Night School

We welcome legendary scholar and historian Ahmat Adam to the show again, this time to discuss his controversial claim that Hang Tuah does not exist. He explains the bases for his arguments and the stakes of rethinking myth and politics in light of history's evidences.

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This episode inaugurates 'Minor Blues,' our new segment exploring terrible feelings. We begin with self-pity. What makes it so painful, yet so tempting? Is this a distinctly modern problem? Why is it so difficult to talk about? Eugene Tee, our regular psychology lecturer from HELP University, helps us better understand it.

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We reflect on the impact of childhood in the formation of identity. Why does it remain so powerful? Are we forever condemned by our parents’ decisions? We also consider the role of grit in development. Sybella Ng and Eugene Tee tell us all about it.

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We've heard from the curators, we've heard from the advisors. Now it's time to hear from the artists of Merata Suara, an art exhibition by Projek Dialog. They share their experience of working collaboratively with the supposed 'margins' of society. What did they learn? What were the challenges they faced? What does this say about how we can more critically understand the limits of our standpoints? Okui Lala, Yana Rizal and Poodien lead the way.

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The Other “mediates” language and all communication, or so Jacques Lacan argued. What is this Other? How does it offer a different view of how intersubjectivity is usually thought of (as a matter between two individuals)? How is the Other trans-individual? Fuad and Sharaad talk through this very intriguing but complicated concept in Lacanian psychoanalysis.

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Pamela Corey, Ashley Thompson and Erika Tan join us this week to discuss the project of decolonial thinking and its pedagogical strategies. Among other things, we reflect on its challenges in Southeast Asia, as well as the practical ways it can be approached in the classroom.

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Tired of the same, old thing? Then you will want to consider Gabungan Kiri’s ‘Manifesto for the 99 Percent’, a detailed outline of demands that you, as a citizen and worker, are entitled to. Join us as Arul and Maryam, the coalition representatives, explain their objectives, address some difficult questions about their agenda, and why there is always time to envision a better world.

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This week, we discuss how neuroscience views love and what we might learn from its technology about the age-old conundrum of opposite sexes.

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This week we consider the humbling lessons from Meratasuara, Projek Dialog's upcoming exhibition that explores the intricacies of engaging with peripherality. How does art broaden (or limit) multicultural understanding? What does it mean to designate a perspective or community as 'marginal'? How do we ensure that a 'process'-oriented project remains creative and rigorous without beholding it to a rigid structure? We reflect on these questions and more with exhibition curator Suzy Sulaiman and comrade Simon Soon.

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We offer you a general introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the increasingly popular martial arts. We look into its history and key components alongside suggestions for what to keep in mind when trying it for the first time.

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