Science

Computer Science Off Course

by Felienne Hermans & Hanna Schraffenberger

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Latest episodes

Season 1 in 45 minutes instead of 450

September 15, 2026 · 43 min

What topics are not talked about enough in Computer Science? Over the last 10 episodes, this podcast has identified quite some issues that deserve more attention. In today's bonus episode, we look back at season 1 and reflect on some…
Langdon Winner - Do Artifacts Have Politics?

September 8, 2026 · 41 min

Does software have politics? Are LLMs like power plants? Do ships need captains? In this final episode of our first season, we discuss these questions and take a look at Langdon Winner's paper "Do Artifacts Have Politics?" (1980). Spoiler…
Lorraine Daston and Peter Galison - Objectivity

September 1, 2026 · 40 min

Imagine you're a scientist. What is it you are seeking: objectivity or truth? In this episode of Computer Science Off Course, we reflect on the aims of science in general and Computer Science in particular. We discuss the notion of…
Gavin Mueller - Breaking Things at Work

August 25, 2026 · 43 min

Are you a Luddite? No matter whether your answer is "yes," "no," or "maybe," this episode of Computer Science Off Course is for you. We discuss the book "Breaking Things at Work: The Luddites Are Right About Why You Hate Your Job" (2021)…
Sherry Turkle - The Second Self

August 18, 2026 · 48 min

What does using a computer do to you? If you use computers, laptops, phones, or play video games, this episode is for you! We discuss Sherry Turkle’s seminal book "The Second Self: Computers and the Human Spirit" (1984) and explore what…

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Joseph Weizenbaum - Computer Power and Human Reason

August 11, 2026 · 49 min

Are there things computers and AI should never do, even if they could? In this week’s episode, we discuss this question and take a look at Joseph Weizenbaum’s book “Computer Power and Human Reason” (1976). We learn about his famous chatbot…
Lucy Suchman - Plans and Situated Actions

August 4, 2026 · 45 min

When did you last use a copy machine, and how did you do it? Did you follow a predetermined plan, use a manual, or did you figure out what to do along the way? In this episode, we discuss how people interact with machines and tackle the…
Hubert Dreyfus - What Computers Can't Do

July 28, 2026 · 45 min

Is there something you wish computers could do but somehow, despite all the hype around AI, they still can't do it? In this episode, we discuss Hubert Dreyfus' book "What Computers Can't Do" (1972) and its updated revision, "What Computers…
Alan Turing - Computing Machinery and Intelligence

July 21, 2026 · 54 min

Has this text been written by an AI or by us, Felienne and Hanna? It's the latter! Why does this matter? This week, we discuss what it means when you can no longer tell human and machine output apart. For the first time, we discuss a paper…
Brenda Laurel - Computers as Theatre

July 14, 2026 · 41 min

Are you playing a role when using a computer? We certainly are! In this episode, we connect the worlds of theatre and computers. We discuss Brenda Laurel's book "Computers as Theatre” (1991). Per usual, Felienne has read the book. And as…
Peter Naur - Programming as Theory Building

July 7, 2026 · 41 min

What is programming? This week, we take a stab at this fundamental question with Peter Naur's paper "Programming as Theory Building". Felienne has read the paper (more than once), and Hanna is asking her questions about it. Apparently…
Everything you did not want to know about computer science! (Just teasing)

July 1, 2026 · 16 min

Our teaser episode for the Computer Science Off Course podcast! We bring you one paper or book each week to widen your view on what Computer Science is, and what it could be. Turing, Naur, Dreyfus, Laurel, and many more will bring some…

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About the show

The Computer Science Off Course podcast brings you one paper or book each week to widen your view on what Computer Science is, and what it could be. Turing, Naur, Dreyfus, Laurel, and many more will bring some much-needed change in perspective for people who grew up on an information diet of only complex algorithms, programming, and math! Read along with Felienne and Hanna, do the homework and see that there is more between heaven and earth than computers and compilers.