20.10.23
What Happens Next?
What Are We Trying to Escape? | 90

New this season:Subscribe to Monash’s YouTube channel to watch the video version of each full episode.

“What Happens Next?” returns with a new topic: escapism. From pseudo-nostalgia that transports us to imagined pasts, to the allure of live action role-play and video games, host Dr Susan Carland and her expert guests shed light on the power of escapism, the blurring of fiction and reality, and the fine line between healthy indulgence and potential addiction.

Escapism often involves seeking refuge in an alternative reality, be it through binge-watching TV shows, playing video games, or even live-action role-playing (LARPing).

But is it unhealthy to long for a place – or even a time – that you’ve never experienced? And what about the parasocial relationships we often create with fictional characters from our favourite media?

This week’s guest experts include Monash University Business School’s Associate Professor Davide Orazi, cultural critic Dr Clem Bastow, Monash’s School of Media, Film and Journalism lecturer Dr Whitney Monaghan and author Professor Michael W Clune.

Today’s episode raises questions about the balance between healthy escapism and excessive immersion, as well as the impact of escapism on individuals' ability to return to reality. Can the line become too blurred?

A full transcript of this episode is available on Monash Lens.

Learn more:
‘Reality bleed’, and the blurred lines of live-action role-playing
Screen time: Are we seeing ourselves on television?
The science of addiction - A Different Lens

“What Happens Next?” will be back next week with part two of this series, ‘Can Escapism Be Good for Us?’.

If you’re enjoying the show, don’t forget to subscribe, or rate or review “What Happens Next?” to help listeners like yourself discover it.

20.10.23 What Happens Next? What Are We Trying to Escape? | 90
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New this season: <a href="https://youtube.com/@MonashUniversity">Subscribe to Monash’s YouTube channel</a> to watch the video version of each full episode.
<hr>
“What Happens Next?” returns with a new topic: escapism. From pseudo-nostalgia that transports us to imagined pasts, to the allure of live action role-play and video games, host Dr Susan Carland and her expert guests shed light on the power of escapism, the blurring of fiction and reality, and the fine line between healthy indulgence and potential addiction.
Escapism often involves seeking refuge in an alternative reality, be it through binge-watching TV shows, playing video games, or even live-action role-playing (LARPing).
But is it unhealthy to long for a place – or even a time – that you’ve never experienced? And what about the parasocial relationships we often create with fictional characters from our favourite media?
This week’s guest experts include Monash University Business School’s <a href="https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/davide-orazi?utm_campaign=RESCH_BUS&amp;utm_source=omny_studio&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_content=Orazi_website_oct_australia">Associate Professor Davide Orazi</a>, cultural critic <a href="http://www.clembastow.com/">Dr Clem Bastow</a>, Monash’s School of Media, Film and Journalism lecturer <a href="https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/whitney-monaghan?utm_campaign=RESCH_ART&amp;utm_source=omny_studio&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_content=Monaghan_website_oct_australia">Dr Whitney Monaghan</a> and author <a href="http://www.michaelwclune.com/">Professor Michael W Clune</a>.
Today’s episode raises questions about the balance between healthy escapism and excessive immersion, as well as the impact of escapism on individuals' ability to return to reality. Can the line become too blurred?
<a href="https://lens.monash.edu/@what-happens-next/2023/10/13/1386231/what-are-we-trying-to-escape?utm_campaign=WHNPD_BRA&amp;utm_source=omny_studio&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_content=S8E90_podcast_oct_australia">A full transcript of this episode is available on Monash Lens.</a>
Learn more:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://lens.monash.edu/@politics-society/2022/08/31/1385013/reality-bleed-and-the-blurred-lines-of-live-action-role-playing?utm_campaign=MLENS_BUS&amp;utm_source=omny_studio&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_content=RealityBleed_article_oct_australia">‘Reality bleed’, and the blurred lines of live-action role-playing</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://lens.monash.edu/@politics-society/2023/06/06/1385713/screen-time-are-we-seeing-ourselves-on-television?utm_campaign=MLENS_ART&amp;utm_source=omny_studio&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_content=Representation_article_oct_australia">Screen time: Are we seeing ourselves on television?</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://lens.monash.edu/@a-different-lens/2018/05/28/1350176/science-of-addiction?utm_campaign=ADLEN_BRA&amp;utm_source=omny_studio&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_content=Addiction_video_oct_australia">The science of addiction - A Different Lens</a></li>
</ul>
“What Happens Next?” will be back next week with part two of this series, ‘Can Escapism Be Good for Us?’.
If you’re enjoying the show, <a href="https://podfollow.com/1485676423">don’t forget to subscribe</a>, or rate or review “What Happens Next?” to help listeners like yourself discover it.

The Handmaid’s Tale. Brave New World. Mad Max. Fictional dystopias have never seemed so close to becoming reality. Is it too late to change our course?

What Happens Next?, a podcast from Monash University, examines some of the biggest challenges facing our world and asks the experts, what will happen if we don't change? And what can we do to create a better future? Learn from leaders, listen to the people making a difference, and discover how you can help drive change.

The Handmaid&rsquo;s Tale. Brave New World. Mad Max. Fictional dystopias have never seemed so close to becoming reality. Is it too late to change our course?
What Happens Next?, a podcast from Monash University, examines some of the biggest challenges facing our world and asks the experts, what will happen if we don't change? And what can we do to create a better future? Learn from leaders, listen to the people making a difference, and discover how you can help drive change.

What Happens Next?, a podcast from Monash University, examines some of the biggest challenges facing our world and asks the experts, what will happen if we don't change? And what can we do to create a better future?

What Happens Next?

Fictional dystopias have never seemed so close to becoming reality. Is it too late to change our course? On Monash University's podcast, academic and commentator Dr Susan Carland steps through the sliding doors with global experts and thought leaders to find out what could happen if we don’t change – and what the world could look like if we do. To learn more, visit lens.monash.edu.

Fictional dystopias have never seemed so close to becoming reality. Is it too late to change our course? On Monash University's podcast, academic and commentator Dr Susan Carland steps through the sliding doors with global experts and thought leaders to find out what could happen if we don’t change – and what the world could look like if we do. To learn more, visit <a href="https://lens.monash.edu/@what-happens-next">lens.monash.edu.</a>

Is escapism a healthy retreat or a slippery slope? Join the conversation with experts from Monash University and beyond on how escapism, from LARPing to video games, affects our lives.

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