Humanities (Audio)

The difficulties of low-budget documentary filmmaking, strategies for first-time political candidates, and the importance of new voices in Congress all arise in this inspiring conversation between producer Sarah Olson, documentary subject (and Missouri congressional candidate) Cori Bush, and Emily Zinn (UC Santa Barbara). In the video, Olsen and Bush share the remarkable energy that arose from a group of insurgents who ran for US Congress against incumbents in 2018. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 35341]

The isolation of house arrest, film as a tool for political expression, and the serpentine nature of Iranian cinema all arise in this thoughtful conversation about Jafar Panahi’s documentary, This is Not a Film (2011) between Anna Brusutti (UCSB) and Hamid Naficy (Northwestern University). Naficy and Brusutti’s wide-ranging discussion explores the wit and creativity of the film, the state of Iranian filmmaking, and the importance of cinema to engage entrenched political power. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 35342]

The benefits of set fires, the strenuous work of puppetry on film, and the magic of practical film effects are all explored in this energetic discussion between The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance director Louis Leterrier and Carsey-Wolf Center associate director Emily Zinn. The two explore the strengths and challenges of working with puppets and practical effects while reviving the magical world of Jim Henson’s classic. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 35328]

Dangerous stunts, actor injuries, how to build a twister, and the technicolor production process all arise in this bright and deep conversation about The Wizard of Oz (1939) between UW Milwaukee professor Jocelyn Sczepaniak-Gillece and graduate student Hannah Garibaldi. Professor Sczepaniak-Gillece introduces and describes the gradual formation of the film’s enduring legacy as a nostalgic, family television tradition after its initial box-office disappointment. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 35326]

A discussion of constructive and effective ways to bring youth, community leaders, and organizations together to overcome divisiveness and polarization and build a stronger, more tolerant, and inclusive society. Series: "Global Empowerment Summit" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 35331]

Celebrated leaders in their respective fields discuss the initiatives and breakthroughs that they spearheaded in areas that people thought were impossible or ahead of their time. Featuring Martin Cooper of Dyna, LLC, Arlene Harris of Wrethink, changemaker John Ross, Carrie Hessler Radelet of Project Concern International, and Larry Smarr of University of California, San Diego. Series: "Global Empowerment Summit" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Business] [Show ID: 35332]

Empathy and grace in business and society can lead to profound change. Neal Nybo, Ken Blanchard, Nicole J. Phillips, Barbara Glanz and Jacques Spitzer discuss enthusiastic servant leadership and the practice of being tender with each other. One kind act can change a life and motivate a community. Series: "Global Empowerment Summit" [Humanities] [Business] [Show ID: 35333]

Composited digital and physical special effects, mechanical post-apocalyptic design, and the battle for limited resources are all touched on in this wide-ranging conversation between UC Berkeley professor and special effects scholar Kristen Whissel, and Carsey-Wolf Center director Patrice Petro. The two explore the films depiction of bodies and landscapes, masculinity and femininity. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 35327]

Yale University professor and filmmaker Charles Musser explores the historical and contemporary perspectives of race relations in German and American cinema from the 1920s by examining The Ancient Law (1923) and The Jazz Singer (1927). He evaluates how each film addresses anti-Semitism as well as the burning question of the history of blackface as a theatrical convention. Series: "Library Channel" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 35016]

Recently, some scientists have asked whether neural organoids will ever be conscious, and have wondered about the ethical implications of this possibility. Meanwhile, some philosophers have argued that neural organoids are miniature versions of “brains in vats.” Evan Thompson feels that both scientist and philosophers should shift their thinking. He argues that the minimal instantiation of sentience is organismic - not just neuronal, and that conscious processes of moral interest require embodiment and the capacity to suffer.

Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Humanities] [Show ID: 35248]