We live in a world where basically anyone from anywhere can start a movement, gather people around a certain issue, organize events, and even start riots. The accessibility we have, not only to the Internet and technology, but by extension, to each other has significantly changed our lives in ways we can't begin to imagine. In today’s episode, I talk with Dr. Ellen Bernhard about civic media and how it has changed over time. Dr. Bernhard has a Ph.D. focused in Culture and Communication and recently published her first book, Contemporary Punk Rock Communities: Scenes of Inclusion and Dedication, which I will link in the description if you want to check it out.

Media and technology are subjects that continue to fascinate me and it’s interesting to think about how it may affect our lives in the future. I have voiced some strong opinions about the negative impacts of social media, but through this conversation, it becomes obvious that while social media has its issues, it’s also an incredibly powerful tool for marginalized groups and people living in oppression to get their voices heard. Dr. Bernhard shares some interesting stories about that, and I think you’ll enjoy everything else she has to say as well.

Ellen’s Book