Read Between The Covers

Some ideas find you in the middle of something else and refuse to let you go. That is what happened when I encountered Charisse Louw's work.

Charisse is a South African scholar, creative practitioner, and Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Sociodigital Futures, completing her PhD at Stellenbosch University at the intersection of African film, new materialisms, and indigenous epistemologies. In this conversation, we think together about what the zombie actually is. Not the Hollywood monster, but the Haitian figure whose soul was stolen, whose body still moves and labours without will or selfhood. We ask what that figure reveals about racial capitalism, digital extraction, and the condition Achille Mbembe calls Brutalism. And we ask what healing looks like when the wound is not only historical but structural.

Charisse brings grief, rigour, somatic practice, and a refusal to offer false comfort. Her closing question will stay with you long after the episode ends: what relation are you inside of, and what is that relation asking of you?

What's in a name? For Africa, it carries centuries of colonial legacy. On this episode of Read Between the Covers, philosopher Edmund Terem Ugar challenges our assumptions about one of the most commonly used names in global discourse - that of the African continent itself. While nations across Africa have shed their colonial labels, the continent's name remains untouched - a linguistic artifact of European exploration that raises profound questions about identity and self-determination. This conversation ventures beyond academic theory to examine real consequences: How do inherited names shape young Africans' understanding of their heritage? What happens when we try to reclaim linguistic sovereignty while preserving diverse indigenous naming traditions? Could reimagining Africa's name reshape its place in global politics?Join us for an eye-opening hour that transforms a seemingly simple question - 'What should we call Africa?' - into a window onto power, identity, and the future of a continent.​​​​​​​

In this critical examination of Ta-Nehisi Coates' 'The Message,' we explore how stories shape power and how power shapes stories. We examine what happens when marginalised voices speak their truth, and why some narratives are deemed too dangerous to tell. Through Coates' lens, we discover how writing can serve as both witness and catalyst for change, illuminating truths that mainstream media often leaves in shadow.

In this episode of "Read Between the Covers," host Mfundo Mpepuka delves deep into the murky waters of digital disinformation, examining its profound impact on democracies globally, with a special focus on Africa.

Join us as we uncover the roles of artificial intelligence and social media in fabricating realities, explore regulatory responses in Europe, and highlight alarming trends in African nations.

What is discussed:

• How artificial intelligence, including technologies like GPT-4 and voice cloning tools, is reshaping the creation and spread of disinformation.
• The strategic role of social media platforms in amplifying disinformation and the ongoing regulatory battles to curb their influence, particularly within the European Union.
• Detailed insights into the surge of disinformation campaigns across Africa, their origins, and the devastating effects on political stability and public trust.

In this episode of "Read Between the Covers," host Mfundo Mpepuka delves into the unfolding antitrust battles involving Google and Apple. Drawing parallels to the historic Microsoft antitrust case of the late 1990s, this episode explores how the giants of the tech industry are now facing similar challenges that could redefine their futures and reshape the technological landscape.

1. Introduction to Antitrust Issues: An overview of the U.S. Justice Department's antitrust allegations against Google and Apple.
2. Google’s Alleged Monopoly: A detailed analysis of how Google's search engine might have become an illegal monopoly, including the implications of its business arrangements and algorithm designs on competition and innovation
3. Apple's Ecosystem Under Scrutiny: Examination of the lawsuit against Apple, focusing on its App Store policies and their impact on competition and market control.
4. Historical Context: A look back at the Microsoft antitrust case, discussing its outcomes and the precedent it set for today's tech giants

In this episode of "Read Between the Covers," host Mfundo Mpepuka delves into the state of democracy in South Africa, 30 years post-apartheid. Drawing on the poignant question posed by Langston Hughes about deferred dreams, Mfundo explores whether the promises of democracy have truly been realized in South Africa. This episode features an analysis based on the works of Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, focusing particularly on his concept of a "New-Apartheid".

1. Introduction to the New-Apartheid: Mfundo introduces the concept of a New-Apartheid as articulated by Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, questioning the persistence of apartheid's legacies in modern South Africa.
2. The Role of Youth in Shaping Democracy: The episode also highlights the significant role of South African youth in shaping the future through movements like 'Fees Must Fall' and 'Rhodes Must Fall,' examining their impact on the democratic landscape.

This episode provides a comprehensive look at the nuanced challenges and developments in South African democracy, urging listeners to reflect on the past, understand the present, and influence the future.

In this episode of "Read Between the Covers," we discuss the evolving world of artificial intelligence and its rapidly intensifying arms race among tech giants. Our journey explores the historical context, breakthroughs, and current trends in AI development, highlighting the significant shifts and challenges posed by these advancements.

Key Topics Covered:

1. The Emergence of Generative AI: Unpacking the evolution of AI from simple task automation to the creation of novel content through platforms like ChatGPT and Dall-E.

2. Silicon Valley's AI Arms Race: Exploring the strategic shifts and investments by major tech companies like Microsoft, Google, and Meta in the race to dominate AI technology.

3. Ethical and Societal Implications: Discussing the potential risks and ethical concerns surrounding AI, from deepfakes to the misuse of personal data and content creation.

4. AI's Economic Impact: Examining how AI could reshape industries, influence economies, and potentially disrupt traditional business models.

5. Future of AI and Human Coexistence: Reflecting on the potential future of AI, including the development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and its implications for humanity.

Listen and Reflect:

Join us for a thought-provoking journey into the world of AI – a journey that is as much about technology as it is about our choices, values, and the future we envision.

In this episode of Read Between the Covers, Mfundo delves into the multifaceted crisis of democracy in Africa. This comprehensive analysis covers the recent spate of military coups, economic challenges, and the pivotal role of youth in shaping the continent's future. Join us as we explore the underlying causes of political unrest, the impact of international responses, and the potential pathways to stability and prosperity in Africa.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Rise of Military Coups: Examining the increase in military takeovers and their impact on political and economic stability across African nations.

2. Economic Challenges: Discussing Africa's burgeoning debt crisis, its impact on governance, and the role of international financial aid and debt relief strategies.

3. Youth Empowerment: Highlighting the need to pivot from a security-based approach to investing in the continent's youth, emphasizing education and economic opportunities.

4. Global Influence and Responsibility: Analyzing the role of international institutions and Western governments in influencing Africa's political landscape, and the need for a nuanced approach to engagement.

5. The Future of African Democracy: Discussing the long-term solutions for enhancing governance and building stronger states in Africa.

In this episode, Mfundo Mpepuka takes us on a deep dive into the current state of democracy worldwide. From the philosophical roots of democracy in ancient Greece to the pressing challenges it faces today, this episode explores the multifaceted and complex nature of democratic systems across different continents.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Historical Evolution of Democracy:

- Tracing democracy's origins in ancient Greece and examining the differing views of philosophers like Plato and Aristotle.

- The impact of the Enlightenment era and the role of revolutions in shaping modern democratic principles.

2. Contemporary Challenges to Democracy:

- The effects of globalization on national politics, particularly in African nations.

- Economic disparities and their influence on the democratic process, with examples from the USA, Russia, and India.

- The rise of populism globally, focusing on Europe and the Americas.

3. Case Studies Across Continents:

- Detailed analysis of democracy in Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

- Specific examples from France, Venezuela, the USA, China, and India.

4. A Focus on Africa:

- Exploring the unique challenges faced by African democracies, including post-colonial legacies and ethnic diversity.

- Insights into the democratic journeys of South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Egypt.

5. The Future of Democracy:

- Potential solutions and adaptations for modern democracies.

In this episode of Read Between The Covers, we delve into the complex relationship between AI and journalism, highlighted by the recent lawsuit between The New York Times and OpenAI. Join us as we explore the implications of this legal battle and discuss the broader impact of AI on the field of journalism. From efficiency gains to the risks of misinformation, we examine the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in newsrooms. We also ponder potential outcomes of the lawsuit and how partnerships, like OpenAI's with Axel Springer, are shaping the future of AI in media.

Key Points Discussed:

1. The New York Times vs OpenAI: Insight into the lawsuit's background, its claims, and implications for content creation rights.

2. AI's Influence in Journalism: Analysis of the benefits and risks of AI in news writing, reporting, and dissemination, including automated reporting and real-time updates.

3. Challenges of AI in Journalism: Discussion on misinformation risks, AI's limitations in recognizing biases, and its impact on news traffic.

4. Legal Precedents and Trend: Examination of previous lawsuits against AI companies and what they signify for the industry.

5. Future Prospects: Exploration of possible lawsuit outcomes and the role of strategic partnerships in integrating AI into journalism.

Thought-Provoking Questions:

- How will the legal system adapt to the challenges posed by AI in journalism?

- In what ways can journalistic integrity be preserved in an AI-dominated era?

- What role will the public play in shaping the narrative of AI in newsrooms?