The Importance of Knowledge in Modernity

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I think I'm quite inspired by a core background, where he says the challenge of modernity is to not suffer from illusions without also suffering from disillusioned work. And I think I work unequivocally, thank you for debunking some of the illusions that I had despite being quite critical of the system to begin with. Just because it helps being less disillusioned. I think knowledge helps solve disillusioned, learned anger, hatred, polarization. That's the piece where I believe in part of what my efforts on campus through writing wherever is,. just to make people aware that we all have an anxiety and despair about the future.

On this episode, Nate is joined by recent Stanford graduate and biophysical researcher Taimur Ahmad to discuss energy inequality within and across nations. Taimur offers a unique perspective as someone who has spent years studying the issues of the polycrisis, while also having experience growing up in Pakistan and living in the United States. How does the culture of a nation and its access to energy interrelate to create huge differences in the daily lives of the people who live there? How do the looming implications of climate change and energy depletion impact the relationship between the Global North and the Global South? And how do issues of class, wealth, and ‘fictitious capital’ interplay with the larger poly-crisis at hand?

About Taimur Ahmad

Taimur Ahmad is the author of the Fictitious Capital newsletter where he writes about understanding the base layer of the global system: money/finance, energy, and raw materials. He studied economics at Georgetown University in Qatar and recently completed a graduate degree from Stanford University where he focused on energy policy and electricity markets. After working in agricultural development in Pakistan, he worked in the Middle East supporting clients across energy, CP&I, and national development. From these experiences, he realized the importance of reframing contemporary socioeconomic issues in an energy and ecological systems framework. His work is now focused on exploring the intersection of development in the Global South, degrowth/post-growth, MMT, and leftist social theory.

To watch this video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4hzDKA0aNJk

For show notes, and more information: https://www.thegreatsimplification.com/episode/80-taimur-ahmad