Ray Welling's Blog
June 4, 2023
26. Artificial intelligence is STILL as clear as mud!
Clear as Mud is on a short hiatus while Ray and Lawrence work on a new concept for season 3. In the meantime, Ray was interviewed for radio to talk about LinkedIn’s 20th birthday and the buzz topic of the moment, artificial intelligence. With the cooperation of Radio 107.3 2SER, we’ve reproduced the full interview for a special episode of Clear as Mud.
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February 1, 2023
25. Artificial intelligence is clear as mud!
We speak to ChatGPT, AI and CX researcher and expert Liam Bray to explore whether robots are going to take our jobs or make them more interesting. Can he convince Ray that we’re not headed for the singularity? You’ll have to listen to find out.
Interview links
Trust issues: The quest to design accountable AI (Dovetail article by Liam)
Skynet Takes Over (Terminator 3)
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January 15, 2023
The Internet’s ‘Sliding Doors’ moment
Who knew that Tim Berners-Lee came up with a way to combat online misinformation more than 25 years ago? You’ll never guess what killed it off! Also, Ray and Lawrence try to extricate themselves from goblin mode to discuss words of the year, worrying TikTok trends and the only thing that is keeping up with inflation.
The Good, The Bad and The Hilarious links
Gaslighting is Merriam Webster’s word of the year for 2022
The button that could have changed the Internet
TikTok teeth trends are causing serious damage: Dentists
TikTok, mukbang and eating disorders
The scourge of job title inflation
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January 4, 2023
23. The metaverse: A bright future, or clear as mud?
In which polymath metaverse pioneer Sami Tauber tries to convince a couple of old cynics that the next phase of digital development is not going to end in tears (Spoiler alert: she does a great job!)
Interview links
The Future Humans 3.0 Vodcast Show
These 13 Need-to-Know Women are Breaking New Ground in Tech, Web3 and Gaming – Popsugar
Sami Tauber on LinkedIn – start a conversation
Women of the Future – Metaverse and Web3
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December 19, 2022
22. Christmas is clear as mud!
In our final episode for 2022, we discuss TikTok’s reverse imitation tactics, World Cup wankery, and the magic of Christmas music, as well as celebrating the most practical gift for awkward Christmas dinners – the Distractifry.
The Good, The Bad and The Hilarious links
TikTok is now copying Instagram and Twitter
Social Media Giants are Becoming the Same
TikTok pushes social features as growth cools
What an upside down U – and science – say about how much you like Christmas music
The incredible hidden details you missed in Ronaldo and Messi’s chess photo
‘Mate, if I win the World Cup, you need to stop throwing your temper tantrums!’
McCain unleashes the Distractifry – B&T
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December 7, 2022
21. The enduring power of storytelling
Despite shrinking attention spans, storytelling remains a powerful way to get your message across. We speak with corporate communications coach Arabella McPherson about how telling a story helps you get straight through to the emotional part of someone’s brain, so your communication is NOT clear as mud!
Interview links
Arabella McPherson at Resonate Communications
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November 22, 2022
Movie stars, ad tech, algorithms and politicians all behaving badly
In which we discuss Hollywood affairs, a promising development in the fight against ad tech, a triggering stumble from KFC and – surprise, surprise – lying politicians. And who knew Ray was a punk rock aficionado?
The Good, The Bad and The Hilarious links
Olivia Wilde: Don’t Worry, Darling
Don’t Worry Darling controversies don’t stop box office success
Why some of the largest publishers are breaking up with ad tech middlemen
KFC apologises for Kristallnacht chicken and cheese promotion
Lying politicians (Daily Show video)
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November 9, 2022
Donald Trump and the power of demagoguery
For most people around the world, the initials that come to mind when conversation turns to Donald Trump are not MAGA, but WTF? To try and understand how this blustering bankrupt became the leader of the free world and how he continues to hold sway over so many people, Ray speaks to the woman who wrote the book on Trump’s use of rhetoric and language, Professor Jennifer Mercieca at Texas A&M University. We dive into her book Demagogue for President and discuss the method behind Trump’s seemingly rambling rhetoric, and how he managed to take over the Republican party. And yes, Hitler gets mentioned, though not exactly as you might think!
Interview-related links
Demagogue for President: The Rhetorical Genius of Donald Trump
Jennifer Mercieca – our fourth guest so far who has their own Wikipedia page!
Texas A&M Professor Provides Expert Statement to Jan 6 Committee on Trump’s Rhetoric – Texas A&M Today
Jennifer on The Lincoln Project
Jennifer on the TedX stage: “Be a citizen, not a partisan”
Please Google her for many more examples!
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October 25, 2022
Amateur sportspeople take it all off, corporate life imitates art, and feeling sorry for Mark Zuckerberg and weather forecasters
“It’s on your shoulders, and not ours.”In which we discuss the relationship between college athletics and OnlyFans, how TikTok is changing the entire social media landscape and over-reactions to wrong weather forecasts. Meanwhile, Ray digs up a long-forgotten comedy routine that pre-dates the carbon footprint debate.
The Good, The Bad and The Hilarious links
Gorgeous gymnast who became millionaire aged 18 tops chart for most influential athlete
Jeff Sparrow says we’ve been duped into believing environmental blame rests with us
Video killed the Instagram star? How Instagram’s push towards Reels is affecting local photographers
Hungary’s weather chief sacked over wrong forecast
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October 11, 2022
TikTok envy, nation brands at war, random not-so-kind acts and partying PMs
In which we decry Big Tech’s most viral activity – copying each other – as well as examining Ukraine’s nation branding efforts, a kind/not kind viral trend and ageism and sexism on the international stage.
The Good, The Bad and The Hilarious links
No hidden agenda to see here, just move on!Kylie Jenner’s tweet wiped $1.3 billion from Snapchat – now she’s after Instagram
With ‘bravery’ as its new brand, Ukraine has turned advertising into a weapon of war
Sanna Marin: What scandal? Finland mostly shrugs at prime minister’s party exploits
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