Header image by Thomas Tolkien, Creative Commons Although the media narrative of obtrusive and illegal government surveillance has all but disappeared in recent months, replaced with the propaganda drums of Russian interference, steps are still being taken around the globe to normalise systemic surveillance programmes against everyday citizens. This third part in the ongoing series on… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Lifestyle & Society
The 2018 Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival
As one of their long-running media partners, I’m pleased to share details of the 2018 Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival and its full lineup of critically acclaimed films, exclusive premieres, panel discussions and virtual reality installations. The electrifying sixth annual event will feature appearances by show business heavyweights Armand Assante, Charles Baker, Vincent Pastore, Tom Sizemore, Melvin Van… Continue Reading
Anything for the Views? Subservience to Algorithms and the Corrosion of Culture
Header image by Kyle McDonald, Creative Commons With billions of views per day and hundreds of hours of video uploaded every minute, independent, searchable and algorithmically personalised video content is the king of modern media. Traditional television channels are becoming irrelevant, newspaper media is losing steam and cutting the cord is the new normal. This… Continue Reading
It’s Philip K. Dick’s World: Interview with Daniel Abella, Founder of the PKD Sci-Fi Film Festival
Header Image: Tears in the Rain still, Directed by Christopher Grant Harvey. Blade Runner 2049 has arrived, allowing us to once again delve into the mind of Philip K. Dick and the echoes that he left behind in popular culture. During these troubled and duplicitous times, the inherent understanding in his work that reality is… Continue Reading
World War Privacy (Part II: Five Eyes – United Kingdom)
Header image by Thomas Tolkien, Creative Commons As part of an ongoing series on the state of citizen privacy and the erosion of civil liberties, World War Privacy will be exploring current issues in different countries around the world. The purpose behind this series is to give some strands for further research and enquiry as well… Continue Reading
World War Privacy (Part I: Five Eyes – United States)
Header image by Thomas Tolkien, Creative Commons The erosion of civil liberties and our right to a private life has been well-documented over recent years, yet there is no real sign of this war on privacy abating. Privacy has become the enemy of governments, regimes and corporations seeking to increase their power and position in… Continue Reading