Everyday Anarchism

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.

Meredith Veldman, an author specializing in the ties between romanticism, fantasy literature, and political thought, dives deep into Tolkien's romantic anarchism. She discusses the underlying protest in The Lord of the Rings and how romanticism appeals to both anarchists and fascists. The conversation touches on the bureaucratic struggles in academia, the intersections of Tolkien’s views with critiques of industrialization, and the philosophical influences of figures like Coleridge and Ruskin on his works. They also explore the notion of a modernized Middle Ages versus technocratic society.

My colleague David Hill rejoins the show to discuss Twilight of the Idols, one of Nietzsche's last works, and one in which Nietzsche directly discusses anarchism.In addition to Nietzsche's putdowns of anarchists, David and I also discuss the ancient Greeks in Nietzsche's thoughts, the unsavory aspects of Nietzsche's philosphy, and Nietsche's attacks on liberalism.For background to this conversation, check out this episode on games and philosophy in ancient Greece: https://do-things-with-words.captivate.fm/episode/1-5-agon-and-ancient-greek-society-david-potter/

Robin Schuldenfrei joins me to discuss her new book Objects in Exile, which is about the many afterlives of the Bauhaus school and its practitioners. Robin and I particularly focus on the relationship between Bauhaus and city planning, especially focusing on Chicago and the work of Ludwig Hilberseimer. Key questions include:How can societies ensure that everyone has at least enough space to live? How can cities provide for both growth and planning, and blend different kinds of buildings and spaces into an organic whole? And how can we see the rigid grid of American cities as a tool for anarchy?Here's the information about Robin's book and an interview with her about the bookRobin Schuldenfrei, Objects in Exile: Modern Art and Design across Borders, 1930–1960https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691232669/objects-in-exileInterview, Robin Schuldenfrei on Objects in Exilehttps://press.princeton.edu/ideas/robin-schuldenfrei-on-objects-in-exile

"What is joy when everything has been monetized and optimized?" For Carson Lund, the answer is rec league baseball, and his new film Eephus is about how a meaningless, anachronistic activity like a local baseball league can actually be the most meaningful and important thing you can do. The film is an ode to baseball, a comedy, and "an argument for democracy at a more human level, people just figuring things out."You can find ways to stream Eephus or watch it in the theater here: https://www.eephusfilm.com/And here's the Hawthorne quote I got totally wrong in the episode:The novels of Anthony Trollope "just as real as if some giant had hewn a great lump out of the earth and put it under a glass case, with all its inhabitants going about their daily business, and not suspecting that they were being made a show of."

John McGowan, a liberal voice of conscience and expert on civil disobedience, explores Hannah Arendt's insightful analysis on the subject. He delves into Thoreau's influence on figures like Gandhi and MLK, highlighting the evolving nature of resistance and activism. The discussion touches on the moral complexities of exploitation and community, emphasizing the balance needed between individual freedom and collective action. McGowan critically examines how Arendt's legacy challenges contemporary political dynamics while advocating for meaningful social change.

Jaz Brisack, a dynamic union organizer and author of 'Get on the Job and Organize', shares insights drawn from their experiences at companies like Tesla and Starbucks. They unpack why billionaires view unionizing as a threat and discuss the evolution of labor organizing tactics. Jaz emphasizes grassroots initiatives and class solidarity as essential for uniting diverse workers. They also provide practical strategies for effective workplace organizing, highlighting the importance of building strong committees and leveraging public pressure for union recognition.

Brian Merchant, author of Blood in the Machine, investigates the dark side of AI and tech oligarchs. He delves into how billionaires exploit AI to prioritize profit over worker welfare, raising critical questions about job stability. The discussion highlights the decline of traditional journalism amid corporate dominance and celebrates the rise of independent voices. Merchant also draws parallels between capitalist greed in the Fallout series and modern societal challenges, advocating for a future that values community and ethical AI development.

In which I end my series on David Graeber's Debt, apologize for mistakes, and offer some hope for a new world in which we have more money and less monetarism.Thank you to all of the listeners to this series, and my wonderful lineup of guests: Dirk Ehnts, Eleanor Janega, Cory Doctorow, Bill Maurer, Henry Farrell, James K. Galbraith, Fuad Musallam, Clif Mark, Luke Kemp, John Weisweiler, Chris Isett, and Yanis Varoufakis.The whole series can be found here: https://www.everydayanarchism.com/david-graebers-debt/

When capitalists developed their neighborhood with a giant mall, eight artists developed an abandoned space in the mall into an apartment. It was art without permission, and now there's a documentary about what it was like to make a secret mall apartment as a form of art. Jeremy Workman, the director of Secret Mall Apartment, and Michael Townsend, the originator of the idea, join me to discuss the film and what it means to make art without permission.I highly recommend that you check out Michael's public art, which you can learn about here: https://www.tapeart.com/