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The Seen and the Unseen - hosted by Amit Varma
Ep 391: Shephali Bhatt Is Searching for the Incredible
Jul 22, 2024
Shephali Bhatt delves into topics such as the influence of algorithms on digital experiences, the challenges of digital addiction, the influence of ancient texts on perspective, career evolution in storytelling, and the impact of the creator economy on society.
04:21:17
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Quick takeaways
- Digital platforms reshape human interactions and knowledge acquisition.
- Family upbringing influences personal and professional development.
- Journalistic integrity parallels ethical considerations from narrative traditions.
- Childhood challenges cultivate empathy and awareness about mental health.
- Language exposure shapes perspectives and interests.
- Media landscape shifts demand emphasis on truth and combatting misinformation.
Deep dives
Adapting to the Changing World through Digital Technologies
The podcast discusses the rapid changes in the world and the slow adaptation of human brains to these changes. It highlights how frames and simple heuristics shape our understanding and navigation of the evolving world. The narrative delves into how entertainment, knowledge acquisition, and human relationships have transformed with the advent of technology, specifically focusing on how people experience and engage with the world through digital platforms.
Influence of Personal History and Family Influence
The episode sheds light on the guest's personal history and the impact of her upbringing on her professional journey. It narrates the influence of her maternal grandfather's library, where exposure to books like the 'Maxim Gorky Anthology' sparked her interest in reading beyond textbooks. The guest reflects on her cultural roots in Kurukshetra and how exposure to philosophical texts like the Bhagavad Gita shaped her early perceptions and thought process.
Journalistic Insights and Ethical Perception
The discussion covers the guest's insightful interpretation of journalistic roles inspired by characters from the Mahabharata. Drawing parallels between Lord Ganesh's dictation and Sanjay's contextualization, the guest emphasizes the journalistic responsibility to contextualize and interpret events beyond mere reporting. The intertwining of ethical considerations and storytelling traditions from the epic narrative showcase the guest's unique perspective on journalistic integrity and storytelling.
Introduction of Personal Stories and Anecdotes
The episode navigates through personal anecdotes and reflections, encompassing the guest's journey from childhood influences to professional insights. It weaves a narrative thread connecting family dynamics, cultural heritage, and the blend of traditional wisdom with contemporary interpretations. The incorporation of personal stories adds depth and relatability, offering listeners a glimpse into the guest's formative experiences and how they resonate with broader themes of adaptation, influence, and ethical considerations in various contexts.
Early Life Challenges and Caregiving Role
Growing up in a challenging environment with a single parent dealing with illness, the speaker reflects on the formative experiences of her childhood and the impact of being a caregiver to her mother with schizophrenia. These experiences shaped her into a sensitive individual with a deep understanding of mental health, contrasting societal perceptions and the importance of early intervention and support.
Cultural Exposure and Language Fascination
The speaker recalls her diverse exposure to languages and cultures, from growing up in a multilingual household to studying Italian and Tigrinya in an Italian medium school. This fascination with languages, phonetics, and cultural nuances from childhood influences her later interests and perspectives, emphasizing the importance of language and communication.
Journalism and Values Learned
Transitioning into a journalism career, the speaker values lessons from journalism school, including quotes like 'You always do a great job on a story you care about' and 'The whole world is your oyster.' These insights guide her approach to journalism, focusing on caring for stories, continuous learning, and distinguishing between accuracy and truth amid evolving media landscapes.
The Evolution of Journalism Amidst the Rise of Misinformation
The landscape of journalism has transformed significantly with the pervasive spread of fake news and misinformation. Journalists are now tasked with a critical responsibility to combat this trend by upholding truth and speaking out against power. The episode delves into the changing role of journalists, highlighting the transition from reporting on conventional topics to facing the challenge of exposing falsehoods and advocating for the silenced.
Finding Purpose in Everyday Journalism
The discussion in the podcast explores the concept of deriving purpose in journalism not just from grand higher ideals but also from the everyday routines and processes. The importance of investing oneself fully in each story, akin to making the best omelette, is emphasized. By immersing in the essence of each narrative and being mindful, journalists can find fulfillment in the mundane aspects of their work.
Navigating Challenges and Self-Reflection in Journalism
The podcast delves into the personal impact of facing online threats and attacks as a journalist. The speaker recounts experiences of being targeted by online mobs and the trauma associated with such incidents. Despite the challenges, there is a reflection on how resilience and determination have enabled continued work in journalism amidst adversity, leading to a deeper understanding of personal strength and the societal malaise that influences journalistic practices.
Podcast Recap and Insights
The podcast episode explores the evolving world of journalism and content creation, discussing the importance of meaningful journalism and the impact of creators in the digital landscape. It highlights the challenges faced by creators in sustaining their income, the shift towards a more content-driven landscape, and the role of influencers in shaping public narratives. The episode delves into the dangers of over-reliance on advertising, the impact of AI on content creation, and the need for integrity and grace in one's work.
Favorite Books and Films
Some recommended books include 'Kim Ji-Young, Born 1982' for its impactful narrative, 'Raseedi Ticket' by Amrita Pritam for its emotional depth, and 'Good Girls Revolt' for shedding light on gender biases in journalism. Favorite films mentioned include 'Jagte Raho' for its profound storytelling and 'Grave of the Fireflies' for its emotional impact. There's also a Punjabi folk music playlist called 'Punjabi Must Punjabi' highlighted for its storytelling and cultural significance.
Reflections on Podcast Episodes and Recommendations
The conversation reflects on favorite podcast episodes featuring impactful guests like Nilaanjana Roy, emphasizing the power of storytelling and the gentle nudges towards personal growth. The episode shares insights on maintaining integrity and grace in one's journey, appreciating the impact of meaningful conversations. The guest invites recommendations from listeners to explore diverse perspectives and ideas, emphasizing continuous learning and growth.
20.
Exploring the World of Punjabi Folk Songs and Reflecting on Favorite Podcast Episodes
5min
The internet has changed the way we live -- and someone needs to make sense of it all. Shephali Bhatt joins Amit Varma in episode 391 of The Seen and the Unseen to describe all that she has learnt through her deep dives into popular culture, the creator economy, this turbulent society and her Mamaji's library. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Shephali Bhatt on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Economic Times, Mint and Instagram. 2. Santosh Desai is Watching You — Episode 356 of The Seen and the Unseen. 3. Indian Society: The Last 30 Years — Episode 137 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Santosh Desai). 4. The plays of Maxim Gorky: 1, 2. 5. Bollywood Masala and a French Art Film -- Amit Varma. 6. Enter, tastefluencer: The rise of a curator economy -- Shephali Bhatt. 7. The Artist -- Michel Hazanavicius. 8. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga -- Shelly Chopra Dhar. 9. Gaming the algorithm to ‘manifest’ -- Shephali Bhatt. 10. Search Party -- Shephali Bhatt. 11. The Experience Machine. 12. Badtime Stories -- Shephali Bhatt. 13. Lentil Powerhouse at Pret a Manger. 14. Brave New World — Episode 203 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Vasant Dhar). 15. Brave New World -- Vasant Dhar's podcast. 16. When the third-party cookie crumbles -- Shephali Bhatt. 17. Digital Minimalism and Slow Productivity -- Cal Newport. 18. Range Rover — The archives of Amit Varma’s column on poker for the Economic Times. 19. Addiction by Design: Machine Gambling in Las Vegas — Natasha Dow Schüll. 20. Cache Cab: Taxi Drivers' Brains Grow to Navigate London's Streets -- Ferris Jabr. 21. The Life and Times of Jerry Pinto — Episode 314 of The Seen and the Unseen. 22. Em and the Big Hoom — Jerry Pinto. 23. Behave — Robert Sapolsky. 24. Grave of the Fireflies -- Isao Takahata. 25. Cosmos -- Carl Sagan. 26. Irfan, the Keeper of Memories -- Episode 368 of The Seen and the Unseen. 27. Voice Wide Web -- Shephali Bhatt. 28. Ishaan Chintamani on Instagram and YouTube. 29. Breaking Bad, House of Cards, The Wire, Harry Potter, Friends. 30. All the President's Men -- Alan J Pakula. 31. Surabhi on Wikipedia and IMDb. 32. The unplanned glory of Surabhi -- Shephali Bhatt. 33. Alt News. 34. Fighting Fake News — Episode 133 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Pratik Sinha). 35. Don't Choose Tribalism Over Principles -- Amit Varma. 36. Caste, Capitalism and Chandra Bhan Prasad — Episode 296 of The Seen and the Unseen. 37. Multiverse of food-fluencers -- Shephali Bhatt. 38. The Refreshing Audacity of Vinay Singhal — Episode 291 of The Seen and the Unseen. 39. Stage.in. 40. Shephali Bhatt's story on how Koffee With Karan inspired many Indians to learn English. 41. Young India — Episode 83 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Snigdha Poonam). 42. Dreamers: How Young Indians Are Changing Their World — Snigdha Poonam. 43. The Disciple -- Chaitanya Tamhane. 44. The Loneliness of the Indian Man — Episode 303 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Nikhil Taneja). 45. How Instagram reels are transforming Indian weddings -- Shephali Bhatt. 46. The Parenting Influencers Who Won’t Stop Posting Their Children -- Fortesa Latifi. 47. “We’re Never Doing This Again”: What It Took for These Parenting Influencers to Pull Their Kids Offline -- Fortesa Latifi. 48. Luke Burgis Sees the Deer at His Window — Episode 337 of The Seen and the Unseen. 49. The Influencer Diaries -- Shephali Bhatt. 50. 1000 True Fans — Kevin Kelly. 51. 1000 True Fans? Try 100 — Li Jin. 52. The Streisand Effect. 53. Varun Mayya on YouTube. 54. The YouTube Election -- Shephali Bhatt. 55. With content king, creators trying hard to be kingmakers this Lok Sabha elections -- Shephali Bhatt. 56. The Life and Times of Shanta Gokhale — Episode 311 of The Seen and the Unseen. 57. The Life and Times of Mrinal Pande — Episode 263 of The Seen and the Unseen. 58. The Life and Times of Urvashi Butalia — Episode 287 of The Seen and the Unseen. 59. Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 -- Cho Nam-Joo. 60. Rasidi Ticket (Punjabi) (English) -- Amrita Pritam. 61. The Good Girls Revolt -- Lynn Povich. 62. Jagte Raho -- Amit Maitra and Sombhu Mitra. 63. Zakhm -- Mahesh Bhatt. 64. Shephali Bhatt's Spotify playlists. 65. The Life and Times of Nilanjana Roy — Episode 284 of The Seen and the Unseen. Amit’s newsletter is active again. Subscribe right away to The India Uncut Newsletter! It’s free! Amit Varma and Ajay Shah have launched a new video podcast. Check out Everything is Everything on YouTube. Check out Amit’s online course, The Art of Clear Writing. Episode art: ‘Search' by Simahina.
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