Blind Techie Geek Speaks

Kathleen Ann Masciana

This is a technology podcast for the blind or anyone else that might be interested in technology. You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel for all the latest segments coming soon. https://youtube.com/channel/UCOtlYZd4QEiynKHdiRN9Dew Happy listening!

  1. 4d ago

    Moral Knowledge and the Digital Divide

    In this episode of Blind Techie Geek Speaks, host Kathleen Masciana bridges ancient philosophy with contemporary parenting debates about technology. Kathleen guides listeners through a thoughtful exploration of whether true moral knowledge is possible without the metaphysical frameworks of Plato, Augustine, and Aquinas, and what this means for how we make decisions about technology in our families. Kathleen examines Rachelle Farquhar's "iPad-free" parenting experiment alongside perspectives from social psychologists Jonathan Haidt and Jean Twenge. She discusses Twenge's rule from "10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World," which recommends waiting until a child has their driver's license before giving them a smartphone—typically at age sixteen. Kathleen offers a critical perspective on this rule, explaining why such a one-size-fits-all approach is unrealistic for persons with disabilities, particularly those who cannot drive. Drawing from her own experience as a blind online graduate student pursuing her master's degree in philosophy at Holy Apostles College and Seminary, Kathleen shares how she received her first smartphone at fourteen and waited until nineteen to join social media—using a flip phone before that to stay connected with family. She argues that Twenge's book would benefit from modified rules that account for different circumstances, as smartphones often serve as essential tools for independence and access rather than just entertainment. Throughout the episode, Kathleen offers insights on digital literacy, balanced technology use, and how devices can serve as vital instruments for education and connection. Her perspective invites listeners to move beyond rigid thinking and consider more nuanced, inclusive approaches to technology in our lives and the lives of children.

  2. Jul 24

    iOS 27 Recovery Mode: Screens, Self-Control

    In this audio episode of Blind Techie Geek Speaks, Kathleen Masciana explores how children react when screens are taken away, how Aristotle’s idea of akrasia helps explain those reactions, and how a screen-free family vacation connects to bigger questions about technology and self-control.

  3. Jul 16

    iOS 27 Screen Time, Time Allowances, Ask to Browse, and Siri

    In this audio episode of Blind Techie Geek Speaks, host Kathleen Masciana discusses iOS 27, her experience as an Apple developer beta tester, and the ideas of Aquinas, Aristotle, and Oderberg. The episode focuses on Screen Time, Time Allowances, Ask to Browse, Siri, ethics, practical wisdom, and human purpose.

  4. Jul 8

    Can Character Save Generation Z from the Attention Crisis?

    In this episode of Blind Techie Geek Speaks, host Kathleen Masciana explores the clash between Kant's moral philosophy and Aristotle's Virtue Ethics. She examines whether building character is the key to addressing the impact of technology on attention spans. The episode features social psychologist Jonathan Haidt's research on how digital devices affect young people. It discusses his four recommended reforms: delaying smartphone adoption until high school, restricting social media access until age sixteen, implementing phone-free school environments, and increasing opportunities for independent play and real-world responsibility for youth.

  5. Jul 1

    Natural Law in the Digital Age — Toy Story 5, Screens, and the Search for Balance

    In this audio episode of Blind Techie Geek Speaks, host Kathleen Masciana takes on a question that reaches far beyond the philosophy classroom: Is natural law dead in the water, or do we still have both a moral epistemology and a moral ontology to ground it? Kathleen brings this age-old philosophical framework into conversation with one of the most significant films of the 21st century—Toy Story 5, the hottest movie of the summer. Join Kathleen as she explores how this blockbuster is reigniting conversations about screens, childhood, and what it means to be human in an age of tablets and AI. She unpacks the film's portrayal of Lilypad—a frog-shaped tablet that functions like an iPad Air—and examines the existential questions raised when our social lives become mediated through screens. What do we lose when digital connection substitutes for embodied presence? Can technology draw us toward our human telos, or does it pull us away? Drawing from a recent USA Today article, Kathleen shares insights from parents, psychologists, and educators who are grappling with these very questions. She also brings it home with her story—how she went from resisting technology as a child, preferring analog play and face-to-face friendships, to embracing it as an essential tool for her education as a blind graduate student at Holy Apostles College and Seminary. She explains how everything changed when her technology teacher began training her at fourteen, and how she blossomed into a true technologist. From the "iPad kid" phenomenon to the irony of product placement within a film critiquing tech's harms, this episode tackles it all. Kathleen reveals why her favorite Toy Story 5 character is Lily, and what that choice says about how we view technology not as villain but as part of our environment. She reflects on balance, the importance of screen-free weekends, and the choices we face in staying connected to what matters most. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

  6. Jun 28

    Grandpa’s diner in Danbury, Connecticut Review

    I went to grandpa’s diner in Danbury Connecticut for the very first time. The food was good. However, the waiter overcharged us and he did not want to rectify the amount because he did not know how to use the computer. In the end he did reimbursed us because we complained. I would give grandpa’s diner in Danbury, Connecticut, five stars. However, I’m taking one star off because the waiter overcharges. Not to mention, he overcharges, but he argued with the customer.

  7. Jun 27

    Knowledge Beyond Definitions: When Technology Becomes Essential Access - Audio Only

    In this episode of Blind Techie Geek Speaks, host Kathleen Masciana, an online philosophy graduate student at Holy Apostles College and Seminary, explores the Digital Opt-Out movement and LAUSD's strict new screen time policies through the lens of disability access. Kathleen examines how technology bans impact students with disabilities who rely on assistive devices like Braille computers and phones as essential learning tools. She discusses her accommodations, including using a Braille computer to write papers and read textbooks. She uses a phone to access the learning management system and submit assignments. She also uses an analog recording device with no internet to read assignments aloud and submit audio-based work in place of visual materials. Kathleen also tackles the philosophical question of whether knowledge exists beyond definitions and tautologies. This is an audio-only episode. Listen to hear how these accommodations enable access to education and why the conversation about technology in schools must include disability perspectives. To learn more about the trend and the policy, read the articles here. https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/parents-opt-kids-school-laptops-ask-pen-paper-rcna257158 https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-06-23/lausd-strict-school-screen-time-limits

  8. Jun 14

    Wendy’s review

    Wendy’s review

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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

This is a technology podcast for the blind or anyone else that might be interested in technology. You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel for all the latest segments coming soon. https://youtube.com/channel/UCOtlYZd4QEiynKHdiRN9Dew Happy listening!

Information

  • Creator
    Kathleen Ann Masciana
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    315
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Kathleen Ann Masciana
  • Show Website
    Blind Techie Geek Speaks