Decrypted, Ars Technica's TV podcast: Recent Episodes
EuroDance Radio
Reading excerpts from thinker and philosopher Eugene Thacker's latest work, "Infinite Resignation." Thacker is a professor at the New School in NYC, and in his essay "On Pessimism" is composed of aphorisms / fragments which explore the concept. You can purchase the book here: https://tinyurl.com/y6d6k2wz
I also share some thoughts about how the perspective of pessimism relates to Beyond Left & Right (BLR) philosophy.
Intro/Outro song is my own composition, except for the drum track, which comes from https://www.drumdrops.com/.
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For the third and final episode recorded in California, Brad's friend Huston joins us to trash liberal-left SJW politics (which we all dislike), and explore some other themes as well such as the legitimacy of therapy, simulation theory, and whether Godfather III was essential viewing or not.
My guest David joins us to talk about conspiracy theory from a leftist perspective. A rather long interview, but definitely one of my most interesting conversations to date! We start out talking about the CIA and the USSR/North Korea, wind our way through Elsagate and Jeffrey Epstein's pedo island, the strange string of "suicides" including Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, then the death of rock music, capitalism, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and 9/11 conspiracy.
While visiting my good friend Aidean in California, he introduced me to Brad, who he has known for many years. Brad is a musician, actor, and athlete, and does not follow politics, but he has strong views on freedom speech and other social issues. His girlfriend Ashley also stopped by to join us, and she has some strong views as well. We discuss issues relating to freedom of speech, and social media censorship, including the multi-platform ban of Alex Jones which had just happened at the time of this recording.
Selections from philosopher Slavoj Žižek's "Against the Double Blackmail: Refugees, Terror, and other Troubles with the Neighbor." A piece which is very helpful in avoiding the worst dogmas on the left and right when it comes to the immigration issue. Neither pure open borders or pure closed borders is the answer.
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My hot take on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democratic Socialist from New York who unexpectedly won against the incumbent establishment Democrat. Can you support her even with reservations about her lack of qualifications, or about Democratic Socialism? Yes. The important thing is that she is a good/honest person fighting for the working class, and excessive criticism can be a tool of the status quo.
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Some thoughts about how the major power systems (capitalism, the state, etc.) can be thought of as elements of a human ecosystem. Rather than an invasive alien force, they fulfill natural and necessary roles, but are prone to corruption and abuse. Organizing to combat those problems forms a social justice power system, which is also prone to corruption and abuse. This biological metaphor may help us dislodge the dysfunction in the system.
I also appropriate a concept (Negation of the Negation) from Hegel that probably has nothing to do with what he actually meant.
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A reading of Mark Fisher's "Exiting the Vampire Castle," the late thinker's critique of toxic tendencies on the left where class analysis and liberatory praxis is replaced by personal attacks on individuals for not being woke enough. Some commentary on my own feelings and thoughts about this at the end.
Follow me on Twitter @becomeother https://twitter.com/becomeother
2nd Episode of Night Club Show on EuroDance Radio. Best music of London clubs! Thanks Alex for the hot Weekend:)
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Anton (Theoretical Artist) joins me to discuss our criticisms of the existing left and right ideologies, and what - if anything - lies beyond them. We agree that whatever that it will involve a lot of complexity, and it can't be reduced to simple statements like "capitalism is bad/good." Also don't confuse us with the Intellectual Dark Web, please.
Theoretical Artist's channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/TenuousTheories/
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/becomeother
Exclusive mix by duet from Croatia Dallerium! More music on www.eurodanceradio.ru
Instagram: @eurodanceradio VK: vk.com/eurodanceradio also availibale on iTunes
My somewhat sympathetic but also critical take on incels (involuntary celibates)who are dudes angry at women because they can't get laid.
Follow me on Twitter: @becomeother
Who defines what critical theory is? Is it synonymous with the tradition we call "Critical Theory" which emerged from European universities, or is its scope broader than that? To help answer this question, I engage with a foundational text on critical theory from Frankfurt School thinker Max Horkheimer.
My roommate Sven joins me for a discussion on Jordan Peterson and related current happenings.
Why the left should be against SJWism (with some qualifications), and how it is harmful to the cause of creating a better, more equal society.
Twitter: @becomeother Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/becomingother Wordpress: https://becomingother19.wordpress.com/
Reading of and commentary on "Estranged Labor" from Karl Marx's "Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844." Source:
https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/download/pdf/Economic-Philosophic-Manuscripts-1844.pdf
My friend Don joins me for this discussion, the subject of which is "Heidegger's Children" by Richard Wolin (2001). Much of the book is concerned with the German philosopher's relationship with his Jewish students, among them Hannah Arendt. The particular chapter we are discussing, "Arbeit Macht Frei," is about the extent to which Heidegger's ontological philosophy of Being is related to his political commitment to Nazism. Even though the recent release of his "black books" revealed the extent of Heidegger's anti-semitism, his defenders argue that his philosophy (which was hugely influential on subsequent continental thought) remains untainted. This book argues that there are in fact strong connections between his philosophy and politics.
This episode is on current affairs and happenings related to politics. I discuss the Chris Cutrone essay "The Millennial Left is Dead," which you can read here:
https://platypus1917.org/2017/10/01/millennial-left-dead/
I also offer my thoughts on this alt-right sh*tshow with Richard Spencer, Sargon of Akkad, and Styx. I don't recommend watching all 4 hours:
https://youtu.be/UiUH-tWHbr8
In this episode I read aloud one of Nietzsche's more well-known pieces, "On Truth and Lie in a Nonmoral Sense" (sometimes known as "Extra-moral Sense"), and provide some commentary.
First episode of a new podcast combining critical theory and political philosophy with analysis of current events.
Sarah Elzas (RFI) and Christophe Robeet (France 24 television) speak to Elisabeth Guigou, a French MP with the Socialist party and former Junior Minister for European Affairs. She talks about the European reaction to UN security council resolution on Libya, and comments on the French president's reaction to the crisis there.
Sarah Elzas (RFI) and Christophe Robeet (France 24 television) speak with Eva Joly, the Norwegian-born French MEP with the Greens , who is best known in France for her personal crusade against corruption. She spent decades working both as an anti-corruption magistrate. In this interview, she calls for the French Foreign Minister, Michelle Alliot-Marie, to resign over her connections with Tunisia, and discusses her presidential aspirations in France.
Sarah Elzas (RFI) and Christophe Robeet (France 24 television) speak with Kristalina Georgieva, the EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid who allocates over one billion euros each year to countries that affected by natural disasters and conflicts. The conversation focuses on Yemen, Egypt and Haiti.
Sarah Elzas (RFI) and Christophe Robeet (France 24 television) speak with Pierre Vimont, the first ever Secretary General of Europe's External Action Service, whose mission is to speak with one voice on foreign policy for the 27 member states of the EU. The former French ambassador to the US, Vimont was appointed by High Representative Catherine Ashton. He addresses issues as varried as the Tunisian regime change, the presidential standoff in Cote d'Ivoire and the Iran nuclear talks.
Sarah Elzas (RFI) and Christophe Robeet (France 24 television) speak with Bozidar Delic, a Serbian Vice-President, in charge of EU integration, about his country's accession to the European Union. Is the country ready? Has it delt with war crimes of the past? And what about Kosovo?
Sarah Elzas (RFI) and Christophe Robeet (France 24 television) speak with Dacian Ciolo?, Europe's Agriculture Commissioner, about the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which represents 44 per cent of the EU's budget and is giong through a massive overhaul. How is Europe changing farm subsidies to address changing food production needs and a new, greener, economy? And how will he address strong opposition to change from France and Germany?
Sarah Elzas (RFI) and Christophe Robeet (France 24 television) speak with Laszlo Andor, the European Commissionner from Hungary, who is in charge of employment and social inclusion. He does not think think retirement ages should be harmonized across Europe. He also talks about the difficult task of integrating Europe's Roma population.
Sarah Elzas (RFI) and Christophe Robeet (France 24 television) speak with Thomas Mirow, head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), who talks about Europe's struggles to speak with one voice to get out of the economic crisis. Watch the interview on France 24 here.
Sarah Elzas (RFI) and Christoph Robeet (France 24 television) host a debate on the political crisis in Belgium with with former Prime Minister Mark Eyskens, of the Flemish Christian Democrats, and MEP Louis Michel, a former foreign Minister and EU commissioner, and member of the French-speaking Reformist Movement.
Sarah Elzas (RFI) and Christophe Robeet (France 24 television) speak Mario Monti, who recently produced a report about the European single market, which he says is the key to saving the continent from economic collapse. The former EU Commissioner and the president of Bocconi University in Milan believes a more deeply integrated market is the best source of economic growth for the EU. He also analyses Italy’s recent austerity plan. Watch the interview on France 24 television.
Sarah Elzas (RFI) and Christophe Robeet (France 24 television) speak with Spanish foreign minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, who says Europe's bailout plan will ultimately save the euro. He also says rumours about the state of his country's finances are unfounded. Watch the interview on France 24 television.
This week's guest is Michel Barnier, the EU Commissioner for Internal markets and financial services.
Jerzy Buzek, the new President of the European Parliament talks about his good friend, Lech Kaczynski, the Polish president who died in a plane crash this month, and the Greek financial crisis
Pierre Benazet (RFI) and Christophe Robeet (France 24 television) speak with newly-elected Croatian President Ivo Josipovi? about fighting corruption, and his vow to have his country join the European Union.
The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, talks with Pierre Benazet (RFI) and Christophe Robeet (France 24 television) about why turning to the IMF to help Greece would not be a humiliation for the EU, though he still hopes a European solution is possible. Watch the interview here.
Sarah Elzas (RFI) and Christophe Robeet (France 24 television) speak with Harlem Désir, a Socialist MEP representing France, about the EU/US Swift agreement on sharing banking data, the Greek financial crisis, and the French regional elections. Watch the interview here.
Sarah Elzas (RFI) and Christophe Robeet (France 24 television) speak with Karel de Gucht, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, about the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake and the absence of European foreign minister Catherine Ashton on the scene. Watch the interview here.
Sarah Elzas (RFI) and Christophe Robeet (France24 television) speak with Yves Leterme, the Prime Minister of Belgium , about how the economic crisis overshadowed the political crisis in his country, and about the new President of Europe, his fellow Belgian, Herman Van Rumpoy. Watch the interview here.