Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Night School

The arts might seem like the least important thing on our minds during the current pandemic. Jo Kukathas joins us this week to argue against this assumption, assuring us that it is ok to feel lost, so that we can discover our collective responsibility creatively.

You can read the article that was mentioned in the podcast here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we are joined by anthropology major and gamelan ensemble director, Adam Farhan to explore what can we learn from the music of gamelan about limits and possibilities in the adaptive power of tradition.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is it about the photographic image that makes it so magical? Photo-historian Azril Ismail joins us this week to discuss the wonder that is photography.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We get a primer on the world of insects today via our resident entomologist, Law Yao Hua. What makes them fascinating? How do they stand out from others in the animal kingdom? What makes their evolutionary trajectory so dynamic?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We reflect on pottery, sculpture and ceramics today to discuss the tactility of the creative process. Joining us to do that is Albert Setyawan, artist and scholar in the making, who shares his thoughts and experience on how and where the cultural, material symbolic and spiritual come together in the good use of hands and earth.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Umapagan Ampikaipakan joins us to share his joys and frustrations upon years of exploring and promoting local pop culture. We reflect on the tensions between being supportive and critical, open yet uncompromising. How do we creatively discourse around the uniqueness of local tastes while keeping in mind the broader questions of 'standards' that we, whether unrealizingly or not, still expect when we spend our money to enjoy a Malaysian movie, song or book?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean to do history against the grain? We explore this question with Ahmat Adam, who shares his thoughts on the critical and social power of rediscovering our past. Among other things, we also reflect on the challenges of questioning and rethinking establishment narratives and heroes.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farouk Yahya joins us again to discuss his field of research more broadly. What does it mean to research the Islamic arts in Malaysia? What distinguishes the Malay world from other Islamic contexts in this regard? Tune in for another exciting discussion.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maoists remain a formidable threat to the Indian state. Why? How did they become appealing to the indigenous and the rural poor? In this episode, we talk once again to historian and political scientist Bidyut Chakrabarty to get a fuller, more objective account of this enigmatic and violent political movement.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have a chat with Chuah Guat Eng to gather her thoughts on Malaysian literature in English. What makes it Malaysian? What future does it have? What insights might it give for our sense of history and identity? Join us again for an enlightening conversation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farouk Yahya's talk on Malay Magic attracted a full house audience at Ilham gallery. We join him for a one-on-one conversation on the topic and his experience delving into the archives of classical Malay manuscripts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marx is an icon this show is rather fond of but rarely did we ever break down the basics of his political agenda. We will do just that today with the help of Yuva Balan, our resident Trotskyist. What do communists want? What is the role of the state? And what place does revolutionary violence have in a neo-liberal era? We set the the record straight in another exciting intellectual exchange.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to be a non meat-eating Malay? Has Malay cuisine always been meat-heavy? Are its culinary practices sustainable? We consider these questions and more with Diyana Rahim of Malaysian Vegan. She shares the lessons and thoughts from her transformative journey to veganism.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

R.AGE has come of age and gone digital. Ian Yee joins us from behind the editor’s desk, to reflect on the principles of journalism he holds dearly to. He also shares with us what it takes to build a team of woke investigative journalists of the 21st century.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Knowledge moves and evolves in interaction embedded in context. How do we make the most of this, given Malaysia's unique student demographic? Elaine Frances Fernandez offers her take on the matter.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We delve into the basics of Jungian psychotherapy with Dr. Diana-Lea Baranovich Shoup. What does this spiritual mystical approach to the human psyche offer for a better understanding of the human person?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We get to the heart of the matter; the matter of Marxist materialism, that is. Yuva Balan of Sosialis Alternatif joins us to offer a primer on the fundamentals of Marxist philosophy via the intellectual contributions of Friedrich Engels, a dear friend and collaborator of Karl Marx. We also reflect on his relevance and what it means for politics today, in light of Corbyn’s victory and the broader, global rejection of austerity.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mindfulness is all the rage these days. This episode puts the science and the practice of it in a dialogue to see where modern uses of this ancient form of philosophy and meditation converge and diverge. Sandy Clarke and Eugene Tee lead the way.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We talk to Psychoanalysis India about its work and goals as a network and platform for the exploration of psychoanalytic discourse and the potentials of challenges of psychoanalytic practice in the country.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India, in addition to being the world's biggest democracy, also has one of the most vibrant and diverse Communist movements in the world. Professor Bidyut Chakrabarty, political scientists at the University of Delhi, joins the show to offer us a better understanding of it.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anyone who follows the show can tell we're quite fond of the word "existential". This week, we explore how it connects to psychotherapy. Evone Phoo of HELP University and Lighthouse Psychological Well Being Center leads the way.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a billion Ringgit port development casts a shadow on coastal Selangor, images of a Mah Meri ceremony emerged into the lime-light. The life worlds of this tiny community, part of the larger Orang Asli category of communities numbering around 160,000 citizens, often goes unnoticed. Today we speak about the challenges facing these many communities, considering the triple pulls of modernization, urbanisation and globalisation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We mark the centenary of "Mourning and Melancholia", a highly problematic, yet persuasive and thus influential text by Sigmund Freud. We reflect on the relevance of its key insights for a healthy emotional life in late capitalism.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We welcome Sandy Chang, a historian from UT Austin to discuss her research on the forgotten history of Chinese women migrants to the Straits Settlements. We reflect on the challenges of archival analysis and the recovery of forgotten histories. How might an inclusive account of migration offer a more critical understanding of Malaysia and the roots of Chinese identity in the region? Tune in to find out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Museums and galleries today are offering new ways of engaging with their exhibitions and collections, catering tailor-made programmes to different age groups. Rahel Joseph, director of Ilham Gallery, comes on the show to share with us why education is a priority for the privately funded public art institution she heads.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Slezak, an activist for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction Movement, joins the show to give us an overview of the campaign's history, successes and challenges.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We welcome legendary socialist scholar, activist and politician, Dr. Rohana Ariffin to the show to discuss her latest book. "Wanita Rentasi Perjuangan" offers an accessible introduction to feminism for a young Malaysian audience, with localised examples and references. We reflect on the state of women's rights in Malaysia, and where the challenges and promises might be.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our increasing preoccupation with security raises a key question: what place might vulnerability have in a world where identity is thought of in ideals and rhetoric of danger and protection? What place might joy, lightness and intimacy have where threats are seen everywhere? We also welcome Sharaad back after his hiatus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagined Malaysia is a youth-driven initiative to promote critical historical discourse to the Malaysian public. In this episode, we welcome the team behind it to explore the challenges of promoting greater awareness of history in Malaysia and how specialist research discourse can be made more accessible to a non-academic public.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ibn Khaldun remains one of the most influential thinkers who has ever lived. In this episode, special guest Associate Professor Syed Farid Alatas offers us an overview of Ibn Khaldun's key ideas and legacy, and how we might be able to engage with his body of work for a renewed appreciation of the social sciences.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Faiz Abdullah offers us a more critical understanding of the Shariah's philosophy and worldview. What are some of its most common misconceptions? How do we approach it with a more open and inclusive lens? What can it offer to correct the blind spots and weaknesses of Western law?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We welcome Carl Belle, a noted scholar of the Malaysian Indian diaspora, to the show to hear his journey of spiritual transformation and social scientific enlightenment. He recounts his earliest days in Malaysia in the 1970s, and his profound encounter with Hinduism, which began his life-long love affair with the country.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we welcome Tim Rackett to the show to discuss the legacy of Loius Althusser, one of France's most canonical philosophers. We locate his significance in the milieu of 1970s radicalism, as well as his subsequent impact in cultural studies and post-structuralist thought.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We welcome Yap Sau Bin and Au Sow Yee, two of the key people behind “Escape From The SEA” to Night School! We ponder how to envision borders and identities in an increasingly contested region with a complex history as Southeast Asia, and the unique intervention art brings to the discourse.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We welcome musician, author and lawyer Saidah Rastam to the show. She shares her thoughts on the intersections of music and politics through her work on the history of Negaraku and the rich legacy of our arts. We also reflect on the importance of popular culture as an alternative lens into our past and the promise and challenges of encouraging historical discourse beyond the limitations of our institutions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What can design teach us about the work of bringing people together for a conversation? How does it differ from social work? Italian researcher on social innovation, Viola Petrella, discusses how design is more than just making things pretty and what it can contribute to addressing larger social issues.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We welcome Yuva Balan back to the show, this time for a quick lesson on the major arguments of a key text in Marxist thought by Friedrich Engels. We look at how the family is tied to the emergence of property to take on the role of a quasi-state in managing the production of workers for an unequal world.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we critically indulge in the meaning of fantasies. We upset its binary division from 'reality' to see how they serve as the alienated space where our political, social and intimate frustrations play out. Not for the faint of heart but necessary for those in need of some 'woke af'. Pang Khee Teik, activist and curator, leads the way.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we welcome Thomas Barker to the show! The lecturer in film studies at University of Nottingham in Malaysia gives us an overview of Indonesian film history and the key socio-political trends that shaped it.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having more possessions does not assure your well being. This is the key point of departure for capabilities theory, pioneered by Nobel-winning economist, Amartya Sen. Dr. Niaz Asadullah of Universiti Malaya joins us this week to explain its key assumptions and implications.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We welcome 2017 by reflecting on change: What goes away? What stays the same? How are humans so incorrigible? And how do we cope? We look at some of the major questions from the 20th century, and the lessons we could consider as we march further into the 21st.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we go beyond the pleasure principle to explore the concept of jouissance, made famous by iconic French psychoanalyst, Jacques Lacan. It reveals the paradox of indulgence, revealing the human propensity for risk, hurt and excess, going against common, taken for granted assumptions that we are only motivated towards pleasure and well being.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we welcome legendary scholar, Shaharuddin Maaruf to the show. He recounts his intellectual journey and the questions that compelled him to produce his two classic works. He also offers valuable ways to understand the compelling hold of feudalism on Malay culture, despite all of its supposed modernisations.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Sharaad and Fuad explore the brooding contours of Malay masculinity. How does it articulate its aggression and power? How comparable is it to Western hegemonic masculinity? Examples from politics and pop culture abound.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sharaad is back! This time, we critically review and unpack the different notions of happiness that pervade popular discourse. We eventually discuss how all of that is related to love. It gets quite deep, needless to say.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Khairil Izamin Ahmad, one of Malaysia's most promising young scholars makes his Night School debut. He shares his thoughts on "Hegemony and Socialist Strategy", a classic text in political theory, and why we still have a long way to overcome liberalism.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mwaffa’a Al-Hajjar helps us to buka panggung for the year 2020. We discuss poetry, translation and the staying power of words. Because nothing is more pertinent or urgent.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

...or rather a sociology of 90s music. What makes it still so special? Ethnomusicologist and musician Adil Johan and city councillor/kickboxer/rocker Syerleena Rashid join the show this week to reflect on the socio-political dimensions of 90s rock and roll and its impact on our shores.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We preview this year's annual Socialism conference by discussing what equality in a world led by Donald Trump might mean. What were the causes of his rise? Where might Socialism fit into all this? Additionally, we look at all the panels and discussions featured at Socialism 2016. Sivarajan Arumugam of Parti Sosialis Malaysia and Alex Bainbridge of Socialist Alliance in Australia lead the way.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we are joined by Emelia Ong, art historian and senior lecturer at the Universiti of Malaya. She shares her research on Malayan art during the Independence period, with particular focus on the discourse of hybrid identity that appealed to key artists at the time. We reflect on the challenges of nationalism and what lessons art may offer for alternative political imaginations.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.