University of California Video Podcasts (Video)

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" [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" [Show ID: 35016]

With the 2020 general elections looming, the nominee for the Democratic Party undetermined, and a defiant and volatile president at the helm, the impeachment inquiry is sure to heat up in the weeks ahead. At stake in this topsy-turvy political theater are our democratic institutions, which may be forever altered. This UC Berkeley's Social Science Matrix event features two prominent scholars: Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of Berkeley Law, and Robert Reich, Carmel P. Friesen Professor of Public Policy, Goldman School of Public Policy, UC Berkeley. Series: "UC Public Policy Channel" [Show ID: 35379]

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" [Show ID: 35248]

What defines consciousness? Can it develop in a petri dish? Patricia Churchland reviews the current state of brain organoid research and shares her views on how conciseness and physical structures within the brain intersect. She also cautions the media on the tendency to "over hype" new research advances. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Show ID: 35247]

San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan discusses her work to stop human trafficking. Series: "Global Empowerment Summit" [Show ID: 35330]

Experts weigh in on a number of key issues ahead of the 2020 election including: democratic engagement, voter participation, gerrymandering, voter suppression, and the push to change the Electoral College.

Series: "UC Public Policy Channel" [Show ID: 35336]

Ram Seshadri argues that energy efficiency can be as important to our future as renewable energy. LED lights are extremely efficient. In this talk he explores how white light emission from an LED lamp works and how researchers think about materials to understand their uses. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Show ID: 35268]

Tying together the Infinity War saga, crafting emotionally satisfying sendoffs to beloved superheroes and dispatching supervillain Thanos all arise as topics in this conversation about Avengers: Endgame (2019) between screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely and Pollock Theater director Matt Ryan. McFeely and Markus also discuss their extensive contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe including previous work on Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Captain America: Civil War (2016), and Captain America: Winter Soldier (2014). Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Show ID: 35325]

Metals are vital to life functions. We have iron zinc and copper in us – but in the ocean is different. We know that organism evolve against the chemical constraints of their environments and Allison Butler looks at what kind of metalloenzymes are present in marine organisms.

Series: "Women in Science" [Show ID: 35266]