Ways to Change the World with Krishnan Guru-Murthy

In this discussion, Cory Doctorow, an author and digital-rights activist, dives into his book 'Enshitification.' He defines a three-stage process where platforms trap users and prioritize shareholder profits, leading to a decline in service quality. Cory critiques giants like Facebook and Amazon, revealing how they've shifted strategies for immediate gains at the cost of long-term value. He emphasizes the need for political activism over consumer responses and advocates for legal changes to break monopolies. The conversation highlights hopeful paths to reform the internet landscape.

Joining the show is Jan Ravens, an award-winning impressionist and comedian known for her work on BBC's Dead Ringers. She discusses the power of satire and calls for more honesty in politics, suggesting that greater transparency enriches comedic material. Jan shares insights on her impressions of political figures like Theresa May and Liz Truss, highlighting how their quirks provide ample fodder for humor. She also reflects on the evolving landscape of comedy, the significance of live performance, and her journey from aspiring actress to celebrated impressionist.

Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, is calling on Unilever to “free” the ice cream brand after years of clashes over its social mission and stance on issues like Gaza.In this episode of Ways to Change the World, Ben tells Krishnan Guru-Murthy why he believes business has become the strongest force in society - and why it must care about more than profit. Unilever maintains that it’s working to create “a fairer, more socially inclusive world”.

David Shrigley is one of Britain’s most original and celebrated contemporary artists. Known for his deadpan drawings, iconic sculptures and ambitious installations, David Shrigley’s work blends absurd humour with sharp observations on everyday life. On this episode of Ways to Change the World, Krishnan Guru-Murthy joins David at his latest show, Exhibition of Old Rope, in central London to discuss art, politics and Donald Trump.

Founding member of Pussy Riot and one of the most high-profile political activists in Russia imprisoned by Vladimir Putin's government - in this Ways to Change the World Podcast, Krishnan Guru-Murthy speaks to Masha Alyokhina.She became internationally known after the group's protest performance in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in 2012, which led to her arrest and two years in prison. Since her release, Masha has continued to challenge Putin's regime and fight for freedom of expression through her art, writing and activism. And her new book, Political Girl, is an account of protest, prison and her thoughts about Russia today.

Lynsey Addario is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American photojournalist who has spent two decades covering conflicts and humanitarian crises across the globe. Travelling to the frontlines of some of the world’s most dangerous countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan and Ukraine.She has a string of alarming personal stories to go with it. She has been detained by the Libyan army, forced to go through an X-ray scanner three times by Israeli forces who knew she was pregnant at the time. She once said, “I realise with every assignment I do, there is a chance I might not come home.”On this episode of Ways to Change the War, Addario speaks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy about her life as a conflict journalist, wife and mother, as well as her latest feature documentary Love+War.

Jimmy Wales is the co-founder of Wikipedia - the free digital encyclopedia that just about everyone in the Western world goes to if they need to quickly know anything.It has been going for almost 25 years, determinedly democratic, non-profit and user-run, but increasingly under attack by right-wing influencers, Republican politicians and Elon Musk for being biased and with an overly-progressive ideology. And now AI models like ChatGPT are parking their tanks firmly on Wikipedia's lawn, claiming to be the real fount of all knowledge. Wikipedia calls them "conversational chatbots".On this episode of Ways to Change the World, Jimmy Wales speaks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy about the “crisis of trust”, AI and why Wikipedia will continue to lead the way. 

Munya Chawawa wants to make you laugh, but not at the expense of someone else. Through his sharp satire and viral sketches, his comedy explores the line between humour and harm, showing how you can illuminate difficult truths without tearing people down.In this episode of Ways to Change the World, Munya joins Krishnan Guru-Murthy to talk about comedy, kindness, and the power of perspective. He reflects on growing up in Zimbabwe, navigating early experiences of bullying, and the challenge of finding empathy in a world that often rewards outrage. He shares his thoughts on how laughter can connect us and help us make sense of chaos, and gives advice to aspiring social media stars.

Husam Zomlot was born in a refugee camp in Gaza and has since become one of the most prominent Palestinian voices on the world stage. In 2017, Zomlot was appointed envoy to the United States, until the Trump administration shut down the PLO mission in Washington. The following year he became Head of the Palestinian Mission in London, a role that has now been elevated to Ambassador after the UK’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine. He has been a leading voice for Gaza throughout the recent conflict, while also enduring devastating personal loss, with members of his own family killed in the violence. In this episode of Ways to Change the World, Husam Zomlot speaks with Krishnan Guru-Murthy about his childhood, the growing recognition of a Palestinian state and the hope for him and his people.

Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, discusses the critical risks of AI surpassing human intelligence. He argues for banning addictive algorithms that prioritize engagement over well-being, drawing parallels to addictive substances. Tim also emphasizes the need for regulations to manage AI safely, proposing a collaborative, international framework akin to CERN for AI research. He shares insights on data ownership through his Solid initiative, advocating for personal data control in an increasingly centralized digital world.