Computer Séance

Computer Seance Podcast

What can popular culture teach us about the technologies that are reshaping our lives? Each week in Computer Séance hosts Justin Ben and Tracie dissect a pop culture artefact that features an intelligent machine and explores how it compares with developments in AI today.  Presented by queer studies expert Dr R Justin Hunt and Social Justice and AI expert Dr Tracie Farrell - both from the UK's Open University’s Knowledge Media Institute. And design expert Dr B Sweeting.  From cult science fiction to blockbuster movies, Computer Séance brings together media criticism, cultural theory, queer perspectives, and technological curiosity. Along the way, we examine virtual worlds, digital identities, automation, surveillance and the changing boundaries between human and machine.   Computer Séance is for listeners who enjoy thinking seriously about popular culture and the technologies that shape contemporary life.  Series 1 out now. Linktree:https://linktr.ee/computerseance

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    She-Ra: Looking for Hope in Queer AI futures

    In this episode of Computer Séance,  Tracie, Justin and Ben travel to Etheria and explore the future of (queer) kinship and (universal) colonialism through the figure of Light Hope, an ancient AI training tool. About She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018-2020) Creator: ND Stevenson; Produced by Dreamworks Animation Television for Netflix Seasons Discussed: Season 1, Session 4Episodes Discussed: S1 E1, 2, 12, 13; S4 E5, 12, 13 This episode focuses solely on specific episodes from the 2018 reboot of She-Ra, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.  Note: Justin incorrectly states She-Ra’s warrior form height as 9 feet. In humanoid form Adora is 5’6” (168cm) and in warrior form She-Ra is 8” (244cm). Justin and Scorpia are the same height (6’7”, 200cm) and aren’t used to bigger ladies than themselves!  References: Watch She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (Netflix) - https://tinyurl.com/3ksthck4Season 1 Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsGMkAWB6lY Season 4 Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juIipTTY1Vo IMDB - https://tinyurl.com/mvwbrhmmWIKI- https://tinyurl.com/4e6xkdmdFandom “She-Ra WIKI” - https://tinyurl.com/5cbzvbxnMore about AI Personalisation - https://tinyurl.com/zw4yujcsFor more information on the After AI Symposia - https://tinyurl.com/32w8xcrbFor more information on Dr Alexa Joubin’s work - https://tinyurl.com/3tfcd3ja.For more about Sherry Turkle- https://tinyurl.com/5n8kbyspTracie mentions a paper on LLMs and therapy; the citation: Iftikhar, Z., Xiao, A., Ransom, S., Huang, J., & Suresh, H. (2025, October). How LLM counselors violate ethical standards in mental health practice: A practitioner-informed framework. In Proceedings of the AAAI/ACM Conference on AI, Ethics, and Society (Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 1311-1323). Follow us: https://linktr.ee/computerseance  Computer Séance is funded by a UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship grant. What can popular culture teach us about the technologies that are reshaping our lives? Each week in Computer Séance presenters Justin, Tracie and Ben dissect a pop culture artefact that features an intelligent machine and explores how it compares with developments in AI today.  More About Your Hosts! Dr R Justin Hunt is an artist and academic based in London; his work explores archives of queerness Dr Tracie Farrell a Senior Research Fellow at the Open University, and a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow examining the intersections between social justice and artificial intelligence. Dr Ben Sweeting is a university lecturer who teaches and learns about design. It is produced by Cat McShane. Sound mixing by Dan Bolger and original music by Rosa Brook. Graphic Design by Retno Larasati. Computer Séance is funded by a UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship grant.  All the opinions expressed in the program are the presenters' own and do not reflect the positions of our employers, or UKRI.  Episodes may contain language that some listeners find offensive

  2. Jul 1

    The Prisoner: AI and the Automation of Education

    In this episode of Computer Séance, Tracie, Justin and Ben discuss what happens when AI speeds up learning, with the episode “The General” from 1960s British TV series The Prisoner.  Show Notes: About The Prisoner (1967-1968):Creator & Star: Patrick McGoohan Production: Everyman Films & ITC Entertainment Seasons Discussed: Season 1Episodes Discussed: S1 E1, S1 E6 References: Watch The Prisoner (Amazon, ITV, YouTube)Transcript of The General: The Prisoner Transcripts Episode 6: The General IMDB WIKIBrian J. Robb - The Prisoner Episode by EpisodePop Apostle - The Prisoner Episode StudiesChris Gregory - The Prisoner Episode by Episode More on the Open University Exhibition: The OU Story - Open University Digital Archive What can popular culture teach us about the technologies that are reshaping our lives? Each week in Computer Séance presenters Justin, Tracie and Ben dissect a pop culture artefact that features an intelligent machine and explores how it compares with developments in AI today.  More About Your Hosts! Dr R Justin Hunt is an artist and academic based in London; his work explores archives of queerness Dr Tracie Farrell a Senior Research Fellow at the Open University, and a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow examining the intersections between social justice and artificial intelligence. Dr Ben Sweeting is a university lecturer who teaches and learns about design. It is produced by Cat McShane. Sound mixing by Dan Bolger and original music by Rosa Brook. Graphic Design by Retno Larasati. Computer Séance is funded by a UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship grant.  All the opinions expressed in the program are the presenters' own and do not reflect the positions of our employers, or UKRI.  Episodes may contain language that some listeners find offensive

  3. Jun 24

    Episode 0: Welcome to Computer Séance

    In this episode we introduce you to each of us - Tracie, Ben, Justin, and Cat - and discuss why we decided to add another podcast into the audio ether. You’ll hear a bit about our work outside the podcast and how we aim to think with you, a community of listeners who might want to explore AI and popular culture.  Take a seat at the table, and let the discussion begin! https://linktr.ee/computerseance What can popular culture teach us about the technologies that are reshaping our lives? Each week in Computer Séance presenters Justin, Tracie and Ben dissect a pop culture artefact that features an intelligent machine and explores how it compares with developments in AI today.  More About Your Hosts! Dr R Justin Hunt is an artist and academic based in London; his work explores archives of queerness Dr Tracie Farrell a Senior Research Fellow at the Open University, and a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow examining the intersections between social justice and artificial intelligence. Dr Ben Sweeting is a university lecturer who teaches and learns about design. It is produced by Cat McShane. Sound mixing by Dan Bolger and original music by Rosa Brook. Graphic Design by Retno Larasati. Computer Séance is funded by a UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship grant.  All the opinions expressed in the program are the presenters' own and do not reflect the positions of our employers, or UKRI.  Episodes may contain language that some listeners find offensive

  4. Jun 24

    Cherry 2000: Is Romance Dead in the Age of AI?

    In this episode of Computer Séance, Tracie, Justin and Ben talk about the future of human relationships and the thrill of reality, as portrayed in the 1987 film, Cherry 2000.  Director: Steve de Jarnatt Writers: Lloyd Fonvielle and Michael Almereyda SOURCES: Watch Cherry 2000 (Amazon)Cherry 2000 (1987) Original TrailerWIKIIMDBRotten Tomatoes What can popular culture teach us about the technologies that are reshaping our lives? Each week in Computer Séance presenters Justin, Tracie and Ben dissect a pop culture artefact that features an intelligent machine and explores how it compares with developments in AI today.  More About Your Hosts! Dr R Justin Hunt is an artist and academic based in London; his work explores archives of queerness Dr Tracie Farrell a Senior Research Fellow at the Open University, and a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow examining the intersections between social justice and artificial intelligence. Dr Ben Sweeting is a university lecturer who teaches and learns about design. It is produced by Cat McShane. Sound mixing by Dan Bolger and original music by Rosa Brook. Graphic Design by Retno Larasati. Computer Séance is funded by a UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship grant.  All the opinions expressed in the program are the presenters' own and do not reflect the positions of our employers, or UKRI.  Episodes may contain language that some listeners find offensive

  • 4 Episodes

About

What can popular culture teach us about the technologies that are reshaping our lives? Each week in Computer Séance hosts Justin Ben and Tracie dissect a pop culture artefact that features an intelligent machine and explores how it compares with developments in AI today.  Presented by queer studies expert Dr R Justin Hunt and Social Justice and AI expert Dr Tracie Farrell - both from the UK's Open University’s Knowledge Media Institute. And design expert Dr B Sweeting.  From cult science fiction to blockbuster movies, Computer Séance brings together media criticism, cultural theory, queer perspectives, and technological curiosity. Along the way, we examine virtual worlds, digital identities, automation, surveillance and the changing boundaries between human and machine.   Computer Séance is for listeners who enjoy thinking seriously about popular culture and the technologies that shape contemporary life.  Series 1 out now. Linktree:https://linktr.ee/computerseance

Information

  • Creator
    Computer Seance Podcast
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Computer Seance Podcast
  • Show Website
    Computer Séance