State of the Pod

Is the fountain of youth finally in our grasp? From fictitious movies to ancient mythologies, the desire for immortality has permeated almost every facet of human society. Today, an increasingly powerful anti-aging industry has instilled the idea that growing old is undesirable. But does living longer really mean living better? Join us as we dive into the sociological and ethical implications of treating aging as a disease to be cured.

Produced: Emily Hart, Sayuri Pfeiffer, Julian Park, Gargi Rao

The post 609: Who Wants to Live Forever?: What it Means to Age in the 21st Century first appeared on State of the Pod.

Child and family influencers are some of the hottest channels on YouTube. But what are the risks of living your childhood on camera? We argue, child influencing is child labor, and with this comes a myriad of unethical conditions and potential childhood trauma. Tune in to explore the mechanisms that drive this industry, and how platforms benefit from this damaging cycle. 

Written, Edited, and Produced by: Adele Williams, Anona Joshi, Diego Valdez

Art by Angelina Rappa

Special thank you to Brooke Aaron Duffy, Associate Professor, Department of Communication, Cornell University for speaking with us. Additional thank you to the Investigative Biology Department at Cornell University for our recording equipment.

Sources:

Masterson, Marina. “When Play Becomes Work: Child Labor Laws in the Era of ‘Kidfluencers.’” SSRN, 14 Aug. 2021, papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3650376.  

McKen, Jordy. “10 Family YouTuber Scandals: Articles on Watchmojo.Com.” WatchMojo, WacthMojo, 21 Sept. 2023, www.watchmojo.com/articles/10-family-youtuber-scandals/ryan-s-world.  

Muppalla, S. K., Vuppalapati, S., Reddy Pulliahgaru, A., & Sreenivasulu, H. (2023). Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Child Development: An Updated Review and Strategies for Management. Cureus, 15(6), e40608. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.40608

Riggio, Amanda G. “The Small-er Screen: YouTube Vlogging and the Unequipped Child Entertainment Labor Laws.” Seattle University Law Review, vol. 44, no. 2, Winter 2021, pp. 493-530. HeinOnline, https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.journals/sealr44&i=497.

Vogels, Emily A. “Teens, Social Media and Technology 2022.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 10 Aug. 2022, www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/08/10/teens-social-media-and-technology-2022/.  

Music:

“Darren Curtis – It’s In The Fog” is under a Creative Commons license (CC BY 3.0). Darrencurtismusic. Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: https://bit.ly/b-in-the-fog 

The post 608: iKids: Beyond the Camera first appeared on State of the Pod.

This podcast discusses the many environmental issues the Shinnecock Nation on Long Island currently faces and how they may worsen as climate change becomes more severe. It covers topics ranging from ocean acidification and shoreline erosion to cultural practices that have suffered as a result of global warming to local governments’ efforts toward mitigating these damages.

Produced by: Rewa Phansalkar, Grace DePaull

Names and titles of all interviewees: Shavonne Smith (Environmental Director of Shinnecock Nation), Wiley Gifford (Cornell Environment and Sustainability major, class of 2024), Joey Armstrong (Cornell Chemical Engineering major, class of 2025), Kadijat Alakiu (Cornell Environmental Engineering major, class of 2024)

Citations for any sources cited in the episode: INDIGENOUS RESPONSES TO CLIMATE CHANGE: CONTRASTING U.S FEDERAL ADAPTATION EFFORTS WITH TRIBAL APPROACHES IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST – a thesis by Rewa Phansalkar

The post 607: Environmental Issues faced by the Shinnecock Nation first appeared on State of the Pod.

Join us as we dive into the unregulated world of the vitamin and dietary supplement industry. With over 85,000 supplement products on the market and minimal FDA oversight, learn about the hidden dangers lurking in your daily pills and powders. We talk to Harvard researcher Dr. Pieter Cohen to uncover the shocking truth about supplement contamination, mislabeling, and overdosing risks that companies don’t want you to know. Discover if your supplements are a path to better health or simply overhyped, and what you can do to stay informed and safe.

Written and Produced by Isabella Ciocca, Rma Polce, Matthew Kiewski, and Angelina Rappa

Edited by Rma Polce

Art by Angelina Rappa

Citations:

The post 606: Health or Hype? The Supplement Industry’s Deficiencies  first appeared on State of the Pod.

The portrayal of women in media is strikingly one-dimensional, often reduced to either objects of desire or figures to be fetishized. This phenomenon extends across diverse platforms—from your go-to fashion magazines to the grittiest video games, where women frequently find themselves cast as subservient and hypersexualized entities. In this episode, we dive into the pervasive nature of this hypersexualization and its roots in larger patriarchal systems. Through a discussion on various media forms, we unravel the profound impact of these portrayals on consumers. The result? A dire outlook on the world, shaped by the affliction imposed by these depictions.

The aim of this episode, therefore, is to provoke a deeper understanding of systemic inequalities ingrained in media and to empower consumers to reshape their perspectives. By doing so, we can collectively strive for a more inclusive and equitable media landscape.

Produced and written by Adele Williams, Thoranna Bender, Eve Iulo

Edited by Adele Williams

Art by Anjelina Gonzalez

Citations:

[1] PBS NewsHour. (2013, December 21). The sexualization of young girls: What we lose and gain. Retrieved from https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/social_issues-july-dec13-sexualization_12-21

[2] UNICEF USA. (2021, January 11). Not an object: The sexualization and exploitation of women and girls. Retrieved from https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/not-object-sexualization-and-exploitation-women-and-girls-0

[3] Blagburn, B. (n.d.). A Feminist Approach to Reclaiming Sex, Sexuality, and Sensuality. Saint Mary’s College (Notre Dame IN). Retrieved from https://human.libretexts.org/Courses/Saint_Mary’s_College_(Notre_Dame_IN)/Literature/Chimamanda_Adichie%3A_A_Research_Guide/04%3A_Critical_Analyses/4.01%3A__A_Feminist_Approach_to_Reclaiming_Sex_Sexuality_and_Sensuality_By_Brittany_Blagburn

[4] SSAIC. (2022, April 13). Emily Ratajkowski on Taking Back Her Body. Retrieved from https://ssaic.ca/emily-ratajkowski-on-taking-back-her-body/

[5] Hirsch, J. S., & Larson, K. (2020, February 1). ‘Angels’ in Hell: The Culture of Misogyny Inside Victoria’s Secret. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/01/business/victorias-secret-razek-harassment.html

[6] Masters of Media. (2020, September 28). “You Can See Me Naked After the Paywall”: How OnlyFans Transforms the Online Sex Industry. Retrieved from http://mastersofmedia.hum.uva.nl/blog/2020/09/28/you-can-see-me-naked-after-the-paywall-how-onlyfans-transforms-the-online-sex-industry/

[7] SpringerLink. (2020, January 2). Back That Sexism Up: An Analysis of the Representation of Women’s Bodies in Music Videos. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-29855-5_5 

[8] ScholarsArchive. (2017, May 17). Women in Refrigerators: The Objectification of Women in Comics. BYU ScholarsArchive. Retrieved from https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/awe/vol2/iss2/9/ 

[9] Tulane University Journal. (2022). The World’s Oldest Profession Gets a Makeover: Sex Work, OnlyFans, and Celebrity Participation. Retrieved from https://journals.tulane.edu/ncs/article/view/3661 

[10] Cardoso, & Scarcelli. (2021). The bodies of the (digitised) body. Retrieved from https://recil.ensinolusofona.pt/bitstream/10437/12305/1/CARDOSO%2c%20SCARCELLI%20-%20%20%20The%20bodies%20of%20the%20%28digitised%29%20body_PUBLISHED.pdf 

[11] Kite, L. (2011). From Objectification to Self-Subjectification: Victoria’s Secret as a Do-It-Yourself Guide. Retrieved from https://www.morethanabody.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Kite-Lexie-NCA-Paper-Victorias-Secret.pdf

[12] ScienceDirect. (2023). Comparing and self-objectifying: The effect of sexualized imagery posted by Instagram Influencers on women’s body image. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1740144523000980?via%3Dihub 

[13] Emerald Insight. (2023, January 17).Sociomaterial influence on social media: exploring sexualised practices of influencers on Instagram. Retrieved from https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/ITP-03-2022-0215/full/html 

[14] Wiley Online Library. (2019, February 19). Sexualized labour in digital culture: Instagram influencers, porn chic and the monetization of attention. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gwao.12354 

The post 601: Sex Sells: But at what cost? first appeared on State of the Pod.

One of the first concepts we learn as children is the colors of the rainbow. Color is all around us, affecting the way we feel, think, and behave. But how do we actually see color? How can our perception of light influence our emotions? During our conversation, we’ll explore the science behind visual processing, how color has been effectively used throughout art history, and the ways we witness color in the world around us today.

Produced and Edited by Cate Westbrook, Cameron Pien, & Jack Lee

Art by Anjelina Gonzalez

Citations:

https://www.moma.org/collection/terms/color-field-painting

https://www.thoughtco.com/color-field-painting-art-history-183314

https://www.the-art-world.com/blog/2022/02/28/what-colors-did-van-gogh-use-the-most/

https://psyartjournal.com/article/show/bekker-color_and_emotion_a_psychophysical_analy#:~:text=Van%20Gogh’s%20work%20showed%20a,change%20in%20his%20emotional%20experience.

The post 602: Brushes of Light first appeared on State of the Pod.

Nobody likes being sick. Modern medicine and the discovery of antibiotics has turned lethal illnesses into three day colds. We’ve grown accustomed to this prescription lifestyle, but what if one day our antibiotics no longer work? Overuse of antibiotics has uncovered a dangerous problem: antibiotic resistance. In this episode, we dive deep to uncover why resistance develops, its health and ethical impacts, innovative solutions being pursued, and actions society must take before entering an era where antibiotics no longer work.

Special Guests: Tobias Doerr & Vincent Fischetti

Produced by Isabella Ciocca, Rma Polce, & Matthew Kiewski

Edited by Isabella Ciocca

Art by Anjelina Gonzalez

Citations:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, December 13). National Infection & Death Estimates for Antimicrobial Resistance. https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/national-estimates.html#:~:text=In%20the%20U.S.%2C%20more%20than,resistant%20infections%20occur%20each%20year.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2019 (2019 AR Threats Report). (2019, December). http://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:82532

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, February 10). What’s the big deal about antimicrobial resistance? https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/antibiotic-resistance.html

Antibiotics: Are you misusing them? (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/antibiotics/art-20045720

Quigley, E. M. M. (2013). Gut bacteria in health and disease. Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 9(9), 560–569. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3983973/

Sonnenburg, E. D., & Sonnenburg, J. L. (2014). Starving our microbial self: the deleterious consequences of a diet deficient in microbiota-accessible carbohydrates. Cell metabolism, 20(5), 779–786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2014.07.003

Ríos-Covián, D., Ruas-Madiedo, P., Margolles, A., Gueimonde, M., de Los Reyes-Gavilán, C. G., & Salazar, N. (2016). Intestinal Short Chain Fatty Acids and their Link with Diet and Human Health. Frontiers in microbiology, 7, 185. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2016.00185

Belkaid, Y., & Harrison, O. J. (2017). Homeostatic Immunity and the Microbiota. Immunity, 46(4), 562–576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.immuni.2017.04.008

Danyi Li, Chunhui Gao, Faming Zhang, Ruifu Yang, Canhui Lan, Yonghui Ma, Jun Wang, Seven facts and five initiatives for gut microbiome research, Protein & Cell, Volume 11, Issue 6, June 2020, Pages 391–400, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13238-020-00697-8

Euzebiusz Jamrozik, George S Heriot, Ethics and antibiotic resistance, British Medical Bulletin, Volume 141, Issue 1, March 2022, Pages 4–14, https://doi.org/10.1093/bmb/ldab030

1.Cirz, R. The world needs new antibiotics. The problem is, no one can make them profitably. The Wall Street Journal (2023).

https://www.wsj.com/tech/biotech/antibiotics-drug-development-business-fda-aa5b4f00.

The post 603: Antibiotic Resistance: A Double-Edged Sword first appeared on State of the Pod.

Chances are, we’ve all forgotten about an assignment or to take out the recycling. What happens when our memory becomes shaky when we depend on it most, like if we serve as a witness in a legal courtroom? Our memory miraculously enables us to do everything–from walking, to learning, to reminiscing. But the human brain is naturally just as imperfect and unreliable, even without aging or disease. In this episode, we delve into the basics of how memories form, distinct types of memory, common memory mishaps, and zoom out to their importance in eyewitness testimony and our criminal justice system. 

Produced by Anona Joshi, Gargi Rao, and Sasha Smalls

Edited by Sasha Smalls

Art by Anjelina Gonzalez

Music from Wave Saver @ Epidemic Sound, Creative Commons and Lifestyle by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/ Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Special thanks to the Milstein Program and the Investigative biology lab at Cornell University for our recording equipment and software.

Sources:

The post 604: The Marvelously Muddled World of Remembering first appeared on State of the Pod.

In the intricate labyrinths of the human mind lies a realm as vast and varied as the stars in the night sky.  Imagine a key that could unlock the secrets of why we are the way we are — our quirks, fears, passions, and dreams.  Welcome to the realm of personality psychology, where science meets the soul.  In this episode of State of the Pod, we will unravel the mysteries and venture into the heart of what makes us uniquely human.  Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of personality types!

Produced and edited by Amanda Ng, Amanda Chen, & Diego Valdez

Art by Anjelina Gonzalez

Citations:

https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/22/asia/south-korea-mbti-personality-test-dating-briggs-myers-intl-hnk-dst/index.html

https://www.deseret.com/1990/1/7/18840347/negative-labeling-hurts-self-esteem-and-opportunities-for-personal-growth

https://digitalcommons.bridgewater.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1342&context=honors_projects

https://nypost.com/2022/12/30/major-2023-astrology-predictions-for-the-entire-world/

https://www.indastro.com/2023-horoscope.html

http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/other.html#:~:text=The%20Other%20is%20an%20individual,any%20way

The post 605: Unlocking Minds: The Hidden Dimension of Personality first appeared on State of the Pod.

One problem. Many solutions. Three experts. In this episode, we cover the greatest environmental threat of our time: climate change. We examine New York’s quest to decarbonize, and the rapidly growing field of agrivoltaics.

Produced and edited by Ananda Kalukin and Adam Vinson

Art by Savannah Flores

Music from Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio and Wave Saver @ Epidemic Sound

Special thanks to the Milstein Program and the Investigative Biology lab at Cornell University for our recording equipment and software.

Sources:

https://www.achrnews.com/articles/152636-building-decarbonization-central-to-new-york-states-climate-plan#:~:text=New%20York%20City%20made%20a,%2C%20including%20for%20commercial%20kitchens

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261922017354

https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/solar/what-is-a-solar-battery/

https://regenpower.com/articles/why-arent-we-using-the-deserts-for-solar-power/#:~:text=The%20harsh%20environment%20of%20deserts,on%20any%20solar%20panel%20materials.

https://climate.nasa.gov/

https://www.energysage.com/solar/solar-101/how-many-solar-panels-do-i-need/#:~:text=An%20average%20home%20needs%20between,location%20and%20individual%20panel%20specifications.

The post 513: Solar Energy: New York’s Power Move first appeared on State of the Pod.