Monthly Archives: October 2023

Deep-breathing Our Way Around the Cybersphere

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For the full hour we get more tricks than treats from Bryan Cunningham – UCI Law professor, Executive Director of UCI’s Cybersecurity Policy and Research Institute, practicing attorney, and vigorous Twitter Space contributor. Admittedly only an introduction to the pernicious workings of disinformation, misinformation, and even mal-information, the host hopes to resume this discussion, covering the concerning trends post 10/7. Bryan offers listeners a few topics to investigate, including the Mitrokhin archives and Operation Infektion.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Thomas Koppel, “Overture: Train Ride into the Belly of the Beast,” Messe For Et Tilfælde – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Cunningham10-31-23.mp3

Witnessing The Armenian Genocide, Now

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Returning to the show, this time together, are: Dr. Ara Apkarian, UCI Distinguished Professor of Chemistry; and Dr. Kev Abazajian, Professor of Physics & Astronomy and the Director of the Center for Cosmology at UCI. Ara and Kev have a lot on their minds with the geopolitics taking place, from the campus to the Caucasus. They speak truth to power – a tale of two University of California chancellors weighing in on international catastrophes. Then on to the remarkable gesture of the recent visit of former member of the Turkish Parliament, Garo Paylan, whose laps around Southern California this month, included one right here in Irvine. Mr. Paylan, among one the few Armenians elected to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, has been speaking about levers within the grasp of Armenians around the world. This program considers his points as well as his broader audience, amidst the staggering incidences of genocide, globally. Listeners are directed to additional sources for information and action: https://anca.org/ and https://www.armenian-assembly.org/ (nationally); and https://www.instagram.com/uciasa/?hl=en (locally).

Note: the host erred in not including the title emblazoned on the encased partially burned tapers taken from various churches being overtaken in Artsakh in the fall of 2020. The title is “Piece of My Heart.”

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Vahagn Hayrapetyan Trio, “Yes Kez Siretsi,” – live at the Tsitsernakabert.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/ApkarianAbazajian10-24-23.mp3

“Death In a Nutshell” in the Armchair Anthropology Series

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Returning to the show is Roxanne Varzi, UCI anthropology professor, and award winning author, filmmaker, and playwright. She is rolling out a whole new creative enterprise: the Armchair Anthropology Whodunit Series, “Death in a Nutshell,” a murder mystery, is the first book in a series. This genre offers another way for her to examine and interpret anthropologists’ assumptions and roles in the study of humans. Of course there’s more under her microscope.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Demanda E Despejo (Bartosz Weber Remix, feat. Rogério Martins).

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Varzi10-17-23.mp3

On The Presidents’ Watch AND “Quixote Nuevo”

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UCI political science professor Matthew Beckmann returns to talk about the impossible job of the American presidency amidst legislative currents, some of which flow right up to a bluff. Watch next summer for his latest book: “The President’s Day; Every Day Work in an Impossible Job.” In the second segment (approx. minute 37:00) is playwright and director Octavio Solis, with his play now being performed at the South Coast Repertory, “Quixote Nuevo.” The show runs now til Oct 28th at Segerstrom Theater at Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts in Costa Mesa. The Rep is in a celebratory mood; this richly re-told story of a classic is a fitting performance to herald their 60th season.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Las Cafeteras, “If I Was President;” David R Molina-composer and performer, “Rusting Soul I and II.”

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/BeckmannSolis10-10-23.mp3

Crashing Carceral Walls in California

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Returning to the show is UCI Professor Keramet Reiter, Professor with appointments at UCI’s Dept. of Criminology, Law, and Society and UCI’s Law School; and founding director of “Lifted,” a prison education program in the UC system. Her acclaimed writings include her book: 23/7; Pelican Bay Prison and the Rise of Long-Term Solitary Confinement. She brings insight into solitary confinement reform in CA, and the intersection of that with her other projects in the carceral system: the BA degree program in the UC system, & other education programs. Details about this program are available at: https://lifted.uci.edu/. On future programming AAL will resume discussion of the bail reform and how the system affects individuals and communities, as time did not allow this coverage.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; and Jaimie Branch, “theme 001,” FLY or DIE LIVE – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Reiter10-3-23.mp3