Everyday Anarchism

Radicalism in the English Revolution gets to the Ranters, the radical group of protestants who may or may not have practiced free love - but definitely sparked a moral panic!In this extra-long discussion, Nigel Smith and I discuss the roots of Ranterism, its connections to the Diggers, its legacy for romanticism, and its connection to later American radical movements. Plus we talk about punk rock, especially in connection to Nigel's book: A Collection of Ranter Writings: Spiritual Liberty and Sexual Freedom in the English Revolution

For my very first repeat episode, I'm reposting a conversation with Ruth Kinna about Santa Claus, Kropotkin, and the prefigurative practice of Christmas.You can read Ruth's article on the topic here: An Anarchist Guide to Christmas

Diane Purkiss joins me to discuss the Christmas Wars, in which Puritans attempted to prevent the celebration of Christmas in the 17th century. Christmas was a carnival in which the world was turned upside down - and the Puritans weren't having it. We also discuss the Lord of Misrule, Twelfth Night, and that 21st century lord of misrule: Lord Buckethead!

Debt Chapter 4, in which Jesus and Nietzsche show up!

Brian Merchant, author of 'Blood in the Machine,' discusses the Luddites' true intentions, highlighting their critique of technology and its relevance today. He explores the impact of automation on historical systems and marginalized groups, dispels misconceptions about Luddites, and explores their resistance against factory and automation in the 19th century. The chapter also delves into the clash of ideologies in early capitalism and the shift towards a factory model of work.

In a break from the two ongoing series, in this week's episode I'm joined by the anarchist YouTuber Andrewism. Andrew and I discuss homeschooling, our shared experiences as homeschooled kids, the way homeschooling prepared us to be learners, and the liberatory potential of the homeschooling ethos.Andrewism is one of the best ways to introduce yourself to the ideas of anarchism - check out his videos on solarpunk and, for Graeber fans, the myth of barter

John Morrill, whose work I first encountered in Mike Duncan's podcast about the English Revolution, joins me to discuss the career of Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell was attacked in his time for being both too radical and not radical enough, and the picture has only gotten more complicated from there. John and I discuss his career, his convictions, his relationship to radicals like the Levellers and the Diggers, and how we should remember him today.To see John discuss these issues in the glorious blurriness of 80s television, I highly recommend this YouTube video: https://youtu.be/l9BluTq8M54?si=DrO1hqWEtD4SkbGZ

Anthropologist Bill Maurer joins for a discussion on primordial debt, gift-giving, and the myth of barter. They explore anarchy in Byzantium, excitement around Modern Monetary Theory, and the release of the book 'As If Already Free'. They also discuss writing, complexity, and alternative infrastructures.

Ariel Hessayon returns to discuss The Diggers, the radical group whose farming community most closely resembles the ideas of anarchist communism as expressed by 19th century figures such as Kropotkin, Morris, and Tolstoi. Ariel and I discuss their origins, their theology, their 19th century recovery, and above all the brilliant writings of one of their leaders, Gerrard Winstanley.

Continuing my series on Graeber's Debt, this episode looks at chapter 3, which introduces the other big myth which Graeber says underpins our modern imaginary. Primordial Debt, I argue, is the left-wing counterpart to the myth of barter, and Graeber critiques it less harshly but just as fully.Join me later this month for a conversation with the anthropologist Bill Maurer about this chapter, the myth of primordial debt, and the anthropological nature of Graeber's claims.