This Week in Dystopia

Latest Episodes:

Black Panther Feb 28, 2018

Show notes

Do we need to say more than Black Panther?

Okay, maybe.

Black Panther, the latest film in the Marvel universe, has been met with such excitement it’s hard to imagine a world (or at least social media) without Wakanda. Released on February 16th, the film has since shattered records. Black Panther is the second-fastest movie to reach $400 million, it had the second-best sophomore weekend ever, and it’s on track to top a billion dollars in box office sales. Though the comic books have existed since 1966, the film seems to really have erupted into a pop culture staple in the past two weeks.

On this episode, Leah Wright Rigueur, Assistant Professor of Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School, joins host Chris Robichaud to discuss Black Panther. From Oakland to Wakanda, T’Challa to Killmonger, comic book to movie, the conversation covers the pros and cons of the film, the hidden easter eggs, and what might happen in a sequel (or prequel!).

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This podcast is brought to you by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Idiocracy LIVE feat. Co-Screenwriter Etan Cohen Feb 13, 2018

Show notes

Idiocracy, an over a decade-old movie, is set in a world where corporations have taken over, the population’s IQ has declined dramatically, and the president is a reality TV star. Now a cult-classic, people on both side of the aisle are starting to wonder did this 2006 comedy predict the future?

Before you go any further, we recommend you watch the film. It’ll make this podcast way more interesting.

Thursday, February 8th, the film’s co-screenwriter Etan Cohen joined Christopher Robichaud in a screening of the movie followed by a live episode of This Week in Dystopia. Tune in to hear Cohen discuss what didn’t make it into the film, the relationship between comedy and reality, and how social media would have changed the story.

Want more This Week in Dystopia? Don't forget to subscribe, follow This Week in Dystopia on Twitter @WeekinDystopia, and like the show on Facebook.

This podcast is brought to you by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Defending Democracy, 2018 & Beyond feat. Robby Mook Feb 07, 2018

Show notes

Political parties and campaigns are a critical part of American democracy. Our parties are complicated, multi-faceted, and at times, downright confounding. To better understand some of the promise and perils of political parties and campaigns, This Week in Dystopia is joined by someone who knows the Democratic party and process of campaigning intimately. Host Chris Robichaud invites former Clinton Campaign Manager Robby Mook, now a fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center and CNN political commentator, to discuss campaign cybersecurity, the generic ballot, the outlook for the 2018 election cycle, and more.

You can find out more about the Defending Digital Democracy project via Harvard's Belfer Center: https://www.belfercenter.org/D3P

Don't forget! The This Week in Dystopia film series is this week, 2/8-2/11 at the Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square. You can find out more and purchase tickets here: http://www.brattlefilm.org/category/calendar-2/repertory-series/this-week-in-dystopia/ Our Thursday night kickoff event will be FREE!
Want more This Week in Dystopia? Don't forget to subscribe, follow This Week in Dystopia on Twitter @WeekinDystopia, and like the show on Facebook.

This podcast is brought to you by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Understanding Immigration & Refugee Rights Jan 31, 2018

Show notes

What rights do immigrants have? Did President Obama open the door for President Trump’s travel ban by instituting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)?
Immigration is a contentious issue, hotly debated on both sides of the aisle. Amidst arguments, in a post-truth era, it’s hard to know what to believe about policy, laws, and immigrants' rights. Sabrineh Ardalan, Assistant Clinical Professor of Law and Assistant Director of the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinic, joins host Christopher Robichaud to help us all better understand the legal underpinnings of immigration.

Don't forget! The This Week in Dystopia film series is 2/8-2/11 at the Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square. You can find out more and purchase tickets here: http://www.brattlefilm.org/category/calendar-2/repertory-series/this-week-in-dystopia/ Our Thursday night kickoff event will be FREE!

Want more This Week in Dystopia? Don't forget to subscribe, follow This Week in Dystopia on Twitter @WeekinDystopia, and like the show on Facebook.

This podcast is brought to you by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Superhero Dystopias Jan 23, 2018

Show notes

Do dystopian societies require a bad good guy? Why do we love superheroes who morals are all shades of grey? Comic fans, this one is for you. Host Chris Robichaud dives into the world of superhero dystopias, focusing on Batman and Watchmen, bringing culture and politics together to help us understand what the bad good guys we love can teach us.

In this episode:

The Brattle Theatre and Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation present a dystopian film series in celebration of the launch of This Week in Dystopia. For this film series This Week in Dystopia host Chris Robichaud and other guests will leave the recording studio to join us for select screenings as we dive into the dreadful, dastardly, and disturbing futures presented in sci-fi films — from the robot-controlled caste system of Metropolis to the prescient satire of Idiocracy to the stirring teenage rebellion of The Hunger Games… and beyond!

For more information and tickets, please visit the Brattle website: http://www.brattlefilm.org/category/calendar-2/repertory-series/this-week-in-dystopia/

Pow! Bang! Kaboom! Power and Responsibility: Doing Philosophy with Superheroes, a SmithsonianX and Harvard Division of Continuing Education course, blends superheroes narratives with the core areas of philosophy.

Check out the course: https://www.edx.org/course/power-responsibility-doing-philosophy-smithsonianx-phil1-1x#.Wl4_ObBRbZ4.facebook

Want more This Week in Dystopia? Don't forget to subscribe, follow This Week in Dystopia on Twitter @WeekinDystopia, and like the show on Facebook.

This podcast is brought to you by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Clinton and the Logic of Misogyny Jan 16, 2018

Show notes

Misogyny is hard to spell but much easier to find in modern politics and society. How do you define misogyny? What’s the difference between misogyny and sexism? What role does misogyny play in modern politics? These are the questions that Kate Manne, assistant professor of philosophy at Cornell, addresses in conversation with host Chris Robichaud. Manne, the author of the recently published book, Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny, helps explain how despite waning gender roles, misogyny is still alive and well. She walks us through examples from Clinton to Julia Gillard, former Prime Minister of Australia; and Oprah.

Want more This Week in Dystopia? Don't forget to subscribe, follow This Week in Dystopia on Twitter @WeekinDystopia, and like the show on Facebook.

This podcast is brought to you by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Sick with Worry Jan 09, 2018

Show notes

Heralded by cries of “repeal and replace” from a party with a legislative majority, it was clear that going into 2017 the Affordable Care Act’s days were numbered. In the final month of the year, Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and with it repealed the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate. In 2018, what’s going to happen to insurance markets in the U.S. without the individual mandate? Will we enter a “death-spiral”? Would a single-payer system actually work? Host Chris Robichaud is joined by healthcare policy expert Emily Schlichting to discuss the future of healthcare.

Want more This Week in Dystopia? Don't forget to subscribe, follow This Week in Dystopia on Twitter @WeekinDystopia, and like the show on Facebook.

This podcast is brought to you by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Harvard Kennedy School.

The War on Christmas Dec 19, 2017

Show notes

Happy Holidays from This Week in Dystopia! ’Tis the season for gifts, holiday cheer, and divisive arguments about the role of religion in America. Host Chris Robichaud invites Lauren Kerby, Ph.D., to join him for a discussion about religious conservatives, Christmas, and coffee cups.

Want more This Week in Dystopia? Don't forget to subscribe, follow This Week in Dystopia on Twitter @WeekinDystopia, and like the show on Facebook.

This podcast is brought to you by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Can Our Democracy Be Bot? Dec 12, 2017

Show notes

It’s been over a year since the 2016 election. Campaigning has concluded, ballots have been cast, and the results are in. Despite this finality, the year’s events and subsequent questions still linger in the minds of many. One of these people is Donna Brazile, Harvard Shorenstein fellow & former Democratic National Committee (DNC) interim chair. In episode nine of This Week in Dystopia, Brazile sits down with host Christopher Robichaud to discuss her experience during the 2016 presidential election cycle. Brazile covers how she uncovered an unethical financial relationship between the Clinton campaign and the DNC. She then dives into what it was like dealing with attacks and hacks, focusing on our need for better cyber hygiene and literacy.

Want more This Week in Dystopia? Don't forget to subscribe, follow This Week in Dystopia on Twitter @WeekinDystopia, and like the show on Facebook.

This podcast is brought to you by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Harvard Kennedy School.

The Story of a Former White Nationalist Nov 21, 2017

Show notes

Recent events have engendered a multitude of questions about the white nationalist movement. What draws people to the movement? Have social networks provided an opportunity to increase membership? Can we change people’s minds with civil discourse? Is civil discourse possible? Host Chris Robichaud welcomes R. Derek Black, a former white nationalist activist, to share his unique story and perspective.

Watch Black speak at Harvard Kennedy School in the JFK Jr. Forum via the Harvard Institute of Politics website: http://iop.harvard.edu/forum/im-not-racist-examining-white-nationalist-efforts-normalize-hate

Want more This Week in Dystopia? Don't forget to subscribe, follow This Week in Dystopia on Twitter @WeekinDystopia, and like the show on Facebook.

This podcast is brought to you by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Harvard Kennedy School.