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# Plutopia News Network

We talk to interesting people via podcast and weekly livestream.

## Posts

- [Toby Johnson: The Myth of the Great Secret](https://plutopia.io/toby-johnson-the-myth-of-the-great-secret/) - Interview with Toby Johnson - activist, psychotherapist, and spiritual writer; author of Finding Your Own True Myth: What I Learned from Joseph Campbell.
- [Cory Doctorow: Attack Surface](https://plutopia.io/cory-doctorow-attack-surface/) - Cory Doctorow returns! Cory is a science fiction author, activist, and journalist. His latest book, which we'll be discussing today, is Attack Surface, a standalone adult sequel to Little Brother. He's written many other books, including Radicalized and Walkaway, science fiction; How to Destroy Surveillance Capitalism, nonfiction about monopoly and conspiracy; In Real Life, a
- [Living Your Truth: Counseling, Community, and LGBTQ Resilience](https://plutopia.io/living-your-truth-counseling-community-and-lgbtq-resilience/) - Counselor Candy Marcum discusses providing affirming mental health care and her belief that LGBTQ people need support in accepting themselves.
- [Border Reality: Plutopia Interview with Tom Miller](https://plutopia.io/border-reality-plutopia-interview-with-tom-miller/) - “Miller is as quirky and delightful as ever, treating the Southwest as a vast midden from which he plucks many odorous but tasty treasures. The fun, as usual, comes from watching Tom digest.” - Larry McMurtry Based out of Tucson, Arizona, Tom Miller has traveled the World, capturing its cultures, its people, its good, bad
- [Plutopia Interview: David DeMaris aka DJ Dr. Strangevibe](https://plutopia.io/plutopia-interview-david-demaris-aka-dj-dr-strangevibe/) - David DeMaris is a brilliant convergent renaissance man. By day he’s engaged in the design of VLSI (very large-scale integration) systems, but his interests also include nonlinear dynamics and oscillation phenomena in networks (applications to signal processing, pattern recognition, perceptual and cognitive modeling), scientific visualization, user interface design, usability, adaptive design methods, and algorithmic composition
- [Plutopia Interview: Orbotix Cofounder Ian Bernstein](https://plutopia.io/plutopia-interview-orbotix-cofounder-ian-bernstein/) - We learned about Orbotix and its product, Sphero™, a smartphone-controlled robotic ball, when they signed on as a sponsor of Plutopia 2011. When we saw the video of Sphero™ in action (below), we just had to talk to the inventor — Ian Bernstein, CTO for the company, who created Sphero™ and founded the company with
- [Steve O'Keefe: Setting the Page on Fire](https://plutopia.io/steve-okeefe-setting-the-page-on-fire/) - A conversation with Steve O'Keefe, author of "Set the Page on Fire," about zines, the early Internet, online community, and the emergence of web publishing. We also talk about AI and singularity, cyber-activism, and (of course) setting the page on fire!
- [Texas at a Crossroads](https://plutopia.io/texas-at-a-crossroads/) - Plutopians take a wide-ranging look at the changing political landscape in Texas and beyond, discussing democracy, public policy, and the state’s future.
- [Peter Richardson: Brand New Beat](https://plutopia.io/peter-richardson-brand-new-beat/) - Peter Richardson discusses Brand New Beat, his history of Rolling Stone’s first decade and its roots in San Francisco counterculture and music scene.
- [Hugh Forrest: Growing Experiences](https://plutopia.io/hugh-forrest-growing-experiences/) - Hugh Forrest reflects on four decades helping shape South by Southwest and the challenges of scaling creative communities without losing authenticity.
- [Steven Bellovin: Don't Get Hacked!](https://plutopia.io/steven-bellovin-dont-get-hacked/) - Security researcher and educator Steve Bellovin discusses the increasingly centralized and Balkanized internet and the history and evolution of cryptography.
- [Deborah Cohen: Bad Influence](https://plutopia.io/deborah-cohen-bad-influence/) - Deborah Cohen examines how social media algorithms, influencers, wellness brands, and AI tools transformed the way people find and evaluate health information.
- [Patient Power in the Age of AI](https://plutopia.io/patient-power-in-the-age-of-ai/) - How AI transforms participatory medicine by giving patients new tools to understand medical research, manage personal health data, and act with greater agency.
- [Jim Rutt: The Business of Technology](https://plutopia.io/jim-rutt-the-business-of-technology/) - Jim Rutt, host of "The Jim Rutt Show" podcast, joins Jon and Scoop for a wide-ranging discussion about business and technology. Jim details his start in business and tech, his time running Network Solutions, the evolution of the Internet, cancel culture, and AI censorship. Jim is also President and co-founder of the MIT Free Speech
- [Plutopia Tribal Chat](https://plutopia.io/plutopia-tribal-chat/) - Plutopia's hosts discuss early online culture, disaster response, politics, surveillance, AI, advertising, podcasts, pop culture, and much more.
- [Cindy Cohn: Privacy's Defender](https://plutopia.io/cindy-cohn-privacys-defender/) - Cindy Cohn reflects on her work with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, from the Bernstein encryption case to fights against NSA mass surveillance.
- [David Miles: The Viral Sneeze](https://plutopia.io/david-miles-the-viral-sneeze/) - David Miles discusses his book "Sneeze: The History and Science of the Common Cold," seeing "the cold" as as a broad category of respiratory viral illness.
- [Nathan Schneider: Governable Spaces and Democracy](https://plutopia.io/nathan-schneider-governable-spaces-and-democracy/) - Nathan Schneider joins Plutopia to discuss co-ops, platform ownership, and “implicit feudalism” shaping how we practice (or avoid) democracy online.
- [Ed Lenert: AI, Truth, and Political Kayfabe](https://plutopia.io/ed-lenert-ai-truth-and-political-kayfabe/) - Ed Lenert discusses his experience with large language models and what that experience reveals about AI, thought, trust, creativity, and danger.
- [Helen Pearson: Beyond Belief](https://plutopia.io/helen-pearson-beyond-belief/) - Helen Pearson discusses her book Beyond Belief, on rise of evidence-based decision-making in medicine, government, education, conservation, and other fields.
- [Tereza Pultarova: Space, Science, and Drone Wars](https://plutopia.io/tereza-pultarova-space-science-and-drone-wars/) - Journalist Tereza Pultarova discusses her path from covering space exploration to reporting on defense technology after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
- [Paulina Borsook on Tech, AI, and Billionaire Madness](https://plutopia.io/paulina-borsook-on-tech-ai-and-billionaire-madness/) - Paulina Borsook critiques billionaire tech culture, Elon Musk, AI hype and “AI slop,” and the environmental and social costs of generative AI.
- [Stephen Dulaney: The AI Ambition](https://plutopia.io/stephen-dulaney-the-ai-ambition/) - Stephen Dulaney says AI is a powerful but risky partner that can boost human work, but it still needs judgment, ethics, testing, and oversight.
- [Anne Boysen: AI Hype, Agents, and Risk](https://plutopia.io/anne-boysen-ai-hype-agents-and-risk/) - Anne Boysen argues that today’s AI systems are being adopted far faster than their reliability, transparency, and testability justify.
- [Marc Abrahams: Improbable Research and Ig Nobel Prizes](https://plutopia.io/marc-abrahams-improbable-research-and-ig-nobel-prizes/) - Marc Abrahams discusses the Ig Nobel Prizes, which honor real achievements that make people “laugh and then think,” not work that is simply silly or worthless.
- [Cyberpunk 2014: A Panel Discussion](https://plutopia.io/cyberpunk-2014-a-panel-discussion/) - In 2014, Plutopian Maggie Duval produced a great EFF-Austin party and event called Cyberpunk 2014 Retrofest during SXSW. A highlight of the event was an ambitious panel about cyberpunk as a literary subgenre and, even more so, as the movement that followed. It featured science fiction authors Bruce Sterling, Cory Doctorow, and Christopher Brown, and
- [Roy Casagranda on Iran, War, and Global Fallout](https://plutopia.io/roy-casagranda-on-iran-war-and-global-fallout/) - Roy Casagranda discusses Iran’s modern history, the rise of the Islamic Republic, and the escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
- [Kate Devlin: Robot Love](https://plutopia.io/kate-devlin-robot-love/) - AI and society expert Kate Devlin talks about the rise of AI companions, sex robots, and the evolving relationship between humans and artificial intelligence.
- [Gareth Branwyn in Slumberland](https://plutopia.io/gareth-branwyn-in-slumberland/) - Gareth Branwyn discusses “Dreaming for Creatives,” which focuses less on dream interpretation and more on mining the “dream-time mind” for creative material.
- [Shira Chess: The Unseen Internet](https://plutopia.io/shira-chess-the-unseen-internet/) - Shira Chess (The Unseen Internet) discusses how online culture has been shaped not just by code and commerce but by myth, ritual, and “enchanted logic.”
- [David Weinberger on AI](https://plutopia.io/david-weinberger-on-ai/) - David Weinberger weigh AI’s real strengths, especially pattern recognition, against its major dangers: hallucinations, bias, corporate power, and energy costs.
- [Jon Lebkowsky interviewed by Doomscroll](https://plutopia.io/jon-lebkowsky-interviewed-by-doomscroll/) - Plutopia News Network's Jon Lebkowsky discusses digital culture and the evolving social web.
- [Ken MacLeod: Imagined Futures](https://plutopia.io/ken-macleod-imagined-futures/) - Ken MacLeod discusses his work’s political themes: failed modern systems, rising nationalism, and the struggle to find common interest in a fragmented world.
- [Adam Roberts: Fantasy](https://plutopia.io/adam-roberts-fantasy/) - Adam Roberts discusses his new critical book Fantasy: A Short History and what it means to “suspend disbelief” in fantasy and science fiction.
- [Dave Evans: Does It Square?](https://plutopia.io/dave-evans-does-it-square/) - Author and social media pro Dave Evans discusses the nature and spread of online misinformation, introducing Does It Square?, an AI-assisted fact-checking tool.
- [Living Philosophy](https://plutopia.io/living-philosophy/) - Charles Herrman interviews philosopher Randall Auxier about his unconventional academic path, process philosophy, and personalism.
- [Roy Casagranda: Reviewing 2025](https://plutopia.io/roy-casagranda-reviewing-2025/) - Roy Casagranda reviews 2025, from social media’s corrosive incentives to AI hype, rising economic pain, and the destabilizing effects of Trump-era policies.
- [Cory Doctorow: Enshittification](https://plutopia.io/cory-doctorow-enshittification/) - Cory Doctorow discusses his book Enshittification and the broader forces behind why digital platforms (and other industries) have “suddenly gotten worse.”
- [Paul Robbins: Resilience](https://plutopia.io/paul-robbins-resilience/) - Paul Robbins joins Plutopians to discuss the 2025–26 edition of the Austin Environmental Directory, framed around “resilience.”
- [Deborah Hyde: Skeptical Inquiry into the Supernatural](https://plutopia.io/deborah-hyde-skeptical-inquiry-into-the-supernatural/) - Deborah Hyde joins the Plutopia News Network podcast to explore why sane, rational people can sincerely report supernatural experiences.
- [Johannes Grenzfurthner: Hacking at Leaves](https://plutopia.io/johannes-grenzfurthner-hacking-at-leaves/) - Austrian filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist Johannes Grenzfurthner joins the Plutopia podcast to discuss his two new films
- [Bruce Schneier: Rewiring Democracy](https://plutopia.io/bruce-schneier-rewiring-democracy/) - Bruce Schneier discusses his new book Rewiring Democracy: How AI Will Transform Our Politics, Government, and Citizenship.
- [Joseph Rowe: Spiritual Community](https://plutopia.io/joseph-rowe-spiritual-community/) - Joseph Rowe joins Scoop and Jon in a discussion of spiritual community, evolution, and awakening.
- [Doug Rushkoff: Program or Be Programmed](https://plutopia.io/doug-rushkoff-program-or-be-programmed/) - Douglas Rushkoff is a writer, documentarian, and lecturer whose work focuses on human autonomy in a digital age. He is the author of fifteen bestselling books on media, technology, and society, including Program or Be Programmed, Present Shock, and Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus. He has made such award-winning PBS Frontline documentaries as Generation
- [Próspera: Governance as a Service (GaaS)](https://plutopia.io/prospera-governance-as-a-service-gaas/) - Plutopians discuss Próspera, a privately managed “governance as a service” special economic zone in Honduras with its own legal, regulatory, and tax framework.
- [Jennifer Granick: Surveillance and Cybersecurity](https://plutopia.io/jennifer-granick-surveillance-and-cybersecurity/) - Jennifer Granick discusses the expanding machinery of government and corporate surveillance and its threat to civil liberties and democracy.
- [Pete Cochrane: Pursuing Truth](https://plutopia.io/pete-cochrane-pursuing-truth/) - Peter Cochrane talks about his lifelong pursuit of truth and his work on a “truth engine” that used AI to grade the reliability of news sources and authors.
- [Sophie Nightingale: Our Minds on Digital Technology](https://plutopia.io/sophie-nightingale-our-minds-on-digital-technology/) - The Plutopia podcast hosts Dr. Sophie Nightingale, a psychologist at Lancaster University, to discuss how digital technology — especially social media, generative AI, and the constant flow of online information — shapes human memory, judgment, and vulnerability to deception. She explains that people struggle to evaluate critically the sheer volume of information they encounter, so
- [Ben Collier: From the Dark Web to the Future of Privacy](https://plutopia.io/ben-collier-from-the-dark-web-to-the-future-of-privacy/) - Ben Collier, Senior Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh and chair of the Foundation for Information Policy Research, joins Plutopia to discuss his MIT Press book Tor: From the Dark Web to the Future of Privacy. The book argues that media overstates Tor’s ties to crime. Originally developed at the U.S. Naval Research Lab as
- [Colin Wright:  Juggling Mathematics](https://plutopia.io/colin-wright-juggling-mathematics/) - In this episode of the Plutopia News Network Podcast, hosts Jon Lebkowsky, Scoop Sweeney, and Wendy Grossman talk with mathematician and juggler Colin Wright, who holds a PhD in pure mathematics from Cambridge and is known for his engaging talks on how math appears everywhere in life. Wright explains that math is not about numbers
- [Sumner Erickson: Actors of Sound](https://plutopia.io/sumner-erickson-actors-of-sound/) - The Plutopia podcast welcomes Sumner Erickson, who discovered the tuba in sixth grade by chance and, at 18, won a job with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra after studies at the Curtis Institute. He recalls globe-spanning tours (Europe, Japan, China, Russia, Brazil), collaborations under André Previn, and contrasts between orchestral and other touring lives. Erickson’s new
- [Mike Aaron: Digital Lifeguard](https://plutopia.io/mike-aaron-digital-lifeguard/) - On this Plutopia episode, Mike Aaron — once a renewable-energy policy aide, now a “digital lifeguard” — explains how fast-evolving tech and social engineering are fueling scams and identity theft, citing FBI Internet Crime Center figures of $6.5B in reported 2024 losses (likely ~10× higher) and ~$160B across all cybercrimes, with average losses especially steep
- [Roy Casagranda: Politics 2025](https://plutopia.io/roy-casagranda-politics-2025/) - In this Plutopia News Network episode, political historian Dr. Roy Casagranda joins Jon and Scoop for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, U.S. presidents from Eisenhower to Trump, and the fragility of democratic institutions. Casagranda contrasts strong domestic achievements (e.g., LBJ, Eisenhower) with consistently troubling U.S. foreign policy, argues presidential “outsider” politics have degraded executive quality,
- [Bruce Schneier: A Hacker's Mind](https://plutopia.io/bruce-schneier-a-hackers-mind/) - Writer, blogger, and author Wendy Grossman, author of net.wars joins Plutopians for a conversation about hacking with Bruce Schneier, an internationally renowned computer security professional and author. Bruce's latest book, A Hacker's Mind: How the Powerful Bend Society's Rules, and How to Bend Them Back, is an expanded view of hacks and hackers beyond computers
- [Nate Wilcox: The State of the Union](https://plutopia.io/nate-wilcox-the-state-of-the-union/) - Nate Wilcox joins Plutopia News Network with a wide-ranging critique of U.S. politics, media, technology, and foreign policy. He argues the political center has collapsed, institutions lack credibility, and executive power dominates, while both parties fail in different ways: Democrats with performative resistance and hollow policy, Republicans with anti-democratic drift. He connects domestic dysfunction to
- [Paulina Borsook and Brian Maggi: In Formation Magazine](https://plutopia.io/paulina-borsook-and-brian-maggi-in-formation-magazine/) - On this Plutopia News Network episode, hosts talk with In Formation magazine’s humor editor Brian Maggi and writer/contributing editor Paulina Borsook about their newly released Issue #3 — an intentionally high-quality, print-first, “anti-Wired” cult mag skewering tech culture with smart, insider humor. They trace the evolution from early-2000s issues to today’s broader “tech bro” mainstream,
- [Jeremy Faludi: Sustainable Design](https://plutopia.io/jeremy-faludi-sustainable-design/) - The Plutopia podcast talks with Dr. Jeremy Faludi, a Delft University sustainable design researcher and lead author of Sustainable Design: From Vision to Action, about practical, systems-level strategies for lower-impact products and services. Faludi stresses life-cycle assessment (LCA) to “run the numbers” and focus effort where it matters—durability, repairability, energy efficiency—citing examples like Fairphone and
- [Hugh Forrest: Community Experience](https://plutopia.io/hugh-forrest-community-experience/) - Hugh Forrest, former President and longtime programming lead for Austin’s famed South by Southwest Festival, joins the Plutopia podcast to discuss shifting from running massive events to consulting on smaller community-focused experiences. Hugh argues that size is the enemy of community — people attend events to form a few meaningful connections — and says organizers
- [James L. Wayman: Automated Human Identification](https://plutopia.io/james-l-wayman-automated-human-identification/) - In this Plutopia News Network podcast, Dr. James Wayman, a pioneer in biometrics, shares his career journey. His studies grew from computational acoustics in the 1970s to becoming a leading authority on automated human identification. He explains the challenges of technologies such as fingerprinting, facial recognition, and retinal scans, emphasizing that biometric “accuracy” is complicated
- [It's All Balcones Fault!](https://plutopia.io/its-all-balcones-fault/) - On this episode of the Plutopia podcast, the hosts revisit Austin’s formative 1970s music scene through Scoop's archival 1977 interview with Fletcher Clark and Jack Jacobs, co-founders of the eclectic show band Balcones Fault. The conversation traces their unlikely journey from academia and banking into Austin’s burgeoning countercultural soundscape, where the band became known for
- [Michael Marshall: Compassionate Skepticism](https://plutopia.io/michael-marshall-compassionate-skepticism/) - On this episode of Plutopia, we welcome Michael Marshall — project director at the Good Thinking Society, editor of The Skeptic, President of the Merseyside Skeptics Society, and host of the Be Reasonable podcast — to unpack “compassionate skepticism”: why emotions drive belief, how pseudoscience and conspiracies spread (from flat earth to QAnon to the
- [John Seabrook: The Spinach King](https://plutopia.io/john-seabrook-the-spinach-king/) - In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, acclaimed journalist and New Yorker staff writer John Seabrook joins hosts Scoop Sweeney, Wendy Grossman, and Jon Lebkowsky to discuss his deeply personal and provocative new book, The Spinach King: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty. Drawing from a trove of family documents inherited after his
- [Chris Tomlinson: Texas Flood](https://plutopia.io/chris-tomlinson-texas-flood/) - On this episode of the Plutopia podcast, veteran journalist and author Chris Tomlinson joins us to unpack his reporting on the July 4th floods in Central Texas — why they were predictable and preventable — and to warn that American democracy is being endangered by aggressive redistricting and other election-rigging tactics. Now a columnist on
- [Pat Cadigan: Ultraseven and Beyond](https://plutopia.io/pat-cadigan-ultraseven-and-beyond/) - In this episode of the Plutopia News Network podcast, cyberpunk author Pat Cadigan joins the hosts to discuss her new novelization of the classic Japanese sci-fi series Ultraseven. Cadigan shares how she came to work on the project, her early exposure to Ultraman, and her appreciation for the show’s themes of teamwork and heroism. The
- [Charles Herrman: Honor and Dignity](https://plutopia.io/charles-herrman-honor-and-dignity/) - In this episode of the Plutopia News Network podcast, philosopher Charles Herrman discusses his lifelong study of honor and dignity as cultural forces, framing them as a dichotomy shaping societies and conflicts worldwide. He explains that honor and dignity function as intertwined yet distinct values—honor is the face of dignity, and dignity has honor’s back—and
- [The World, the Flesh, and SXSW 1994](https://plutopia.io/the-world-the-flesh-and-sxsw-1994/) - In 1994, the cyberzine "Mondo 2000" asked me to cover SXSW, which was then a much smaller event and did not have much of the corporate vibe it's gained in more recent years. I got a press pass for myself, and one for FringeWare art director Monte McCarter, who agreed to take photos. We discovered
- [Brendan McNally: Traitor's Odyssey](https://plutopia.io/brendan-mcnally-traitors-odyssey/) - Journalist and author Brendan McNally joins the Plutopia podcast this time as we discuss his latest book, Traitor's Odyssey: The Untold Story of Martha Dodd and a Strange Saga of Soviet Espionage, which tells the story of Martha Dodd, the daughter of an American ambassador in 1930s Berlin who became a Soviet spy. McNally spent
- [James Wright: Medieval Myth-Busting and the Archaeology of Buildings](https://plutopia.io/archaeology-of-buildings/) - On this Plutopia News Network episode, buildings archaeologist Dr. James Wright — founder of Triskele Heritage, author of the “Medieval Myth-Busting” blog, and writer of Historic Building Myth Busting: Uncovering Folklore, History, and Archaeology — joins hosts Jon Lebkowsky, Scoop Sweeney, and Wendy Grossman to unpack 25 years probing cellars, attics, castles, pubs, and church
- [Talking Heads from Plutopia!](https://plutopia.io/talking-heads-from-plutopia/) - In this “Talking Heads” edition of the podcast, Plutopia News Network cohosts Jon, Scoop, and Wendy roam freely across a grab-bag of current issues and curiosities: airport security hassles, billionaire excesses, the politics of air-conditioning, ICE detentions, LA’s media myths, Juneteenth and U.S. travel fears, hometown highways, regime-change misadventures, MAGA culture wars, abortion and right-to-die
- [Chris French: A Skeptic's Skeptic](https://plutopia.io/chris-french-a-skeptics-skeptic/) - You might say Professor Chris French is a skeptic's skeptic. He has published over 150 articles covering the psychology of paranormal beliefs and anomalous experiences. He emphasizes the importance of understanding why people believe in the paranormal, emphasizing psychological explanations for experiences often attributed to ghosts, aliens, psychic powers, or past lives. Professor French joins
- [Patrick Ball: Data and Human Rights](https://plutopia.io/patrick-ball-data-and-human-rights/) - Dr. Patrick Ball, a statistician and founder of the Human Rights Data Analysis Group (HRDAG), joins the Plutopia podcast to discuss how rigorous data analysis can expose and challenge human rights abuses — even when official data is missing or manipulated. Beginning with his work in El Salvador during its civil war, Ball explains how
- [Sandy Stone: Finding Girl Island](https://plutopia.io/sandy-stone-finding-girl-island/) - The legendary Sandy Stone returns to the Plutopia podcast this time as we discuss "Girl Island," an upcoming partially-animated film based on her life and early visions of gender identity. We also discuss gender roles, trans rights, political oppression, and much more. We dive into everything from gender roles and trans rights to political power,
- [Neal Baer: The Promise and Peril of CRISPR](https://plutopia.io/neal-baer-the-promise-and-peril-of-crispr/) - In this wide-ranging Plutopia podcast episode, Dr. Neil Baer — television writer and producer, physician, and public health advocate — discusses The Promise and Peril of CRISPR, a book he edited that explores the ethical, medical, and social implications of gene editing. While CRISPR holds transformative potential to cure diseases like sickle cell anemia and
- [Jonathan Kamens: A Technologist’s Warning](https://plutopia.io/jonathan-kamens-a-technologists-warning/) - Cybersecurity expert Jonathan Kamens, a longtime technologist with a background in software engineering and digital security, was dismissed from his role at the Department of Veterans Affairs by Elon Musk’s Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE). Kamens, who had joined the U.S. Digital Service to serve the public, criticized DOGE for pursuing three main goals: profiting
- [Cindy Cohn and Kevin Welch: Settling the Electronic Frontier](https://plutopia.io/cindy-cohn-and-kevin-welch-settling-the-electronic-frontier/) - The Electronic Frontier Foundation has worked for more than three decades to defend free speech online, fight illegal surveillance, advocate for users and innovators, and support freedom-enhancing technologies. EFF has fought to clear the way for open source software, encryption, security research, file sharing, and important new technologies. In the latest episode of the Plutopia
- [Will Kreth: Human and Digital](https://plutopia.io/will-kreth-human-and-digital/) - In this episode of the Plutopia News Network, Will Kreth—founder and CEO of HAND (Human and Digital) — joins Plutopians to discuss the future of identity, digital media, and the growing threat of deepfakes. Kreth, an early media pioneer and former first employee at Wired Magazine, outlines his mission to address the lack of source
- [Michael Tobis: The Canada Divide](https://plutopia.io/michael-tobis-the-canada-divide/) - This time on the Plutopia podcast, climate scientist Michael Tobis, our man in the Great White North, joins us to talk about U.S.-Canadian relations. As Canadians go to the polls this week to elect new members of Parliament, the Trump administration's ongoing attacks on Canadian tariffs and trade loom large. Michael describes how Trump’s aggressive
- [Darryl Cunningham on Musk the Oligarch](https://plutopia.io/darryl-cunningham-on-musk-the-oligarch/) - British author and cartoonist Daryl Cunningham has created a graphical biography of Elon Musk, originally published in France under the title Elon Musk, Investigation into a New Master of the World, and now set for English release in September 2025 as Elon Musk, American Oligarch by Seven Stories Press. The book traces Musk’s evolution from
- [Travels with Ray Thompson](https://plutopia.io/travels-with-ray-thompson/) - Ray Thompson, a revenue and operations executive and managing partner at Buy Build Sell LLC, joined the Plutopia podcast while on a 23,000-mile road trip across the U.S. with his family. Taking a break from years of intense corporate work, he embraced remote working and launched a new business aimed at helping people become entrepreneurs
- [Axon: For All](https://plutopia.io/axon-for-all/) - On this episode of the Plutopia podcast, singer-songwriter Axon Chamberlain (aka “The Herban Cowboy”) rejoins Plutopians to debut tracks from his newly released CD "Pub Fare," recorded live in tap rooms and mixed with care. He reflects on how his creative process has shifted from striving for perfection to playing music for personal joy and
- [Paul Alan Levy: Defending Free Speech](https://plutopia.io/paul-alan-levy-defending-free-speech/) - Paul Alan Levy, a public interest attorney at Public Citizen, specializes in defending internet-related free speech cases, particularly those involving individuals targeted by lawsuits for their online expression. While personally committed to protecting all forms of speech, Levy balances this ideal with the progressive values of his organization. He only takes cases when the speech
- [JFK Died for Our Sins](https://plutopia.io/jfk-died-for-our-sins/) - In 1975, the United States Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with respect to intelligence activities began a formal inquiry into abuses committed by the CIA, NSA, FBI, and the IRS. The committee, known as the Church Committee, was chaired by Idaho Senator Frank Church and was part of a series of investigations into
- [Pat Cadigan: Cyberpunk Redux](https://plutopia.io/pat-cadigan-cyberpunk-redux/) - Pat Cadigan is a renowned science fiction and cyberpunk author known for works like Synners and Mindplayers. In 2023 she released a novelization of the classic Japanese Ultraman TV series, and in July she'll release a novelization of the Ultraman UltraSeven series. Pat joins the Plutopia podcast to discuss the evolution of the cyberpunk genre
- [Red Flag Warning: Wildfire Politics](https://plutopia.io/red-flag-warning/) - Austin activist Suzy Shelor joins the Plutopia podcast to discuss a range of pressing issues with the politics of the moment, including Elon Musk’s increasing influence over government, Trump’s authoritarian shift, and the mainstream media’s rightward drift. She critiques the lack of foresight in policy decisions, highlighting mass firings at the IRS and attacks on
- [Alan Watts on Meow Wolf](https://plutopia.io/alan-watts-on-meow-wolf/) - Arts and Entertainment Company Meow Wolf creates large-scale interactive and immersive art installations. They recently opened their fifth installation in Houston. Austin based hardware and software developer, Alan Watts, created many of their custom interactive devices, database driven platforms, and animation software. Alan joins us this time on the Plutopia podcast to discuss his work.
- [The Barking DOGE](https://plutopia.io/the-barking-doge/) - Plutopians are joined by EFF-Austin president Kevin Welch. Elon Musk's team of alleged geniuses continue to disrupt many U.S. government agencies. With that in mind, we discuss Musk’s disruptive influence on U.S. government agencies, democracy, and the rule of law. Our conversation explores how Musk’s unqualified team is recklessly dismantling government technology systems, leading to
- [Empowered Patients and AI](https://plutopia.io/e-patients-and-ai/) - In this episode of the Plutopia News Network Podcast, we discuss how AI is revolutionizing healthcare by empowering patients to take control of their medical decisions. Our guests, Dave DeBronkart (e-Patient Dave), Gilles Frydman, and Hugo Campos are advocates for patient autonomy and participatory medicine. We discuss how AI enables patients to interpret complex medical
- [Resistance is Not Futile](https://plutopia.io/resistance-is-not-futile/) - This episode of Plutopia News Network's podcast features hosts Scoop Sweeney, Jon Lebkowsky, and Wendy Grossman discussing skepticism, trust, and current societal issues. We explore the erosion of trust in air travel following recent accidents, accessibility concerns for disabled passengers, and broader vulnerabilities in government systems and infrastructure. The conversation shifts to concerns about the
- [Rebecca Mercuri: Electronic Voting](https://plutopia.io/rebecca-mercuri-electronic-voting/) - Dr. Rebecca Mercuri, a leading expert on electronic voting systems, discusses the vulnerabilities and shortcomings of modern voting technology, particularly the reliability of voter-verified paper ballots and the risks of electronic voting machines. She emphasizes that cryptography alone cannot secure elections and argues that paper ballots must remain the definitive record for vote counting. Mercuri
- [David Miles: Viruses and Vaccines](https://plutopia.io/david-miles-viruses-and-vaccines/) - In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, British immunologist David Miles discusses his book How Vaccines Work and considers the science of vaccines, viruses, and the societal impact of vaccine misinformation. The conversation covers the role of vaccines in combating diseases like COVID-19, polio, and avian influenza, as well as the challenges posed by anti-vaccine
- [Roy Casagranda: Inauguration 2025](https://plutopia.io/roy-casagranda-inauguration-2025/) - On this Inauguration Day episode of the Plutopia podcast, we discuss the past, present and future of democracy. We also acknowledge the return of Felonious Trump, the 45th and 47th President of the United States. Our friend Dr. Roy Casagranda joins the podcast as we examine the incoming Trump Dream Team and its possible impact
- [Jon and Scoop: Chaos Navigators](https://plutopia.io/jon-and-scoop-chaos-navigators/) - Jon and Scoop consider various political and societal issues, centering on Donald Trump’s potential second term as U.S. president, the constraints of governance, and the role of systemic friction in tempering political ambitions. The Plutopians highlight misunderstandings around Trump’s perceived ability to operate outside the established political framework, emphasizing the persistence of institutional processes. We
- [Robert Fripp: The Art of Frippertronics](https://plutopia.io/robert-fripp-the-art-of-frippertronics/) - This time on the Plutopia podcast, we turn on our time machine and take you back to 1979. King Crimson guitarist and founder Robert Fripp was touring with his Frippertronics real-time tape looping device. He performed shows at UC Berkeley and Mabuhay Gardens, San Francisco's premier punk venue. Following those shows, Ed Ward and Scoop
- [Michelle Gladieux: Communicate with Courage](https://plutopia.io/michelle-gladieux-communicate-with-courage/) - In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, communication coach and author Michelle Gladieux discusses her book Communicate with Courage: Taking Risks to Overcome the Four Hidden Challenges. She highlights the importance of communication skills, vulnerability, and ethical influence, providing practical strategies for improving personal and professional relationships. Gladieux shares insights on overcoming challenges like rationalizing
- [Ahana Datta: CyberSecurity](https://plutopia.io/ahana-datta-cybersecurity/) - Cybersecurity expert Ahana Datta discusses the complexities and evolving nature of cybersecurity, touching on topics like the “security-insecurity paradox,” the challenges of defending against nation-state actors and private hackers, and the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure, including healthcare systems and Internet of Things devices. She explores the role of AI in both offensive and defensive cyber
- [Gathering Online: Social Media vs Community](https://plutopia.io/gathering-online-social-media-vs-community/) - In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, we explore the evolving dynamics of online interaction, contrasting the personal connections fostered by early online communities with the algorithm-driven experiences of modern social media platforms. Hosts Jon and Scoop reflect on the history and challenges of digital networking, touching on the influence of major tech companies, the
- [Vietnam Redux](https://plutopia.io/vietnam-redux/) - This time on the Plutopia podcast we explore an immigration crisis, not the one you might think, but one that occurred almost 50 years ago. We focus on the 1975 Operation Babylift, a controversial airlift of Vietnamese children, many labeled as orphans, during the final days of the Vietnam War. The event garnered international media
- [Ann-Marie Wilson: Opposing FGM Globally](https://plutopia.io/ann-marie-wilson-opposing-fgm-globally/) - Dr. Ann-Marie Wilson, a psychologist and senior research advisor with the Orchid Project, joined the Plutopia podcast to discuss her extensive efforts to combat female genital mutilation (FGM). Drawing on over 30 years of experience and a profound moment of epiphany during aid work in Darfur, Dr. Wilson described her journey from corporate HR to
- [Jane Hirshfield and Tiffany Lee Brown: Sanity and Gratitude](https://plutopia.io/jane-hirshfield-and-tiffany-lee-brown-sanity-and-gratitude/) - Our Thanksgiving episode of the Plutopia podcast features Tiffany Lee Brown, a writer and interdisciplinary artist, and Jane Hirshfield, an award-winning poet and essayist. Tiffany is also an astrologer, Tarot reader, and the creator of the Burning Tarot podcast (see tiffanyleebrown.com). We talk about staying sane during turbulent times, fostering genuine dialogue, and addressing fears
- [Lee Felsenstein: Big Ideas](https://plutopia.io/lee-felsenstein-big-ideas/) - In this episode of the Plutopia News Network podcast, engineer Lee Felsenstein shares his experiences with the Homebrew Computer Club, a pioneering group of technology enthusiasts in Silicon Valley during the early days of personal computing. Felsenstein debunks the myth that the counterculture was solely responsible for the personal computer revolution, describing a diverse group
- [Jaye Robinson: Practical AI](https://plutopia.io/jaye-robinson-practical-ai/) - In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, Jaye Robinson, a multifaceted professional with experience as an attorney, navy diver, and AI specialist, joins Jon and Scoop to explore the societal and ethical impacts of artificial intelligence. The conversation considers the challenges of copyright law in the age of Large Language Models, the mechanics and limitations
- [Roy Casagranda: Election 2024](https://plutopia.io/roy-casagranda-election-2024/) - In this episode of the Plutopia News Network podcast, Dr. Roy Casagranda shares his insights on the 2024 election, expressing concerns about Donald Trump’s authoritarian leanings and his potential to undermine democratic principles if re-elected. Comparing Trump’s rhetoric to that of historical authoritarian figures, Casagranda suggests Trump’s repeated claims, such as the election being “stolen,”
- [Jeff Jarvis: Weaving the World-Wide Web](https://plutopia.io/jeff-jarvis-weaving-the-world-wide-web/) - In The Web We Weave, Jeff Jarvis discusses the tensions between traditional mass media and the rise of the internet, emphasizing how the web has provided a platform for diverse voices that were previously sidelined. Jarvis argues that mass media, traditionally dominated by older, established institutions, has struggled with the democratization of information, often reacting
- [Joanna Price: Building Community Online](https://plutopia.io/joanna-price-building-community-online/) - Joanna Price, a public librarian with an interest in community-building, discusses the dynamics of building resilient and compassionate online communities. She critiques large social media platforms, like Twitter and Facebook, for fostering alienation and trolls. Joanna shares her vision for smaller, more intimate communities of around 100 people that grow naturally without heavy promotion. This,
- [R.U. Sirius: Mondo 2024](https://plutopia.io/r-u-sirius-mondo-2024/) - In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, writer and cyberculture celebrity R.U. Sirius discusses the evolution of Mondo 2000, a groundbreaking magazine he co-founded that blended tech, art, and psychedelics. Sirius reflects on its origins, transitioning from High Frontiers and Reality Hackers, exploring how psychedelic culture intertwined with early tech innovation. He recounts Mondo 2000’s
- [Ken Flippin: The Green Wave](https://plutopia.io/ken-flippin-the-green-wave/) - Ken Flippin, a seasoned Texas political consultant and activist, has launched the Green Wave PAC, a political action committee aimed at promoting environmentally conscious political campaigns. Also focused on supporting public school advocates and ousting pro-voucher Republicans, Flippin’s PAC targets local races with the potential to sway the Texas House in favor of more progressive,
- [Glenn Smith: Authoritarianism and the Fight for Democracy](https://plutopia.io/glenn-smith-authoritarianism-and-the-fight-for-democracy/) - Glenn Smith is an author, activist and political consultant. He is not a fan of the conservative fanboys pushing the so-called "Great Replacement Theory." Glenn also finds little to admire when they worship strongman dictators. In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, Glenn critiques the insecurity among white men driving far-right movements, highlighting how fear
- [Mark Dery: Let's Get Lost](https://plutopia.io/mark-dery-lets-get-lost/) - Author, lecturer, critic, and culture jammer Mark Dery gave this talk, "Let's Get Lost: an Experiment in Controlled Digression," at the ACTLab 2019 conference in June. (For more information on Mark, see our earlier conversation with him about his latest book, a biography of Edward Gorey called Born to be Posthumous. In this talk, Mark
- [Christopher Brown: A Natural History of Empty Lots](https://plutopia.io/christopher-brown-a-natural-history-of-empty-lots/) - Christopher Brown is an author, attorney, and urban naturalist living in Austin, Texas. His newest book, A Natural History of Empty Lots: Field Notes from Urban Edgelands, Back Alleys, and Other Wild Places, blends nature writing, memoir, and nonfiction. The book explores the intersection of nature and urban spaces, encouraging readers to reconnect with the
- [Linda Castellani and Tim Powers on Philip K. Dick](https://plutopia.io/linda-castellani-and-tim-powers-on-philip-k-dick/) - In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, Linda Castellani and Tim Powers join Jon to discuss the legendary science fiction author Philip K. Dick. Linda and Tim recount their personal interactions with Dick. The discussion considers Dick’s complex personality, his writings, and his often tumultuous relationships, including Linda’s own experience as one of Dick’s “dark-haired
- [Nadya Wynd: At Her Feet](https://plutopia.io/nadya-wynd-at-her-feet/) - Filmmaker Nadya Wynd recently premiered her new movie "At Her Feet" in Hawaii and select mainland theatres. She joins the Plutopia podcast this time as we explore her creation of this moving and beautiful film. Nadya is a Hawaii-based director, writer and producer with extensive experience in writing, acting, producing and directing for stage and
- [Gil Friend: Natural Logic](https://plutopia.io/gil-friend-natural-logic/) - Sustainability pioneer Gil Friend joins the Plutopia podcast this time. He has been called one of the 10 most influential sustainability voices in America. Gil is the founder, chair, and CEO of Natural Logic Inc. and Critical Path Capital. He advises leading companies, communities, and investors on value-driving sustainability strategies. He has been a noted
- [Michael Tobis: Racing Toward the Worst](https://plutopia.io/michael-tobis-racing-toward-the-worst/) - Climate scientist Dr. Michael Tobis returns to the Plutopia podcast with an update on the current state of the Earth's climate. The current state, it appears, is not so good. Michael discusses the worsening state of the Earth’s climate, highlighting the missed opportunities to transition away from fossil fuels over the past 30 years. He
- [Susan McCarthy: The Crowdstrike Apology](https://plutopia.io/susan-mccarthy-the-crowdstrike-apology/) - This time, on the Plutopia podcast, blogger and author Susan McCarthy, a noted authority on apologies, helps us perform a verbal autopsy on the worldwide CrowdStrike security meltdown. Unlike most large outages, the CrowdStrike outage impacted individual workstations, Microsoft Windows workstations. In the aftermath, CrowdStrike apologized and even offered a $10 Uber Eats voucher. Susan
- [Nick Selby: Law Enforcement and Security](https://plutopia.io/nick-selby-law-enforcement-and-security/) - Nick Selby, a law enforcement and security expert, shares insights from his extensive experience in the complexities of policing and information security. He highlights the often misunderstood realities of police encounters, noting that while 1,400 people die annually following interactions with police, the use of non-deadly force—such as intimidation and humiliation—more significantly erodes public trust
- [Bruce Sterling: Cyberpunk, Space, and Design](https://plutopia.io/bruce-sterling-cyberpunk-space-and-design/) - Plutopians Jon and Scoop converse with Bruce Sterling, renowned for his cyberpunk novels. The discussion delves into Sterling’s interests beyond cyberpunk, including industrial design, steampunk, Frida Kahlo, and space exploration. Sterling shares insights on the evolution of the Viridian Design Movement and its impact on addressing climate change, albeit with limited success. He reflects on
- [David Miles: How Vaccines Work](https://plutopia.io/david-miles-how-vaccines-work/) - David Miles, a British immunologist, joins the Plutopia podcast to discuss vaccines and vaccine hesitancy, sharing insights from his book, How Vaccines Work. The conversation covers the history of vaccine development, from artisanal methods in the 1930s to modern techniques. Miles addresses the current skepticism towards vaccines, explaining that while no vaccine works perfectly for
- [James Ball: How Bullshit Conquered the World](https://plutopia.io/james-ball-how-bullshit-conquered-the-world/) - Investigative journalist James Ball is no stranger to bullshit. In his 2017 book, Post Truth: How Bullshit Conquered the World, he explains how the political left and right tend to exist in an ecosystem of bullshit. James is also author of The Other Pandemic: How Q-Anon Contaminated the World, which explores the pervasive nature of
- [A Plutopian Juncture](https://plutopia.io/a-plutopian-juncture/) - On this episode of the Plutopia Podcast, Jon and Scoop discuss current politics, the charm of vintage sci-fi movies, and the importance of reducing social media usage. They reflect on the shift in political conventions from dynamic debates to predictable events and lament the loss of genuine political discourse. The conversation also touches on the
- [Nate Wilcox: Realpolitik](https://plutopia.io/nate-wilcox-realpolitik/) - Nate Wilcox has many opinions and he is not afraid to use them all. Nate joins the Plutopia podcast this time as we discuss politics, politicians, and other dangerous predators. Nate is a former political consultant turned MMA blogger (noting the similarity of politics to mixed martial arts). He's publisher of "The MMA Draw Newsletter"
- [Ian Forrester: Media R&D](https://plutopia.io/ian-forrester-media-rd/) - Ian Forrester, a member of the BBC’s R&D Advisory Team, focuses on open innovation and disruptive opportunities, working with startups and early adopters. With a history at the BBC World Service, Ian’s role evolved from traditional news development to anticipating future broadcasting and Internet challenges. His team addresses core issues relevant to public service broadcasters,
- [Stanton Friedman on UFOs](https://plutopia.io/stanton-friedman-on-ufos/) - In this episode of the Plutopia Podcast, the hosts revisit an interview with the late Stanton Friedman, a prominent nuclear physicist and UFO investigator who lectured extensively on his research into UFOs. Friedman argued that governments conceal information about UFOs to maintain nationalistic divisions and prevent public unification as earthlings. He emphasized the significant evidence
- [Plutopian History, Analog Media, and Attacks on Democracy](https://plutopia.io/plutopian-history-analog-media-and-attacks-on-democracy/) - In this episode of the Plutopia Podcast, Jon and Scoop discuss the origin of the name "Plutopia" as well as the organization, and its connection to digital convergence. We also discuss the importance of democratic principles. Jon delves into the history of the Plutopia News Network, while Scoop shares his passion for analog technology. They
- [The Plutopian Buzz](https://plutopia.io/the-plutopian-buzz/) - In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, hosts Scoop Sweeney, Wendy Grossman, and Jon Lebkowsky have an open discussion without a guest, considering what's buzzing at the moment. The conversation touches on various topics, including being a dilettante versus a specialist, the misuse of AI in solving policy problems, and the influence of technology on
- [Patrick Lichty: Digital Art](https://plutopia.io/patrick-lichty-digital-art/) - Contemporary media artist Patrick Lichty returns for another conversation with Plutopians Scoop and Jon. In this conversation, we discuss the current state of digital art. Pat is a Contemporary Media Artist, educator, professional writer/researcher, expert in Augmented/Virtual Reality/Drones, public speaker, and curator. He is a Herb Alpert/CalArts fellow, a TED Global exhibitor, and his writing
- [Plutopian Jam: Worms Ate Our Brains](https://plutopia.io/plutopian-jam-worms-ate-our-brains/) - In this episode of the Plutopia Podcast, hosts Jon and Scoop engage in a wide-ranging discussion covering various topics, including the ongoing ransomware attack at Ascension Seton hospitals, solar flares, science fiction, billionaire bunkers, and QAnon conspiracy theories. They also touch on the upcoming debates between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, speculating on Trump's debate
- [Jay Stanley: Privacy and Civil Liberties](https://plutopia.io/jay-stanley-privacy-and-civil-liberties/) - ACLU Senior Policy Analyst Jay Stanley joins the Plutopia podcast this time. Jay works with the ACLU Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, where he researches, writes, and speaks about technology-related privacy and civil liberties issues. The ACLU is very involved in legislative advocacy. We have a team here in Washington of lobbyists who work with
- [Madeline Bocaro: Infinite Yoko](https://plutopia.io/madeline-bocaro-infinite-yoko/) - Madeline Bocaro describes herself as a passionate fan of rock music. In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, she explains her passion for all things rock and roll. We also explore her ultimate biography of Yoko Ono, In Your Mind: The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono. I just saw a picture of her in a
- [Mike Nelson: Technology Policy](https://plutopia.io/mike-nelson-technology-policy/) - In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, hosts Jon Lebkowsky, Wendy Grossman, and Scoop Sweeney discuss with guest Mike Nelson, a senior fellow at Carnegie Asia, the evolution and impact of the internet and encryption policies. Mike shares his journey from being Al Gore’s science advisor, contributing to legislation that allowed public internet access, to
- [Snow Crash](https://plutopia.io/snow-crash/) - I've been looking through various writings from decades ago, and I turned up this review of Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash. More info about the novel at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_Crash. At the core of Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash is the metaverse, a multiuser object-oriented graphical VR network where Hiro Protagonist hangs out. The metaverse has been compared
- [Science Friction!](https://plutopia.io/science-friction/) - This time on the Plutopia podcast, our evil alien overlords, Jon and Scoop, talk about their favorite science fiction films and TV series.
- [Friedrich Moser: How to Build a Truth Engine](https://plutopia.io/friedrich-moser-how-to-build-a-truth-engine/) - Filmmaker Friedrich Moser is on a crusade for truth. His new film "How to Build a Truth Engine" features investigators from the fields of technology, journalism, folklore and neuroscience who show that if you can hack the information feed, you can hack somebody's mind. Friedrich Moser: Anything that happened in the world would become the
- [Susannah Fox: Rebel Health](https://plutopia.io/susannah-fox-rebel-health/) - In her new book, Rebel Health: A Field Guide to the Patient-Led Revolution in Medical Care., Susannah Fox focuses on the health care needs of patients and caregivers. She points out the need for better communication and networking for anyone who has difficulty navigating the American healthcare system. Susannah Fox: With all of the technology
- [Woke Plutopians Wax Philosophical!](https://plutopia.io/woke-plutopians-wax-philosophical/) - On the March 21st Plutopia Livestream, woke Plutopians discussed the financial woes of that orange-haired politician, the Biden impeachment hearings, RFK Junior, student loans, the University of Austin, South by Southwest and much more. "I think it was a sock puppet..."
- [David Gans: Psychedelia and Groove](https://plutopia.io/david-gans-psychedelia-and-groove/) - David Gans has a long history of making music, writing about music, and broadcasting music. He recently added a new entry to his musical résumé, teaching "Psychedelia and Groove: The Music and Culture of the Grateful Dead," a continuing studies course at Stanford University. But what I proposed was a class that was going to
- [Jen Persson: Defend Digital Me](https://plutopia.io/jen-persson-defend-digital-me/) - Jen Persson is director of the UK Civil Liberties Group, Defend Digital Me. She campaigns for a safe, fair, and transparent collection of children's data in education and elsewhere. What happens when you start collecting school records is that they're about children, but those records age as the people do, and now we have a
- [Jake Dunagan: Politics and Governance](https://plutopia.io/jake-dunagan-politics-and-governance/) - This time on the Plutopia Podcast, Jake Dunagan joins us as we explore the future of governance and democracy. This podcast is from the Plutopia Live webcast on 2/22/2024. Jake is Director of the Governance Futures Lab at the Institute for the Future. More information here: https://www.iftf.org/people/jake-dunagan/ Jake Dunagan: As much as it is anathema
- [Football Feverish](https://plutopia.io/football-feverish/) - This time on the Plutopia podcast, we investigate Texans' love affair with high school football. Football culture... Capture the energy of high school football in Texas, and you could power a planet. A view of Texas from space on any Friday night in-season could be blinding - those Friday night lights at football stadiums across
- [Moira Meltzer-Cohen: Justice Struggles](https://plutopia.io/moira-meltzer-cohen-justice-struggles/) - Moira Meltzer-Cohen has provided legal services for persons arrested in the course of justice struggles, including Indigenous communities and social movement groups. Moira Meltzer-Cohen: I mean, it doesn't just contribute to greenhouse gases, right? I think that might be sort of the thing that everyone is most aware of. But the pollution, the environmental degradation,
- [Richard Bartle: Virtual Worlds](https://plutopia.io/richard-bartle-virtual-worlds/) - Dr Richard Bartle is Honorary Professor of Computer Game Design at the University of Essex, UK. He co-created the first virtual world, MUD or multi-user dungeon, a progenitor of the Massively-Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game industry. His 1996 Player Types model has seen widespread adoption by MMO developers and the games industry in general. He's the
- [Renshin Bunce: Remembering Myogen Steve Stücky](https://plutopia.io/renshin-bunce-remembering-myogen-steve-stucky/) - Renshin Bunce is a Soto Zen Buddhist Priest who received Dharma transmission in 2013. She worked as a hospice chaplain from 2010 until she retired in 2022. Her latest book is Remembering Myogen Steve Stücky. Renshin Bunce: The impetus for the book was, I am, as you said, a Zen teacher. And Steve Stücky died
- [Brenda Laurel: Games for Girls](https://plutopia.io/brenda-laurel-games-for-girls/) - Brenda Laurel is an American interaction designer, video game designer, and researcher. She is an advocate for diversity and inclusiveness in video games, a pioneer in developing virtual reality, a public speaker, and an academic. She is known for her work on virtual reality and her advocacy for diversity and inclusiveness in video games. She
- [joey lopez phd: Making Media](https://plutopia.io/joey-lopez-phd-making-media/) - joey lopez phd loves media, all kinds of media. That love of media was confirmed at UT Austin's ACTLab, where he was teaching assistant for Sandy Stone, the legendary academic and media theorist. In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, we discuss ACTLab, high-end audio gear, and joey's work at Texas A&M's Media and Gaming
- [Fact-checking the Infosphere](https://plutopia.io/fact-checking-the-infosphere/) - The Internet is relatively new, and we're just learning to deal with the downsides of the pervasive infosphere. Fact-checking helps.
- [State of Social Media](https://plutopia.io/state-of-social-media/) - by Jon Lebkowsky I wrote this for the annual "State of the World" conversation on the WELL, and decided to post it here as well. Context: Bruce Sterling had posted about the Bluesky platform as an alternative to X (the former Twitter)... Speaking of Xitter and Bluesky, Helene von Bismarck had an op-ed in yesterday's
- [Johannes Ernst and Tom Brown: The Fediverse](https://plutopia.io/johannes-ernst-and-tom-brown-the-fediverse/) - In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, we discuss the various technologies and sites that comprise the Fediverse. Johannes Ernst and Tom Brown have explored the Fediverse since the early days of the movement for an alternative to big social media. Johannes Ernst: Think of social media as this one linear feed that somehow streams
- [Ed Cavazos: AI and the Law](https://plutopia.io/ed-cavazos-ai-and-the-law/) - Attorney Ed Cavazos joins Plutopians as we explore legal aspects of artificial intelligence, content moderation, and telemedicine.
- [Gus Hosein: Technology and Human Rights](https://plutopia.io/gus-hosein-technology-and-human-rights/) - Gus Hosein worries about data, everyone's data. As executive director of Privacy International, Gus has a long history of fighting to protect people's data from exploitation by companies and governments. When the Bush administration introduced the US-VISIT system, we were the only organization on the planet that opposed it, saying, this is ridiculous. You shouldn't
- [Pat Cadigan: The Queen of Cyberpunk](https://plutopia.io/pat-cadigan-the-queen-of-cyberpunk/) - Pat Cadigan discusses cyberpunk, artificial intelligence, and her recent novelizations of classic sci-fi movies and Japanese anime.
- [Andy Cohen's Blues](https://plutopia.io/andy-cohens-blues/) - Andy Cohen is a blues musician who, when he’s not on the road touring, resides in Memphis Tennessee. He plays mostly southeastern music that he found on old 78 RPM records. Andy's performances include blues, gospel, country dance music, fiddle tunes, ballads, classic rags, country songs, and boogies. If there's one thing Andy loves as
- [Jon Lebkowsky: A Personal History of the Early Internet](https://plutopia.io/jon-lebkowsky-a-personal-history-of-the-early-internet/) - Plutopia's own Jon Lebkowsky was an early adopter of digital technology and the internet. On this episode of the Plutopia podcast, Jon presents a personal history of digital tech, life online in the 1990s, the internet, and much more. Jon Lebkowsky: So I heard that you could get a pretty decent computer, personal computer, an
- [Cindy Grimm and Bill Smart: Robotics](https://plutopia.io/cindy-grimm-and-bill-smart-robotics/) - In his 1941 short story, "Runaround," Isaac Asimov created his three laws of robotics: A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the first law, and A
- [Don Norman: Design for a Better World](https://plutopia.io/don-norman-design-for-a-better-world/) - Don Norman has been a professor, industry executive, consultant, keynote speaker, and author. He's worked in electrical engineering, cognitive psychology, cognitive science, computer science, and design. He's the author of several books, among them Design for a Better World, his latest; also including The Design of Everyday Things, Living with Complexity,, Emotional Design and The
- [Patrick Lichty: The Road Ahead](https://plutopia.io/patrick-lichty-the-road-ahead/) - Conceptual media artist, activist and educator Patrick Lichty joined the Plutopia Live show for a wide-ranging discussion of current events and the future. We explored migration and borders, climate change, AI and art, and the techno-tsunami of new ideas.
- [Cory Doctorow: The Internet Con](https://plutopia.io/cory-doctorow-the-internet-con/) - Cory Doctorow has a problem with corporate bullies. In his latest book, The Internet Con, How to Seize the Means of Computation, Cory details how monopolies have taken control of much of the tech sector and are unlikely to give it back without a fight. Cory Doctorow: Corruption arises out of monopoly, so we know
- [John Schwartz: Journalism and Climate](https://plutopia.io/john-schwartz-journalism-and-climate/) - Journalist John Schwartz joins Plutopians to discuss journalism and climate science. After two decades at the New York Times, John has joined the faculty at the University of Texas School of Journalism as a professor of practice concentrating on climate science. UT has been very good to me and it turns out that I love
- [Karen Levy: Data Driven](https://plutopia.io/karen-levy-data-driven/) - Karen Levy is an author, associate professor in the Department of Information Science at Cornell University and associated faculty at Cornell Law School. Her research focuses on the legal, organizational, social and ethical aspects of data-intensive technologies, particularly in contexts that are marked by conditions of inequality. In her book, Data Driven: Truckers, Technology, and
- [Tom Parish: The Human Use of AI](https://plutopia.io/tom-parish-the-human-use-of-ai/) - Technologist, thought leader and podcaster Tom Parish joins the Plutopia Podcast as we explore developments in artificial intelligence, privacy, the Internet of Things, and job security. Tom Parish: The difference about AI is there's so much Hollywood myth associated with gloom and doom and what's going to come in - the end of the world
- [Stay Awake for Halloween!](https://plutopia.io/stay-awake-for-halloween/) - Halloween, with its costumes, decorations, and festive spirit, is a holiday celebrated by millions around the world. But beneath the surface of ghouls and goblins lies a deeper layer of symbolism and meaning, one that can be explored through a Gurdjieffian lens. George Ivanovich Gurdjieff, a mystic and spiritual teacher, offered a unique perspective on
- [Jeff Jarvis: Beyond the Gutenberg Parenthesis](https://plutopia.io/jeff-jarvis-beyond-the-gutenberg-parenthesis/) - Journalist and educator Jeff Jarvis, who believes we have entered the post-print age of communication, joins Plutopians to discuss his book The Gutenberg Parenthesis: The Age of Print and Its Lessons for the Age of the Internet. Jeff created and edited Entertainment Weekly and wrote about media for TV Guide, People Magazine, and The Guardian.
- [Marjorie Ingall and Susan McCarthy: Good and Bad Apologies](https://plutopia.io/marjorie-ingall-and-susan-mccarthy-good-and-bad-apologies/) - Marjorie Ingall and Susan McCarthy are co-authors of the book Sorry, Sorry, Sorry, The Case for Good Apologies, where they draw on a deep well of research in psychology, sociology, law, and medicine to explain why a good apology is hard to find and why it doesn't have to be. They also have a website
- [We're not mentioning Trump by name!](https://plutopia.io/were-not-mentioning-trump-by-name/) - Plutopia Live was on vacation hiding from the heat - but last week the weather was lowered from molten lava to merely hellish so we resumed our regular Thursday show on YouTube (9/21/2023). Join us now for a rebroadcast of that show where we discuss the former president who shall not be named, fascist takeovers,
- [Laurie Kaye: Confessions of a Rock 'N' Roll Name Dropper](https://plutopia.io/laurie-kaye-confessions-of-a-rock-n-roll-name-dropper/) - December 8th...1980 A deranged young man assassinated John Lennon. That same day an RKO Radio crew recorded what would prove to be Lennon’s final interview. RKO’s Dave Sholin and Laurie Kaye interviewed John Lennon and Yoko Ono in their apartment at the Dakota in New York. On December 8th 2023, Laurie Kaye’s memoir Confessions of
- [Amy Bruckman: Online Communities](https://plutopia.io/amy-bruckman-online-communities/) - Educator and author Amy Bruckman joins the Plutopia podcast this time. Amy is Regents' Professor and Senior Associate Chair in the School of Interactive Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Contributing Editor Wendy Grossman joins Jon and Scoop as we discuss Amy’s book "Should You Believe Wikipedia? Online Communities and the Construction of Knowledge."
- [Rob van Eijk: Hyper-Nudging](https://plutopia.io/rob-van-eijk-hyper-nudging/) - Rob van Eijk, the Future of Privacy Forum's Managing Director for Europe, joins Contributing Editor Wendy Grossman, Jon, and Scoop in this wide-ranging discussion about data privacy and advertising technology. We explore digital advertising, cookies, ad blockers, privacy law, AI and ads, and we ask the question, "What the heck is hyper-nudging?" Rob van Eijk:
- [Hugo Campos: Engaged and Empowered Patients](https://plutopia.io/hugo-campos-engaged-and-empowered-patients/) - Hugo Campos' efforts to liberate health data from implantable medical devices has drawn widespread praise and recognition. He joins e-Patient Dave deBronkart, a cancer survivor and an international keynote speaker on healthcare, on the Plutopia podcast. Hugo Campos: I think the trend has been from being passive patients to become engaged in participatory medicine, and
- [Wagner James Au: A Metaverse that Matters](https://plutopia.io/wagner-james-au-a-metaverse-that-matters/) - Wagner James Au thinks there may be a metaverse in your future! He joins the Plutopia podcast as we explore the various incarnations of the metaverse, including Second Life and Mark Zuckerberg's Meta. We also discuss the birth of the metaverse in Neal Stephenson's novel Snow Crash, and its appearance in many sci-fi books and
- [Michael Tobis: Heat Wave!](https://plutopia.io/michael-tobis-heat-wave/) - Climate scientist Michael Tobis returns to join Plutopians as the planet continues to bake and burn. We discuss the Canadian wildfires, climate change, and political roadblocks to finding a solution. I think most of the members of the so-called conservative party here are going to be climate deniers, too. Especially since many of them -
- [Andrew Alden: Deep Oakland](https://plutopia.io/andrew-alden-deep-oakland/) - Geologist and geoscience writer Andrew Alden joins Plutopians to discuss his book Deep Oakland, inspired by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Andrew gives us a guided tour of Oakland's history and geology. Andrew Alden: It's a new kind of book. Any of you, if you wanted to, you could write a book like that for
- [Max Nofziger's Climate Activism](https://plutopia.io/max-nofzigers-climate-activism/) - Climate activist, former hippie flower salesman and politician Max Nofziger returns to the Plutopia podcast. We discuss Max's political career in Austin, his environmental activism, his in-progress memoir and much more. Max Nofziger: You know, I led those campaigns to stop fossil fuel plants. And nobody wants to do that now, you know why? Because
- [Renshin Bunce: No Gaining Idea](https://plutopia.io/renshin-bunce-no-gaining-idea/) - Zen Buddhist priest Renshin Bunce joins the Plutopia podcast to discuss Buddhism and Renshin's life as a priest. Renshin received dharma transmission in 2013. She worked as a hospice chaplain from 2010 until she retired in 2022. Renshin Bunce: Soto Zen is no gaining idea. We don't practice, and practice - there are a few
- [Alan Chamberlain: Herban Cowboy](https://plutopia.io/alan-chamberlain-herban-cowboy/) - Alan Chamberlain aka Axon explains his music and his journey to recovery. We explore country music, songwriting, the power of music in recovery, and the 12 Step process. Axon plays a few songs in the process. Alan is a singer/songwriter in the "herban" cowboy tradition. His songwriting examines the Western mythos in defiance of the
- [Dave deBronkart and Doc Searls: e-Patients Ride the Cluetrain](https://plutopia.io/dave-debronkart-and-doc-searls-e-patients-ride-the-cluetrain/) - Dave deBronkart and Doc Searls take aim at the American healthcare system. They discuss empowered patients, medical technology, electronic medical records, and much more. Dave, known on the internet as e-Patient Dave, is a blogger, health policy advisor and international keynote speaker. Dave beat stage IV kidney cancer in 2007. Doc is an American journalist,
- [Howard Rheingold: Virtual Communities and the Internet](https://plutopia.io/howard-rheingold-virtual-communities-and-the-internet/) - Howard Rheingold joins Jon and Scoop for a discussion that includes virtual communities, social media, AI and chatbots, media education, good vs bad on the Internet, cultural evolution, and tools for thought. Howard is a writer, critic, and teacher, former editor of "Whole Earth Review", and author of several books including Virtual Reality, The Virtual
- [Joanna Bryson: Artificial and Natural Intelligence](https://plutopia.io/joanna-bryson-artificial-and-natural-intelligence/) - In this Plutopia podcast, we're joined by Joanna Bryson, an academic expert in intelligence, both natural and artificial. In a conversation led by Wendy Grossman, we explore intelligence, both artificial and natural. Bryson has experience in programming and systems administration in several commercial sectors, and degrees in both psychology and AI from Chicago, Edinburgh, and
- [Claire Fitch: Human Geography and VR](https://plutopia.io/claire-fitch-human-geography-and-vr/) - Plutopians talk to Claire Fitch, a PhD candidate in the Department of Geography and the Environment at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research contemplates the role that simulated natures in virtual reality (VR) play in shaping trajectories of human-environment relations. In order to unravel the current forms and functions of this medium, she
- [Daniel Roesler: OAUTH Explained](https://plutopia.io/daniel-roesler-oauth-explained/) - This time on the Plutopia Podcast, we feature a presentation about the OAUTH protocol, delivered at the May meeting of EFF-Austin. Due to the visual nature of the demo portion of the session, we have posted the entire video of the OAUTH presentation on our YouTube channel. For the audio podcast, we present an edited
- [Ethan Smith: Student Housing Crisis at U.T. Austin](https://plutopia.io/ethan-smith-student-housing-crisis-at-u-t-austin/) - Ethan Smith has been an advocate for affordable student housing, particularly as it applies to UT-Austin's student population. His 2021 thesis proposed a housing and equity strategy for UT. In this episode of the Plutopia Podcast, Ethan, Jon and Scoop explore the affordable housing crisis in Austin and it’s impact on students, musicians, and workers.
- [Michael Webb: Meditative Inquiry](https://plutopia.io/michael-webb-meditative-inquiry/) - Michael Webb joins Plutopians to discuss meditative inquiry, meditation practices and intelligence, experts, and much more. Michael Webb: It almost seems like an oxymoron, doesn't it? To speak of thinking non-verbally. What the heck does that mean? And I would hasten to say, too, not only thinking non-verbally, but thinking without using mental images. That's
- [Michael Tobis: The Heat](https://plutopia.io/michael-tobis-the-heat/) - With climate scientist Michael Tobis, Plutopians discuss the current state of climate change. We look at the good, the bad, the ugly, and the terrifying aspects of our climate dilemma. Michael Tobis: You're just starting to get to the point where people are noticing, it's going to get worse. It's going to get more and
- [Max Nofziger on the Live Music Capital of the World](https://plutopia.io/max-nofziger-on-the-live-music-capital-of-the-world/) - Former Austin City Council member and environmental activist Max Nofziger joins the Plutopia podcast. Max explains the evolution of Austin's motto, "the Live Music Capital of the World," and the affordability challenges facing Austin. Max has plenty of stories about Austin politics and politicians, and the area's environmental struggles. Max Nofziger: Nancy Coplin, who was
- [Nancy White: Life Online](https://plutopia.io/nancy-white-life-online/) - With online host, interaction designer and facilitator Nancy White, Plutopians Scoop and Jon explore online community, social media, macro- vs micro-connections, and much more. Nancy's done international work supporting and practicing online and face to face group facilitation. She's focused on distributed work, strategic planning, social learning, communities and networks. She knows a LOT about
- [Wendy Grossman: net.wars](https://plutopia.io/wendy-grossman-net-wars/) - With writer, blogger, and author Wendy Grossman, Jon and Scoop discuss the differences between early Internet culture and the current state of the Internet and social media. Wendy focuses in her work on the Internet, computers, freedom, and privacy. She's been writing about "net.wars" since the early 1990s, and her book by that name was
- [Tracey Schulz on the SXSW Film Festival 2023](https://plutopia.io/tracey-schulz-on-the-sxsw-film-festival-2023/) - Broadcaster, DJ, and audio engineer Tracey Schulz reports on the just concluded SXSW Film and TV Festival. We discuss new films that premiered at SXSW, and the stars who attended. Tracey Schulz: We're coming off of "Everything, Everywhere, All At Once" and the things that stood out for me this year for Southby [the SXSW
- [Jaquita Wilson on Politics](https://plutopia.io/jaquita-wilson-on-politics/) - Activist and political consultant Jaquita Wilson in a rebroadcast of our March 30th live show. We discuss the indictment of Donald Trump, announced only hours earlier. We also explore the job requirements for a Republican politician. Jaquita Wilson: See, this is the thing I was trying to talk about the other day around local politics,
- [Robert Wall: Natural Language](https://plutopia.io/robert-wall-natural-language/) - Linguist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Texas Robert Wall joins Plutopians as we examine his long career and contributions to the study of language, mathematics, and computer science. Robert Wall: Language is deeply psychological. It goes on in people's brains by processes that are somewhat mysterious. We don't know how people acquire language
- [Timothy Leary and Dr. Stephen Pittel: Psychoactivity](https://plutopia.io/timothy-leary-and-dr-stephen-pittel-psychoactivity/) - In this episode of Plutopia News Network, we include a recording of a 1977 press conference held by Dr. Timothy Leary, and Scoop's 1975 interview with forensic psychologist Dr. Stephen Pittel. In 1977, Dr. Leary was the keynote speaker at the Libertarian Party's national convention in San Francisco. In a press conference prior to his
- [Everything you didn't know about Texas...but didn't care enough to ask!](https://plutopia.io/everything-you-didnt-know-about-texas-but-didnt-care-enough-to-ask/) - This time on the Plutopia podcast, our friend Screamish Joy joins Jon and Scoop, as we discuss all things Texan. In this rebroadcast of our March Second live show, the Plutopians reveal everything you didn’t know about Texas….but didn’t care enough to ask! Screamish Joy: “I remember going places and people being like…because we were
- [David Demaris: AI and Technology Power](https://plutopia.io/david-demaris-ai-and-technology-power/) - Computer engineer and AI expert David Demaris joins Jon, Suzy and Scoop on this episode of the Plutopia podcast. We discuss ChatGPT and artificial intelligence, Microsoft's Bing chatbot, deep fakes, dangerous technologies, bad actors, and much more. Will ChatGPT take over the world? What is artificial intelligence, and how does it differ from human intelligence?
- [Judi Clark: Emergency Preparedness](https://plutopia.io/judi-clark-emergency-preparedness/) - Judi Clark is an Analyst and an Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. She joins Plutopians as we do a deep dive into emergency response, and ways we can be better prepared. Judi Clark: If there are people who don't want to really coordinate with this system, they're not going to be very effective. They're just going to
- [Nathan Wilcox: The Flip Side](https://plutopia.io/nathan-wilcox-the-flip-side/) - Blogger and podcaster Nathan Wilcox returns to the Plutopia podcast. We explore the emergence of ChatGPT, music and art created with artificial intelligence, the evolution of dance music, changes in the Austin music scene, streaming music, and of course, politics! "Nathan Wilcox: I'm very excited about the potential for AI in music-making. I guarantee you
- [Carl Stone and Eric Theise: A Conversation](https://plutopia.io/carl-stone-and-eric-theise-a-conversation/) - Plutopia News Network invited Carl Stone and Eric Theise for a conversation mainly focusing on Carl's work/play as an electronic composer. Carl and Eric recently performed sold-out shows together in Northern California, with Carl playing electronic compositions via laptop, and Eric creating visuals. Carl Stone is a pioneer of live computer music, hailed by the
- [Tracey Schulz: Tune In And Turn On The Radio!](https://plutopia.io/tracey-schulz-tune-in-and-turn-on-the-radio/) - Broadcaster, DJ and Audio Engineer Tracey Schulz joins the Plutopia Podcast this time. Tracey is a regular voice on K.U.T. FM and K.O.O.P. Radio. He joins Scoop and Suzy in a wide-ranging discussion about radio, making media and much more.
- [SO LONG MOM, I'M OFF TO DROP THE BOMB!](https://plutopia.io/so-long-mom-im-off-to-drop-the-bomb/) - Once upon a time..people of a certain age witnessed a historic change in the way humans destroy each other in a war. In 1945, the United States ended World War Two by dropping two atomic bombs on Japan. The end of the war ushered in a new form of conflict…the Cold War. This time on
- [2022 Postmortem, Part 2](https://plutopia.io/2022-postmortem-part-2/) - Jon and Scoop conclude their postmortem for the year 2022. We look at the drama within the Republican party that managed to last into 2023. We also examine the GOP's extremist desire to tear down the government and replace it with something straight out of dystopian sci-fi. We also look at pathological liars, Georg Santos,
- [Plutopian Postmortem: 2022](https://plutopia.io/plutopian-postmortem-2022/) - In this, the first Plutopia podcast of 2023, the Plutopian brain trust offers you their postmortem report on the late, and not quite lamented year, 2022. Jon: So the point, I guess, is that we would have to - and that we should - be finding a way to live that doesn't depend on extracting
- [Cory Doctorow: Chokepoint Capitalism](https://plutopia.io/cory-doctorow-chokepoint-capitalism/) - Science fiction author, activist and journalist Cory Doctorow returns to the Plutopia podcast. We discuss his latest book, Chokepoint Capitalism, and his definition of a chokepoint. We also explore the impact of mergers and consolidation on American society, the need for increasing enforcement by the FTC and SEC, antitrust law, and much more. Cory Doctorow:
- [Casey Walker: Changing the News](https://plutopia.io/casey-walker-changing-the-news/) - Author and activist Casey Walker talks about her early life in Nevada City, California, where she created and published the literary and environmental journal "Wild Duck Review." We also discuss biotechnology, media content vs. money, moving from anti-tech to useful tech, intellectual evolution, confronting the bullies, and changing the news. She produced 20 book-length issues
- [Pablo Vazquez: Multireligious](https://plutopia.io/pablo-vazquez-multireligious/) - Author, scholar, and translator Pablo Vazquez is our guest this time on the Plutopia podcast. We discuss their conversion from Catholicism to Zoroastrianism, and its influence on other religions. Pablo explains Zoroastrian beliefs, and Zoroastrianism in North America. We also explore Q-Anon as a possible religion. Born in Panama and now living in Texas, Pablo
- [Douglas Rushkoff: The Mindset](https://plutopia.io/douglas-rushkoff-the-mindset/) - Author, media theorist, and fellow podcaster Douglas Rushkoff joins the Plutopia podcast as we discuss his latest book, Survival of the Richest: Escape Fantasies of the Tech Billionaires. We also explore technoutopians, capitalism, billionaire tech bros, psychedelic tech bros, The Mindset, going beta, the blockchain and crypto, Q Anon, and much more! Douglas Rushkoff: But
- [Patrick Lichty: Distributing the Future](https://plutopia.io/patrick-lichty-distributing-the-future/) - "The future is already here – it's just not evenly distributed." ~ William Gibson, in The Economist, 12/4/2003 "This isn't the dystopia that I wrote about!" ~ Bruce Sterling Artist, writer, and curator Patrick Lichty returns to the Plutopia podcast as we explore the future. We do a deep dive into Web3, crypto, bad actors
- [Mid-term Election Debrief](https://plutopia.io/mid-term-election-debrief/) - The mid-term election is over, ballots are still being counted, and the dreaded red wave turned out to be a red ripple. Our friend Roy Casagranda joins Plutopians as we dissect election 2022. Roy Casagranda: If you look at the 2018 election, 95% of blacks voted Democrat, which is, like, unbelievable. 67% of Hispanics voted
- [Midterm Voting, Twitter, and the Wyrd](https://plutopia.io/midterm-voting-twitter-and-the-wyrd/) - Plutopians enjoy a free-form fiesta of facts and fictions! Jon, Suzy and Scoop discuss voting, Austin politics, Twitter, politics on Tik Tok, cannabis politics, Trump in 2024, and other nightmares. Suzy: I'm off Twitter. I'll never Twit again. Jon: Oh, really? Suzy: No, I'm done. Did you see what happened, the spike in the use
- [Daniel Hope: A Spiritual Direction](https://plutopia.io/daniel-hope-a-spiritual-direction/) - Daniel Hope discusses spirituality, meditation, spiritual direction, artificial intelligence vs. humanity, and finding common ground.
- [Robert Freeman Wexler: Surreality](https://plutopia.io/robert-freeman-wexler-surreality/) - In our latest Plutopia News Network podcast, with guest Robert Freeman Wexler, we discuss his early career, his work in book design and his new novel, The Silverberg Business. Robert Freeman Wexler is an author of surreal fantasy. His latest book is novel, The Silverberg Business, from Small Beer Press. Previous books include short story
- [Exploring Political Madness](https://plutopia.io/exploring-political-madness/) - Midterms are coming, and already-hot political discussions and divisions are getting even HOTTER. The Plutopian (Groucho) Marxists are on it! This podcast is a recording of our Plutopia Livestream from 10/13/2022. Plutopia's Not Ready for Cable News players return for another free-form fiesta of political foolishness. Jon, Suzy and Scoop dissect a wide range of
- [Lane Becker: From Actlab to Wikimedia](https://plutopia.io/lane-becker-from-actlab-to-wikimedia/) - Wikimedia LLC President Lane Becker joins the Plutopia Podcast. We discuss Lane's early career, and his involvement in UT's ACTLab; his work in product design, AI, VR and AR; the Institute for the Future; and all things Wiki. Lane Becker: I discovered that I wasn't really a designer. I learned that in the best possible
- [Political Obsession](https://plutopia.io/political-obsession/) - Should we be obsessed with politics? Is political obsession really about our lives, or is it cultivated by skillful marketing of grievance, to raise more and more money? Are we using our cognitive surplus and our energies to fight abstractions, when we should be dealing with real problems, e.g. climate change? Do minorities care about
- [Roboexotica and Razzennest](https://plutopia.io/roboexotica-and-razzennest/) - Plutopians welcome Johannes Grenzfurthner for a second discussion about his life and work, focusing especially on his new film "Razzennest," which just premiered at Fantastic Fest. Johannes is an artist, film director, performer, and founder of the Austrian art collective Monochrom. With Johannes, we explore social media and mass media in the US and Europe.
- [Current Events (Are Making Us Tense!)](https://plutopia.io/current-events-are-making-us-tense/) - Plutopians discuss current events, including Steve Bannon's arrest and his plan for a wall made of weed, Trump's document stash, borders, psychedelics, techsplaining, critical thinking, and much more! This is a recording of the Plutopia News Network's livestream webcast on 9/8/2022. Jon: We were talking about borders - open borders vs controlled borders, and so
- [EFF-Austin!](https://plutopia.io/eff-austin/) - Kevin Welch and Chris Boyd of EFF-Austin join Jon and Scoop for a lively discussion of technology past, present, and future. We begin with Jon's history of EFF-Austin, followed by computer and Internet nostalgia, phone phreaking, encryption, open source software, license plate readers, and location data brokers. Kevin: One thing we did for the last
- [Red vs Blue Blues](https://plutopia.io/red-vs-blue-blues/) - Roy Casagranda joins Plutopians for a wide-ranging discussion of current events and red vs blue political meltdowns. We ask the question, to jail or not to jail he who must not be named. We explore Christian nationalists, China vs Taiwan, Fox vs Dominion, the credibility of elections, abortion rights, and beer bongs! Roy: I think
- [The Human Journey](https://plutopia.io/the-human-journey/) - Plutopians join Bijoy Goswami to talk about bootstrapping your business vs. venture capital funding, the human journey and the American journey, the great replacement theory, capitalism and greed, socialism, and religion as a product. Bijoy Goswami: "The mindset is very different when you're building to sell, when your product is essentially the company, you've already
- [Dark Brandon Rises!](https://plutopia.io/dark-brandon-rises/) - Plutopians perform a deep dive into the Dark Brandon meme. We also look at Dark Maga... to woke or not to woke - that's the question... Trump in '24... Beto... Mar-a-Lago gate... and much more! (Speaking about Darnold Trump:) Jon: Apparently there is a law that says that if you, in public office, appropriate documents
- [Searching for Meaning](https://plutopia.io/searching-for-meaning/) - Plutopians explore the search for meaning in our lives, especially in an era of pandemic and polarization. Jon, Scoop and Suzy explore the Goldwater rule, a world based on lies, Victor Frankl, Q-Anon and lie-based causes, Alex Jones, capitalism, and Christian Nationalists. Suzy: I think it's really interesting what people are trying to find to
- [Vahid Razavi: Big Tech Stories](https://plutopia.io/vahid-razavi-big-tech-stories/) - Just in time for Halloween - scary stories from the world of big tech!! Thanks to our friends at EFF-Austin, we present a session with author and tech veteran Vahid Razavi. He shares some of his personal experiences - many of them bad - from his time working for some well-known tech giants. He also
- [Language is a Virus from Outer Space](https://plutopia.io/language-is-a-virus-from-outer-space/) - Plutopians explore the use and misuse of language. Jon, Scoop, and Suzy take a deep dive into political language, the voices of Christian nationalism, the January 6 hearings and Liz Cheney, Donald Trump's language, and much more. "Language is a virus from outer space." - William S. Burroughs In which Jon discovers that you can't
- [Food and Frenzy](https://plutopia.io/food-and-frenzy/) - Plutopians wax poetic on food and drugs. We discuss low fat diets, vegan diets, hospital food, narcotic pain killers, psychedelics, hot sauce, and hot foods. No herbivores or apex predators were harmed during the production of this podcast! Scoop: I'm from that school of thought where you're only here so long, and if you avoid
- [Plutopians on Politics](https://plutopia.io/plutopians-on-politics/) - Suzy Shelor returns to Plutopia News Network's livestream with an exploration of the current state of American politics. Never one to shy away from controversy, Suzy came prepared to offend those who deserve offending, and to support those who don't. We discuss the January 6th Hearings, the 2022 Texas governor's race, the Texas GOP party
- [Computer Chronicles](https://plutopia.io/computer-chronicles/) - Jon and Scoop take a nostalgic trip to the early days of the computer and online communication. We discuss our first computers and their impact on our lives, our early online experiences, and programs and services that change the way we work and play. We're inspired by our recent conversations with Kevin Driscoll, author of
- [Roy Casagranda on Politics](https://plutopia.io/roy-casagranda-on-politics/) - Dr. Roy Casagranda, Professor of Government at Austin Community College, and wise observer of politics, returns to the Plutopia podcast. Roy is also a political philosopher, aspiring feminist, author, internationalist, struggling revolutionary. We discuss the January 6th hearings, the Supreme Court vs. abortion, gerrymandering, angry and frightened voters, dog whistles, and 2024 presidential hopefuls. Basically
- [Kevin Driscoll: Modem World Convergence](https://plutopia.io/kevin-driscoll-modem-world-convergence/) - Media Studies professor and "The Modem World" author Kevin Driscoll joins Jon and Scoop in taking a nostalgic and informative look back at the early days of online and Internet communication. Kevin explains the impact of early bulletin board systems, newsgroups, online services, and the coming of the web. This conversation is a followup to
- [Stanton Friedman: The Ufologist](https://plutopia.io/stanton-friedman-the-ufologist/) - Ufology: the study of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) by people who believe that they may have extraordinary (e.g. extraterrestrial or extra-dimensional) origins. Often derided by skeptics and science educators as an example of pseudoscience, ufology has can represent a field of legitimate scientific investigation, as practiced by Stanton Friedman, Jacques Vallée, Allen Hynek, et al.
- [More Monsters from the Id](https://plutopia.io/more-monsters-from-the-id/) - Before the Internet changed the way we experienced movies, dark theaters, and late night tv were the sole venues where sci-fi and horror fans could get a regular fix of cheap movie thrills. This time, on the Plutopia podcast, Jon, Scoop and Maggie discuss their favorite classic films, from the golden age of sci-fi and
- [Michael Webb and Charles Herrman: Meditative Inquiry](https://plutopia.io/michael-webb-and-charles-herrman-meditative-inquiry/) - Philosopher Charles Herrman interviews Michael Webb, an advocate for the practice of meditative inquiry. They discuss interviewing and questioning, stillness, truth, centering, and much more. Michael Webb: Truth isn't necessarily instrumental. A lot of people might think that, 'I want to know something because I want to use it in order to achieve something else.'
- [Prayer and Mantra for a Sane World](https://plutopia.io/prayer-and-mantra-for-a-sane-world/) - (By Jon Lebkowsky) We refute and cast away the demons of division, polarization, hatred, distortion... and their avatars and agents in the realm of mass and social media, cable news, political parties, corporate monopolies, pseudo-religious organizations with or without Christian masks... all those who represent othering, bullying, canceling, and all forms of darkness, hatred, ignorance,
- [Alexandra Alvarez: 21st Century Entrepreneur](https://plutopia.io/alexandra-alvarez-21st-century-entrepreneur/) - In this episode, Jon and Scoop talk to Alexandra Alvarez about her new company "Love x Alex," her activity supporting the "Free Britney" movement, which was seeking an end to Britney Spears' court-ordered guardianship. The movement helped jump-start her line of fashion and pop culture goodies. We talk about her move from major studio casting
- [Free Speech](https://plutopia.io/free-speech/) - Jon and Scoop do a deep dive into the land of free speech, which is what this country's supposed to be - land of the free, home of the brave. We discuss current issues of free speech in the Internet/post-Truth era. Jon: Should you be able to ban people from a system like Twitter? Which
- [AKMA Adam: Interpretation and Belief](https://plutopia.io/akma-adam-interpretation-and-belief/) - In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, AKMA Adam discusses his path to the priesthood, faith, interpretation and belief, doctrine, rock and roll, and postmodern thought. My work is interpreting the Bible and not teaching doctrine, and when I say this - my wife was a theologian - I'm envisioning her saying, "No, that's not
- [Cold War Kids](https://plutopia.io/cold-war-kids/) - People of a certain age will recognize the sound bites we play at the beginning of this episode. Specifically those who grew up between the end of World War II and the fall of the Soviet Union. This time on the Plutopia Podcast, Jon and Scoop take a walk down that scary part of memory
- [Jamais Cascio: Epiphany Engines](https://plutopia.io/jamais-cascio-epiphany-engines/) - Author and futurist Jamais Cascio joins the Plutopia podcast as we explore the future of a world undergoing chaotic change. Selected by Foreign Policy magazine as one of their top 100 global thinkers, Jamais helps us understand a world in chaos - rapid global disruptions - climate change - and scenarios about the future, often
- [Gareth Branwyn: Makers](https://plutopia.io/gareth-branwyn-makers/) - This time on the Plutopia podcast, maker, writer and former editorial director of Make Media Gareth Branwyn joins Jon and Scoop for a wide-ranging discussion about makers and making. We examine small town life, the maker movement, makers on YouTube, and Gareth's new book, "Tales and Tips from the Workshop, Volume 2." Gareth is a
- [Caveat Magister: Turning Your Life Into Art](https://plutopia.io/caveat-magister-turning-your-life-into-art/) - Plutopian Maggie Duval interviews author, philosopher, and Burning Man champion Caveat Magister, in a wide-raging discussion about turning your life into art. Scoop and Jon are also on board in this conversation originally presented on the Plutopia Livestream. We discuss psychomagical experiences (a term first coined by Alejandro Jodorowsky), immersive art, how to engage and
- [Jon and Scoop: After the Ides of March](https://plutopia.io/jon-and-scoop-after-the-ides-of-march/) - Last week Jon, while spending some time at SXSW 2022, took time to discuss the festival past and present with Scoop. We also took time to ponder Russia's war on Ukraine 6,000 miles away. Jon: The Russian invasion of the Ukraine has been sort of put up or shut up for people. There was a
- [A Canadian Perspective with Michael Tobis](https://plutopia.io/a-canadian-perspective-with-michael-tobis/) - Michael Tobis is a climate scientist and software developer based in Ottawa, Canada. Michael has joined us twice before to discuss climate change. In this episode, he joins Plutopians to give us his Canadian perspective on the recent trucker protest in Ottawa, Putin's quest for power, the two party electoral system, nutty politicians, climate change,
- [Medicine, Politics, and Free-Ranging Plutopians](https://plutopia.io/medicine-politics-and-free-ranging-plutopians/) - In this episode, Jon and Scoop discuss the subjects that have been keeping them awake at night, or irritating them during the day. We dissect medical care and doctor-patient involvement, news sources and newspapers, conflicted conservatives, nuclear war, and vegans vs. carnivores. Scoop: "You really have to be a partner in your care. I've been
- [Kevin Driscoll: The Modem World](https://plutopia.io/kevin-driscoll-the-modem-world/) - Kevin Driscoll is an assistant professor of media studies at the University of Virginia. His research involves alternative histories of the internet, the politics of amateur telecommunications, and the moral economy of consumer software. In this episode, we discuss the history of the Internet, media's impact upon popular culture, and much more. Kevin is author
- [Plutopia Live: Field Notes](https://plutopia.io/plutopia-live-field-notes/) - Plutopians have interviewed Christopher Brown about his science fiction novels, "Tropic of Kansas" and "Failed State." In addition to his science fiction and his work as an attorney, Chris is an urban naturalist. In this week's Plutopia Live, he'll join us to discuss his weekly newsletter of urban nature writing and photography, "Field Notes." Join
- [Todd Lappin: Free Speech](https://plutopia.io/todd-lappin-free-speech/) - Net.activist, lapsed journalist, and content designer Todd Lappin joins Plutopians to discuss free speech, the Communications Decency Act, control of misinformation, his work at Wired Magazine, Facebook and the Metaverse, his tiny fire truck, and much more. Todd has for 30 years been fascinated by the Internet, its potential, and the impact it has on
- [Gary Gach on Thich Nhat Hanh](https://plutopia.io/gary-gach-on-thich-nhat-hanh/) - Gary Gach is an author, translator, editor, teacher and poet with a lifelong interest in Buddhism and meditation. He is the author of several books, including Pause, Breathe, Smile. Gary joined Jon and Scoop to talk about the life and work of Thich Nhat Hanh, who died on January 22nd. Hanh was a Vietnamese Thiền
- [Lex Pelger: Warrior of the Weird](https://plutopia.io/lex-pelger-warrior-of-the-weird/) - Lex Pelger is a writer, scientist & lecturer on cannabis, psychedelics & the endocannabinoid system. Erik Davis has called him "a warrior of the weird." Lex Pelger: "It was only racism that drove the war on drugs from its very beginning. The very first anti-drug laws were anti-opium laws against the Chinese in San Francisco,
- [On Creativity](https://plutopia.io/on-creativity/) - In this week's Plutopia podcast, poet Jane Hirshfield and writer Tiffany Lee Brown join Jon and Scoop to discuss creativity. Jane and Tiffany explain their individual creative processes and we discuss deadlines, blathering, confidence, fear of failure and Covid's impact on Jane and Tiffany’s work. Jane Hirshfield: "I simply wait for something that needs to
- [Plutopian Review of 2021](https://plutopia.io/plutopian-review-of-2021/) - Plutopia's Jon Lebkowsky reviews the top ten stories of 2021 as part of the "State of the World 2022" conversation.
- [Milagro de Taos](https://plutopia.io/milagro-de-taos/) - Maggie Duval: "I'm writing a lot about sense of place - like everywhere I've lived, and I've been transient all my life, because of my Dad, his work, but also my own moving around. But I've lived everywhere from a town of thirty to Austin, which is like a bazillion now, or whatever. And then
- [2021 Redux!](https://plutopia.io/2021-redux/) - In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, Jon and Scoop check in with an obituary for 2021 and its politics. Our dynamic duopoly wax poetic about fascism, the election fraud fraud (aka the big lie), red pill versus blue pill, Covid, and cryptocurrency. No politicians were injured in production of this podcast (but we seriously
- [Plutopian Week: Frisell, State of the World, Web3](https://plutopia.io/plutopian-week-frisell-state-of-the-world-web3/) - Music of the Plutopian Spheres Listening at the moment to Bill Frisell's "1968," from his 2004 album "Unspeakable," which BBC described as "heavy funk for thinking truckers." Plutopian perusals This week, on January 4, the 2022 edition of the State of the World conversation will launch on The WELL. Bruce Sterling and Plutopia's Jon L.
- [Plutopian Week: Bill Evans, Culadasa, Red Pill, Rich MacKinnon](https://plutopia.io/plutopian-week-bill-evans/) - Music of the Plutopian Spheres Pianist/composer Bill Evans was a true original, considered "the main reformer of the harmonic language of jazz piano." He played piano with Miles Davis, then formed his own trio. The trio's bassist, Scott LaFaro, died in a car wreck, devastating Evans, who didn't play for a while as his unfortunate
- [Ed Cavazos: Cyberlaw](https://plutopia.io/ed-cavazos-cyberlaw/) - Ed Cavazos is an attorney who's always focused on the cutting edges of technology law, including cyberlaw. He manages the Austin office of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman. Ed negotiates complex technology-related transactions and routinely advises on corporate and general business matters, licensing, strategic partnerships, development contracts, data rights and privacy issues. He represents internet, e-commerce,
- [Joe Verona: Brainwave Entrainment](https://plutopia.io/joe-verona-brainwave-entrainment/) - In this episode of the Plutopia News Network podcast, Jon talks to Joe Verona, a certified professional hypnotist specializing in brainwave entrainment (BWE) and biofeedback. The original neurohacker, Joe has explored hypnosis, meditation, energy practices, lucid dreaming and out of body experience as well as clinical uses for brainwave entrainment. Joe has been on a
- [Plutopian Week: Happy Holidaze, Ambient, Meditation, Utopia, Matrix](https://plutopia.io/plutopian-week-happy-holidaze-ambient-meditation-utopia-matrix/) - Happy Holidaze! Plutopians wish all our friends and fans the happiest of holidaze. Lately it feels like the world is in a rock tumbler, hopefully we'll come out of this polished and shiny. Meanwhile think hard and wise about the world you're making, the life you're making, and the future you're helping create. Music of
- [Plutopian Week: SomaFM, Orwell, Pinker, Musk](https://plutopia.io/plutopian-week-somafm-orwell-pinker-musk/) - Music of the Plutopian Spheres 'Tis the season to talk about holiday music, and an opportunity to discuss SomaFM. SomaFM is an independent Internet radio station for browser-based or app-based listening, with "over 30 unique channels of listener-supported, commercial-free, underground/alternative radio broadcasting to the world." This includes a cool and unusual set of five 24/7
- [Sam the Fungi: Ending Mycophobia](https://plutopia.io/sam-the-fungi-ending-mycophobia/) - This episode's guest, Sam McChesney (aka Sam the Fungi) is dedicated to ending mycophobia, changing mycostigma and connecting people through the power of mycelium. Sam joins Jon and Scoop for a wide-ranging talk about all things fungi. Sam on Sam... I discovered my affinity for fungi when I got over-stressed around my 18th year in
- [Felix Stalder on "The Dawn of Everything"](https://plutopia.io/felix-stalder-on-the-dawn-of-everything/) - Review by Felix Stalder Felix Stalder sent this review to the nettime email list. We're publishing it here with Felix' permission. So, I finished reading The Dawn of Everything, the new book by David Graeber and David Wengrow. In many ways, it's the perfect book for our dark historical moment. It's all about historical possibilities,
- [Kevin Russell: Welcome Mr. Shinyribs!](https://plutopia.io/kevin-russell-welcome-mr-shinyribs/) - Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Russell joins Jon and Scoop in this episode of the Plutopia Podcast. Kevin talks about his days with The Gourds and his current band: Shinyribs. We also talk about violence at music venues, streaming music, Covid’s impact on the music business and a possible Gourds reunion. Stick around for the
- [Plutopian Week: Let Go of Fear](https://plutopia.io/plutopian-week-let-go-of-fear/) - Let go of fear! Plutopia News Network is on the road this week. We haven't encountered any Repbublicans, Democrats, fascists, socialists, Nazis, Communists, or extraterrestrial invaders... we've just seen ordinary people working, playing, eating, drinking, hanging out... laughing a lot. Any occasional evil stench emanated from our occasional forays into social media, but even there,
- [Plutopian Week: Beatles, Vaccines, Bateson, Solarpunk, Land Art](https://plutopia.io/plutopian-week-beatles-vaccines-bateson-solarpunk-land-art/) - Music of the Plutopian Spheres We've started watching Peter Jackson's documentary "The Beatles: Get Back." It shows the older and evolving "Fab Four" in the act of creating music for their final album release, "Let It Be." Director Michael Lindsay-Hogg shot many hours of film, and recorded additional audio, for the feature film "Let It
- [Jasmina Tešanović: Torino, Ibiza, the World](https://plutopia.io/jasmina-tesanovic-torino-ibiza-the-world/) - Jasmina Tešanović - "I thought it was a temporary state of mind, but the more that time goes by, especially now with the more the system is broken of information... and I really tried to read between the lines in the press, in different languages, and now I have the Spanish language and French -
- [Plutopian Week: Lloyd, Brain, Politics, Weinberger](https://plutopia.io/plutopian-week-lloyd-brain-politics-weinberger/) - Plutopian Week, 11/22/2021 (Happy Thanksgiving!) Music of the Plutopian Spheres Charles Lloyd emerged in the 60s as a brilliant and eclectic reed player, usually playing tenor sax or flute. He lacked the aversion to rock and fusion music evident in some other jazz musicians, performing with the Beach Boys, Roger McGuinn, the Doors, et al.
- [Spike Gillespie: Freewheelin'](https://plutopia.io/spike-gillespie-freewheelin/) - Spike takes us on a free-wheeling tour of her ranch, her businesses and Bastrop County, Texas. Spike talks about her new restaurant, small town Texas and fitting in, glamping, weddings, and creating happy communities.
- [Plutopian Week: Lounge Music, History, Pronoia, Cooking](https://plutopia.io/plutopian-week-lounge-music-history-pronoia-cooking/) - Music of the Plutopian Spheres New single by Stéphane Pompougnac, "Go On": Pompougnac is a Paris DJ. Jean-Louis Costes hired him to be resident DJ at Hôtel Costes in Paris' Les Halles district. Pompougnac started compiling Hôtel Costes DJ mixes in 1999, releasing 15 records in the series over the next decade. Tasteful and compelling
- [Nate Wilcox: Real Politics](https://plutopia.io/nate-wilcox-real-politics/) - Former political consultant, current mixed martial arts blogger, editor of SB Nations's Bloody Elbow, and host of the "Let It Roll" podcast Nate Wilcox joins the Plutopian crew for a verbal cage match about politics. He takes a break from blogging about mixed martial arts to take a few swings and kicks at politics and
- [Plutopian Week: Beatles, Supply Chain, Lee, Schrodinger](https://plutopia.io/plutopian-week-beatles-supply-chain-lee-schrodinger/) - Music of the Plutopian Spheres As a Thanksgiving treat, Disney+ is screening the new three-episode documentary about the Beatles' recording of the album originally called "Get Back," and eventually released as "Let It Be." A 1970 documentary based on the same footage was 80 minutes long, compared to Jackson's ~6 hours. Jackson acquired over 55
- [Plutopian Week: Coltrane, Sterling, Frauenfelder, Garfield](https://plutopia.io/plutopian-week-coltrane-sterling-frauenfelder-garfield/) - Music of the Plutopian Spheres: John Coltrane: A Love Supreme in Seattle. A 1965 recording of Coltrane's band performing his masterwork "A Love Supreme" at the Penthouse Club in Seattle, featuring members of his quartet (pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Jimmy Garrison, and drummer Elvin Jones) plus Pharoah Sanders on saxophone and a second bassist, Donald
- [Day of the Dead](https://plutopia.io/day-of-the-dead/) - In this week's Plutopia podcast, Jon and Scoop make a deep dive into death... also Halloween, sex, pagan celebrations, and Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). "Everyone is a beginner when it comes to death." - Sallie Jiko Tisdale, "Everything Dies" in Lion's Roar We don't like to think about death in mainstream
- [The voices in our heads](https://plutopia.io/the-voices-in-our-heads/) - We should honor not just the tendency to build a visible life and environment that serves your own utopian vision - this also extends to the construction of an inner life and the cultivation of an inner voice.
- [Halloween Utopia](https://plutopia.io/halloween-utopia/) - Halloween is a most Plutopian celebration. Our use of the word Plutopia is a portmanteau, a merging of two words, "pluralist" and "utopia." Pluralism is about "the peaceful coexistence of different interests, convictions, and lifestyles." Utopia is about " an imaginary community or society that possesses highly desirable or nearly perfect qualities for its citizens."
- [Pat Cadigan: Alien 3 and Me](https://plutopia.io/pat-cadigan-alien-3-and-me/) - Hugo award-winning author Pat Cadigan joins Jon and Scoop to discuss her novelization of William Gibson's first screenplay for Alien 3, the third movie in the Alien franchise. The final film wasn't based on Gibson's version, which had been discarded in rounds of rewriting and re-visioning. Sadly, critical response to the film was not good.
- [Tom Miller Redux: A Plutopia flashback to an early episode.](https://plutopia.io/tom-miller-redux-a-plutopia-flashback-to-an-early-episode/) - This time, we dig deep into the archives for a flashback to the final episode published prior to our seven-year "sabbatical". “Miller is as quirky and delightful as ever, treating the Southwest as a vast midden from which he plucks many odorous but tasty treasures. The fun, as usual, comes from watching Tom digest.” –
- [Stephanie Vale: Jane Austen Fan Fiction](https://plutopia.io/stephanie-vale-jane-austen-fan-fiction/) - Stephanie Vale, the pen name of a longtime WELL member, is a semi-retired attorney and part-time university instructor in the US Pacific Northwest. She has loved Jane Austen for more than 40 years, and has been reading and enjoying Austenesque fiction since 2008. In 2017 she finally became inspired to attempt writing her own JAFF
- [Johannes Grenzfurthner: Nerd Culture](https://plutopia.io/johannes-grenzfurthner-nerd-culture/) - Johannes Grenzfurthner discusses discuss nerd culture, context hacking, sex and technology, cocktail robotics, and his new film.
- [Chris Zappone: Media, Social Media, and Politics](https://plutopia.io/chris-zappone-media-social-media-and-politics/) - Chris Zappone works as a foreign news editor in Australian media. Chris has written about geopolitics, space, technology, ideology, and the future. He has consulted with universities, think tanks and businesses in the area of tech disruption, information war, and cryptocurrencies. And he has an interest in history and utopia (and Plutopia!). Chris Zappone: "I
- [Suzanne Stefanac: Radio Free Zorca](https://plutopia.io/suzanne-stefanac-radio-free-zorca/) - Suzanne Stefanac talks about her work on low power FM radio, Covid and conservatives, the current state of journalism and education, and a new mantra, "Be good. Do good."
- [Plutopian Rock and Roll](https://plutopia.io/rock-and-roll/) - Rock and roll! Plutopia News Network cohosts Scoop and Jon talk about their internet radio show, Radio Free Plutopia. They also discuss their lifetime love of rock and roll, vinyl records, digital music, record shops, album covers, and much more!
- [Eliza Evans Returns: Art and Activism](https://plutopia.io/eliza-evans-returns-art-and-activism/) - Artist Eliza Evans returns with an update on her activist art project, "All the Way to Hell." We also talk about fracking, the oil industry, nonprofit organizations, hybrid art forms, and much more. Eliza Evans: "When I launched the project last fall, not quite a year ago, I had this I thought crazy reach goal
- [Tom Jennings Redux: Civil War 2021](https://plutopia.io/tom-jennings-redux-civil-war-2021/) - Tom Jennings joins Plutopians for a free-range, grass-fed conversation about programming and software, Afghanistan, racism, the Civil War, Tom's FrankenRambler, and much more. Tom is a Los Angeles-based artist, tech, and AMC Rambler aficionado. He is known for his work on FidoNet, the first message and file networking system for BBSes. He's also known for
- [Sandy Stone and the Hound of Heaven](https://plutopia.io/sandy-stone-and-the-hound-of-heaven/) - Renowned media theorist, artist, educator, and engineer Sandy Stone discusses her work with Olivia Records, and the controversy her transgender status attracted. Sandy also details her experience in higher education and the creation of ACTLab at UT Austin.
- [Michael Tobis: Climate, Covid, and Crazy Times](https://plutopia.io/michael-tobis-climate-covid-and-crazy-times/) - Climate scientist Michael Tobis returns to the Plutopia podcast. He discusses the conflict of fascism vs. internationalism, the right wing co-opting of the anti-vax movement, conservative resistance to climate science, and virtue signaling on social media. Also wondering if democracy can survive the right's fascination with fascism. Michael is interested in the interface between science
- [John Hagel: Passion of the Explorer](https://plutopia.io/john-hagel-passion-of-the-explorer/) - Jon and Scoop discuss with John Hagel his new book, The Journey Beyond Fear, remote working, scalable learning, the passion of the explorer, and fear of failure.
- [Spike Gillespie: Fear and Loathing in Texas](https://plutopia.io/spike-gillespie-fear-and-loathing-in-texas/) - Rancher, author, activist and punk rock knitter Spike Gillespie joins Plutopians Maggie Duval, Scoop Sweeney and Jon Lebkowsky to talk about the challenge of small town politics in the crazy polarized 2020s. Spike has been raising hell since she was born with her fist raised in the air. She is, among other things, an author,
- [Nate Wilcox: Politics Unusual](https://plutopia.io/nate-wilcox-politics-unusual/) - Nate Wilcox manages Combat Sports properties for Vox Media | SB Nation, running four of the most popular web properties covering MMA/UFC, boxing and pro wrestling. He also hosts the rock and roll podcast "Let It Roll." In a past life, he was a political consultant. He joins Plutopians Jon and Scoop for a deep
- [David Gans: Music and Community](https://plutopia.io/david-gans-music-and-community/) - David Gans is a musician, author, and radio producer based in Oakland, California. David writes and performs his own music. He also had a career writing about music, particularly the music of the Grateful Dead. He's published 4 books about the Dead, and produced the nationally syndicated Grateful Dead Hour. In this Plutopian conversation, David
- [Plutopian News Analysis and Ramble, July 2021](https://plutopia.io/plutopian-news-analysis-and-ramble-july-2021/) - Scoop and Jon talk about the news! We start by talking about link rot and content evaporation on the Internet, referencing Jonathan Zittrain's Atlantic piece. We talk about Dead Media, content filtering, algorithmic curation and filter bubbles, information anxiety, newsreaders, cancel culture, political classifications, racism, power, corruption, and the Alamo.
- [Network Politics: A Manifesto in the Making?](https://plutopia.io/network-politics-a-manifesto-in-the-making/) - By Jon Lebkowsky Originally published at Worldchanging.com, September 2, 2004 Politics is broken, how do we fix it? Political parties are part of the problem, but it's unrealistic to expect a radical move away from established, entrenched organizations. I would argue that political parties could become obsolete in an era of instantaneous communication, robust interactive
- [Paulina Borsook: Writer, Artist, Ghost](https://plutopia.io/paulina-borsook-writer-artist-ghost/) - Writer and technology critic Paulina Borsook has written for Wired, Mother Jones, and Suck.com. She is perhaps best known for her 2000 book Cyberselfish: A Critical Romp Through the Terribly Libertarian Culture of High Tech She's also an artist, with projects like "My Life as a Ghost" and "The Hindsight Institute." In our Plutopia News
- [Evelyn Jean Pine: Playwright In The Pandemic](https://plutopia.io/evelyn-jean-pine-playwright-in-the-pandemic/) - Evelyn Jean Pine’s plays wrestle with moments when life feels so new your hair is electric. In May, PlayGround presented a staged reading of her latest play, 7 Secrets of Teaching Online. A June Ann Baker Prize winner, a PlayGround Resident Playwright, and a Djerassi Alum, she writes about Queen Isabella, the Lumiere brothers, and
- [Angie Coiro: The Art of the Interview](https://plutopia.io/angie-coiro-the-art-of-the-interview/) - Angie Coiro is an award-winning radio journalist and on-stage interviewer. She's done radio and TV work in the San Francisco Bay Area over the last 25 years. She just ended her syndicated radio show, "In Deep with Angie Coiro." Angie is an acclaimed interviewer. She has recorded conversations with Al Gore, Roxane Gay, Anna Quindlen,
- [Remembering Ed Ward](https://plutopia.io/remembering-ed-ward/) - In early May, author and critic Ed Ward died in his home in Austin. As word spread, his friends and fans shared their stories about Ed. This time, on the Plutopia podcast, four of his friends share their recollections - warts and all. Joe Nick Patoski and Nate Wilcox join Jon and Scoop to share
- [John Coate: Managing Online Communities](https://plutopia.io/john-coate-managing-online-communities/) - "John is the guy who made the WELL into a community" -Howard Rheingold John Coate has spent much of his life managing and building online communities, including the seminal online community, The WELL. John also created the first major online news site at SFGate.com. He's currently doing community management as part of the European Commission
- [Sacred Data and AI: An Indigenous Perspective](https://plutopia.io/sacred-data-and-ai-an-indigenous-perspective/) - "Sacred Data and AI: An Indigenous Perspective" was recorded May 11, 2021, at an EFF-Austin meeting featuring Michael and Caroline Running Wolf. Michael Running Wolf was raised in a rural village in Montana with intermittent water and electricity with grandparents who only spoke their tribal languages, Cheyenne and Lakota. These languages, like many other indigenous
- [UFOs: The Truth is Out There](https://plutopia.io/ufos-the-truth-is-out-there/) - In this episode, Jon and Scoop discuss their plan to channel Art Bell and Fox Mulder in future episodes, specifically discussing UFOs. UFOs are currently subject of serious discussion, with disclosure of more facts imminent. The New Yorker just published an article, How the Pentagon Started Taking U.F.O.s Seriously, and 60 Minutes just featured a
- [Pat Cadigan: Covid and Cancer Won't Stop Me From Going To Work](https://plutopia.io/pat-cadigan-covid-and-cancer-wont-stop-me-from-going-to-work/) - Pat Cadigan is an esteemed science fiction author, and one of the original contributors to the cyberpunk subgenre. She is sometimes referred to as the Queen of Cyberpunk. Pat writes fiction that deals with the the interaction between the human mind and technology. Early on she was a writer for Hallmark Cards but soon transitioned
- [Patrick Lichty: NFTs and Artechnology](https://plutopia.io/patrick-lichty-nfts-and-artechnology/) - Patrick Lichty is a conceptual artist, curator, and theorist. He explores how media shape our perception of reality, as well as the borders between the digital and the material. Pat describes himself as "a culturally engaged human being who's involved in art, writing, art curation, and technoculture." With Scoop and Jon, Pat discusses art, technology
- [Steve Stroh: Broadband Access](https://plutopia.io/steve-stroh-broadband-access/) - Technology writer and broadband consultant Steve Stroh discusses broadband access, rural wireless Internet providers, satellite-based Internet, and fiber networks.
- [Ed Lenert: Communications and Democracy](https://plutopia.io/ed-lenert-communications-and-democracy/) - With Dr. Michael Edward "Ed" Lenert, Plutopians discuss communications and democracy: the Fairness Doctrine, hate speech, cancel culture, and much more. Ed's work is at the intersection of communication theories and democratic practices. He has 25 years of experience teaching law, communications, and journalism at the university level, including MA and PhD-level students. He is
- [Doc Searls: Digital Age Media](https://plutopia.io/doc-searls-digital-age-media/) - Doc Searls joins the Plutopians to discuss social media's impact on the Internet, mass media's changes in the digital age, streaming music, movies, and much more. "Social media enhances conviviality enormously. Suddenly you're in touch with people from high school, relatives you haven't seen in a long time, and I thought it retrieved gossip. Gossip
- [Jean Russell: Thrivability](https://plutopia.io/jean-russell-thrivability/) - Plutopian discussion with visionary culture hacker Jean M. Russell, focusing on thrivability, healthcare, twisting language for political gains, social media, and much more. Jean engages in a social ecosystem design, culture hacking, and facilitation as a visionary but also a pragmatist. She acted as project lead for the Holo ICO, which raised 30,000 ETH (valued
- [Carol Flake Chapman: Maybe We Will All Become Butterflies](https://plutopia.io/carol-flake-chapman-maybe-we-will-all-become-butterflies/) - Scoop and Jon talk to author Carol Flake Chapman about politics, the religious right, Covid-19, grieving, and poetry.
- [The Anti-Fragile Playbook](https://plutopia.io/the-anti-fragile-playbook/) - Ruth Glendinning and Kent Dahlgren discuss The Anti-Fragile Playbook and the power of soft capital. The Playbook outlines strategies for underserved people and communities to start an economic and social revival. Ruth: What we've been talking about, and this is a big thing in Austin and everywhere, is affordability vs. ability to afford. Those on
- [Plutopia Team: The State of Social Media](https://plutopia.io/plutopia-team-the-state-of-social-media/) - Members of the Plutopia team discuss social media (including Clubhouse and Facebook), streaming entertainment, cancel culture, cartoons, gurus, and cults. What is social media for? What is it good for? If data is the new oil, where are our mineral rights? Including the history of the term and concept "social media" and how user attention
- [Christopher Rice and Donna Kidwell: The Future of Higher Education](https://plutopia.io/christopher-rice-and-donna-kidwell-the-future-of-higher-education/) - "It's not just robust, it's not just resilient, but we will be stronger on the other side of adversity. So we went into the pandemic expecting to come out a more robust institution. If you went into the pandemic thinking you'd weather the storm, but that it was a storm, and it would pass -
- [Joseph Rowe: Postmodern Madness](https://plutopia.io/joseph-rowe-postmodern-madness/) - Joseph Rowe is a musician, composer, writer, storyteller. He is also an author and translator, and a meditator and teacher. He performs sacred music and conducts workshop with Catherine Braslavsky. In this, his second visit to the Plutopia podcast, Joseph discusses Covid-19 and vaccines, postmodern madness, relativism and absolutism, moral perception, spirituality, beauty, the Tao,
- [Scoop and Jon: Texas Snowpocalypse](https://plutopia.io/scoop-and-jon-texas-snowpocalypse/) - Scoop and Jon discuss their experience of Winter Storm Uri in Texas.
- [Heavy Weather in Texas](https://plutopia.io/heavy-weather-in-texas/) - (Posted by Jon Lebkowsky) I've been posting about the crazy Texas snowpocalypse in a couple of places this week. I've compiled those posts here. Vox has a good explainer about how this storm relates to climate change: https://www.vox.com/22287295/texas-uri-climate-change-cold-polar-vortex-arctic 2/16/2021 We're having a snow day... a snow WEEK. I'm always excited to see actual snow, since
- [Emily Gertz: Climate Change Update](https://plutopia.io/emily-gertz-climate-change-update/) - Emily Gertz is Senior Editor at Drilled News. She is also a journalist who reports on the intersections of climate, environment, science, technology and society. Emily, a regular Plutopia News Network guest, discusses the state of climate change policy, with a new president recommitting the USA to climate change goals.
- [Tom Jennings on Plutopia Live](https://plutopia.io/tom-jennings-on-plutopia-live/) - January 14 Plutopia Livestream with guest Tom Jennings! Jon, Scoop and Suzy talk to Tom about some of the history of network communications, as well as about current events. Tom is a Los Angeles-based artist and technician, known for his work on FidoNet, the first message and file networking system for BBSes. He also built
- [Ritika Gopal: Copyright Law and the Internet](https://plutopia.io/ritika-gopal-copyright-law-and-the-internet/) - In this recording of the October 13, 2020 EFF-Austin meeting, Ritika Gopal discusses the current state of copyright law, and its ability to address modern-day forms of artistic expression. In a time when brick-and-mortar venues are closed, consumers rely on digital platforms for entertainment, communication, and human connection. Streamed content from DJs and other artists,
- [Sandy Stone: Varying the Frequencies](https://plutopia.io/sandy-stone-varying-the-frequencies/) - Photo: Jordan Reznick Sandy Stone is a cultural theoretician, audio engineer, computer hacker, filmmaker and performance artist; founding director of the Advanced Communication Technologies Laboratory (ACTLab) at the University of Texas at Austin; Fellow of the University of California Humanities Research Institute; a founder of the academic discipline of Transgender Studies; and recipient of the
- [Robert Matney: Disinformation and Insurrection](https://plutopia.io/robert-matney-disinformation-and-insurrection/) - Robert Matney is Managing Director of Government Affairs at Yonder. Yonder was originally called New Knowledge, and was known for its role in developing the authoritative report on Russian influence operations targeting US elections from 2015 forward for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI). The report leveraged data from Alphabet (Google), Twitter, and Facebook.
- [Leaving Bizarro World](https://plutopia.io/leaving-bizarro-world/) - (by Jon Lebkowsky) "The way out is through the door, why is it that no one will use this method?" ~ Confucius. Something I wrote for the 2021 State of the World conversation: Trump's election was probably an anomaly, an accident, more a repudiation of Hillary Clinton and a celebration of our electoral college, which
- [Zaid Hassan: Complexity Requires Practice](https://plutopia.io/zaid-hassan-complexity-requires-practice/) - In this episode, we discuss complexity, post-Covid foresight, climate change, and building capabilities to evolve and survive with Zaid Hassan. Zaid is a strategist, facilitator, social innovator and writer. He is the co-founder of several ventures, most recently 10-in-10 and Complexity University. Zaid has 20 years of experience tackling complex social challenges, working all over
- [Justin Hall: Links and Buds](https://plutopia.io/justin-hall-links-and-buds/) - Justin Hall has a two decade history pushing the limits of networked media. His website Justin's Links from the Underground launched in 1994. The site grew to thousands of hand-coded pages. The New York Times referred to Justin as "perhaps the founding father of personal weblogging," and he was the focus of the Doug Block
- [Sharon Strover: Online Disinformation](https://plutopia.io/sharon-strover-online-disinformation/) - Dr. Sharon Strover discusses how disinformation has mushroomed in the U.S. around a variety of subjects and from a variety of sources. Her research group at TIPI has looked over some of the Russian-placed social media disinformation and investigated the possible tactics behind it. They have analyzed why some people in the U.S. responded to
- [Alexandra Alvarez: Finding Talent](https://plutopia.io/alexandra-alvarez-finding-talent/) - Alexandra Alvarez, also known as Alex, found she has a talent for finding talent. She's from Austin originally, but she currently lives in Los Angeles and works as a casting coordinator for Walt Disney Studios and 20th Century Fox. She's also an independent casting director for CBS television. Her previous work includes extras casting and
- [Richard Cytowic: Neurology and Synesthesia](https://plutopia.io/richard-cytowic-neurology-and-synesthesia/) - "We live in a paradox in which digital tech alleviates social isolation in some ways even as it worsens it in others. It may be fashioning wholly new brain pathways for good or ill in ways we neither notice nor can predict. While we are technically more connected to one another than ever before, we
- [Joe Nick Patoski: Robert Ealey's Blues](https://plutopia.io/joe-nick-patoski-robert-ealeys-blues/) - Joe Nick Patoski has been writing about Texas and Texans for 40 years. He's written about Texas music, and hosts the weekly Texas Music Hour of Power on Saturday nights. In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, we talk about the Fort Worth 60s-70s blues scene and his latest book, The Ballad of Robert Ealey
- [Participatory Medicine and Covid-19](https://plutopia.io/participatory-medicine-and-covid-19/) - Founders of the Society for Participatory Medicine discuss e-patients and Covid-19.
- [Jon Lebkowsky: Truth In The Time of the Internet](https://plutopia.io/jon-lebkowsky-truth/) - Plutopia News Network's Jon Lebkowsky gave this talk on "truth in the time of the Internet" on November 3, 2020, at a virtual EFF-Austin meeting. Jon had been thinking about the 1960s slogan "question authority," and how in the 21st century era of mainstream internetworking and proliferation of media and news sources, we don't know
- [Matt Cohen: Living with Covid-19](https://plutopia.io/matt-cohen-living-with-covid-19/) - Covid-19, as a novel coronavirus, has been known to cause various degrees of illness, diverse symptoms, and long recoveries. Last summer, we discussed "E-Patients and Covid-19" with e-Patient Dave deBronkart and Dr. Marge Benham-Hutchins.. In this episode, we talk to Austin-based consultant, strategist, and investor, Matt Cohen, about his long-haul Covid-19 experience. Matt became ill
- [David Weinberger: Everyday Chaos](https://plutopia.io/david-weinberger-everyday-chaos/) - David Weinberger joins Jon and Scoop to discuss how the Internet and machine learning impact our lives and beliefs. We discuss the current state of the Internet, the web, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more... David is an insightful author, speaker, and influencer. He explores the effect of the technology on our lives, businesses, and
- [Gareth Branwyn: Beyond Cyberpunk](https://plutopia.io/gareth-branwyn/) - Gareth Branwyn contributes regularly to "Boing Boing," "Adafruit," and "HackSpace Magazine" and publishes a weekly newsletter, "Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales." He is also working on volume 2 of his best-selling 2018 book, Tips and Tales from the Workshop. Gareth is a well-known writer and editor, and a pioneer of both online culture and
- [Patrick Lichty: "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe."](https://plutopia.io/patrick-lichty/) - Patrick Lichty is a media artist, writer, futurist, curator and designer of over 30 years. He's currently a professor of media design at Zayed University in Dubai, where he is the Director of the Immersive Media Research Cluster. As an activist and artist, he was part of or worked with the collectives RTMark, Pocha Nostra,
- [Margot Mifflin: Looking for Miss America](https://plutopia.io/margot-mifflin-looking-for-miss-america/) - Margot Mifflin, author of Looking for Miss America, discusses the history, cultural and social impact of the Miss America pageant.
- [John D. Marks: The Cult of Intelligence](https://plutopia.io/john-d-marks-the-cult-of-intelligence/) - John D. Marks was the unlikely featured speaker at the 1977 Libertarian Party National Convention in San Francisco. Marks, the former staff assistant to the Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research in The State Department and Victor Marchetti, a former special assistant to the Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency wrote the
- [Monsters from the Id](https://plutopia.io/monsters-from-the-id/) - Just ran across this piece I wrote in 1995. A bit of distraction from the apocalypse! When man entered the atomic age, he opened the door into a new world. What we will eventually find in that new world, nobody can predict. -- Edmund Gwenn as Dr. Medford in "Them!" The Kid Show We were
- [Christopher Brown: Failed State](https://plutopia.io/christopher-brown-failed-state/) - Jon and Scoop interview science fiction author and attorney Christopher Brown about his latest book, Failed State, his second "dystopian lawyer" novel. The book is set just after the Second American Revolution. Protagonist Donny Kimoe, a good lawyer in a bad time, looks for a kidnap victim while trying to broker a truce between bright
- [Jeanne Mozier: "The World Had to Change"](https://plutopia.io/jeanne-mozier-the-world-had-to-change/) - Maggie and Scoop interview Jeanne Mozier, a popular astrologer and speaker. Her understanding of both politics and astrology inform her wide-ranging predictions. Jeanne holds degrees in political science from Cornell and Columbia universities. Her professional background includes research, planning and electoral politics. She has worked through the years for both Republican and Democratic candidates at
- [Democracy, Complexity, Chaos](https://plutopia.io/democracy-complexity-chaos/) - Something I wrote in 1996. I just rediscovered it in an old folder. I've thought a lot about democracy and governance over the years; this is what I was thinking then, 24 years ago, around the time we were working to defeat the Communications Decency Act in favor of free speech. ~ Jon Lebkowsky In
- [Eliza Evans: All the Way to Hell](https://plutopia.io/eliza-evans-all-the-way-to-hell/) - Jon and Scoop interview artist Eliza Evans, who experiments with sculpture, print, video, and textiles to identify disconnections and absurdities in social, economic, and ecological systems. They discuss some of her projects, especially her latest environmental art project, "All the Way to Hell."
- [e-Patients and Covid-19](https://plutopia.io/e-patients-and-covid-19/) - In this episode, we talk about e-Patients, participatory medicine, and Covid-19. We also talk about "long haulers," people who have Covid-19 as more of a chronic condition. Their symptoms extend long after recovery. Our guests are e-Patient Dave deBronkart and Dr. Marge Benham-Hutchins. Dave is a cancer survivor and international speaker on healthcare. He focuses
- [Renshin Bunce: Love and Fear](https://plutopia.io/renshin-bunce-love-and-fear/) - Interview with Renshin Bunce, hospice chaplain and Zen priest, and author of the book "Love and Fear."
- [Mark Frauenfelder: Make Wired Boing](https://plutopia.io/mark-frauenfelder-make-wired-boing/) - Mark Frauenfelder, Research Director of Institute for the Future, discusses his life as editor, blogger, maker, and influencer. Mark has been a vital part of the mainstreaming of the Internet. He was associate editor of Wired Magazine, and he was editor-in-chief at Wired.com and Make Magazine. He was aslo founder of the popular boingboing zine
- [Ed Ward and Nate Wilcox: Let It Roll!](https://plutopia.io/ed-ward-and-nate-wilcox-let-it-roll/) - Ed Ward and Nate Wilcox of the "Let It Roll" podcast talk about the history, business, and culture of rock and roll.
- [Bijoy Goswami and Robert Matney: The Galloping Gurus!](https://plutopia.io/bijoy-goswami-and-robert-matney-the-galloping-gurus/) - Bijoy Goswami and Robert Matney work with Jon and Scoop to create a "cult of punditry." This freewheeling conversation covers cults, conspiracies, gurus, toxic soup, science (and the lack of scientific thinking), Buddhism and the power of positive freaking.
- [Robert Matney: Conspiracy Theories and Information Warfare](https://plutopia.io/robert-matney-conspiracy-theories-and-information-warfare/) - Robert Matney is Managing Director of Government Affairs at Yonder. Yonder is a company that discovers who controls and amplifies narratives across the internet. It uses AI to identify influential groups, called factions, making them visible to Yonder's clients. Rob has his finger on the pulse of emerging online narratives, which puts him in a
- [Jasmina Tešanović: Europe in the Time of Covid-19](https://plutopia.io/jasmina-tesanovic-europe-in-the-time-of-covid-19/) - Jasmina Tešanović is a Feminist and political activist, originally from Serbia. She is also author of 15 books, a journalist, musician, translator and film director. More recently, she was one of the founders of Casa Jasmina, smart home of the future, in Turin, Italy. She is the author of the manifesto and movement "Internet of
- [Emily Gertz: State of the News Industry Today](https://plutopia.io/episode-65-emily-gertz-on-news/) - Jon and Scoop discuss the state of the news industry with Emily Gertz, a New York-based journalist, and Senior Editor at Drilled News.
- [Gary Gach Returns: Covid-19, Mindfulness, and Equanimity](https://plutopia.io/gary-gach-returns-covid-19-mindfulness-and-equanimity/) - Gary Gach returns to the Plutopia Podcast to discuss mindfulness and joy in the era of Covid-19. Our conversation was inspired in part by Gary's March Lion's Roar essay, "Practicing Equanimity in a State of Emergency."
- [Honoria Starbuck: Mindful Creative Zen Chickens](https://plutopia.io/honoria-starbuck-mindful-creative-zen-chickens/) - Honoria Starbuck is an artist known for her vibrant watercolors, and especially for her Zen Chicken series.
- [Jack McFadden: Music Venue Mojo](https://plutopia.io/jack-mcfadden-music-venue-mojo/) - Jack McFadden, Senior Talent Buyer at Austin City Limits Live, joined the Plutopia News Network livestream on May 12. This episode is a rebroadcast of that session. We discuss rock and roll, music venues, and the public performance challenges presented by Covid-19.
- [Jon and Scoop: History of Plutopia (etc.)](https://plutopia.io/jon-and-scoop-history-of-plutopia-etc/) - Plutopians Jon Lebkowsky and Scoop Sweeney discuss the history of Plutopia, the Chuckwagon riot, protests, COINTELPRO, sensemaking, narrative wars, information overload, filter bubbles, and the Plutopian non-conspiracy! Sign up for Plutopia News!
- [Jerry Michalski: Open Global Mind](https://plutopia.io/jerry-michalski-open-global-mind/) - Technology muse and influential connector Jerry Michalski joins Jon and Scoop to discuss his latest project, Open Global Mind, "a project to build communities and platforms that will help us make sense of the world -- together." A favorite Jerry quote sums up his trajectory: "People want to connect. They also want to make a
- [Web 3.0, Polkadot & the 2020s: Internet Privacy Beyond Big Tech](https://plutopia.io/web-3-0-polkadot-the-2020s-internet-privacy-beyond-big-tech/) - Recording of an April 14, 2020 talk by Dan Reecer, Community & Growth Manager for Polkadot, a next-generation blockchain network founded by the former co-founder and CTO of Ethereum, Gavin Wood. Polkadot will begin its phased launch process in Q2 2020, aiming to solve many of the current issues hindering blockchains from adoption at a
- [Tiffany Lee Brown: Burning Tarot](https://plutopia.io/tiffany-lee-brown-burning-tarot/) - Tiffany Lee Brown (aka magdalen, aka T) is a writer and interdisciplinary artist who lives off in the woods somewhere in Oregon. T has been a Tarot card reader for thirty years, and created the collaborative Burning Tarot deck starring the denizens of Black Rock City, Nevada — at the Burning Man festival. In response
- [Jane Hirshfield: A Poetry of Balance](https://plutopia.io/jane-hirshfield-a-poetry-of-balance/) - Jane Hirshfield is an award-winning poet, translator, essayist, and editor. She's written nine books of poetry. Her latest book, Ledger, "poses meticulous equations of the self coping with doubt, hunger, age, and death." (Donna Seaman, Booklist). Maria Popova at Brainpickings.org describes her as "a poet of optimism and of lucidity." In our Plutopia conversation, we
- [Erik Davis: High Weirdness](https://plutopia.io/erik-davis-high-weirdness/) - Erik Davis is the author of High Weirdness: Drugs, Esoterica, and Visionary Experience in the Seventies. The book covers the emergence of a new psychedelic spirituality that arose from the American counterculture of the 1970s.
- [Nancy White: Online Meetings and Liberating Structures](https://plutopia.io/nancy-white-online-meetings-and-liberating-structures/) - "A meeting is not all pure transaction for the task at hand. It is also transaction of how we are, who we are, and how we are together." Nancy White is an international practitioner in understanding and practicing online and face to face group facilitation. Her broad focus includes distributed work, strategic planning, social learning,
- [Danny Sands: Technology as Medicine](https://plutopia.io/danny-sands-technology-as-medicine/) - Danny Sands is a physician who's worked in a variety of capacities in the healthcare IT industry for over 25 years. Danny is passionate about, and dedicated to, healthcare transformation.
- [Susan Engelking: Community MicroMobility](https://plutopia.io/susan-engelking-community-micromobility/) - Recorded March 26, 2019. Susan Engelking is a mobility disruptor, a tireless advocate for "Tiny Transit" and LEAN mobility. Her new book, Tiny Transit: Cut Carbon Emissions In Your City Before It's Too Late, is a friendly how-to guide for cities and climate activists. She describes herself as sort of a Janie Appleseed, casting the
- [Steven Levy: Facebook, the Inside Story](https://plutopia.io/steven-levy-facebook-the-inside-story/) - Steven Levy is editor-at-large for Wired Magazine. He's an author and journalist who has written several books on computers, technology, cryptography, the internet, cybersecurity, privacy, and artificial life.
- [Cory Doctorow: Covid-19, Dystopia, and Adversarial Interoperability](https://plutopia.io/cory-doctorow-covid-19-dystopia-and-adversarial-interoperability/) - Cory Doctorow is a science fiction author, activist, and journalist. He is the author of RADICALIZED and WALKAWAY and other novels, short stories, and nonfiction. He works for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, is a MIT Media Lab Research Affiliate, is a Visiting Professor of Computer Science at Open University, a Visiting Professor of Practice at
- [Brandon Wiley: Obfuscated Exfiltration through Adversarial Networks](https://plutopia.io/brandon-wiley-exfiltration/) - Brandon Wiley discusses exfiltrating data from restrictive networks, a skill that every hacker can use. As firewall filtering techniques become more advanced, so must we advance the methods for defeating firewalls.
- [Gary Gach on Mindfulness: Pause, Breathe, Smile](https://plutopia.io/gary-gach-on-mindfulness-pause-breathe-smile/) - Interview with Gary Gach, author of PAUSE BREATHE SMILE – Awakening Mindfulness When Meditation Is Not Enough., discusses his history with Buddhism and mindfulness, and his latest focus on presenting a full framework of mindfulness instruction.
- [Christopher Brown: Rule of Capture](https://plutopia.io/christopher-brown-rule-of-capture/) - Christopher Brown returns to the Plutopiaverse to discuss his new dystopian legal noir, Rule of Capture.
- [Joe Nick Patoski: Tour guide to “Alternative Austin”](https://plutopia.io/joe-nick-patoski-tour-guide-to-alternative-austin/) - Joe Nick Patoski gives us an insider's analysis of the changes wrought upon the state capital and "sleepy college town" that became an alternative to the stereotype of "Texas Culture."
- [Joey Lopez: Media, Advocacy, and Community](https://plutopia.io/joey-lopez-media-advocacy-and-community/) - Joey Lopez, PhD is the Media Lab Director in the Department of Communication at Texas A&M University. Receiving his B.S., M.A. and Ph.D. in New Media at UT Austin in the Radio, Television and Film’s ACTLab program, he's been active in the new media field for over 20 years, starting with UT-Austin's ACTLab, where he
- [Hugh Forrest: SXSW History and Happenings](https://plutopia.io/hugh-forrest-sxsw-history-and-happenings/) - Jon and Scoop interview Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer for South by Southwest (SXSW). SXSW is perhaps the world's largest annual media festival. The SXSW conference has over 70,000 attendees from 106 countries, and almost 5,000 speakers. The overall festival, including film and music, has over 230,000 attendees. The Austin Chamber of Commerce recognized Hugh
- [Joy Cunningham: Welcome to Blackstone!](https://plutopia.io/joy-cunningham-welcome-to-blackstone/) - "Joy Cunningham knows that theatre saves lives. She’s been creating original theatre for 20 years and working with young people all her life. She also knows folks want to have fun so her one-woman shows and workshops for youth are fun and funny." - from Joy's online bio. Joy has worked as an actor, singer,
- [Robert Jackson Bennett: Cyberpunk Meets Fantasy](https://plutopia.io/robert-jackson-bennett-cyberpunk-meets-fantasy/) - Plutopians met Robert Jackson Bennett at "Science Fiction House" during SXSW 2019. Thats where we began our fascinating discussion about the blurry border between fantasy and science fiction. Robert is an award-winning author of science fiction and fantasy. He's a two-time award winner of the Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novel, an Edgar Award winner
- [Lewis Shiner: Outside the Gates of Eden](https://plutopia.io/lewis-shiner-outside-the-gates-of-eden/) - Author Lewis Shiner has written nine novels and many short stories. His latest novel is Outside the Gates of Eden, a novel of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The novel is set in the evolving counterculture and world of popular music of the time, mixing fictional and real characters. Shiner captures the spirit of
- [Robert Matney: What's Wrong with the Internet?](https://plutopia.io/robert-matney-whats-wrong-with-the-internet/) - Robert Matney is Managing Director of Stream Integrity at New Knowledge, a company that detects, monitors, and mitigates social media manipulation — in various contexts, for diverse clients. The company produced a well-covered report called "The Tactics & Tropes of the Internet Research Agency". This report, co-authored by Robert, quantified and contextualized the extent of
- [Owen McNally: Challenges in Healthcare Technology](https://plutopia.io/owen-mcnally-challenges-in-healthcare-technology/) - Owen McNally is a researcher and technology analyst in Austin, Texas. An enduring theme in his work over recent decades is the analysis and evaluation of technology based on humanistic principles. After completing undergraduate studies in Psychology at the University of Dallas, he turned in the early 1990's to studying cognitive neuroscience, artificial intelligence, the
- [Joe Nick Patoski, Part Two: Austin's Unique Culture](https://plutopia.io/joe-nick-patoski-part-two-austins-unique-culture/) - In part 2 of our interview with Joe Nick Patoski, we focus on essential Texas and Austin food, and on Austin's unique cultural history and evolution. We cover a lot of ground: SXSW, Austin is for the curious, basic food groups (TexMex, BBQ, and chicken fried steak), music (alt country, psychedelic, punk; the Armadillo World
- [True Fiction:The Art and Craft of Nonfiction--A Masterclass with Mark Dery](https://plutopia.io/true-fictionthe-art-and-craft-of-nonfiction-a-masterclass-with-mark-dery/) - True Fiction: The Art and Craft of Nonfiction--A Masterclass with Mark Dery by Plutopia/ Mind Travel Adventures/ Treehouse PlaySpace Reserve Your Spot Today! FORMAT: Five-hour workshop with a break for lunch, followed by an after-party. DATE: Weekend of June 29-30, day T/B/D. LOCATION: Austin, venue T/B/D based on number of attendees. COST: $250 (lunch and
- [Vinay Gupta: From Global Resilience to Practical Blockchain Vision](https://plutopia.io/vinay-gupta-from-global-resilience-to-practical-blockchain-vision/) - Vinay Gupta is CEO of Mattereum, an organization dedicated to "Organizing the world's property and making it universally accessible and useful" - riffing on the Google mission statement and applying it to the physical realm. Or, actually, the place where the physical realm can have meaningful relationships with data in the virtual realm. Per Tech
- [Brian Bushway: Seeing with Sound](https://plutopia.io/brian-bushway-seeing-with-sound/) - Brian Bushway lost his sight to optic nerve atrophy when he was 14 years old. Despite the loss of site, Brian finished high school, graduated from Pepperdine University, and pursued solo mountain biking. Via the Braille Institute, he met Daniel Kish, an expert in human echolocation, who inspired him. Kish helped him change his sense
- [Mark Dery: A Gorey Life](https://plutopia.io/mark-dery-a-gorey-life/) - Writer and cultural critic Mark Dery has written (and fed into) cyberculture, Afrofuturism (a term he coined), and evil clowns, but his latest work is about the surreal illustrator and writer Edward Gorey, who said "My mission in life is to make everybody as uneasy as possible. I think we should all be as uneasy
- [Michael Blumlein: Asking "What If?"](https://plutopia.io/michael-blumlein-asking-what-if/) - On February 17, Plutopia's correspondents Scoop and Jon recorded a reading and talk by physician and science fiction author Michael Blumlein. Michael has published four novels and three story collections, including the award-winning The Brains of Rats (Valancourt 20th Century Classics). His most recent publications, both in 2018, are All I Ever Dreamed: Stories, containing
- [Bijoy Goswami: The Human Fugue](https://plutopia.io/bijoy-goswami-the-human-fugue/) - Bijoy Goswami is an energetic and insightful entrepreneurial philosopher based in Austin, coincidentally the wild west stomping ground for our Plutopia News Network. Author of The Human Fabric: Unleashing the Power of Core Energy in Everyone, Bijoy evolved a system for social modeling and analysis, useful in building effective teams and business organizations. He was
- [Jeremy Smith: Smart Technology to Support Voter Registration](https://plutopia.io/jeremy-smith-smart-technology-to-support-voter-registration/) - Plutopia News Network recorded this talk by Jeremy Smith, Executive Director of Register2Vote, a TX 501c4 focused on increasing access to voting rights. Register2Vote and the related app, MapTheVote, are two nonprofit projects that use public records and simple technology to help voters and volunteers navigate around archaic laws in Texas, which has the lowest
- [Chris Boyd: A More Secure Home Network](https://plutopia.io/chris-boyd-a-more-secure-home-network/) - Chris Boyd is a telecommunications consultant, aka contract packet pusher, who has worked on large telecommunications product definitions and rollouts, network management installations, network infrastructure upgrades and installations. He's also treasurer and member of the Board of Directors at EFF-Austin. In this talk, presented at Nerd Nite Austin, Chris does a deep dive into home
- [Jon Lebkowsky: the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Geek Activism](https://plutopia.io/jon-lebkowsky-the-electronic-frontier-foundation-and-geek-activism/) - Plutopia News Network's Jon Lebkowsky recently gave this talk at Nerd Nite Austin 108, "Adventures on the Electronic Frontier." Lebkowsky presents an in-depth timeline for the founding and early days of the Electronic Frontier Foundation and its only chapter, EFF-Austin. Lebkowsky says "Geeks usually don't understand policy and politics, and that should change!" EFF's founding
- [Tom Brown and Manton Reece: An Introduction to IndieWeb](https://plutopia.io/tom-brown-and-manton-reece-an-introduction-to-indieweb/) - Photo: Tom Brown, Jon Lebkowsky, and Manton Reece at a meeting of the Austin HomeBrew Website Club. When you post something on the web, it should belong to you, and not a corporation. The Internet was originally a peer to peer decentralized network of networks connecting diverse nodes. The ability to move and share content
- [Cyrus Farivar: Down the Privacy Rabbit Hole](https://plutopia.io/cyrus-farivar-down-the-privacy-rabbit-hole/) - Cyrus Farivar, speaking to a gathering of EFF-Austin supporters, discusses his book Habeas Data: Privacy vs. the Rise of Surveillance Tech, about the last fifty years of surveillance and privacy law. Cyrus is Senior Tech Policy Reporter at Ars Technica, an author, and a radio producer. His earlier book, The Internet of Elsewhere: The Emergent
- [Scott McCollough: The Right to Privacy](https://plutopia.io/scott-mccollough-the-right-to-privacy/) - Scott McCollough has spent his years as an attorney focused on the places where technology collides with regulation, working primarily for telecommunications companies, Internet service providers, and application providers. He's a leading expert on telecommunications and Internet law and policy. In this episode of the Plutopia News Network podcast, Scott speaks at a monthly EFF-Austin
- [Nate Wilcox on 21st Century Politics: We have work to do!](https://plutopia.io/nate-wilcox-on-21st-century-politics-we-have-work-to-do/) - Nate Wilcox is an award-winning political and public affairs consultant and a recognized expert in online politics. He is the co-author, with Lowell Feld of "Netroots Rising: How a Citizen Army of Bloggers and Online Activists Is Changing American Politics". More recently, Nate edits a blog about combat sports for SBNation/Vox Media. In his work
- [Roundtable Discussion: Smart Tech Policy](https://plutopia.io/roundtable-discussion-smart-tech-policy/) - Austin, Texas is widely regarded as a leading center for development of cutting edge technology and a vibrant startup culture. In an election year, how do local Austin candidates for public office deal with issues confronting the tech world? EFF-Austin decided to find out, inviting two local candidates for the U.S. Congress and Texas Senate,
- [Ed Ward: The Future of Music](https://plutopia.io/ed-ward-the-future-of-music/) - In 2011,we conducted this interview with Ed Ward, author of The History of Rock & Roll, Volume 1: 1920-1963 and Michael Bloomfield: The Rise and Fall of an American Guitar Hero, and more recently subject of the Let It Roll Podcast. Ed has also written extensively about food. His blog, City on a Hill, has
- [Ed Ward: The Future of Food](https://plutopia.io/ed-ward-the-future-of-food/) - Our second Ed Ward interview is an informed discussion of the future of food.
- [On the radar as we move into 2018](https://plutopia.io/on-the-radar-as-we-move-into-2018/) - I created the list below for the State of the World 2018 conversation (which is something I do every year with Bruce Sterling). 2017 was a nervous year of overwrought blustery political cultures, a year of normalized psychosis amplified by media distortion, a year in which we all learned to live in the upside-down, losing
- [Tom Jennings Interview (1993)](https://plutopia.io/tom-jennings-interview-1993/) - (Originally published in FringeWare Review) In 1993, Jon Lebkowsky had a chat with Tom Jennings, who asked afterwards: "Think you can mention somewhere that I'm a fag anarcho nerd troublemaker/activist? It is important, and to me as well. It always gets buried. Lots of people like to know, especially scared people with no images of
- [Christopher Brown, author of <em>Tropic of Kansas</em>](https://plutopia.io/christopher-brown-author-of-tropic-of-kansas/) - Christopher Brown is the author of Tropic of Kansas: A Novel, published in 2017 by Harper Voyager. He was a World Fantasy Award nominee for the anthology he co-edited, Three Messages and a Warning: Contemporary Mexican Short Stories of the Fantastic. He lives in Austin, where he also practices technology law. Chris is currently working
- [Ingebrigt Håker Flaten: The Man with the Bass](https://plutopia.io/ingebrigt-haker-flaten-the-man-with-the-bass/) - We discuss the state and future of free jazz with one of the hardest working bassists in contemporary jazz, Ingebright Håker Flaten. Born in Norway, Ingebrigt migrated to Austin, Texas, drawn in part by Pedro Moreno's Epistrophy Arts, a grassroots cultural organization dedicated to free jazz and "adventurous music." Ingebrigt first appeared on the Scandinavian avant-jazz
- [Tumbleweed Smith: 50 Years Ahead of the Curve!](https://plutopia.io/tumbleweed-smith-50-years-ahead-of-the-curve/) - It seems everyone wants to be an indie producer. ITunes has 250,000 podcasts online, with more coming online every day, and YouTube has tons of independent content, and a passel of new digital era video celebrities. But this isn't a completely new kind of phenomenon - Bob Lewis, aka Tumbleweed Smith, has been an independent
- [Anne Boysen: Millennials and Culture Change](https://plutopia.io/anne-boysen-millennials-and-culture-change/) - Anne Boysen is a strategic foresight professional and international speaker who consults for nonprofits and Fortune 500 companies on consumer trends and generational change. Boysen uses strategic foresight to help prepare clients for a future that will shape and be shaped by our youngest generation. She is the founder of After the Millennials, a consulting
- [Beyond Blockchain to Holochain: A Conversation with Arthur Brock](https://plutopia.io/beyond-blockchain-to-holochain-a-conversation-with-arthur-brock/) - Arthur Brock devotes his time to projects that he believes support and accelerate the harmonious evolution of humanity, most recently building targeted currencies to shape the social dynamics of an emerging post-industrial economy. He's created more than a hundred designs for multi-currency systems, and his current project, Holochain, provides an alternative to the blockchain for
- [Kevin Welch: Net Neutrality 101](https://plutopia.io/kevin-welch-net-neutrality-101/) - Is net neutrality dead? Many are confused about net neutrality and what its elimination means. Jon and Scoop joined EFF-Austin president Kevin Welch for a brief interview before his talk "Net Neutrality 101: Where Freedom On the Internet Has Been, and Where It is Going" at a meeting of the Nonprofit Tech Club in Austin,
- [Net Neutrality Deep Dive](https://plutopia.io/net-neutrality-deep-dive/) - What is net neutrality, from the activist's perspective, and from a technical perspective? The term was coined in 2003 by Tim Wu as an extension of the common carrier concept, in his paper "Network Neutrality, Broadband Discrimination." Wikipedia defines it as "the principle that Internet service providers treat all data on the Internet equally, and
- [Protesting Pai with Wi-Fi](https://plutopia.io/protesting-pai-with-wi-fi/) - EFF-Austin activists organized a "silent, very nerdy: protest when Ajit Pai gave a talk in Austin on August 3. The organization set up wifi hotspots that would be visible to conference attendees with protest slogans as hotspot names. Scoop was onsite, interviewing Kevin Welch and Alex Shahrestani of EFF-Austin.
- [Michael Tobis on Climate: "The Bad Stuff is Getting Closer"](https://plutopia.io/michael-tobis-on-climate-the-bad-stuff-is-getting-closer/) - Michael Tobis considers himself a cyberneticist, in the original sense of the word cybernetic, where it suggests the optimal use of information in decision-making. He has two degrees in engineering and a PhD in climate science. He got into climate as it seemed to him to provide a good test case for the question "how
- [Michael Garfield: Midwifing New Myths](https://plutopia.io/michael-garfield-midwifing-new-myths/) - Many of us are searching for a conscious understanding and a clearer sense of the meaning of our lives in an interdependent evolutionary context, so that we can find our way to a trajectory that is more healthy and positive. What conversations do we need to have in order to evolve? Our conversation this week
- [Virginia Eubanks: Automating Inequality](https://plutopia.io/virginia-eubanks-automating-inequality/) - Virginia Eubanks is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University at Albany, State University of New York. She is the author of Automating Inequality: How High-Tech Tools Profile, Police, and Punish the Poor; Digital Dead End: Fighting for Social Justice in the Information Age; and co-editor, with Alethia Jones, of Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody
- [Exploring "2001: A Space Odyssey": A 50th Anniversary Perspective](https://plutopia.io/exploring-2001-a-space-odyssey-a-50th-anniversary-perspective/) - This year is the 50th anniversary of Stanley Kubrick's enigmatic sci-fi masterpiece, "2001: A Space Odyssey," and the film has seen revival screenings in 70mm and Imax (the spectacular Imax version recalls the original massive-screen Cinerama version.) In this episode of the Plutopia News Network podcast, we discuss 2001 with film director and writer Alex
- [Ellen  Ullman: Life in Code](https://plutopia.io/ellen-ullman-life-in-code/) - Former computer programmer turned author Ellen Ullman, author of Life in Code: A Personal History of Technology, joined Plutopia News Network's Maggie Duval for a conversation about engineering as a tinkering profession, persistent productive failures to produce success, and the current state of the profession, where people are always working and never re-creating. And there's
- [Brandon Wiley: The Future of Internet Freedom: Why It Will Fail, and How We Will Save It](https://plutopia.io/brandon-wiley-the-future-of-internet-freedom-why-it-will-fail-and-how-we-will-save-it/) - Brandon Wiley, President of Operator Foundation, recently spoke on "The Future of Internet Freedom - Why It Will Fail and How We Will Save It" at an EFF-Austin meeting. Operator Foundation makes usable tools to help people around the world with censorship, security, and privacy. Brandon addressed use cases for Internet freedom, and why we think
- [Jake Dunagan: The Biology of Disinformation, Weaponized Memes and Viral Alt-Facts](https://plutopia.io/jake-dunagan-the-biology-of-disinformation-weaponized-memes-and-viral-alt-facts/) - Jake Dunagan is a research director at Institute for the Future (IFTF), where his focus is the examination of social invention and the redesign of systems in light of current and emerging tools and knowledge. He recently co-authored an IFTF paper, with Doug Rushkoff and David Pescovitz, on "The Biology of Disinformation" which is about,
- [R.U. Sirius: 20 Minutes into the Future](https://plutopia.io/r-u-sirius-20-minutes-into-the-future/) - RU Sirius (aka Ken Goffman), as instigator of Reality Hackers and cofounder and executive editor of Mondo 2000, was a seminal figure in the emerging technoculture of the computer-mediated 1990s. In the years since the last issue of Mondo 2000, he’s written several books, hosted online talk shows, launched the webzine 10 Zen Monkeys and

## Pages

- [Wendy Grossman, Co-Host](https://plutopia.io/wendy-grossman-contributing-editor/) - Wendy M. Grossman is an award-winning American freelance writer based in London who specializes in the intersection of computers, freedom, and privacy, which she writes about weekly at the net.wars blog. In her 30-plus-year career she has contributed to the Guardian, New Scientist, Scientific American, and Wired. She is the founder of Britain's The Skeptic
- [Plutopia Pre-interview](https://plutopia.io/plutopia-pre-interview/) - Thanks for agreeing to join us in recording a Plutopia News Network podcast episode! Please complete this form as completely as possible to help us plan your interview. Send headshots and any other relevant images to jonl at weblogsky.com.
- [About the Plutopia News Network](https://plutopia.io/about/) - You should view the world as a conspiracy run by a very closely-knit group of nearly omnipotent people, and you should think of those people as yourself and your friends. – Robert Anton Wilson Plutopia News Network is an ongoing festival of ideas. We try to make sense of the world, have some fun along
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- [Scoop Sweeney](https://plutopia.io/scoop-sweeney/) - Godlike...he always wanted to use this in his bio, so there it is. Not appropriate but at least that is out of the way! Scoop emerged from the vast, desert wasteland of West Texas in the mid-60’s, a budding broadcast journalist and sometimes DJ. in pursuit of fame and fortune. Fame and fortune had other

## Tags

- [Holochain](https://plutopia.io/tag/holochain/)
- [disinformation](https://plutopia.io/tag/disinformation/)
- [viral media](https://plutopia.io/tag/viral-media/)
- [propaganda](https://plutopia.io/tag/propaganda/)
- [memes](https://plutopia.io/tag/memes/)
- [internet freedom](https://plutopia.io/tag/internet-freedom/)
- [cyber liberties](https://plutopia.io/tag/cyber-liberties/)
- [operator foundation](https://plutopia.io/tag/operator-foundation/)
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- [privacy](https://plutopia.io/tag/privacy/)
- [security](https://plutopia.io/tag/security/)
- [consulting](https://plutopia.io/tag/consulting/)
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- [software development](https://plutopia.io/tag/software-development/)
- [computer professional](https://plutopia.io/tag/computer-professional/)
- [Stanley Kubrick](https://plutopia.io/tag/stanley-kubrick/)
- [Arthur C. Clarke](https://plutopia.io/tag/arthur-c-clarke/)
- [science fiction](https://plutopia.io/tag/science-fiction/)
- [cinema](https://plutopia.io/tag/cinema/)
- [alien intelligence](https://plutopia.io/tag/alien-intelligence/)
- [poverty](https://plutopia.io/tag/poverty/)
- [homelessness](https://plutopia.io/tag/homelessness/)
- [automation](https://plutopia.io/tag/automation/)
- [surveillance](https://plutopia.io/tag/surveillance/)
- [complexity](https://plutopia.io/tag/complexity/)
- [integral thinking](https://plutopia.io/tag/integral-thinking/)
- [consciousness](https://plutopia.io/tag/consciousness/)
- [climate change](https://plutopia.io/tag/climate-change/)
- [climate denial](https://plutopia.io/tag/climate-denial/)
- [FCC](https://plutopia.io/tag/fcc/)
- [Ajit Pai](https://plutopia.io/tag/ajit-pai/)
- [network neutrality](https://plutopia.io/tag/network-neutrality/)
- [net activism](https://plutopia.io/tag/net-activism/)
- [Tim Wu](https://plutopia.io/tag/tim-wu/)
- [common carrier](https://plutopia.io/tag/common-carrier/)
- [freedom to connect](https://plutopia.io/tag/freedom-to-connect/)
- [blockchain](https://plutopia.io/tag/blockchain/)
- [evolution](https://plutopia.io/tag/evolution/)
- [social dynamics](https://plutopia.io/tag/social-dynamics/)
- [strategic foresight](https://plutopia.io/tag/strategic-foresight/)
- [futurist](https://plutopia.io/tag/futurist/)
- [millennials](https://plutopia.io/tag/millennials/)
- [generational zeitgeist](https://plutopia.io/tag/generational-zeitgeist/)
- [community](https://plutopia.io/tag/community/)
- [podcasts](https://plutopia.io/tag/podcasts/)
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- [jazz](https://plutopia.io/tag/jazz/)
- [free jazz](https://plutopia.io/tag/free-jazz/)
- [improvisation](https://plutopia.io/tag/improvisation/)
- [music](https://plutopia.io/tag/music/)
- [apocalypse](https://plutopia.io/tag/apocalypse/)
- [dystopia](https://plutopia.io/tag/dystopia/)
- [fidonet](https://plutopia.io/tag/fidonet/)
- [anarchy](https://plutopia.io/tag/anarchy/)
- [networks](https://plutopia.io/tag/networks/)
- [state of the world](https://plutopia.io/tag/state-of-the-world/)
- [cuisine](https://plutopia.io/tag/cuisine/)
- [food](https://plutopia.io/tag/food/)
- [rock](https://plutopia.io/tag/rock/)
- [culture](https://plutopia.io/tag/culture/)
- [borders](https://plutopia.io/tag/borders/)
- [frontiers](https://plutopia.io/tag/frontiers/)
- [technology](https://plutopia.io/tag/technology/)
- [right to privacy](https://plutopia.io/tag/right-to-privacy/)
- [covid-19](https://plutopia.io/tag/covid-19/)
- [copyright](https://plutopia.io/tag/copyright/)
- [utopia](https://plutopia.io/tag/utopia/)
- [tarot](https://plutopia.io/tag/tarot/)
- [burning man](https://plutopia.io/tag/burning-man/)
- [burning tarot](https://plutopia.io/tag/burning-tarot/)
- [nature](https://plutopia.io/tag/nature/)
- [woods](https://plutopia.io/tag/woods/)
- [participatory medicine](https://plutopia.io/tag/participatory-medicine/)
- [e-patients](https://plutopia.io/tag/e-patients/)
- [e-patient](https://plutopia.io/tag/e-patient/)
- [digital media](https://plutopia.io/tag/digital-media/)
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- [journalism](https://plutopia.io/tag/journalism/)
- [indigenous languages](https://plutopia.io/tag/indigenous-languages/)
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- [religion](https://plutopia.io/tag/religion/)
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- [Biblican interpretation](https://plutopia.io/tag/biblican-interpretation/)
- [Christianity](https://plutopia.io/tag/christianity/)
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- [January 6](https://plutopia.io/tag/january-6/)
- [Electronic Frontier Foundation](https://plutopia.io/tag/electronic-frontier-foundation/)
- [online civil liberties](https://plutopia.io/tag/online-civil-liberties/)
- [horror](https://plutopia.io/tag/horror/)
- [film](https://plutopia.io/tag/film/)
- [fantastic fest](https://plutopia.io/tag/fantastic-fest/)
- [underground culture](https://plutopia.io/tag/underground-culture/)
- [The Cold War](https://plutopia.io/tag/the-cold-war/)
- [World War Two](https://plutopia.io/tag/world-war-two/)
- [Atomic Bomb](https://plutopia.io/tag/atomic-bomb/)
- [End of The World](https://plutopia.io/tag/end-of-the-world/)
- [Texas](https://plutopia.io/tag/texas/)
- [Donald Trump](https://plutopia.io/tag/donald-trump/)
- [Trump indictment](https://plutopia.io/tag/trump-indictment/)
- [Republicans](https://plutopia.io/tag/republicans/)
- [buddhism](https://plutopia.io/tag/buddhism/)
- [dharma](https://plutopia.io/tag/dharma/)
- [Gutenberg](https://plutopia.io/tag/gutenberg/)
- [print media](https://plutopia.io/tag/print-media/)
- [print](https://plutopia.io/tag/print/)
- [Jeff Jarvis](https://plutopia.io/tag/jeff-jarvis/)
- [Gurdjieff](https://plutopia.io/tag/gurdjieff/)
- [work](https://plutopia.io/tag/work/)
- [trucking](https://plutopia.io/tag/trucking/)
- [robots](https://plutopia.io/tag/robots/)
- [ai](https://plutopia.io/tag/ai/)
- [artificial intelligence](https://plutopia.io/tag/artificial-intelligence/)
- [robotics](https://plutopia.io/tag/robotics/)
- [blues](https://plutopia.io/tag/blues/)
- [folk music](https://plutopia.io/tag/folk-music/)
- [country blues](https://plutopia.io/tag/country-blues/)
- [techology](https://plutopia.io/tag/techology/)
- [voter suppression](https://plutopia.io/tag/voter-suppression/)
- [venture capital](https://plutopia.io/tag/venture-capital/)
- [environment](https://plutopia.io/tag/environment/)
- [urban naturalism](https://plutopia.io/tag/urban-naturalism/)
- [wildlife](https://plutopia.io/tag/wildlife/)
- [espionage](https://plutopia.io/tag/espionage/)
- [World War II](https://plutopia.io/tag/world-war-ii/)
- [skeptics](https://plutopia.io/tag/skeptics/)
- [Balcones Fault](https://plutopia.io/tag/balcones-fault/)
- [Austin](https://plutopia.io/tag/austin/)
- [3](https://plutopia.io/tag/3/)
- [dark web](https://plutopia.io/tag/dark-web/)
- [deepfakes](https://plutopia.io/tag/deepfakes/)
- [truth](https://plutopia.io/tag/truth/)
- [truth engine](https://plutopia.io/tag/truth-engine/)
- [civil liberties](https://plutopia.io/tag/civil-liberties/)
- [democracy](https://plutopia.io/tag/democracy/)
- [personalism](https://plutopia.io/tag/personalism/)
- [llm](https://plutopia.io/tag/llm/)
- [language learning models](https://plutopia.io/tag/language-learning-models/)
- [dreaming](https://plutopia.io/tag/dreaming/)
- [lucid dreaming](https://plutopia.io/tag/lucid-dreaming/)
- [dream work](https://plutopia.io/tag/dream-work/)
- [dream workshop](https://plutopia.io/tag/dream-workshop/)
- [productivity](https://plutopia.io/tag/productivity/)
- [planning](https://plutopia.io/tag/planning/)
- [evidence-based](https://plutopia.io/tag/evidence-based/)
- [metascience](https://plutopia.io/tag/metascience/)
- [Experiences](https://plutopia.io/tag/experiences/)
- [Festivals](https://plutopia.io/tag/festivals/)