Hi everyone! The Uncommon Senses Podcast is now collaborating with RainbowBird Chirps, a podcast from the Rainbow Bird Student Society in Hong Kong University of Science and Technology that advocates for diversity and inclusion. In this episode, we will be discussing the topic "on queerbaiting in media", from our favorite fictions and shows, movies, celebrities etc.

Episode hosted by Telia from the Uncommon Senses Podcast, Valarie and Vasudev from RainbowBird, and podcast cover art by Wai L. from Rainbowbird.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:28 What is queerbaiting?

02:30 fictional queerbaiting — Frozen, Fingersmith, Handmaiden, Wicked

10:25 celebrities & queerbaiting — Billie Eilish, Kit Connor, Cavetown, Sam Smith, David Bowie, Katy Perry, Harry Styles, Billy Potter

28:15 artistic work and queerbaiting 

35:15 Marketing & censorships — Herstory 好東西, Xena: Warrior Princess, 甄嬛傳

50:43 the irony of queerbaiting

59:12 Ending

References:

Riley, O. J. (2020). Queerbaiting and Fandom: Teasing Fans through Homoerotic Possibilities ed. by Joseph Brennan (review). The Velvet Light Trap, 86(1), 60–62.

Dennin, K. (2024). “In this life or the next”: “Cancel Your Gays” and the Warrior Nun “Save Our Show” campaign. Popular Communication, 22(3), 165–178. https://doi.org/10.1080/15405702.2024.2414115

Cover, R., & Milne, C. (2023). The “Bury your Gays” trope in contemporary television: Generational shifts in production responses to audience dissent. Journal of Popular Culture, 56(5–6), 810–823. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpcu.13255

Chairetis, S. (2021). Tracing the Ephemeral: ‘Lesbian’ Characters in Greek Television Comedies. View (Utrecht), 10(19), 89-. https://doi.org/10.18146/view.248

Huuki, T., & Kyrölä, K. (2023). “Show yourself”: Indigenous ethics, Sámi cosmologies and decolonial queer pedagogies of Frozen 2. Gender and Education, 35(2), 171–185. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540253.2021.2023112

Llompart, A., & Brugué, L. (2020). The snow queer? Female characterization in walt disney’s frozen. Adaptation : The Journal of Literature on Screen Studies, 13(1), 98–112. https://doi.org/10.1093/adaptation/apz019

Prosperi, C., & Martin, K., (2024). The walt disney company: Responding to “don’t say gay” legislation in Florida. In Sage Business Cases. SAGE Publications, Ltd., https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071931721

Sarah Z. (2023, August 31). I Was Wrong About Queerbaiting [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7djba98-YkQ

Zhao, J. J. (2014). Fandom as a Middle Ground. Media Field Journal, 10.

Aalto, E. (2016). " She's straight, you delusional cunt!": a study on bullying and homophobia in online fandoms (Bachelor's thesis).

Corin, G. (2008). From ‘ambiguously gay duos’ to homosexual superheroes: the implications for media fandom practices (Thesis, Master of Arts (MA)). The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10289/2367

King, J. (2024, March 11). Inside out 2 and what it means to be Queerbaited. TheGamer. https://www.thegamer.com/inside-out-2-queerbaiting-lgbt-trailer-pixar-disney

ABC News. (2017, March 19). Katy Perry opens up about her sexuality, 'I was curious'. https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/katy-perry-opens-sexuality-curious/story?id=46238811#:~:text=The%20%22I%20Kissed%20a%20Girl,these%20bite%2Dsized%20pop%20songs

The Uncommon Senses Podcast is now collaborating with RainbowBird Chirps, a podcast from the Rainbow Bird Student Society in Hong Kong University of Science and Technology that advocates for diversity and inclusion.

Hong Kong young writers, Liana and Kylie were only 14 when they started writing “Stuck in Her Head”. Their Modern YA Novel includes nuanced themes that is highly relevant to many teenagers in Hong Kong, such as mental health, queer relationships, family relationships, parental expectations, struggles between dreams and a stable future etc.

Rainbow Bird has the pleasure of interviewing these two young talented writers, and discussed about their writing process and inclusion of queer themes in HK publishing.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction — a long overdue interview

02:42 Liana & Kylie — Hong Kong teen authors “Stuck in Her Head”

05:12 Book writing process 

09:42 Writing styles

11:58 Publishing as High School Students

18:25 favourite parts & challenges faced

22:37 favourite character to write

27:57 queer research process

32:59 queer representation — aromantic and bisexual

37:59 publishing queer themes

42:12 message to parents

46:40 message to teens & aspiring young writers

Hi everyone! Happy Halloween!

The Uncommon Senses Podcast is now collaborating with RainbowBird Chirps, a podcast from the Rainbow Bird Student Society in Hong Kong University of Science and Technology that advocates for diversity and inclusion. Welcome to our first episode! Hosted by Telia from the Uncommon Senses Podcast, and Joey and Snow from RainbowBird! (And podcast cover art by Wai L. from Rainbowbird!)

In this episode, we will be discussing the topic "Why are Disney Villains so Queer-Coded?", unpacking the multifaceted layers of Disney villains and LGBTQ+ representation in the enchanting world of animated storytelling.

In the realm of modern entertainment, Disney movies have undeniably wielded significant influence, shaping the landscape of children's media worldwide. These tales not only entertain but also serve as mirrors reflecting societal values, norms, and evolving perspectives.

This influence extends to the portrayal of characters, notably the iconic Disney villains, who often embody traits or characteristics aligning with aspects traditionally associated with the LGBTQ+ community. This subtle subtext raises intriguing questions about representation, identity, and the blurred lines between heroism and villainy in Disney's narrative tapestry.

And as we journey through the frames of Disney history, undeniably there has been an increase in the diversity of characters, including the exploration of various cultures and sexualities. 

However, a critical question arises: Are these representations accurate reflections of the LGBTQ+ community? Do they tread the fine line between appropriate depiction and potentially disrespectful stereotypes? Furthermore, could these character nuances serve as a strategic tool wielded by Disney within the realm of capitalism, catering to a diverse audience while navigating commercial imperatives?

Time stamps:

00:00 Welcome to Rainbow Bird Chirps!

01:45 Introduction: Disney Villains & Queer Coding

03:30 Our favourite Disney Villains

09:33 The history of Queer Coding — Hay’s Code

16:37 Classic disney villains, queer stereotypes & the male gaze

24:27 Modern queer disney characters — Frozen & Elsa

35:00 Political correctness of Disney for diversity & inclusion

48:28 Theme song of the episode: it’s a business afterall!

Additional resources:

Queer coding in disney: 

https://www.intomore.com/culture/heres-why-we-need-to-reclaim-queercoding-in-the-lion-king-remake/

https://www.michigandaily.com/arts/b-side/reclaiming-queer-coded-disney-villains/

https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-number-of-gay-animated-villains-will-surprise-you-456/

https://screenrant.com/disney-villains-maleficent-queer-coded-lgbtq-gay/ 

Hays code and queer coding:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hays-Office 

https://rainbowandco.uk/blogs/what-were-saying/the-hays-code-and-queer-coding-villains-in-hollywood-films 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queer_coding#:~:text=4%20References-,History,%2C%20and%20gender%2Dfluid%20ways.

Disney trademarks:

https://laist.com/shows/take-two/disney-pulls-out-of-bid-to-trademark-dia-de-los-muertos 

https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/opinion-analysis/ideas-debate/how-us-firm-trademarked-the-hakuna-matata-phrase-2257496

OVERALL DISNEY VILLAINS

URSULA:

HADES: 

Disney’s Hercules and the false vilification of Hades: https://www.thebristorian.co.uk/the-forum/https/wwwthebristoriancouk/herculesdisneyhades 

5 reasons Hades is the Best Sassy Disney Villain (&5 it’s Yzma):

https://screenrant.com/best-sassy-disney-villain-hades-yzma-comparison/ 

Hi everyone! Welcome to “the uncommon senses” Podcast. In this series, “Sustainable Living Pod”, we collaborate with Sustainable Smart Campus as a Living Lab in HKUST and explore technologies and projects by faculties and students that create a change to sustainability on campus and beyond. I'm your host, Telia. 

An average human spends about ⅓ of their time asleep, yet due to demanding work schedules, high academic pressure and rigorous study schedules, many Hong Kongers and students suffer from sleep deprivation. Recently, there’s the rise of the concept of “ "power naps" to recharge and boost productivity. 

Joining us today is Susu, a research assistant and lab manager, from the SSC project team – Nap Pods. Let’s dive in and see how these nap pods, located in the library and student center,  promote sleep hygiene and improve mental health among students.

00:00 introduction & the nap pod SSC project

03:08 Project phase 1: research on napping & learning

06:37 Sleeping pod survey results

13:14 Nap pod & counselling and wellness center

19:29 Uncommon-sense discoveries 

Hi everyone! Welcome to “the uncommon senses” Podcast. In this series, “Sustainable Living Pod”, we collaborate with Sustainable Smart Campus as a Living Lab in HKUST and explore technologies and projects by faculties and students that create a change to sustainability on campus and beyond. I'm your host, Telia. 

Construction, an essential sector driving economic growth and infrastructure development, unfortunately, comes with a heavy environmental cost. The construction industry is notorious for its significant contribution to pollution, resource depletion, and waste generation. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), it contributes to nearly 39% of global energy-related CO2 emissions. In Hong Kong, the construction sector is estimated to generate over 20 million tons of construction waste annually, making it one of the major waste streams in the city.
Joining us today are Samuel and Zac from the department of civil engineering in HKUST, the co-founders from TerraGreen, which is a startup supported by SSC. Their product, Eco-Brix, is a sustainable construction material produced using wastes. Let’s dive in and see how Eco-bricks was developed, and how it promotes circularity in construction.

00:00 Introduction of eco-bricks  

7:25 Technology behind eco-bricks

12:38 Making of Terra Green Start-up

15:40 Zac and Samuel’s PhD journey 

21:27 Eco-bricks awards: 49th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva

26:41 Delving into the business world as engineers

28:51 Eco-bricks & other sustainable construction materials 

34:43 The Uncommon Senses!

36:38 Ending!! Samuel and Zac reflecting their 10-year Journey in HKUST

Hi everyone! Welcome to “the uncommon senses” Podcast. In this new series, “Sustainable Living Pod”, we collaborate with Sustainable Smart Campus as a Living Lab in HKUST and explore technologies and projects by faculties and students that create a change to sustainability on campus and beyond. I'm your host, Telia. 

The development of Artificial Intelligence has been growing exponentially in the past decade, used in fields such as language translation, music composition, educational assistance and so on. Many appreciated AI for its efficiency, data-driven insights and reduced error. However, some hold concerns for potential job loss, data privacy, lack of human influence, and hidden risks such as uncontrollable AI. Today, we will take a look into how AI is used in the HKUST campus for virtual assistance to support HKUST students and the academic community. 

I had the chance to interview Mr Jeffrey Li, the assistant manager from the HKUST Academic Registry (ARO). Their team has been working on the SSC project, AI Ambassador. 

Make sure to follow sustainable smart campus’s socials on instagram: @ssc_hkust. Many thanks to HKUST Center for Language Education (CLE) for the podcast recording venue!

00:00 Introduction

01:28 background of the AI ambassador

06:30 technology in AI ambassador

12:52 SSC project 2 by ARO: Blockcert

16:05 AI technologies & trends in Education

Hi everyone! Welcome to “the uncommon senses” Podcast. In this new series, “Sustainable Living Pod”, we collaborate with Sustainable Smart Campus as a Living Lab in HKUST and explore technologies and projects by faculties and students that create a change to sustainability on campus and beyond. Agriculture. A topic unfamiliar to many of us urban dwellers in Hong Kong, and yet closely influences our daily lives for the obvious reason: we eat everyday. However, did you know that Global food systems accounted for 31% of human-made greenhouse gas emissions in 2019, according to the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)?  Aside from sustainability, did you know around 78 percent of the world’s poorest people live in rural areas and rely largely on agriculture?

These days, novel and data driven technologies on food production are being explored and developed quickly, with the aim to minimize the carbon footprint contributed by agriculture, explore the possibility of urban farming, alleviate social stress such as farmers’ quality of life, and solve economic problems including poverty in rural areas. 

Joining us today is Prof Zhongming Lu, the assistant professor from the division of environment & sustainability in HKUST. Their project, Aquaponics in HKUST offers a possibility for more efficient agriculture.

Make sure to follow sustainable smart campus’s socials on instagram: @ssc_hkust. Many thanks to HKUST Center for Language Education (CLE) for the podcast recording venue!

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

05:02 Technology of the Aquaponics system

10:20 Urban Agriculture: aquaponics system & commercial implementation 

17:56 Urban Agriculture: sustainability in businesses 

22:17 Urban Agriculture: circularity and education

27:18 Rural Agriculture: how smart technology could be implemented 

39:44 Ending

Hi everyone! Welcome to “the uncommon senses” Podcast. In this new series, “Sustainable Living Pod”, we collaborate with Sustainable Smart Campus as a Living Lab in HKUST and explore technologies and projects by faculties and students that create a change to sustainability on campus and beyond. From the mountains of clothing disposed by people every year, to the piles of food waste and single use containers at landfill; from the million drops of water wasted during shower, to privileged communities unaware of their wasteful behavior, Jockey Club Sustainable Campus Consumer Program (JCSCCP for short) aims to create a change. Joining us today is Charly and Michael from JCSCCP. Their team has launched various initiatives in HKUST, including the AI driven reusable meal container, green campus challenges, clothes swap events and so on. Make sure to follow sustainable smart campus’s socials on instagram: @ssc_hkust, and JCSCCP’s instagram: @jcsccp_hk. Many thanks to HKUST Center for Language Education (CLE) for the podcast recording venue!

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to JCSCCP & initiatives

02:19 Lunchbox Lending Program

13:30 JCSCCP initiatives: Smart showerhead

17:12 JCSCCP initiatives: Carbon Wallet App & HKUST community

23:57 JCSCCP initiatives: Joint-U Clothes Swap

28:27  Sustainability Leadership Program

33:20 Ending

Welcome to the uncommon senses podcast! In this special series: sustainabiliTEA, where we spill the tea on sustainability. We discuss issues that centres around the environment and human development, specifically companies, technologies, policies, and individuals. In this series, we have a special co-host, Ms Lianna! She is currently pursuing a major in sociology and global sustainable development in the university of Warwick.

In the following two episodes, we explore some of the social and economic structures that shape our everyday lives, that are also some of the most fundamental drivers of environmental damage, challenging what we take for granted and turning to our uncommon senses.

Resources:

Patagonia’s billionaire owner give away business to combat climate change: :https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/14/patagonias-billionaire-owner-gives-away-company-to-fight-climate-crisis-yvon-chouinard

Welcome to the uncommon senses podcast! In this special series: sustainabiliTEA, where we spill the tea on sustainability. We discuss issues that centres around the environment and human development, specifically companies, technologies, policies, and individuals. In this series, we have a special co-host, Ms Lianna! She is currently pursuing a major in sociology and global sustainable development in the university of Warwick.

In the following two episodes, we explore some of the social and economic structures that shape our everyday lives, that are also some of the most fundamental drivers of environmental damage, challenging what we take for granted and turning to our uncommon senses.

Resources: