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House of DissentUncovering the Banality of Evil: Israel's Conduct Towards Palestinians Since 1948Welcome to episode 14 of the House of Dissent podcast. In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the controversial subject of Israel's actions towards Palestinians through the lens of Hannah Arendt's concept of the "banality of evil." By examining historical and contemporary events, the episode seeks to illuminate the ongoing conflict that has persisted since 1948 and addresses how mainstream media often fails to contextualize these issues within a broader historical framework.
We honour the bravery of Francesca Albanese and organizations such as the Hind Rajab Foundation, while discussing the implications of extremist ideologies on current Israeli politics. The...2025-07-2529 minHouse of DissentEpisode Thirteen: Frank Zappa Unplugged: Media Manipulation and the Fight for Free SpeechWelcome to episode 13 of the House of Dissent podcast, where we delve into the profound thoughts of American musician and composer Frank Zappa. In this episode, we explore Zappa's critiques of media manipulation, censorship, and democracy. Known for his unique position as both a cultural critic and musician, Zappa fiercely opposed societal norms, challenging the powers that sought to limit artistic freedom and individual rights.
From his disdain for US television's role in media manipulation to his controversial takes on taxation and corporate influence, Zappa's libertarian leaning beliefs coupled with his critiques create a rich tapestry of...2025-07-0923 minHouse of DissentEpisode Twelve: bell hooks: Intersectionality, Media Criticism, and the Transformative Power of LoveWelcome to episode 12 of the House of Dissent podcast. In this episode, we delve into the influential cultural and media criticism of bell hooks, as explored in Chapter 13 of Radical Mass Media Criticism, a Cultural Genealogy by Cynthia Carter.
We uncover how bell hooks, originally Gloria Jean Watkins, used her writings to challenge dominant media narratives and highlight the intersecting influences of race, gender, and class within a capitalist society. Her criticism extends beyond academia, advocating for the integration of theory and practice as means of activism and societal transformation.
Furthermore, we explore bell hooks...2025-06-2533 minHouse of DissentEpisode Eleven: Unveiling Popular Culture: Barbero and Canclini's Rebel PerspectivesIn this episode of the House of Dissent podcast, we dive into the compelling works of two pivotal Latin American scholars: Jesús Martín Barbero and Néstor García Canclini. Their contributions, as discussed in Chapter 12 of Radical Mass Media Criticism, a Cultural Genealogy, challenge traditional notions of media influence on society.
This episode explores Barbero’s unique theories, such as the role of the people in shaping media narratives, and his rejection of traditional Marxist media critiques. We also examine García Canclini’s concept of hybridity, which highlights the intercultural fusion within Latin American...2025-06-0932 minHouse of DissentEpisode Ten: The Radical Marshall McLuhanWelcome to Episode 10 of the House of Dissent podcast, where we delve into the pioneering work of Canadian intellectual Marshall McLuhan, as chronicled in Joost van Loon's chapter "McLuhan and his Influences" from Radical Mass Media Criticism. We explore McLuhan's radical perspective on media not just as a means of representation but as a dominant technology reshaping human relations and environments.
McLuhan was a vanguard of media ecology, challenging established notions with his aphorism "The medium is the message." His thinking deviated from political-economic theories, offering a vitalist approach that appreciated the diversity of human motivations.
2025-05-2925 minHouse of DissentEpisode Nine: Harold Innis and Canadian Media Communications TheoryIn Episode 9 of the House of Dissent podcast, we delve into the captivating chapter 'Canadian Critical Communication' by Robert E. Babe and James P. Winter. This exploration uncovers the often-overlooked contributions of Harold Adams Innis to the field of scholarly media criticism in Canada. His pioneering work on the influence of communication on societies offers a profound perspective on the organization of civilizations and media bias.
We explore Innis' examination of 'monopolies of knowledge' and how shifts in communication media, from stone to papyrus, transformed power dynamics in ancient and modern societies. The conversation extends to the...2025-05-1526 minHouse of DissentEpisode Eight: Unmasking Disney: Armand Mattelart's Cultural CritiqueIn Episode 8 of the House of Dissent podcast, we delve into the world of radical mass media criticism, spotlighting the impactful contributions of Belgian sociologist Armand Mattelart. With insights drawn from Sander Miller's chapter "Armand Mattelart Historicism and Mass Media," this episode uncovers the deep-seated ideologies embedded in popular media. Discover how Mattelart, alongside Ariel Dorfman, critiqued Disney's iconic character as an instrument of cultural imperialism.
Mattelart's journey from a brief stint as a secular monk to becoming a pivotal figure in media criticism is explored, alongside his critical observations on how communication systems support capitalist structures...2025-04-3032 minHouse of DissentEpisode Seven: Unveiling Media Bias: The Radical Work of the Glasgow Media GroupWelcome to episode 7 of the House of Dissent podcast, where we delve into the impactful research of the Glasgow Media Group, a cornerstone in UK media criticism. We explore how this group challenged traditional media narratives from dissecting the Falklands War coverage to scrutinizing the portrayal of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, their work remains pivotal.
This episode also sheds light on the influence of Robert Merton, an American sociologist whose work on propaganda during World War II unexpectedly intersects with the radical media criticism of the Glasgow Media Group. His methodologies in content and response analysis have paved...2025-04-2331 minHouse of DissentEpisode Six: Habermas and the Public SphereWelcome to Episode 6 of the House of Dissent podcast. This episode delves into Jürgen Habermas' influential theory of the public sphere and its intersection with radical mass media criticism. We explore the evolution of public discourse from coffee houses in the 17th century to the digital age, questioning whether the internet offers a platform for liberation and dissent or simply echoes mainstream narratives. By reflecting on historical and contemporary examples, this episode challenges the power dynamics within media and highlights the courage required to use one's understanding freely. Join the conversation as we critically examine the potential for c...2025-04-1729 minHouse of DissentEpisode Five: The Frankfurt School and Cultural CritiqueIn this episode of the House of Dissent podcast, we delve into the significant contributions of Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer from the Frankfurt School to the field of mass media communication research. We explore the misunderstood origins of media criticism, revealing how writers predating the Frankfurt School like Soren Kierkegaard, Karl Kraus, and Upton Sinclair contributed to early radical mass media criticism.
The episode further dissects the critiques levied by Adorno and Horkheimer in their famous work, The Dialectics of Enlightenment, which challenged the Enlightenment era’s promise of rational liberation and its unexpected role in th...2025-04-1130 minHouse of DissentEpisode Four: Unveiling the Press: Karl Marx to Ferdinand Tönnies' Radical CritiquesIn this episode of the House of Dissent podcast, we delve into Chapter Three written by Slavko Splichal of Radical Mass Media Criticism: A Cultural Genealogy, as we explore the profound critiques of the press by influential thinkers like Karl Marx, Karl Bücher, and Ferdinand Tönnies. Our guest, David, a renowned academic, guides us through the historical journey of these 19th-century German intellectuals, revealing their impact on the development of mass media and its commercialization. From Marx's early journalistic endeavors to Bücher's pioneering of journalism as an academic discipline, this episode uncovers the intertwined narratives of med...2025-03-3125 minHouse of DissentEpisode Three: Karl Kraus: The Torchbearer of Radical Mass Media CriticismIn this episode of House of Dissent, explore the remarkable contributions of Austrian writer and satirist Karl Kraus to the genealogy of Radical Mass Media Criticism. Kraus, known for his journal, Die Fackel (The Torch), fiercely attacked the press for its complicity with capitalism, and its role in corrupting language and truth. Delve into Kraus' critiques of journalism, his opposition to World War I, and his enduring relevance in today's media landscape. Discover how his satirical approach and sharp wit exposed the ties between mass media and societal inhumanities of his time.
2025-03-2727 minHouse of DissentEpisode Two: Exploring Radicalism: A Cultural Genealogy of IdeasWelcome to the second episode of the House of Dissent podcast, where we delve into the essence of radical thought and its intersection with media. This episode explores the concept of radicalism and the significance of a cultural genealogy of ideas. The discussion traces the historical evolution of radical mass media criticism starting from the mid-19th century, emphasizing the need for a new era of critique in the digital age.
We address common misconceptions about the term 'radical,' challenging its association with extremism. The episode also examines the influence of notable thinkers like Nietzsche and...2025-03-2632 minHouse of DissentEpisode One: In The BeginningWelcome to the inaugural episode of the podcast, "House of Dissent," where we delve into the realm of media criticism and radical ideas for social change. Our host, David Berry, introduces the concept of "radical mass media criticism," distinguishing it from traditional critiques and exploring its deep historical roots. He recounts his collaboration with John Theobald on the influential book "Radical Mass Media Criticism, A Cultural Genealogy," aiming to trace the lineage of critical media discourse.
David highlights the misunderstandings surrounding media studies, notably the erroneous associations with the Frankfurt School and the hypodermic needle theory. He...2025-03-2624 min