

Burning Platforms
Per Capita Australia
Welcome to Burning Platforms: De-Coding the Power and Politics of Big Tech. Join Peter Lewis, Lizzie O’Shea (Digital Rights Watch), Dan Stinton (HealthEngine CEO), and guests, fortnightly for analysis of the politics of technology from some of Australia’s leading digital campaigners and industry experts. Brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 3, 2022 • 52min
Breached As - the Optus data leak
Welcome to Burning Platforms: De-Coding the Power and Politics of Big Tech.
This episode we look at the huge data breach at Optus, and ask whether this breach is a feature or a bug of a world where mass data collection has now been normalised.
Burning Platforms is brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita.

Sep 18, 2022 • 56min
The Dark Arts of Online Advertising
Burning Platforms goes under Big Tech’s hood with new research into the increased opacity of online advertising - and the impact of that secrecy on public discourse.
With special guests:
Nicholas Carah, Associate Professor at University of Queensland
Aimee Brownbill, Senior Research and Policy Advisor at Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education
Burning Platforms is brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita.

Sep 4, 2022 • 49min
Algorithmic Asylum
With a proliferation of wellness technologies, the human mind is emerging as the latest frontier in the spread of tech solutionism.
This week’s Burning Platforms digs deep into a new report ‘Digital Futures in the Mind’ which looks at how algorithmic solutions can have both a positive and negative impact on mental health.
Our special guest is report co-author Dr. Piers Gooding from Melbourne University Law School.
With a proliferation of wellness technologies, the human mind is emerging as the latest frontier in the spread of tech solutionism.
This week’s Burning Platforms digs deep into a new report ‘Digital Futures in the Mind’ which looks at how algorithmic solutions can have both a positive and negative impact on mental health.
Our special guest is report co-author Dr. Piers Gooding from Melbourne University Law School.
Burning Platforms is brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita.
Burning Platforms is brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita.

Aug 21, 2022 • 55min
Civilising the ’Tech-Bro’
Welcome to Burning Platforms: De-Coding the Power and Politics of Big Tech.
On this episode Peter, Lizzie, and Dan speak with technology writer and commentator, Maria Farrell, about the power dynamics of tech advocacy and her concept of a ‘duty of hope’.
Burning Platforms is brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita.

Aug 7, 2022 • 50min
The Balance of (Tech) Power
In this new progressive Australian government, where do the fault lines lie when it comes to digital rights?
Welcome to Burning Platforms: De-Coding the Power and Politics of Big Tech.
This week, join Peter Lewis, Lizzie O'Shea, and Dan Stinton, as they speak with NSW Greens Senator and spokesperson for Digital Rights and IT David Shoebridge.
Burning Platforms is brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita.

Jul 24, 2022 • 48min
Cybernetics
Welcome to Burning Platforms: De-Coding the Power and Politics of Big Tech.
This week, the Burning Platforms panel deep dive into the complex and exciting world of cybernetics with Associate Professor Ellen Broad from the Australian National University School of Cybernetics and member of the Australian Government's Data Advisory Council.
Burning Platforms is brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita.

Jul 11, 2022 • 50min
Home Truths
Welcome to Burning Platforms: De-Coding the Power and Politics of Big Tech.
This week the Burning Platform's panel dive deep into the impact of home-sharing platform Airbnb on the property market with Trish Burt, convenor of Neighbours Not Strangers, who has been fighting a one-woman war against Airbnb for years, calling out policies that privilege the interests of property owners over renters and undermine local communities.
Burning Platforms is brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita.

Jun 27, 2022 • 56min
Private Eyes
Welcome to Burning Platforms: De-Coding the Power and Politics of Big Tech.
This episode will dive deep into the risk of unfettered AI following the release of a major report regarding the use of Facial Recognition Technology in Australia.
Burning Platforms is brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita.

Jun 13, 2022 • 54min
Introducing ’Civility’
Welcome to Burning Platforms: De-Coding the Power and Politics of Big Tech.
On this week's episode, Peter Lewis is joined by David Swan, (Technology Editor, The Australian), Samantha Floreani (Program Lead, Digital Rights Watch), to introduce ‘Civility’ - a new collaborative platform designed to create better public engagement - with its co-founder, Nicholas Davis.
Burning Platforms is brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita.

May 16, 2022 • 55min
The People’s Choice
Welcome to Burning Platforms: De-Coding the Power and Politics of Big Tech.
In the last Burning Platforms before the Australian Federal Election, Peter Lewis, Lizzie O'Shea, and Dan Stinton run the rule over the policies being offered up by the major parties.
Is it just Coke vs. Pepsi? Or are there bigger ideas at play?
Burning Platforms is brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita.