
Love & Philosophy
Science, technology, and philosophy beyond bounds. Holding what feels irreconcilable. Opening to new ways of thinking. Love is the answer. Philosophy is the practice. Paradox is the portal.By love and philosophy we mean the people, passions, and ideas that move us, shape the trajectories of our lives, and co-create our wider landscapes.Thank you for your support. It really helps.#waymaking #navigability #love #philosophy #learning #development #loveandphilosophy #andreahiott #metaphysics #paradox #systemsthinking #paradoxicalthinking #thinkingparadoxically #philosophyofmind
Latest episodes

Jun 3, 2025 • 1h 13min
The Dao of Complexity with Jean Boulton
Send a love messageA heart-meets-mind discussion about complexity science and its suprising relation to Daoism, with physicist Jean Boulton. The conversation explores how stability and change are part of a reflexive interweaving of relationships, the importance of actions and behaviors in co-creating the future, and the role of compassion and love in fostering resilience. We also touch on the profound influence of spiritual practices such as Taoism and Buddhism on understanding complexity. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of integrating heart and mind, and how seemingly small, compassionate acts can create significant shifts. Whether you're interested in spiritual traditions, scientific perspectives, or personal development, this episode offers a rich tapestry of insights to inspire and guide you.Visit Jean's websiteBuy the booksLinkedInGiving pageSign up here00:00 Introduction to Change and the Dao00:33 The Interconnectedness of Actions and Behaviors01:11 Embracing Complexity and Wider Perspectives01:43 Guest Introduction: Jean's Background and Interests01:50 Understanding Complexity in Science and Everyday Life04:03 The Mechanistic Worldview vs. Complexity Science06:29 Personal Journey: From Physics to Philosophy08:09 The Influence of Family and Early Philosophical Interests11:14 Process Complexity and the Dao11:41 The Paradox of Stability and Change13:31 The Role of Context and History in Shaping Patterns14:11 Discovering Daoism and Its Connection to Complexity15:47 The Nuances of Daoism in Understanding Complexity19:21 The Importance of Actions, Intentions, and Purpose26:13 The Role of Attention and Noticing in Complexity27:55 Integrating Heart, Mind, and Body in Complexity Science33:23 The Embodied Experience of Complexity35:02 The Interdisciplinary Nature of Complexity36:04 Meditation and Embodiment37:19 Tibetan Yoga and Compassion40:16 Childhood and Personal Growth42:42 Societal Wounds and AddictionsLoving & KnowingSupport the showPlease rate and review with love. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Substack.

May 18, 2025 • 1h 22min
Complexity Coding, Residuality Theory & the Hyperliminal: being flexible and rigid at once with Barry O'Reilly
Send a love message(Kaufmann Neworks are Boolean: see here if you want to know more, but you don't need to know anything about them to understand this episode)Please sign up for the newsletter here.Embracing Uncertainty: Barry O'Reilly on Software Architecture and PhilosophyIn this episode of Love and Philosophy, we sit down with Barry O'Reilly, a seasoned software architect with a deep background in pure mathematics and experience at top companies like Microsoft. He discusses his innovative concept, Residuality Theory, which introduces complexity theory into software development for the first time. Barry explains how traditional linear thinking in coding often leads to rigid and brittle constructs that fail to adapt to the constantly changing business environments. By embracing paradoxes and uncertainties using theories from philosophy and complexity sciences, Barry offers a new perspective on software architecture that combines the logical rigor of code with the adaptability required for real-world human systems. Join us for this thought-provoking conversation that bridges the gap between coding and philosophy, and learn how embracing uncertainty can lead to more resilient and flexible software solutions.00:00 The Rigidity of Software vs. The Chaos of Business00:46 The Philosophical Roots of Computer Science01:28 The Architect's Paradox: Linear Thinking vs. Human Systems02:20 Introducing Residue: Adapting to Change03:16 The Relief of Embracing Uncertainty04:16 Welcome to Love and Philosophy11:34 Meet Barry O'Reilly: From Math to Software Architecture16:02 The Journey to Complexity Theory21:25 Handling Uncertainty in Software Projects26:47 The Evolution of Software Engineering31:42 The Birth of Residue and Ity Theory38:17 The Need for a New Philosophical Approach43:36 The Immaturity of Software Engineering46:03 Personal Frustrations and Philosophical Pursuits46:40 The Reflective Practitioner and Instinctive Problem Solving47:13 Linear Thinking vs. Embracing Uncertainty49:34 Philosophical Foundations in Software Engineering01:05:03 Hyper Liminality and System Resilience01:13:45 The Role of Play and Forgiveness in Software Development01:19:16 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsArchitect's Paradox: Uncertainty and the Philosophy of Software ArchitectureResidues: Time, Change, and Uncertainty in Software Architecture.You Tube Talks:Residuality TheoryArchitect's ParadoxSupport the showPlease rate and review with love. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Substack.

May 6, 2025 • 1h 4min
Hill Making & Lessons for Living with WIRED co-founder Kevin Kelly
Send a love messageAndrea sits down with Kevin Kelly, a true pioneer in the world of technology and futurism. Known for his foundational work with Whole Earth, Wired Magazine and definitive pieces like '1000 True Fans,' Kelly shares insights from his early fascination with science fiction to his groundbreaking contributions in understanding and shaping the digital age and technological ideas. They discuss the profound influence of science fiction on technological advancements, the humanizing impact of the internet, and the vital importance of travel and curiosity for finding meaning. Kelly explains the nuanced continuum between biology and technology, the concept of 'hill making' versus 'hill climbing' in innovation, and how love and community remain central to his work. As they delve into Kelly's latest book 'Excellent Advice for Living,' this conversation offers rich perspectives on maintaining creativity, embracing complexity, and fostering an optimistic outlook in an ever-evolving world.00:00 Introduction and Early Influences00:05 The Role of Science Fiction in Shaping Technology01:58 Discovering the Internet as a New Frontier04:30 Welcome to Love and Philosophy04:36 Kevin Kelly's Background and Achievements09:30 Early Encounters with Computers14:28 The Humanizing Effect of the Internet17:42 Meeting Stewart Brand and the Whole Earth Catalog28:01 The Importance of Travel and Broader Perspectives33:38 The Transformative Power of Travel34:37 Embracing Unique Paths in Life35:47 The Value of Time Over Money40:16 The Birth of Artificial Life and Wired Magazine46:34 The Paradox of Progress and Creativity53:38 The Importance of Noticing and Small Steps01:01:33 Hill Making vs. Hill Climbing01:02:59 Final Thoughts on Love and LifeExcellent Advice for LivingKevin Kelly on Substackhttps://kk.org/Stewart BrandWhole Earth Catalogue and Whole Earth Reviewthe WELLWIRED MagazineSign up for the NewsletterLinkedInSupport the showPlease rate and review with love. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Substack.

Apr 25, 2025 • 1h 44min
Complexity Fatigue & the Third Entity with Beck, Shay and Penijean
Send a love messageParticipatory sense-making is a term coined by Hanne De Jaegher & Ezequiel Di Paolo. Both these philosophers will be featured in upcoming episodes.Andrea Hiott hosts Rebecca Todd, Shay Welch, and Penijean Gracefire explore intricate themes of participatory sensemaking, the concept of the 'third entity,' and the impact of trauma and love on interpersonal relationships. The discussion delves into how the body acts as a data-gathering device, how sensory inputs shape our understanding of the world, and the importance of mutual sense-making in a highly complex and often overwhelming environment. Each speaker shares their unique perspectives and experiences, from cognitive neuroscience to ethical interactions, ultimately highlighting the significance of staying connected both with others and oneself. This conversation is intellectually stimulating and emotionally enriching, drawing on neuroscience, philosophy, and mental health to offer fresh insights into navigating the complexities of human interaction.00:00 Introduction to the Body as a Data Gathering Device00:57 The Futility of Communication and Social Media02:35 Welcome to Love and Philosophy02:52 Participatory Sense Making and Social Cognition04:46 Meet the Three: Beck Todd, Shay Welch, and Penijean Gracefire05:46 Rebecca Todd: Cognitive Neuroscience and Life Experience08:13 Penijean Gracefire: Neurotechnology and Human Function12:21 Shay Welch: Philosophy, Public Art, and Participatory Sensemaking15:50 Exploring the Concept of the Body23:09 The Role of EEG in Understanding the Brain52:36 The Impact of Trauma on Sensemaking53:25 Introduction to Anchors and Interactions54:14 Effortful Sense Making Shaped by Love55:16 Individual Differences in Sensory Systems56:24 Neuromodulation and Sense Making59:24 Visualization and Communication Challenges01:03:07 Complexity Fatigue and Bandwidth01:14:11 Neuromodulation Device Experiment01:20:35 Participatory Sense Making with the More-than-Human World01:29:34 Challenges of Virtual Interaction01:36:48 The Futility and Hope of CommunicationL&P NewsletterPSM PaperA Multiplicity of WorldsWhat is Participatory Sense-making and Why Should We Care?Steve Paxton, originator of the practice of contact improvisation, himself says: “The reason it’s called contact improvisation is because there is a third entity that arises in the state – it is the state of agreement between the two of you that neither one is leading. It doesn’t become leaderless, the two of you are leading.” SourceSupport the showPlease rate and review with love. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Substack.

Apr 19, 2025 • 36min
A Quick Podcast about Podcast(s) with Andrea & Fotis
Andrea and Fotis dive into the fascinating world of podcasting, discussing its growth and the vibrant communities it fosters. They explore the philosophy behind podcasting and its unique ability to navigate complex ideas. Delving into the concept of Game B, they advocate for transformative societal shifts. The duo emphasizes authenticity in difficult conversations and shares personal motivations that drive their journey. With reflections on interconnectedness and future aspirations, their chat reveals the power of meaningful dialogue in shaping perspectives.

16 snips
Apr 10, 2025 • 40min
Radical Incompleteness & Windows of Ritournelle with Bayo Akomolafe
Bayo Akomolafe, a philosopher, psychologist, and poet, discusses the transformative power of love and the complexities of relational dynamics. He highlights the radical incompleteness of love and how it challenges binary categorizations. Reflecting on his personal journey, Bayo shares insights on memory, loss, and care. The conversation also explores the impact of the pandemic on family dynamics and the importance of self-awareness in recognizing disruptive patterns in our lives. Embracing life's messiness, they reveal new possibilities for connection.

Mar 30, 2025 • 1h 40min
How Shall we Live? with anthropologist and lineologist Tim Ingold
Tim Ingold, Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at the University of Aberdeen, joins to discuss the intricate weaving of life through 'lines' instead of blocks. They explore the concept of wayfaring as our fundamental experience, emphasizing interconnectedness between nature and culture. Ingold argues for greater awareness and responsibility in our actions and choices. The conversation touches on creativity, personal journeys, and the importance of nurturing love and respect for the world, offering transformative insights into how we engage with life and each other.

Mar 22, 2025 • 1h 7min
Project Love: What We Make & How it Makes Us with Clive Grinyer
Send a love message "If a thing loves, it is infinite" William Blake: In this episode of Love and Philosophy, Andrea engages with Clive Grinyer, a renowned industrial and service designer and the director of Project Love. The discussion centers around how design can be a catalyst for fostering love, empathy, and compassion in society, and how this is a form of collective cognition. They explore various innovative projects, including a conversational bench, a heat map app, and a secular gravestone for natural beauty spots. The conversation delves into the philosophy behind design and how it influences our daily interactions and emotions. Grinyer shares insights from his extensive experience and highlights the transformative impact of design thinking in both personal and societal contexts.Watch the video with powerpoint here.00:00 Introduction: The Power of Design01:17 Welcome to Love and Philosophy01:43 Introducing Clive Grinyer and Project Love06:19 Exploring Love Through Design07:17 Defining Love and Design21:39 Innovative Projects and Concepts28:59 Community and Societal Impact35:47 The Social Impact of Design35:51 Designing for Sustainability and Economic Viability36:01 The Complexity and Perception of Design36:19 The Role of AI in Design36:59 Technology and Human Experience37:19 Design in Everyday Life38:16 The Evolution of Technology Design39:22 Emotional Design and User Experience40:25 Project Love: Designing for Compassion01:02:00 Empathy in Design01:04:39 Future Directions and Community BuildingProject Lovehttps://www.theprojectlove.com/Sign up here for the newsletter and writingsSupport the show here.About Clive:"Clive Grinyer is an internationally renowned designer who has led global design teams at Samsung, Cisco, Orange and Barclays, worked at design consultancy IDEO, and was co-founder of the design company Tangerine. Starting as a product designer he has moved across digital, customer experience and service design and was Director of Design for the UK Design Council. As Head of Service Design at the Royal College of Art, he pioneered design as a tool for social impact, shaping how we respond to the environmental crisis and develop life services including financial and healthcare. He is an advisor and delivers executive training to companies including Bosch, the Dorchester Collection of hotels, and the Bank of England. Clive was a trustee of the Royal Society of Arts, Chair of the Design Business Association Effectiveness awards and visiting professor at the Glasgow School of Art. He is currently based in London."Support the showPlease rate and review with love. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Substack.

Mar 14, 2025 • 2h 56min
Another Needful Freedom: Truth in Tension with Mike Brock, ex-tech-exec, reluctant Cassandra
In a gripping discussion, Mike Brock, an ex-tech executive and writer, examines the intersection of technology, democracy, and philosophy. He introduces the concept of 'needful freedom,' urging a balance between individual liberty and community obligations. With deep insights, Brock critiques the pitfalls of technology and the need for emotional honesty in navigating the chaos of modern life. He emphasizes love and shared understanding as pivotal in fostering genuine connections, while advocating for a cognitive revolution to confront today’s pervasive challenges.

Mar 5, 2025 • 1h 36min
We Are Not Machines! Agency & Science beyond Computationalism with Fotis and Yogi (Johannes Jaeger)
Send a love message#paradox of #love and #agency Yogi aka. Johannes Jaeger like to fashion himself as a natural philosopher. After having his own lab and being the director of an institute in Vienna he left academia for pursuing intellectual production independently. He is part of an science-art collective in Vienna called The Zone. His focus has been primarily focused on his book, Beyond the Age of #Machines, which he had been publishing incrementally in digital form. Fotis Tsiroukis is a cross-disciplinary researcher interested in the intersection between humanities, science and new media. Also a cyborg...Please join the Substack or Support us directly.Johannes JaegerThe ZoneLinkedIn FotisResearch FotisGiving PageIn this episode of the Love & Philosophy Podcast, host Fotis engages in a deep andthought-provoking conversation with Johannes "Yogi" Jaeger, a freelance scholar and biologist-turned-philosopher. Yogi critiques the dominant "machine worldview" that has shaped modernity, arguing that it has led human civilization to a dangerous "cliff edge". He advocates for a shift towards a process-oriented, relational metaphysics that emphasizes the interconnectedness of living systems and the limitations of computational models. Yogi also discusses the pitfalls of AI, the dangers of technological hubris, and the need for a new kind of science that reconnects us with reality. The conversation touches on themes of agency, the limitations of a computationalist worldview and the importance of tough love in guiding humanity towards a more sustainable and meaningful future.#computationalism1. [00:00:00] Snippets2. [00:02:10] Introduction (by Fotis)3. [00:10:00] Yogi as a Natural Philosopher4. [00:13:00] Critique of Modern Science5. [00:14:30] Yogi’s Journey of Dissilusionment: from Molecular Biologist to FreelanceTheorist6. [00:20:00] The Problem with the Academic System7. [00:25:00] The Need for a New Metaphysics8. [00:28:00] Getting Back in Touch with Reality9. [00:32:00] Postmodernism & Metamodernism10. [00:36:00] The Danger of Technological Hubris11. [00:40:00] Complexity Science and the Pitfalls of the Computationalist Wordlview12. [00:45:00] The Illusion of Total Control13. [00:49:00] The Misuse of AI14. [00:54:00] Preping for the Collapse of this Civilization15. [00:57:00] AI "Agents" aren't Real Agents16. [01:05:00] The Illusion of AI Sentience17. [01:10:00] The Free Energy Principle and Reductionism18. [01:20:00] The Importance of Relevance Realization19. [01:25:00] The Role of Relationality and Connection20. [01:30:00] Tough Love for Humanity21. [01:35:00] Closing ThoughtsYogi's Theory Paper on DynamicalMetamodernism PrimerBluesky: @lovephilosophy.substack.comSupport the showPlease rate and review with love. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Substack.