Unravelling phrenology: a dive into a controversial past and its modern implications Artwork

Look History in the Eye, Melbourne

Look History in the Eye is produced in Melbourne, Australia at the Victorian Archives Centre, where a hundred kilometres of historic records about Victoria’s past are carefully preserved in climate controlled vaults. We meet the people who dig into archival boxes, look history in the eye and then wonder why. You can download copies of original records featured in each episode by going to the Look History in the Eye page on the Public Record Office Victoria website here: https://prov.vic.gov.au/look-history-eye-podcast

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Look History in the Eye, Melbourne

Unravelling phrenology: a dive into a controversial past and its modern implications

February 07, 2024 • Public Record Office Victoria • Season 1 • Episode 13

Prepare to journey back in time to the captivating, yet controversial world of phrenology, with our guest Dr. Alexandra Roginski. This episode takes you from the hustle and bustle of public readings and fortune-tellers in Melbourne's Eastern Arcade to the somber tale of the Gunn-Alley Murder. We shed light on the rise and fall of phrenology, and delve into the intriguing parallels between phrenology and modern facial analysis technology and artificial intelligence.

With Australian technology researchers Chris O'Neil and Edward Santow we explore some of the ethical concerns surrounding this technology, including its potential for discrimination and false assumptions.

SPEAKERS

Podcast Presenter Kate Follington, Dr Alexandra Roginski, Christopher O'Neil, Professor Edward Santow.

This podcast is produced by Public Record Office Victoria the archive of the state government of Victoria. To view the podcast homepage and all episodes, and to view records related to this episode go to https://prov.vic.gov.au/look-history-eye-podcast

People on this episode

Look History in the Eye, Melbourne