talkPOPc's Podcast
talkPOPc or the Philosophers' Ontological Party club, is a public philosophy + socially engaged art practice non-profit founded by Dr. Dena Shottenkirk, who is both a philosopher and an artist. talkPOPc sponsors one-to-one conversations between a participant and a philosopher (who always dons our amazing gold African king hat!) Various philosophers participate and these conversations happen in various places. For example, we go into bars and have one-to-one conversations. Various bars, both dives and fancy. We go to Grand Central Station in New York City. We set up shop on the sidewalk outside of City Hall in Philly. We go into bodegas all over Brooklyn. We sit down next to the deli counter and hold a conversation with someone who has walked in to get a ham sandwich and walked out knowing so much more about their own thoughts. We go into city parks or down dead end streets and set up the talkPOPc's tent. We listen. Here are some of those conversations.
talkPOPc's Podcast
Episode #121 R.P. Peluce talks with participant Miriam about censorship, free expression and cultural appropriation
1:00 R.P. Peluce and Miriam discuss the negative impact of censorship, particularly in the context of online conversations where remarks can be permanent and easily accessible.
2:30 Miriam notes the emergence of cancel culture in the age of YouTube and online permanence. Also, she reflects on the illiberal nature of censorship and the importance of liberal ideals in facilitating open dialogue and the exchange of ideas.
3:30 They talk about the struggle to navigate conversations within their social justice-oriented cohort, where dissenting views are often overpowered.
4:20 They reflect on instances of self-censorship, acknowledging the tendency to refrain from certain questions or topics in specific social contexts as a means of self-protection.
6:30 Miriam reflects on a conversation with a friend who dismissed her experiences living in Africa as cultural appropriation, citing a specific example involving the Masai people in Kenya.
8:20 Peluce ponders how to acknowledge and respect instances of cultural appropriation while still valuing cultural exchange and sharing. They express uncertainty about finding a balance between these concepts and acknowledge the complexity of the issue.