Deconstruct

First person on Deconstruct to be in the “red chair” is Leigh Angel Christopher, a transwoman with whom I went to university. We talk about her experience growing up, transitioning, we talk about mental health and safety. In the second half of the show we look at being trans through a macrocosmic lens meaning that we look at the big picture of everything, the complex structure, and in the end really gaining a larger understanding on what role our language plays in this discourse. 

This interview was truly a fascination for me, and I am sure it will be for anyone who listens. We get to peer into the life of a transperson and really ask the hard-hitting questions. She was a pleasure to have on the show; Leigh is incredibly thoughtful and insightful, and it was illuminating to hear her opinions and what shapes her worldview. 

In this “On” Series, I will be conducting in-depth research on different institutions, ideas and concepts, and policies — this way we can all gain a better understanding at how they all effect us. 

This week we’re looking at the Death Penalty. The main reason for this episode is discussing the issues surrounding the inherent constitutionality of the death penalty. Further getting into its racial implications, and drawing connections between older American extrajudicial practices and today’s governmental functions. Drawing this parallel is to uncover the true ills in the background of the Death Penalty.

We first hear an interview I did back in October 2019 with Josh Anderson, Host of the Assistive Technology Update podcast. We discussed the tech start-up that I worked for, their philosophy, and the technology. Further, we get into the concept of tech leaving people behind and how that will affect us in the future.

Discussed are the Chinese Social Credit system and the implications their past has on their use of this technology. Some of the topics that are discussed include Chinese history, an enlightening conversation I had with a Chinese woman, and my vote for the most influential video of 2019, which comes from an unlikely competitor. In closing, I will be discussing the implications this whole situation has on the United States.

In this final part of this two-part episode, to be discussed is how bias has been making its way into the algorithms that we already rely on and how it will in the future. Further discussing its implications on artificial intelligence.

In part one, to be discussed is the history surrounding inequality and how it has evolved over the last few decades, then further getting into the influence and impact that large tech firms have played, and will continue to play, in ethnic tensions/conflicts in other regions throughout the world.

The world is a complex, multi-faceted place with even more complex beings who are inhabiting it. Here we will take a deep dive into the most controversial issues in the realms of socio-political discourse, science and technology, arts and culture, and even the sense of self in order to deconstruct the complex. 

Join me every Thursday starting 9 January 2020 for Season 1 of Deconstruct.