23. Ending on a High
How many things that you enjoy manage to end on a high? In this episode, we explore an example of Australian cultural cringe, a persistent pop-culture icon and someone who quit when the time was...
View Article24. Music as a Time Machine with Special Guest Pete Destry
Now that restrictions on visiting others have been relaxed a bit in New South Wales, Pete joined me on the rumination lounge to discuss the power that music has to transport us to different times and...
View Article25. Stiller the Best with Special Guest Natasha Kandilas Feld
This week, in honour of the late, great Jerry Stiller (aka Frank Costanza in Seinfeld), Natasha and I discuss the best TV show in history, how it brought us together and some of Stiller’s most...
View Article26. Bibliophilia
I explain my early research into the world of niche tech podcasting and discuss an uncontrollable urge that many people experience: the desire to buy more books than can ever actually be read. Notes...
View Article27. Stillness
This week, I discuss the true purpose of technology education, according to Postman—somehow weaving my favourite sci-fi series into it—then conclude by ruminating on what it means to be still. Notes...
View Article28. A Potted Computing History with Special Ordinary Guest Andrew Canion
These days, most people take their devices for granted. As an antidote to this, I speak with fellow Microblogger and tech hobbyist, Andrew Canion. We share our early memories of computing, our current...
View Article29. Mass versus Niche
Niche communities, identities and communication channels—they are a sign of the great diversity of interests, views and cultural groups in our society… but they can also be a sign of fragmentation. In...
View Article30. The Martin Feld Retail Photo Collection
This week, I reflect briefly on the history of radio, discuss the need for more international content in TV streaming and share the story of a bizarre photo album that went from digital to print....
View Article31. WWDC and the Reality Distortion Field
Every year, on a particular day in June, I get up at 3:00 am in Australia to watch Apple’s WWDC keynote address. This year’s was really impressive and in this episode, I summarise the most exciting...
View Article32. Tackling Sports Betting with Special Guest Dr. Hannah Pitt
Turn on your TV to watch a sporting match in Australia and you’re sure to see advertisements for various betting apps and services. Of particular concern is how these advertisements can affect and are...
View Article33. We Meet at Screens
Television sets have long determined not only where our furniture goes, but also how we interact with others at home. Are things now changing in this physical space to reflect our own individual use...
View Article34. Corporate Identity and the Art of Recapping
This week, I discuss a range of topics: the value of individual reading; what Twitter’s purpose is as a company; how ever-changing corporate names can become confusing; and the function of the TV...
View Article35. Personas and Pets
For this episode, I explore the concept of persona—just how many people make up the person that is you?—and I discuss my own experience of having furry and feathered companions while working from...
View Article36. Mapping Entrepreneurial Narratives with Special Guest David Sharpe
This week, I chat with David Sharpe, who is undertaking PhD research into entrepreneurship in the creative industries in Australia (through the University of Wollongong). He is particularly interested...
View Article37. New Ways
Often we just do the same old thing—going around in circles. When we do find a new way, we don’t always stop to appreciate how it has affected us. In this episode, I discuss some of my own new ways:...
View Article38. Typos and Consoles
I ruminate on the perceived authority of print and consider how we define the word ‘computer’ in 2020. Notes Dithering podcast by Ben Thompson and John Gruber Ellul, J., 1964, The Technological...
View Article39. International Mac Nerds with Special Guests Andrew Canion and Jason Burk
For this episode, I’m joined by friends (and fellow Micro.blog users) Andrew Canion and Jason Burk. We speak about our shared love of digital technology, the pros and cons of product and network...
View Article40. Simplicity with Special Guest Miraz Jordan
This week, fellow Microblogger Miraz Jordan joins me to discuss the value of simplicity in our lives, whether in using plain language, finding ways to be kinder to the planet or even just being...
View Article41. Accidental Urban Archaeology
We tend to think of history as something that exists purely in the past or in photos, however it can return in odd, little ways that can surprise us—even in places that we know well. Notes ‘minimal...
View Article42. Early Adoption with Special Guest Craig Nealon
I’m joined by Craig Nealon to discuss what sparked his long-term interest in technology, the products and apps that have inspired his creative work over the years and the art of predicting whether...
View Article43. Trio and Tenet
In this quick update, I discuss my shared launch of a new podcast, called Hemispheric Views (with friends and fellow microbloggers Andrew and Jason) and reflect on a recent trip to the cinema with...
View Article44. Sydney 2000 Olympic Nostalgia with Special Guest Natasha Kandilas Feld
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Natasha and I reflect on the opening ceremony and how the event was hyped during our respective childhoods. Thank you for your...
View Article45. A Ticking Clock
To celebrate the first anniversary of my Lounge Ruminator podcast, I give a quick update on what I’ve learnt so far, the friends that I’ve made and how I’ve realised that you don’t have to be perfect...
View Article46. Speechless
Following a research rumination, I consider the power of visual media that—due to either technological limitations or intentional creative decisions—omit speech. With two specific examples, I discuss...
View Article47. My German Autoethnography
I’ve long been fascinated by the German language—both for its precision and ridiculously long words—but I’ve never sat down to analyse how I came to enjoy it. Based on recent research into the...
View Article48. Serious Leisure
After reading an article about an author’s difficulty in finding time to skydive—then struggling to fit podcasting into my own weekend—I consider the challenge of maintaining serious leisure alongside...
View Article49. Personal Podcastings on a Borat Moviefilms for Make Appreciation on a...
Borat… some people love the character and others hate it—I’m with the former group. In this episode, I discuss the experience of watching the surprise sequel at home (rather than in a cinema) and tell...
View Article50. Curb and Posting
Prompted by the great TV show Curb Your Enthusiasm, I consider how technology of any given period contributes to the writing and portrayal of comedic situations, which may not be possible or credible...
View Article51. Vegemite
It’s one of the most controversial foods on the planet… but for those who love it (and other similar cultural icons), what does it mean when such a thing is changed or a new variant is thrown into the...
View Article52. Gendered Food
I delve into Rushkoff’s (2016) concept of ‘digital distributism’ and ponder why people feel the need to assign gender to menu options. Links and Show Notes Rushkoff, D., 2016, Throwing Rocks at the...
View Article53. Excess Energy and Urban Eyesores
How can we be more considerate of the energy that we use when we’re online and who really has a say about the changing face of our cities? Links and Show Notes Sy Taffel Website Carbon Calculator by...
View Article54. Lounge Bite: Scaffolding
Introducing a new format… Lounge Bite! Inspired by HVmini instalments on the Hemispheric Views podcast, each occasional Lounge Bite episode is no longer than five minutes and includes only one...
View Article55. Memories and the Trouble with Being Born
In this episode, I discuss a common theme that I enjoy across various media: memory. I explore what it means to have memories, how they differ from (and complement) history and how they have been...
View Article56. Lounge Bite: Milk? Mylk? Malk?
How do naming and branding decisions affect people’s willingness to adopt food substitutes? Links and Show Notes Omnivore Tofu Beyond Meat List of meat substitutes Better Cheddar vegan cheese image...
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57. Running Through a Maze with Natasha Kandilas Feld
Natasha joins me on the lounge for the first episode of 2021! We reflect on our recent visit to one of the most unusual, niche amusement parks in Australia, called Granties Maze, then share memories...
View Article58. Lounge Bite: Earth at Night
I review a stunning documentary series that sheds light (literally) on amazing animal behaviour. Beware of minor spoilers: I have strong opinions to share, even when I only have five minutes. Links...
View Article59. Playing to the Audience with Evan Kerr
My long-time friend Evan joins the podcast to discuss his experience as a pianist and music teacher. He also shares his thoughts on how digital technology has been transforming performance and...
View Article60. Contemplating Telepresence with Jason Burk
Friend and fellow podcasting co-host Jason Burk joins the virtual rumination lounge! We discuss hobbies, the ever-changing world of online work and education and the effects of open offices and...
View Article61. Absolute Joy with Fiona Finley
My long-time friend (and former drama teacher and boss), Fiona Finley, joins the podcast to explain her love of the arts. She elaborates on her own background in theatre, the value of performance for...
View Article62. Three Films with One Idea
I discuss a conceptual shift in my podcasting research, the shock of the (big) HomePod’s discontinuation and finally, three wonderful films that challenge us to think differently. Other Ways to Listen...
View Article63. Information Curation
In this episode, I offer a quick critique on Apple’s power as a ‘vectoralist’ of information, drawing on Kara Swisher’s recent interview of CEO Tim Cook and the work of scholar McKenzie Wark. Other...
View Article64. Lounge Bite: Small-file Aesthetics
We all know about the monetary cost of streaming media, but what does it cost the planet? Other Ways to Listen Apple Podcasts | Castro | Overcast | Pocket Casts | RSS Links and Show Notes Sy Taffel...
View Article65. Becoming an Independent Developer with Vincent Ritter
Vincent shares his personal story of how he became an independent developer, from his earliest use of computers through to creative projects and apps like Gluon for Micro.blog. Other Ways to Listen...
View Article66. An Aca-fan Moment with Anne Korfmacher
Anne is a PhD student who is investigating what she calls ‘fan commentary’ podcasts. She tells the story of how she started listening to them, what appealed to her about undertaking higher research on...
View Article67. Podcasting on Podcasting with Dr. Dario Llinares
I’m joined by Dario to talk about his background in film research (and now audio), along with the art of academic podcasting and why the podcast as a medium has a propensity to talk about itself....
View Article68. On a Country Road with Andrew McLuhan
Andrew is a writer, poet and media educator, as well as the founder of the McLuhan Institute. He also happens to be the descendant of renowned media ecologists Marshall and Eric McLuhan. In this...
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69. Review: Semicolon by Cecelia Watson
In my first podcast episode for 2022, I give a quick review of Cecelia Watson’s book Semicolon: The Past, Present, and Future of a Misunderstood Mark, while sharing some of the key themes that...
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70. Lounge Bite: After Life
If you haven’t watched this show, then you definitely should. Read a transcript of the episode. Image credit: Netflix (2022) Links and Show Notes Ricky Gervais After Life Daily Rumination No. 24: The...
View Article71. Unintended Hiatus
After a long break, the Lounge Ruminator podcast returns! (Thanks for sticking around.) I discuss the ethical review behind my research interview show, Really Specific Stories, and reflect on the...
View Article72. The Lounge Resurrections
I’m back on the audio lounge after an entire year of absolutely nothing, and of course, there are some excuses! Welcome back to Lounge Ruminator… restored, reloaded, rebooted—however you want to put...
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