• The Prisoner: AI and the Automation of Education
    Jul 1 2026
    In this episode of Computer Séance, Tracie, Justin and Ben discuss what happens when AI speeds up learning, with the episode “The General” from 1960s British TV series The Prisoner.

    Show Notes:
    About The Prisoner (1967-1968):Creator & Star: Patrick McGoohan
    Production: Everyman Films & ITC Entertainment
    Seasons Discussed: Season 1Episodes Discussed: S1 E1, S1 E6
    References:
    • Watch The Prisoner (Amazon, ITV, YouTube)
    • Transcript of The General: The Prisoner Transcripts Episode 6: The General
    • IMDB
    • WIKI
    • Brian J. Robb - The Prisoner Episode by Episode
    • Pop Apostle - The Prisoner Episode Studies
    • Chris Gregory - The Prisoner Episode by Episode

    More on the Open University

    • Exhibition: The OU Story - Open University Digital Archive


    What can popular culture teach us about the technologies that are reshaping our lives?


    Each week in Computer Séance presenters Justin, Tracie and Ben dissect a pop culture artefact that features an intelligent machine and explores how it compares with developments in AI today.

    The podcast is presented by hosts Tracie, Ben and Justin, and is produced by Cat McShane. Sound mixing by Dan Bolger and original music by Rosa Brook.

    Computer Séance is funded by a UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship grant.

    All the opinions expressed in the program are the presenters' own and do not reflect the positions of our employers, or UKRI.

    Episodes may contain language that some listeners find offensive
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • Cherry 2000: Is Romance Dead in the Age of AI?
    Jun 24 2026
    In this episode of Computer Séance, Tracie, Justin and Ben talk about the future of human relationships and the thrill of reality, as portrayed in the 1987 film, Cherry 2000.

    Director: Steve de Jarnatt
    Writers: Lloyd Fonvielle and Michael Almereyda

    SOURCES:
    • Watch Cherry 2000 (Amazon)
    • Cherry 2000 (1987) Original Trailer
    • WIKI
    • IMDB
    • Rotten Tomatoes



    What can popular culture teach us about the technologies that are reshaping our lives?


    Each week in Computer Séance presenters Justin, Tracie and Ben dissect a pop culture artefact that features an intelligent machine and explores how it compares with developments in AI today.

    The podcast is presented by hosts Tracie, Ben and Justin, and is produced by Cat McShane. Sound mixing by Dan Bolger and original music by Rosa Brook.

    Computer Séance is funded by a UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship grant.

    All the opinions expressed in the program are the presenters' own and do not reflect the positions of our employers, or UKRI.

    Episodes may contain language that some listeners find offensive
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Episode 0: Welcome to Computer Séance
    Jun 24 2026
    In this episode we introduce you to each of us - Tracie, Ben, Justin, and Cat - and discuss why we decided to add another podcast into the audio ether.

    You’ll hear a bit about our work outside the podcast and how we aim to think with you, a community of listeners who might want to explore AI and popular culture.

    Take a seat at the table, and let the discussion begin!

    https://linktr.ee/computerseance




    What can popular culture teach us about the technologies that are reshaping our lives?


    Each week in Computer Séance presenters Justin, Tracie and Ben dissect a pop culture artefact that features an intelligent machine and explores how it compares with developments in AI today.

    The podcast is presented by hosts Tracie, Ben and Justin, and is produced by Cat McShane. Sound mixing by Dan Bolger and original music by Rosa Brook.

    Computer Séance is funded by a UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship grant.

    All the opinions expressed in the program are the presenters' own and do not reflect the positions of our employers, or UKRI.

    Episodes may contain language that some listeners find offensive
    Show More Show Less
    6 mins