Episode 66: Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Cultural Anticipation

“I also feel like movies speak to a human desire, if not need, to congregate and to experience stories communally. They’re experiences that allow us to feel that connectivity, which is truly what ‘Star Wars’ is all about — the Force and the idea that we’re all connected. In whatever format it is, whatever screening, whatever the best available version is, I would just argue that, if possible, to try to see it with a crowd.”
— J.J. Abrams, director of Star Wars: The Force Awakens
“I was in the same room as all these legends and all these new people who I’m sure will go on to be legends.”
— Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux) on set of Star Wars: The Force Awakens

The upcoming release of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens offers an unprecedented opportunity to discuss the historic, popular and influential film series as a greater whole. In anticipation of the climactic return to the franchise after 10 years, we welcome Sam Whipple to examine the impact Star Wars has had on global, cultural and generational levels.  We explore the past of the franchise and talk about our hopes and expectations of The Force Awakens, as well as the excitement, controversy and mysteries surrounding it. We would like to thank Trevor Hailey, Chris Katzmann, Nico Hargreaves-Heald and Haleh Kanani for their written contributions which are available to read below.

Episode 65: The Abolition of China's One-Child Policy

“The abandonment of the one-child policy in China is a momentous change, and there is much to celebrate in the easing of restrictions on human freedom in a particularly private sphere of life. But we need to recognize that the big fall in fertility in China over the decades, for which the one-child policy is often credited, has, in fact, been less related to compulsion and much more to reasoned family decisions in favor of a new norm of smaller families.”
— Amartya Sen, New York Times Op-Ed, November 2nd, 2015

Established in the 1970's to control population growth, China's One-Child Policy is likely to be repealed in coming months. The decision to end the restriction followed a four-day strategy meeting of senior Communist Party officials at a Beijing hotel in late October. This policy and its potential conclusion have had profound economic, social, psychological and personal effects on the Chinese people. We discuss our opinions on its impact and possible futures it might create. Of course, our primary lens is as Americans living on the outside and we acknowledge this.

Episode 64: The Paris Attacks

“Once again we’ve seen an outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians. This is an attack not just on Paris, it’s an attack not just on the people of France, but this is an attack on all of humanity and the universal values that we share.”
— President Obama, in November 13th statement on the attacks
“Terrorists wanted to show the world that we were brutal and unjust, and we did our best to help them do that. Terrorists wanted a war, and we gave them one. And we lost. We lost by giving them the stupid, fearful, angry response that they wanted.”
— Hamilton Nolan, "Terrorism Works" on the September 11 attacks

With the recent terror attacks in Paris, we felt it worthwhile to discuss their political, social and personal impacts. Various news organizations have covered the details and both citizens and countries around the world have united to mourn and grieve, but several factors appear to be overlooked. Among the responses, Syrian refugees have been blamed, similar terror attacks (like those in Beirut) have been seemingly ignored by the press and ISIS's intentions and goals appear simplified. As always, we do not have the answers to the questions we ask, but we find the dialogue to be both invaluable and necessary. Our thoughts go out to all of the victims of these recent attacks, as well as their friends and families.

Episode 63: "Don't Stay in School"

“I’m only fluent in this language, for serious?
The rest of the world speaks two, do you think I’m an idiot?
They chose the solar over the political system
So like a typical citizen now I don’t know what I’m voting on”
— David Brown, "Don't Stay in School"
“Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school. It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education.”
— Albert Einstein

This week we discuss a viral video of the past year entitled "Don't Stay in School". It deals with critical flaws in the current educational system, including the lack of practical information, training and life skills given to students. As upcoming college graduates, we felt our simultaneous experience with the educational system and our oncoming endeavors with independence offer a unique perspective through which to analyze the points made in the video.

Episode 62: Black Mirror Part II

“Breaking down in tears, Skillane admitted to filming Jemima’s final moments, claiming her fiance had pressured her into helping him, maintaining she was under his spell. The jury was not convinced by Skillane’s story, and neither was the judge, who labelled her ‘a uniquely wicked and poisonous individual’.”
— Baxter, explaining Victoria Skillane's crime to her.

This week we return to the BBC series Black Mirror to discuss and review its second season. As with the first season, the show continues to deal with topics relating to technology. Specifically, these episodes examine our relationship with obsessive recording, death and technology and modern political candidates. As this conversation spans details from multiple episodes, we spoil plot details and recommend that you refrain from listening if you wish to watch the show first.