Ruined By The Internet? | Uncovering the human cost of our digital world

Ruined By The Internet? | Uncovering the human cost of our digital world

Author: Gareth King Language: English Episodes: 30
It’s a question that nags at anyone who’s ever felt a pang of nostalgia or a wave of digital fatigue: are we better or worse off because of our constant connection? Hosted by Gareth King, Ruined By The Internet? digs into that uneasy feeling, moving beyond simple headlines to explore how our online world actively moulds society, culture, and the texture of daily life. This isn’t about reviewing apps or gadgets; it’s about treating the digital realm as the pervasive environment it has become. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with leading thinkers and researchers from around the world, dissecting the real evidence behind our shared anxieties and hopes. You’ll hear nuanced discussions that ask whether the casualties we often blame on technology are inevitable, or if we’re simply misdiagnosing deeper societal shifts. This podcast provides a space for considered reflection, offering listeners a clearer lens through which to view their own place in a world that is, for better or worse, thoroughly wired.
Episodes
Common Ground: From Dialogue to Digital Battlefield? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:39
The internet promised a place where people from diverse backgrounds could find connection and understanding. But has it instead become a deeply polarised medium where echo chambers and ideological extremism make meaningf…
Brand Trust: The Era of Algorithmic Enshittification? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:24
The internet was supposed to empower brands to build relationships based on authenticity and shared values. But has it instead become a surveillance capitalism machine - exploiting and manipulating our attention until we…
Reputation Management: A New World of Digital Life Sentences? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:07
By creating an environment of radically decentralised authority, has the internet shattered the slow, controlled process of reputation management - turning it into a fast, volatile, and potentially permanent crisis cycle…
Trust in Information: The End of Believing Our Own Eyes? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:19
The internet promised a more informed society where anyone could share knowledge freely. But has it instead created a crisis of trust - where expertise is constantly challenged, and huge numbers of us struggle to discern…
The Internet: A Corporate Hijacking of Digital Freedom? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:05
The internet was supposed to be where the free exchange of knowledge and ideas happened. But has it instead become a place increasingly controlled by a handful of companies - where inconvenient ideas are suppressed, and…
Truly Disappearing: Powering Our Own Perpetual Surveillance? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:56
The internet has given us unprecedented connection. But thanks to relentless data retention and the constant tracking of our every digital move, is it now virtually impossible to shed our old identity and start a new lif…
Social Interaction: The Digital Erasure of Presence? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:25
With its constant presence and insatiable demand for attention, has the internet invaded our offline spaces - diminishing our ability to be truly present and eroding the quality of our in-person experiences?We're joined…
Music: An Algorithmic Burial of Human Artists? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:12
The internet promised to empower artists and give listeners infinite choice. But has it instead turned music into a disposable commodity - replacing human curation with algorithms, and making it virtually impossible for…
Gambling: Optimised for Frictionless Financial Mayhem? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:22
The internet promised to modernise an age-old activity, bringing new convenience to a quick thrill. But has it instead delivered a predatory, 24/7 addiction machine - one that exploits our psychology with algorithms and…
The Human Identity: Authenticity or Algorithmic Performance? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:24
The internet promised a world of self-expression and genuine connection. But has it instead encouraged us to build performative versions of ourselves - curated by algorithms and validated by likes - until we've lost trac…