Origin Story

The war in Gaza has led to accusations of genocide but that word operates on two levels. It’s both a strict legal term that has to be adjudicated by the International Criminal Court and an informal expression of moral outrage. The definition has been contested ever since the word was invented by the lawyer Raphael Lemkin in 1944, in the furnace of the Holocaust. In this two-part episode Dorian and Ian tell the story of genocide as a legal and political category. What exactly does it mean? How is it different from crimes against humanity or ethnic cleansing? Why is it so hard to prove? And how did it become seen as the ultimate crime?In part two, Ian and Dorian tell the story of Lemkin’s invention of genocide and his efforts to make it an international crime. They explain how legal wrangling during the Nuremberg trials led to the 1948 Genocide Convention, and why it took so long for anybody to be charged with the crime, let alone brought to justice. Why do so many of the twentieth century’s most horrendous offences not qualify as genocide? Why did international condemnation fail to prevent genocides in Rwanda, Darfur and the former Yugoslavia? And why is the case against Israel so contentious?It’s a disturbing story but a fascinating one, raising essential questions about the rights of the individual versus the rights of the group, the limits of international law, and humankind’s capacity for justifying mass murder.• See Origin Story live at the King’s Head Theatre, London on Mon 15 July. Tickets here.• Pre-order the forthcoming Origin Stories books on Centrism, Fascism and Conspiracy Theory and get 20% off using the special discount code revealed in the podcast. • Support Origin Story on PatreonReading list• Donald Bloxham and A. Dirk Moses (eds.) - The Oxford Handbook of Genocide Studies, 2013• Philip Gourevitch – We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families, 1998• Ben Kiernan – Blood and Soil: A World History of Genocide and Extermination from Sparta to Darfur, 2007• Norman N. Naimark – Genocide: A World History, 2016• Samantha Power – A Problem from Hell, 2002• Philippe Sands – East West Street, 2016Written and presented by Ian Dunt and Dorian Lynskey. Producer: Simon Williams. Music by Jade Bailey. Art by Jim Parrett. Logo by Mischa Welsh. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Origin Story is a Podmasters production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The podcast delves into the complex meanings of genocide amidst recent global turmoil. It explores the emotional weight of this term and its legal intricacies, especially in contexts like the Holocaust. Historical instances of mass violence, from biblical narratives to colonial atrocities, are examined, revealing a chilling pattern of human behavior. The hosts dissect moral ambiguities, the evolution of genocidal intent, and how these historical lessons inform modern definitions of this ultimate crime.

Delve into the tumultuous love story of John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor, the powerhouse duo behind modern liberalism. Discover how their intellectual partnership challenged societal norms, with Harriet's contributions often overshadowed. Topics include Mill's brave stance on women's suffrage, radical ideas on property and freedom, and the complexities of their unique three-way marriage. The conversation reveals how love intertwined with ideas to shape a legacy that remains relevant today, highlighting the importance of consent and individual autonomy.

Discover the passionate partnership of John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor Mill, the original power couple of liberalism. Their love story unfolds amid Victorian society's constraints, showcasing Harriet's unheralded influence on Mill's groundbreaking ideas. Explore Mill's emotional growth and Taylor's sharp social critiques, as they challenge norms and advocate for women's rights. Delve into the complexities of their collaboration, highlighting themes of freedom, feminism, and the enduring relevance of their philosophies in contemporary discussions.

Discover the journey of George Orwell during WWII, his remote escape to write '1984,' and his impactful legacy. Unravel the ambiguity of the novel, explore his philosophical reflections, and support the podcast for more engaging content.

The podcast dives into George Orwell's transformation from Eric Blair to a literary icon. It explores his complex political identity, shaped by diverse influences and experiences. Listeners learn about his disillusionment during the Spanish Civil War and the impact of his struggles on his writing. The discussion highlights Orwell's early life, literary style, and relationship with Eileen, alongside reflections on his enduring legacy and the relevance of his ideas in today's world. Fascinating stories and insightful critiques make this an engaging exploration of a monumental figure.

We’ve covered ideas, phrases, people and historical events. Now Origin Story profiles its first building: Number 10 Downing Street. Following Dorian’s bonus episode about the birth of end of the world fiction, based on his new book Everything Must Go, Ian goes deep on a topic from his bestselling book How Westminster Works and Why It Doesn’t. He explains how a house built on marshland by a 17th century scoundrel gradually became the prime minister’s official residence, and how its cramped, chaotic floorplan still influences how vital decisions are made. Why does tradition trump efficient governance? How do wily advisers exploit the layout to increase their influence over the PM? Is the door more important than the rest of the house put together? And is it finally time to say goodbye to Number 10?Support Origin Story on Patreon for exclusive benefits www.Patreon.com/originstorypod Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey and Ian Dunt. Music by Jade Bailey. Logo art by Mischa Welsh. Audio production by Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Origin Story is a Podmasters production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

• Join Ian and Dorian for Origin Story Live in London on Tue 7 May. They’ll be looking at how the Conservative Party got addicted to conspiracy theory, and more.This time: The Illuminati were a group of Enlightenment idealists who existed for just a few years in 1780s Bavaria. Or were they? The Illuminati have since been blamed for everything from the French Revolution to communism to 9/11. How did a powerless club of intellectuals become reimagined as the secret rulers of the world? And how did the myth of the Illuminati become the template for every megaconspiracy theory about plots to put humanity under the heel of a one-world government?Dorian and Ian unravel this amazing yarn, which takes in America’s Founding Fathers, British fascists, the Knights Templar, David Icke, Jay-Z and the Playboy letters page. The truth is in here.Written and presented by Ian Dunt and Dorian Lynskey. Audio production and music by Jade Bailey. Logo art by Mischa Welsh. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Origin Story is a Podmasters production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For 1800 years, Western conceptions of the end of the world were dominated by the Book of Revelation: Armageddon, the Millennium, Judgement Day. But in 1816, political upheaval, Enlightenment science and the Romantic imagination converged to give birth to a radical idea: the end of the world without God. When Lord Byron, Mary Shelley and Percy Shelley came together beside Lake Geneva that summer, a volcanic eruption was producing endless rain and apocalyptic prophecies.Drawing on his new book Everything Must Go: The Stories We Tell About the End of the World, Dorian explains how that season of confusion and gloom led to not just Frankenstein but Byron’s revolutionary poem Darkness. And how the deaths of her companions led Mary to write The Last Man, the first ever novel about a world-destroying pandemic.It’s a story of personal tragedy, temporary climate change, shocking new ideas about the past, present and future of life on earth, and the summer that kicked off two centuries (and counting) of apocalyptic fiction.Buy Everything Must Go: The Stories We Tell About the End of the World through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund Origin Story by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey and Ian Dunt. Music by Jade Bailey. Logo art by Mischa Welsh. Audio production by Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Origin Story is a Podmasters production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ian Dunt and Dorian Lynskey discuss effective altruism and its connection to Sam Bankman-Fried, the failed CEO of FTX. They explore the origins of effective altruism, long-termism, and existential risks. They delve into the philosophy of Peter Singer and different types of utilitarianism. They also examine the role of expected value in effective altruism and the moral implications of long-term thinking. The FTX scandal and collapse are discussed, along with the crisis within the Effective Altruism movement. Despite acknowledging mistakes, they highlight the commitment to doing good and seeking reassurance about the efficacy of donations.