Everyday Anarchism

Cory Doctorow, an influential author and tech activist, dives deep into the concept of 'enshittification'—the decline of digital platforms. He describes a three-stage decay process where platforms first gain user trust, then prioritize profit from businesses over user experience, and finally extract value until little remains. Doctorow discusses the power dynamics at play, the need for restoring competition, and how tech workers can reclaim rights. He also shares insights on using digital activism and regulatory coalitions to combat these trends.

The film Henry Fonda for President is showing this Thursday, October 2 at Duke University. Please join us if you are in the area!https://cinematicarts.duke.edu/screensociety/screenings/henry-fonda-president-alexander-horwath-2024More than any other individual, Henry Fonda was a symbol for better, more leftist, more social democratic America, from The Grapes of Wrath to 12 Angry Men. He even played an English professor who faced cancellation for teaching anarchist literature!Then in the 1960s, he was the literal father figure that New Left Hollywood figures Jane and Peter Fonda were rebelling against. And Henry let himself be used as a villain in Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time in the West, playing the embodiment of rapacious American capitalism.Alexander Horwath weaves together all these threads into his essay film Henry Fonda for President. As we live in a world haunted by 50 years of neoliberal decay, the America Fonda represented seems further away than ever, even as his films still crackle with righteous rage against injustice. Alex and I talk about all these issues and more - I hope you enjoy the conversation, and see the film when you have a chance!

Luke Kemp, author and scholar of societal collapse, delves into his book, Goliath's Curse, offering a provocative take on human civilization. He critiques the narrative of progress, revealing that what we call civilization often stems from domination and coercion. Kemp discusses insights from the Paleolithic era, emphasizing cooperation over violence. He highlights how societal structures emerged through resource monopolization, challenging the myth of continuous progress and advocating for mutual aid as humanity’s hallmark. His views invite a rethinking of authority and history.

Celebrate the anniversary while diving into the political depths of Hollywood Westerns like *Fort Apache* and *Rancho Notorious*. Discover the moral complexities surrounding justice and colonization, and the nuanced portrayals of figures like John Wayne and Henry Fonda. Discuss the often overlooked roles of Indian agents and the representation of Indigenous struggles. Uncover the darker themes of vengeance and gender dynamics, and challenge the romanticized cowboy myth, revealing the societal values these films reflect.

In normal cinema, the goal of the director is to control the audience, to direct their gaze, to dictate their emotions.What does it mean when directors make movies where the audience is allowed to decide what the film means to them?Legendary filmmaker Paul Schrader (screenwriter of Taxi Driver and Raging Bull; director of Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters and First Reformed) , joins me to discuss his book Transcendental Style in Film: Ozu, Bresson, Dreyer and the democratic nature of slow cinema.

Alyssa Battistoni, a political theorist and professor at Barnard College, dives into her book *Free Gifts: Capitalism and the Politics of Nature*. She critiques capitalism's portrayal of nature as a 'free gift' and questions why it needs to claim such value while ignoring ecological costs. The discussion tackles the tension between individual choices and systemic issues in environmental discourse, and emphasizes the absurdity of commodifying nature. Alyssa also explores the need for a more intrinsic understanding of nature and labor within a post-capitalist framework.

Alex comes back on the podcast and we try to separate liberalism and anarchism, with some success! (I think the problem is that what Alex and I agree on is democratic socialism - so liberal socialism and anarchist socialism end up pretty close).The business of basketball is our central example, so sorry if that part bores you to tears. Being bored by the business of basketball is more than reasonable.I also reference this episode with Iain McKay frequently: https://www.everydayanarchism.com/episode-42-kropotkins-theory-of-revolution-with-iain-mckay/Duke sucks.

Lyndal Roper joins me to discuss her book The Summer of Fire and Blood: The German Peasants' War. 500 years ago, German peasants learned that Martin Luther had declared that they should be free. They agreed - and Europe was plunged into war.

Alexandre Lefebvre, author of Liberalism as a Way of Life, joins me to discuss the many ways that anarchism and liberalism are compatible. Later this month, you'll here Alexander back on the show, as we try to divorce the two traditions.

Folk singer Willi Carlisle, known for his multi-instrumental talent and commitment to politically charged music, discusses the intertwining of folk traditions with anarchist themes. He shares insights on his new album, 'Winged Victory,' and reflects on the evolving nature of music discovery. The conversation dives into the importance of art as a community tool, the tension between spectacle and intimacy in performances, and the revival of political folk music in grassroots settings, highlighting the value of authentic connections and social activism through music.