Astra Taylor

Featuring guests Alex Han, Astra Taylor, and Rachel Gilmer, this live Dig interview at a Socialism Conference discusses organizing and socialist strategy. They explore topics such as building a movement of movements, the importance of cadre organization, political education, navigating challenges, and organizing in relation to debt.

Paris Marx is joined by Astra Taylor to discuss how capitalism creates insecurity to sustain itself, the way tech is used to make us more insecure, and what it will take to change that.Astra Taylor is a writer, filmmaker, and political organizer. She’s the author of The Age of Insecurity and co-founder of the Debt Collective. Her next book Solidarity: The Past, Present, and Future of a World-Changing Idea, written with Leah Hunt-Hendrix, comes out in March. Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Support the show on Patreon.  The podcast is produced by Eric Wickham. Transcripts are by Brigitte Pawliw-Fry.  Also mentioned in this episode:Astra wrote about the Insecurity Machine for Logic Magazine and the Dads of Tech for The Baffler.Find excerpts from The Age of Insecurity in The New York Times and The Walrus.Become a supporter on Patreon to join our giveaway.Support the show

Astra Taylor, author of 'The Age of Insecurity' and co-founder of the Debt Collective, dives into the pressing need to defend democracy against rising authoritarianism. She reflects on our emotional connection to insecurity and how it shapes activism and engagement. The conversation critiques capitalism's role in fostering societal insecurities and advocates for community over consumerism. Taylor emphasizes grassroots organizing as essential in reclaiming political power and unity, linking various societal issues while fostering hope for a better democratic future.

Leah Hunt-Hendrix and Astra Taylor discuss solidarity as a key concept in addressing economic inequality, climate change, and democracy. They emphasize collective action, social movements, and the role of education and the arts in fostering community.

Astra Taylor, author and activist, discusses economic insecurity and building solidarity. They explore the myth of insecurity fostering innovation and how guaranteed assets enable civic participation. They delve into the history of social security, the impact of insecurity on civic engagement, the fight for debt elimination, and the decline of strikes. They reflect on progress and mention the importance of pushing boundaries.

Astra Taylor, a Massey Lecturer, delves into how prosperity exists alongside profound insecurity. She examines how increased material security historically fosters open-mindedness, while rising insecurity divides communities. Taylor discusses the impact of unschooling and nurturing curiosity in children, as well as the social consequences of manufactured insecurities from past movements. She critiques consumer culture's role in breeding inadequacy and contrasts modern challenges with Indigenous values, ultimately advocating for policies that enhance curiosity and societal well-being.

Astra Taylor, a writer and filmmaker known for co-founding The Debt Collective, and Leah Hunt-Hendrix, co-founder of Solidare Network, delve into their book on solidarity. They explore the historical significance of solidarity in social movements, emphasizing collective action's necessity to tackle global challenges. The discussion critiques individualism, highlights transformative solidarity, and reimagines it in public discourse. They also tackle immigration issues and the role of philanthropy in progressive movements, stressing the need for united efforts against systemic barriers.

Astra Taylor, a filmmaker and co-founder of The Debt Collective, joins authors Malcolm Harris and Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, a philosophy professor, to delve into the complexities of voting in the upcoming election. They discuss the moral dilemmas of supporting candidates like Kamala Harris and the effectiveness of third-party alternatives. The conversation critiques the political landscape shaped by extremism and highlights the necessity of grassroots organizing, especially in response to social justice issues, emphasizing that civic engagement goes beyond casting a vote.

In this thought-provoking discussion, Naomi Klein, renowned journalist and author, Astra Taylor, filmmaker and political organizer, and Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, celebrated author and professor, tackle the pressing issues facing the Left today. They dive into the limitations of electoral politics in enacting meaningful change, the impact of conspiracy culture on public perceptions, and the challenges of organizing within academic labor. The urgency of building inclusive leftist movements and fostering grassroots activism is underscored, as they explore transformative strategies for justice and liberation.

Astra Taylor, a filmmaker and co-author with the Debt Collective, joins the conversation to delve into a variety of intriguing topics. They discuss the surprising implications of Kamala Harris's VP nomination and the bizarre spectacle of RFK Jr. dumping a dead bear cub in Central Park. Astra shares insights from her book on solidarity, exploring its importance in activism and the complexities of personal loss in political movements. The chat also emphasizes how to rebuild political unity and address issues like school lunch debt impacting vulnerable communities.