra tidbits that don't make it into the episodes!Music by Veltpunch.…
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In order to get her mind off of the current coronavirus pandemic, Emily decided to read A.D.: After the Deluge, a comic about Hurricane Katrina and the people who lived through it. Your isolated hosts discuss crises, looting, and double-page spreads. Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for extra tidbits that don't make it into the episodes!Music b…
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#28 – Running With Scissors and Ghostland
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Tim returns to tell us a tale of two books, and how our podcast inspired him to quit reading one of them! We discuss relationships, hauntings, and how this episode definitely isn't sponsored by Amazon Prime shipping. Running with Scissors is written by Augusten BurroughsGhostland: An American History in Haunted Places is written by Colin Dickey Fol…
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We're joined by Tim to discuss Budayeen Nights. This collection of short stories by George Alec Effinger center on the cyberpunk future in a nameless city, steeped in Middle Eastern culture. What does it take for Leif to enjoy a book? Apparently, good characters, humor, and not holding the reader's hand. Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for ext…
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Emily reveals her love of essay collections with Me Talk Pretty One Day, by David Sedaris. But what do we do when those essays aren't quite what we were expecting? Leif and Emily discuss faulty memories, Rent, and somehow, Israeli apartheid. Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for extra tidbits that don't make it into the episodes!Music by Veltpun…
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It's 2020, and Tsundoku Book Club is back, leaving apologies for late episodes in the 2010s. Leif starts out strong by going back to his strong suit, complaining about genre fiction after reading Fall of Gods, an illustrated book. Emily and the birthday boy discuss Kickstarter, concept art, and compelling storytelling. Fall of Gods was created by R…
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Our final episode of the year We have special guest Jamie Bienhoff on to talk about Jane Austen's most famous work, Pride and Prejudice. We discuss required reading, audio books, and adaptations galore. Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for extra tidbits that don't make it into the episodes!Music by Veltpunch.…
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Emily warns us all about how the media is controlling us, and is being controlled itself. Naturally, a few political rants ensue. We discuss Noam Chomsky, The West Wing, and conspiracy theories. Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for extra tidbits that don't make it into the episodes!Music by Veltpunch.…
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Leif officially dips his toes into his Steam library, and found two games to play. In one, you can play anything from a cow to a quark, while the other makes you live through the family experience of a child dying from cancer. The biggest similarity between the two is that they're both short. Leif and Emily discuss intention, theory, and what makes…
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#21 – The Adventure Zone: Here There Be Gerblins
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Emily gets a turn at a comic book! She talks about the Adventure Zone graphic novel and the podcast it was borne from. Leif and Emily talk Dungeons and Dragons, the McElroy Family, and fickle preferences. Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for extra tidbits that don't make it into the episodes!Music by Veltpunch.…
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This week, Leif gets to enjoy a book, even when it's super depressing! Leif read The Forge of God, by Greg Bear, which he found on the Humble Bundle site. Leif and Emily discuss alien invasions, how non-political presidents in fiction are, and how depressing climate change can be. Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for extra tidbits that don't ma…
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This time, it's Emily's turn to discuss a gift that was appreciated a little late. That gift was Celeste, the pixel-platformer with a killer soundtrack and killer levels. We discuss difficulty and accessibility in videogames, and that's about it. No list of three for you this time around. Don't worry, it'll be back. Follow us on Twitter at @Tsundok…
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#18 – Ready Player One and 372 Pages We'll Never Get Back
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In this episode, Leif tries to talk about the podcast 372 Pages We'll Never Get Back, but just ends up talking about Ready Player One, the bestseller by Ernest Cline. Leif and Emily talk about 80s film, 80s movies, and 80s cinema. They also reflect on how their trivia knowledge makes them better people. Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for extr…
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Believe or not, we do occasionally read the books we have just bought. Emily and Leif give their apologies for an irregular schedule by letting you know what they've been reading and playing. Emily discusses buying and eating local foods, and contrasting soothing and frustrating games. Leif talks about unrealistic sci-fi, realistic sci-fi, and wond…
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In a show about unread books, some books can be read, and left unfinished. Emily discusses Gillian Flynn's Dark Places, from the same author of Gone Girl and Sharp Objects. We discuss likable characters, film adaptations, and what to do when reading gets boring. Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for extra tidbits that don't make it into the epis…
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What do you know, a new episode! This time, Leif discusses Dune, Frank Herbert's Sci-Fi classic. His dad, Kent Nelson, comes along for the ride, providing knowledge and shame as Leif once again reads an undeserved present. We discuss the famous book, the infamous movie, and religion in science fiction.Follow us on Twitter at @TsundokuPod for extra …
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