Pan-Optic Podcast
34 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 21 ratingsPan-Optic is a podcast featuring conversations between a critical theorist and a management consultant, cohosts (and longtime friends) Juan Pablo Melo and Jason Margaritis respectively.
They met during a monotonous work assignment at a Washington-based government contractor in 2013. Jason and Juan Pablo sought refuge in daily extended work breaks musing about the limits of knowledge, the organizations of power, the regrets of Thrasymachus, and so on.
Later, Jason received his MA in Government and MBA from Johns Hopkins University. Today, he works as a management consultant specializing in strategic communications and org change. Jason is particularly interested in affecting stakeholder beliefs, behaviors, and culture.
Juan Pablo is a doctoral candidate at Stanford University's Program in Modern Thought and Literature. His research interests span media theory, literature, architecture, art history, urban theory, and science and technology studies.
"We made this podcast to continue exploring the intersections of our respective disciplines, in a way that others might find useful. Pan-Optic relates theories of communication, power, and technology to practical institutional issues, and everyday life."
Become a part of the conversation at www.panopticpod.com.
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Episodes
#18 - Reinventing Capitalism—Really? Hayek’s Theory of Prices, Technology, and the Yelp Mafia
October 25, 2020 20:10 - 1 hour - 64.5 MBToday, Jason and Juan Pablo discuss political theorist Evgeny Morozov’s article, “Digital Socialism? The Calculation Debate in the Age of Big Data” (NLR, 2019, https://newleftreview.org/issues/II116/articles/evgeny-morozov-digital-socialism). In this article, Morozov critiques the idea that technology will somehow reinvent capitalism. He argues that technology-enabled capitalism (technology within the logic of markets) is STILL capitalism and thus it does not escape challenges produced or com...
#17 - Radicalization + Ideology (P3) - Notions of the Good & Strategic Communications
September 02, 2020 12:00 - 51 minutes - 47.9 MBPan-Optic is pleased to present part three of our three-part series on radicalization and ideology. In today’s episode, we address: individuation and socialization; a critique of generalizable interests; existential and absurdist interpretations of the ”ideological grounding” problem; the people side of mergers and acquisitions; applications to change management and strategic communications; and more. The views expressed on this podcast are our own. If you enjoy what you're hearing, please f...
The Protestant Ethic, Instrumentalizing Everything, and Devotion to Work
August 11, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 62.4 MBToday’s episode is Pan-Optic’s first ever "personal case study" response, where we react to listener Sep’s account of working in big tech and grappling with feeling intellectually and morally limited by her work requirements and the logic of the firm. In reacting to Sep’s personal case study, we explore: Max Weber on the protestant work-oriented ethic; the tendency to justify something’s existence by instrumentalizing its purpose; Jason’s aversion to divine command theory; being socialized an...
#16 - Radicalization + Ideology (P2) - Values, Discrimination, & Reliably Identifying Ideology
July 30, 2020 02:48 - 59 minutes - 55.2 MBPan-Optic is pleased to present part two of our three-part series on radicalization and ideology. In today’s episode, we address: the moral and legal implications of ideological discrimination; the extent to which government can avoid values-oriented decision making; a clear functional definition of ideology vs. a general definition of ideology; canonical social theoretical literature on ideology (Emile Durkheim and George Herbert Mead); the so-called ”loan wolf” phenomenon; and categorizatio...
#15 - Radicalization + Ideology (P1) - How to Recruit Pawns & Influence Behavior
July 08, 2020 12:00 - 52 minutes - 49.3 MBPan-Optic is pleased to present our three-part series on radicalization and ideology. In the knowledge age and especially in the COVID world, institutions are pressured to change the way they operate and do business frequently and rapidly. We spend much time pontificating about the need to transform workforces (us included), but often without considering the psychological precursors to attitudinal and behavioral change. To help address this problem, we consult the literature on radicalization...
#14 - Philosophers in Firms P.2 - Information Ethics & Philosophically Grounding Change Management
June 17, 2020 11:50 - 1 hour - 91 MBToday’s episode starts off with a 30-minute, ad hoc discussion surrounding the recent murder of George Floyd and the ensuing national campaign against police racism. Please refer to Pan-Optic’s website for additional resources on how to support reputable activist groups in the fight against racism (https://www.panopticpod.com/post/pitching-in-to-fight-racism-and-police-violence). During Pan-Optic’s two-part series “Philosophers in Firms,” Jason and Juan Pablo investigate the mystery of why G...
#13 - Philosophers in Firms P.1 - The Organizational Statement of Ethics & Thought Leadership
May 27, 2020 15:07 - 1 hour - 59.7 MBDuring Pan-Optic’s two-part series “Philosophers in Firms,” Jason and Juan Pablo investigate the mystery of why Google hired a philosopher and what this individual does. Along the way, we address the following more fundamental questions: Should firms hire philosophers? Does it make good business sense? How does the business case compare to the moral case? Do they conflict? Today’s episode (part one) explores: the downcast job market for humanities and philosophy PhDs; the rationale for appar...
A Prescient Account of Big Data: Democracy and Control - Episode 12
May 02, 2020 18:25 - 2 hours - 120 MBOur Foundations Crossover P.3 — In light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, today’s segment (part three of our three-part crossover with Our Foundations podcast) couldn’t be more apropos. What happens when you equip strategic actors with predictive analytical power? Some may say we’re living it. In parts one and two, we traversed: the 18th century rise of the liberal public sphere; the 20th century breakdown of communicative-participatory democratic procedures; the 90s burgeoning of neoliber...
#12 - A Prescient Account of Big Data: Democracy and Control
May 02, 2020 18:25 - 2 hours - 120 MBOur Foundations Crossover P.3 — In light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, today’s segment (part three of our three-part crossover with Our Foundations podcast) couldn’t be more apropos. What happens when you equip strategic actors with predictive analytical power? Some may say we’re living it. In parts one and two, we traversed: the 18th century rise of the liberal public sphere; the 20th century breakdown of communicative-participatory democratic procedures; the 90s burgeoning of neoliber...
#11 - Communications and Law: Why Did We Outsource War Fighting to Corporations After 9/11?
April 09, 2020 02:14 - 1 hour - 81.7 MBOur Foundations Crossover P.2 — In theory, public discourses should influence law creation in a democracy. But has big advertising undermined the legal objectives of communicative action? After 9/11, why did the U.S. outsource approximately 50% of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan to companies like Blackwater? Surprisingly, the answers to these questions may intersect and provide fodder for worrying about strategic applications of advanced technology today. Juan Pablo and Jason are ...
Communications and Law: Why Did We Outsource War Fighting to Corporations After 9/11? - Episode 11
April 09, 2020 02:14 - 1 hour - 81.7 MBOur Foundations Crossover P.2 — In theory, public discourses should influence law creation in a democracy. But has big advertising undermined the legal objectives of communicative action? After 9/11, why did the U.S. outsource approximately 50% of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan to companies like Blackwater? Surprisingly, the answers to these questions may intersect and provide fodder for worrying about strategic applications of advanced technology today. Juan Pablo and Jason are ...
Transformation of the Public Sphere - Episode 10
March 16, 2020 00:00 - 1 hour - 75 MBOur Foundations Crossover P.2 — What happens when you arm strategic actors with big data and predictive analytical power? Juan Pablo and Jason are pleased to present Pan-Optic's collaboration with the Our Foundations podcast, further reflecting on some of the challenges (and solutions) posed by strategic communications throughout Western history. As part of this collaboration, we explore: the rise and fall of the bourgeois public sphere; shifting powers of corporate and government institution...
#10 - Transformation of the Public Sphere
March 15, 2020 00:00 - 1 hour - 75 MBOur Foundations Crossover P.1 — What happens when you arm strategic actors with big data and predictive analytical power? Juan Pablo and Jason are pleased to present Pan-Optic's collaboration with the Our Foundations podcast, further reflecting on some of the challenges (and solutions) posed by strategic communications throughout Western history. As part of this collaboration, we explore: the rise and fall of the bourgeois public sphere; shifting powers of corporate and government institution...
#9 - A Critical Perspective on Automation in the Growth Economy P.2
February 26, 2020 02:53 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBEpisode 9 is part two of our exploration of Aaron Benanav’s critique of the so-called “automation discourse.” We further probe the hypothesis that system overcapacity caused the collapse of manufacturing labor demand. What happens to the job market when manufacturing labor is down and the cost of living is up, chronically? Which possible economic solutions do we have in our toolbox to affect meaningful, productive workforces? In an attempt to answer these questions, we weigh the costs and ben...
A Critical Perspective on Automation in the Growth Economy P.2 - Episode 9
February 26, 2020 02:53 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBEpisode 9 is part two of our exploration of Aaron Benanav’s critique of the so-called “automation discourse.” We further probe the hypothesis that system overcapacity caused the collapse of manufacturing labor demand. What happens to the job market when manufacturing labor is down and the cost of living is up, chronically? Which possible economic solutions do we have in our toolbox to affect meaningful, productive workforces? In an attempt to answer these questions, we weigh the costs and ben...
#8 - A Critical Perspective on Automation in the Growth Economy P.1
February 06, 2020 04:44 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBEpisode 8 is part one of our exploration of Aaron Benanav’s critique of the so-called “automation discourse.” But first, let’s recap: in Episode 7, Jason broke down local political discourses on automation and offshoring. Why does Andrew Yang believe that automation killed 4,000,000 manufacturing jobs in rural America? Why does Elizabeth Warren believe that offshoring has been far more destructive than automation? To answer these questions, we conducted a lit review of recent academia on the ...
A Critical Perspective on Automation in the Growth Economy P.1 - Episode 8
February 06, 2020 04:44 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBEpisode 8 is part one of our exploration of Aaron Benanav’s critique of the so-called “automation discourse.” But first, let’s recap: in Episode 7, Jason broke down local political discourses on automation and offshoring. Why does Andrew Yang believe that automation killed 4,000,000 manufacturing jobs in rural America? Why does Elizabeth Warren believe that offshoring has been far more destructive than automation? To answer these questions, we conducted a lit review of recent academia on the ...
Rambling Politics New Year 2020
January 18, 2020 00:00 - 2 hours - 121 MBWelcome to Pan-Optic’s third “Reflections” episode featuring our most reactionary, stream of consciousness rambling yet. Jason and Juan Pablo relate current, salient political headlines to core Pan-Optic themes and previous episodes. In chronological order, we: brainstorm private sector and non-profit applications of critical theory, and debate the limitations of the “business case”; react to the Democratic Presidential Primary debates; and discuss the American politics of Iranian General Qas...
Does Automation Kill Jobs? - Episode 7
January 06, 2020 00:00 - 1 hour - 57.1 MBTo kickoff the New Year, Pan-Optic returns to the subject of automation. In today’s episode, Jason and Juan Pablo uncover dominant political discourses surrounding the fall of U.S. manufacturing labor. Why did 22% of American manufacturing plants shutdown between 2000 and 2014? What happened to the victims of mass job displacement? In the context of the 2020 Democratic Presidential Primaries, there are at least two relevant discourses: the fall of American manufacturing labor was caused by (1...
#7 - Does Automation Kill Jobs?
January 05, 2020 00:00 - 1 hour - 57.1 MBTo kickoff the New Year, Pan-Optic returns to the subject of automation. In today’s episode, Jason and Juan Pablo uncover dominant political discourses surrounding the fall of U.S. manufacturing labor. Why did 22% of American manufacturing plants shutdown between 2000 and 2014? What happened to the victims of mass job displacement? In the context of the 2020 Democratic Presidential Primaries, there are at least two relevant discourses: the fall of American manufacturing labor was caused by (1...
Holiday Special 2019
December 21, 2019 00:00 - 1 hour - 87.7 MBHappy Holidays Pan-Optic listeners! Welcome to our second "Reflections" episode and first ever Holiday Special. The purpose of today’s episode is to conduct a “pulse-check” of the podcast. We reflect on the following questions: What is Pan-Optic about? Have we evolved on this question over the last 6 months? Who is our target audience and what do we want our listeners to takeaway from our discussions? Also, who are we -- our backgrounds, interests, and aspirations? And finally, what are some ...
#6 - Should We Be Strategic? A Debate.
December 03, 2019 23:27 - 1 hour - 79.1 MBToday’s episode is part three of a three-part series on strategic communication. But unlike part two, today’s episode is through and through philosophy. We come full circle with Habermas who argues that strategic action is purposive, calculated manipulation of others. While communication itself is oriented towards increasing understanding, strategic action seeks to undermine communicative norms, to produce effects by increasing misunderstanding. And this is bad for democracy, claims Habermas....
Should We Be Strategic? A Debate. - Episode 6
December 03, 2019 23:27 - 1 hour - 79.1 MBToday’s episode is part three of a three-part series on strategic communication. But unlike part two, today’s episode is through and through philosophy. We come full circle with Habermas who argues that strategic action is purposive, calculated manipulation of others. While communication itself is oriented towards increasing understanding, strategic action seeks to undermine communicative norms, to produce effects by increasing misunderstanding. And this is bad for democracy, claims Habermas....
#5 - What is Strategic Communication?
November 13, 2019 23:27 - 1 hour - 78.6 MBThis is the second episode of a three-part series focusing on strategic communication. In today’s episode, we wrap up our conversation on the Socratic Method as a kind of strategic action in disguise; we discuss the value of intra- and interpersonal audits to unveil hidden interests prior to engaging in negotiation, debate, or conflict; and we compare strategic communicative techniques - namely, Harvard Business School’s “principled negotiation” (Getting to Yes) versus Chris Voss’ psychologic...
What is Strategic Communication? - Episode 5
November 13, 2019 23:27 - 1 hour - 78.6 MBThis is the second episode of a three-part series focusing on strategic communication. In today’s episode, we wrap up our conversation on the Socratic Method as a kind of strategic action in disguise; we discuss the value of intra- and interpersonal audits to unveil hidden interests prior to engaging in negotiation, debate, or conflict; and we compare strategic communicative techniques - namely, Harvard Business School’s “principled negotiation” (Getting to Yes) versus Chris Voss’ psychologic...
The Socratic Method, Truth, and Strategy - Episode 4
October 24, 2019 01:11 - 1 hour - 82.6 MBThis is the first in a three-part series focusing on strategic communication: what is it, how does it work, what are its strengths and limitations, is it morally defensible, and is it even avoidable? In today’s episode, we examine the Socratic Method in practice: a rambunctious debate on the nature of justice between Socrates and Thrasymachus in Plato’s Republic. In theory, the Socratic Method is an open, transparent dialectical process of uncovering truth. But in practice, the method trespas...
#4 - The Socratic Method, Truth, and Strategy
October 24, 2019 01:11 - 1 hour - 82.6 MBThis is the first in a three-part series focusing on strategic communication: what is it, how does it work, what are its strengths and limitations, is it morally defensible, and is it even avoidable? In today’s episode, we examine the Socratic Method in practice: a rambunctious debate on the nature of justice between Socrates and Thrasymachus in Plato’s Republic. In theory, the Socratic Method is an open, transparent dialectical process of uncovering truth. But in practice, the method trespas...
Joker, Scorsese, & Kluge: Should Cinema Serve the Body Politic?
October 13, 2019 19:46 - 1 hour - 57.7 MBReflections #1. This is the first in a series of more reactionary, topical conversations that Juan Pablo and Jason are doing as part of the development of the Pan-Optic podcast. Today, we discuss popular criticism of writer/director Todd Phillips' Joker, the so-called "comic book genre" in general, the role of the markets in directing resources to particular types of cinema (while alienating others), and filmmaker/philosopher Alexander Kluge's perspective on cinema as a public sphere medium w...
#3 - Artificial Intelligence and the End of Reason
September 26, 2019 02:17 - 1 hour - 75.9 MBIn this episode, we briefly trace the history of automation, consider some of the more salient consequences of modern technology, and review philosopher Bernard Stiegler's dystopic critique of modern technology. What happens when we exteriorize knowledge into automatons? Bad, bad things, says Stiegler. But is all the pessimism justified? Juan Pablo and Jason debate. The views expressed on this podcast are our own. If you enjoy what you're hearing, please follow/support us through any of the...
Artificial Intelligence and the End of Reason - Episode 3
September 26, 2019 02:17 - 1 hour - 75.9 MBIn this episode, we briefly trace the history of automation, consider some of the more salient consequences of modern technology, and review philosopher Bernard Stiegler's dystopic critique of modern technology. What happens when we exteriorize knowledge into automatons? Bad, bad things, says Stiegler. But is all the pessimism justified? Juan Pablo and Jason debate. The views expressed on this podcast are our own. If you enjoy what you're hearing, please follow/support us through any of the...
#2 - Beyond Good and Evil: Trump, Musk, and Power
September 03, 2019 11:42 - 1 hour - 74 MBIn this episode, we discuss Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil, focusing on how one might operationalize Nietzschean master morality in the modern world. We compare the leadership styles of Donald Trump and Elon Musk, asking: who's the better Nietzschean, why, and what does this mean for us? We also continue the conversation that we started during Episode 1, further reflecting on stakeholder theory and "creating shared value," as well as touching on the potential limits of capitalism to solve o...
Beyond Good and Evil: Trump, Musk, and Power - Episode 2
September 03, 2019 11:42 - 1 hour - 74 MBIn this episode, we discuss Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil, focusing on how one might operationalize Nietzschean master morality in the modern world. We compare the leadership styles of Donald Trump and Elon Musk, asking: who's the better Nietzschean, why, and what does this mean for us? We also continue the conversation that we started during Episode 1, further reflecting on stakeholder theory and "creating shared value," as well as touching on the potential limits of capitalism to solve o...
#1 - The Hawthorne Fable
August 07, 2019 02:54 - 1 hour - 67.5 MBIn this episode, we discuss the so-called "Hawthorne Studies," a series of studies in 1920s Chicago to examine possible relationships between environmental conditions (e.g., lighting) and labor productivity. Business schools often teach that the Hawthorne Studies' greatest achievement was revealing a relationship between workers' sense of being supervised and increased output. But this may not be the whole story. We analyze one of the Hawthorne Studies (where subjects were tasked to assemble ...
The Hawthorne Fable - Episode 1
August 07, 2019 02:54 - 1 hour - 67.5 MBIn this episode, we discuss the so-called "Hawthorne Studies," a series of studies in 1920s Chicago to examine possible relationships between environmental conditions (e.g., lighting) and labor productivity. Business schools often teach that the Hawthorne Studies' greatest achievement was revealing a relationship between workers' sense of being supervised and increased output. But this may not be the whole story. We analyze one of the Hawthorne Studies (where subjects were tasked to assemble ...