The Z-X Spectrum

For this fascinating episode, we are joined by Dr Alex Connock. An academic and entrepreneur in digital video, Alex is Associate Fellow at Oxford University’s Said School of Business, entrepreneur in residence at INSEAD, director at UK5G, UNICEF UK, and The Halle Orchestra.

He is also an Academy full member at BAFTA and Senior Tutor at the National Film and Television School. Alex founded Missile Digital Studios in 2018, after running Endemol Shine North and co-founding Ten Alps (now Zinc Media) with Bob Geldof.

Delving into topics including the impact of tech on broadcast media, and how creativity has always moved with the times, we also explore:

• How has the media industry changed over the last 20 years
• What virtual production is
• The impact of AI on production - and why the human element is still an important factor
• Unreal Engine and the MetaHuman: Are we moving into post-actor/human times? (Hint - no).
• Which media companies are exciting Alex the most at the moment

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Jenny Rice (Associate Professor of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies at the University of Kentucky) to explore what we would call conspiracy theories - so a belief that some covert but influential organization is responsible for an unexplained event. And there are plenty to chose from - Sandy Hook, QAnon, Moon landings, even Covid-19 - to some these are all elaborate hoaxes.  Jenny is an expert in ‘conspiracy narratives’ - which we’ll dig into in the podcast.  

Her book - Awful Archives: Conspiracy Theory, Rhetoric, and Acts of Evidence - looks at these topics, particularly the role evidence - or bad evidence - and how it plays out in the fringes of public discourse—pseudo-science, the paranormal, conspiracy theories about 9/11, the moon landing, UFO sightings, and Obama’s birth record. These are all topics of conspiracy theories that millions across the world really believe in.  

In this episode we explore:  • What is a conspiracy theory, or conspiracy narrative? • Where do they originate from - what’s the earliest record you know of? • Why has here been what appears to be an explosion of conspiracy theories into mainstream society over the past few years? • Why are you so interested in conspiracy narratives? • From COVID-19 deniers and QAnon to Sandy Hook and 911, what are the conditions that have allowed these once fringe ideas to flourish? • Is there any one reason - or is it a perfect storm powered by social media, political unrest and global uncertainty? • What risks do these ideas pose to society? • How can we best navigate a conversation with someone who might believe in conspiracy theories in real-life or online? 

In this specially recorded podcast of The Z-X Spectrum, Brandon and I took to the main stage at Brighton Summit, a one-day event that brought over 400 delegates from across the region together to explore all things business. 

Our guests were Lola Ray from social disruptor Make (Good) Trouble and George Hodgson (no relation) from fashion and mental health brand Maison De Choup, two trailblazers aged under 25. In our panel discussion, we explored how the workplace will change with the emergence of a blended workforce of four generations, all with vastly different experiences and expectations. Lola and George also explained why inevitable change will accommodate Gen Z, not the other way round. 

LINKS:

Brighton Summit: 

In this episode of The Z-X Spectrum, we chat with BBC show Blue Peter presenter, Richie Driss. Having only joined the show this year (2019), we explore how Richie came to have the job of presenting on the world’s longest-running children’s TV show - 60 years and counting - and dive into the role TV has in young people’s lives today.

It’s a challenging media landscape for any broadcaster - both here in UK and globally -  so how is Blue Peter engaging young people and why does this flagship show mean so much to generations of people? 

We also touch on what being a role model means to Richie - and where his passion for content creation and presenting came from in the first place.

Just a note on the quality of the recording: We had a few technical issues with our equipment which meant we had to record directly from the laptop and not mics. But it doesn’t detract from the topics we cover. So hope you enjoy!

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In this episode we chat to Iggy Bassi, CEO of Cervest - a platform that aims to empower smarter decisions and sustain Earth’s natural capital, while democratising science for a climate-smart future.

Iggy sheds light on his powerful vision to use AI, data and intel in real-time in the race against the accelerating climate crisis by creating a resilient, resource-smart supply ecosystem. We also explore the role governments, companies and people have in putting nature first for the future of all. A hugely complex, but urgent topic.

LISTEN. RATE. SHARE. Thank you!

In this episode we’re joined by Calum Chace - a columnist, is an author and speaker on artificial intelligence. 

We cover some big topics in this episode: EU Article 13 Copyright Directive, Intellectual laws, fair use of content, publishers, Facebook, Google, Instagram, Twitter, ISPs, distribution, personal responsibility and education. 

We then move on to Article 11, discussing the role of the traditional press in democracy. How does good investigative journalism thrive in a world where the vast majority of people won’t personally pay for fair and balanced news? It costs money to pay for good journalism, but we need checks and balances on those in power. 

And where does Brexit leave us in all of this?

So many things to get our heads around. 

Fortunately we’re joined by Samatha Oakley, an IP expert from So Law. She sheds some light on the issue… sparking a great discussion. And even if we don’t see eye-to-eye on everything, she educated us no end. Thank you Samantha! 

In this episode we chat with Mark Ash, the hugely interesting and inspiring CEO of Pure360, an email marketing platform based in Brighton, UK. 

About Mark: With 20 years experience in the digital marketing sector, Mark has a rounded understanding of all things digital. He started his career in the hey-day of digital advertising at DoubleClick in 1999, developing his expertise in display advertising, web analytics and email marketing, working with a variety of clients such as P&G, Dell, Nokia and Sainsbury’s amongst many others.

In this episode we explore the following:

- With so many marketing channels available, how email marketing stays relevant to build brand loyalty.

- The changing landscape: in the future all transactions will be conducted from the body of an email. AKA: the email becomes the web browser.

- Democratisation of consumer data.

- How Bitcoin and AI - when used correctly - will bring true validation of 1-2-1 communication.

- Company values: a delicate balance - authenticity, creativity, emotional intelligence and adaptability is key.

- What a company like Pure360 is doing to prepare for Generation Z - from personalisation to on-boarding at the company itself.

- Why curiosity and being open to learn new things is so relevant today’s ‘jigsaw’ workplace: continuous learning.

- Why a progressive, inclusive culture matters in a company, and how, as CEO, Mark ensures he and his colleagues get it right.

- The role of empathy and purpose in work.

 In this episode, we delve further into our recent TEDx Brighton talks, unpicking some of the core themes.

We explore:

-  The ‘escalator ‘of life: how our blockers can become moments of clarity

- Why we need to stop judging others 

- Role of empathy in work... and life

- Why there is no such thing as a self made person

- Understand what it means to be human in an increasingly technological world.

We also segue from Artificial Intelligence into:
 

- How 9/11 was generational watershed moment

- Attention span of Gen Z

- What skills young people will need to navigate an increasingly complex world - including creativity and curiosity

- Why the education matters... but the system needs a radical overhaul

You can check out the full TEDx talks here:

It’s our International Women’s Day 2019 episode! 

In it we talk with the hugely inspirational Caroline Walmsley, CEO and co-founder of Further My Future.

Caroline, Brandon and Lizzie discuss:

• Attitudes towards apprenticeships

• Skills and experience

• Importance of role models - and modelling behaviours - for young women… and young men

• Reflecting on how equality attitudes have changed in the past couple of decades

• The damaging narrative of ‘having it all’ for women

• Why IWD matters and why we can’t be complacent about equality

• Role of men: they are just as important and are part of the solution

• Simple steps we can all do to improve equality for more: the power of conversations, discussions, understanding.

About: Further my Future is an application designed to connect young people to careers information about apprenticeship opportunities and employers to connect with young people seeking apprenticeship opportunities.

 In this episode of The Z-X Spectrum, we consider this BIG question: Do you think 2045 could be one long gap year?

Focus: The podcast covers issues like Universal Basic Income, purpose, education, government and equality.