For the last of our 2024 student produced episodes, we have Dusty Fitzpatrick looking at the history of the net, Charlie Willis chatting convergence, Angus Turner tackling AI, and Josh Faulkner and Keely Bullivant looking at internet regulation.

It's another student-produced episode of Digital Society. This one features segments all about social media, by Anna Tayler, Courtney Baker, Amy Bunyan, and Fiona Powell.

Welcome to a student-produced episode of Digital Society, featuring contributions by Matt Adams, Matt Buckley, Ben Cullen-Ward, Bayden Girvan and Emily Riches.

The conversation explores the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on writing, communication, and creativity. The guest, Daniel Whelan-Shamy, discusses his research on AI and authorship, focusing on the blurring boundaries between human and AI-generated content. Travis and Daniel also touch on the challenges of peer review in keeping up with rapidly evolving AI technologies. The conversation delves into the ethical and legal implications of AI in creative industries, including issues of ownership, attribution, and copyright, highlighting the need for societal discussions on the role of AI in shaping the future and the importance of considering the environmental impact of AI technologies.

Follow Daniel on Twitter/X at https://twitter.com/dannno0o

Check out his online profile https://research.qut.edu.au/dmrc/people/daniel-whelan-shamy/

In this conversation, Jordan Millward, a PhD student at Imperial College in London, discusses the role of digital and social media in education and science communication. He emphasises the importance of providing accurate information to students from non-traditional backgrounds who may rely on social media for information.

Jordan also highlights the need for scientists to use social media as a tool for communication and to share their research and stories. He suggests that academics have a responsibility to combat disinformation and promote accurate information on social media.

Jordan also discusses the challenges of using social media, such as dealing with trolls and negative comments, and the impact of social media on identity and mental health.

Follow Jordan on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/askjordonltd/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:10 The Role of Digital and Social Media in Education

04:46 Using Social Media to Combat Disinformation

06:00 The Responsibility of Academics in Using Social Media

08:20 The Importance of Clear Communication in Academia

09:25 Effective Communication Strategies in Educational Research

10:59 Examples of Effective Science Communication on Social Media

11:54 Challenges of Using Social Media for Academic Communication

16:39 Dealing with Trolls and Negative Comments

27:49 Institutional Support for Social Media Creators

31:06 Educating Young People about Social Media Literacy

34:30 Practical Considerations for Content Creators

36:21 The Importance of Having a Goal and Exit Strategy

36:57 Conclusion and Where to Find Jordan Millward

Host Travis is joined by A/Prof Ben Hayward from Monash Uni to discuss how cross-border trade regulations impact digital goods while Facebook group admin Karina explains how she moderates large and active Simpsons shitposting Facebook groups.

Thrillhouse Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/4YxFiq3xWePGBkduHuljDL?si=a224351571004965

Thrillhouse Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/874499843809845

Ben Hayward's profile https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/ben-hayward

In this conversation, Travis and guest Martin Feld discuss the concept of convergence culture and its impact on media platforms and audience behaviour. They explore the challenges and opportunities presented by convergence, including the democratisation of communication and the rise of disinformation. The conversation also delves into the industrial changes brought about by convergence, such as the fragmentation of content and the trend of companies merging to create holistic media experiences. They highlight successful examples of media convergence, including the Matrix franchise and Disney's transmedia storytelling.

Finally, they discuss the need to strike a balance in using social media, emphasising the importance of moderation and detachment from digital experiences. The conversation explores the responsibility of social media companies in designing addictive experiences and the need for moderation.

To check out Martin's work, see https://martinfeld.info/

Host Travis and guest Tom discuss Bo Burnham's musical special 'Inside' (2021) and explore its themes related to technology, society, and the pandemic.

They delve into the dominance of online content, the impact of technology on relationships, the generational divide, the pressure to conform to online norms, and the challenges of accountability in the digital age. They also examine the effects of the pandemic on individuals and society as a whole.

The conversation highlights the thought-provoking commentary and the use of humour to address serious topics in Burnham's work. Topics uncovered in the work include the social impact of the digital world, the unregulated nature of the internet, the addictive nature of technology, and the challenges of content creation. The conversation also reflects on the effects of the pandemic and the longing for a return to normalcy. Overall, 'Inside' serves as a case study for digital creatives and marketers, highlighting the importance of creativity and authenticity in communication.

Time markers

00:00 Introduction and Context of Bo Burnham's Inside

04:31 Content: The Dominance of Online Content

06:31 Comedy: Social Mobility and Privilege

11:49 FaceTime with My Mum Tonight: Technology and Generational Divide

15:22 How the World Works: Reflection on Society and Education

18:46 White Woman's Instagram: Perfection and Online Persona

21:51 30: Expectations and Achievement

23:40 Bezos I and Bezos II: Power and Accountability

26:10 Sexting: Technology and Relationships

29:00 Don't Want to Know: Disconnectedness and Care

32:00 Problematic: Accountability in the Digital Age

35:00 All Time Low and The All Time Low: Reflection on the Pandemic

40:08 Reflection on the Impact of the Digital World

41:10 Welcome to the Internet

42:49 Unregulated Nature of the Internet

44:21 The Internet as an Addiction

46:57 That Funny Feeling

48:18 The Manic Showmaster Persona

49:06 The Traps of Content Creation

50:53 Goodbye

52:10 Any Day Now

52:21 Reflection on the Pandemic

54:38 Final Thoughts

In this episode of Digital Society, we revisit the question of generative AI and it's application in the media and communication industries. Michelle O'Connor and Travis Holland discuss the role and potential uses of AI in radio, journalism, podcasting and other aspects of media production and education. Student Rachel Vanderhel reflects on the links between AI and social media.

This is a special episode of Digital Society produced as part of The Big Rhetorical Podcast's 2023 Podcast Carnival, running from 28-31. Check out other episodes at https://thebigrhetoricalpodcast.weebly.com/.

The carnival will conclude with a keynote interview with Dr. Isabel Pedeson, Professor of Communication Studies at Toronto Ontario Tech University and Founding Director of the Digital Life Institute. To read more about Dr. Pedersen’s research, including her new book, Augmentation Technologies and Artificial Intelligence in Technical Communication, head to the Digital Life Institute website: https://www.digitallife.org.

From Instagram to Snapchat and Facebook, social media has come to dominate how we communicate. For many, social media is the internet. Using these platforms subjects us to the whims of the huge social corporations. And occasionally, we push back. What’s more cyberpunk than that?