talkPOPc's Podcast
talkPOPc (Philosophers' Ontological Party club), is public philosophy + cognitively-engaged art nonprofit founded by Dr. Dena Shottenkirk, who is both a philosopher and an artist. As a topic-based project (we are now on our fourth) talkPOPc sponsors one-to-one conversations between a participant and a philosopher (who always dons our amazing gold African king hat, along with our mascot Puppet!) These conversations are consensus-building conversations and feed back into Shottenkirk's related artworks and published philosophy. The conversations become collaborative acts of making both philosophy and art. Thus, each topic - #1. nominalism, #2. censorship, #3. art as cognition, and #4 power - has three "pillars" the associated artworks, the published philosophy book, and podcast conversations. Various philosophers participate (see our website talkpopc.org for the list of philosophers) and these conversations happen in various places. For example, we go into bars and have one-to-one conversations. 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 the MDC prison in Brooklyn and have conversations. We set up in galleries where the artworks and the philosophy are also displayed. And we listen. Here are some of those conversations.
Change happens when people talk.
talkPOPc's Podcast
Episode #127 R.P. Alex Mendez talks with talkPOPc participant Noah about censorship, free speech and cancel culture
1:00 The conversation begins with a focus on free speech and censorship, prompting them to share their thoughts on whether these concepts are prevalent in society.
5:00 They discuss the potential social consequences of expressing differing political views, particularly in the context of the 2016 presidential election.
8:00 They discuss the concept of echo chambers in politics and social media, where individuals tend to surround themselves with like-minded individuals, reinforcing their own beliefs and ignoring opposing viewpoints.
12:00 They explore the multifaceted nature of the conversation surrounding free speech, suggesting that it extends beyond just legal and moral rights to encompass social dynamics as well.
14:00 They discuss how differing opinions, regardless of political affiliation, can lead to further division among people, and how this can inhibit open communication of ideas.
16:00 They raise questions about whether our conception of free speech should adapt to different social contexts, noting that discussions about free speech often yield varied conclusions depending on the specific examples and social contexts considered.
20:00 They discuss the limitations of the Socratic method in addressing the persistence of falsehoods and misconceptions over time. Alex suggests that societal beliefs may evolve through ongoing discourse and debate, leading to collective agreement on certain truths over time.
24:00 They discuss the consequences of censorship -- the phenomenon of cancel culture, noting its evolution from holding individuals accountable to resembling the Salem witch trials, where minor actions could lead to a disproportionate backlash on social media.
28:00 They explore the peculiar phenomenon of cancel culture, highlighting its dual nature. Alex questions the ethical implications of cancel culture and reflects on its damaging effects despite its origins in free speech.
30:00 They discuss the concept of cancel culture as a form of social censorship rather than a legal one. Alex argues that cancel culture often denies individuals the opportunity to defend themselves or redeem their actions, thus hindering their ability to speak freely and engage in meaningful dialogue.