In today’s episode, renowned academic and legal scholar Professor Joseph H.H. Weiler speaks with Matt about The Trial of Jesus – connecting the historical event as a lens for understanding justice, religious pluralism, and democracy. The examination leads us through the limits of state neutrality in matters of faith, the balance between freedom of and from religion, and the evolving role of digital platforms. Professor Weiler shares perspectives from his extensive legal scholarship while reflecting on the intersection of theology, democracy, and technological change in our modern world. An incredibly poignant episode that is a must-listen.Note: This episode was recorded in Dec 2024.Links & References: References:The Trial of Jesus - First Things | By J.H.H. WeilerSanhedrin trial of Jesus - WikipediaThe Christian Europe by J.H.H. Weiler | Una Europa cristiana - Ediciones Encuentro“La Rochefoucauld voice in our ear” | François de La Rochefoucauld (writer) - WikipediaNostra aetate [EN]Second Vatican Council - Wikipedia“imitatio Dei” | Imitation of God - WikipediaLautsi v. Italy - Wikipedia"Laïque” (FR) = “secular”European Convention on Human RightsStatement of Micah | Why Micah 6:8? | Westmont CollegeGuarini Colloquium on Legal Controls of Digital Platforms | NYU School of LawSALVIFIC | English meaning - Cambridge DictionaryVoltairean - Wiktionary, the free dictionaryOlga Tokarczuk - WikipediaThe Books of Jacob by Olga Tokarczuk - WikipediaThe Books of Jacob by Olga Tokarczuk: 9780593087503 | PenguinRandomHouse.comTelos - Wikipedia “goal” Bios:J.H.H. Weiler is University Professor at the NYU Law School and a Senior Fellow at the Center for European Studies at Harvard. He served previously as President of the European University Institute, Florence.  Prof. Weiler is Co-Editor-in-Chief of the European Journal of International Law (EJIL) and the International Journal of Constitutional Law (ICON). Among his Honorary Doctorates there is one in Theology awarded by the Catholic University of America. In 2022, he received the Ratzinger Prize awarded by Pope Francis.J.H.H.’s Links:J.H.H. Weiler - Biography | NYU School of LawFreedom Of and From Religion in Democracies by J.H.H. Weiler | Combinations Magazine by RxCMatt Prewitt (he/him) is a lawyer, technologist, and writer. He is the President of the RadicalxChange Foundation.Matt’s Social Links:ᴍᴀᴛᴛ ᴘʀᴇᴡɪᴛᴛ (@m_t_prewitt) / X Connect with RadicalxChange Foundation:RadicalxChange Website@RadxChange | TwitterRxC | YouTubeRxC | InstagramRxC | LinkedInJoin the conversation on Discord.Credits:Produced by G. Angela Corpus.Co-Produced, Edited, and Audio Engineered by Aaron Benavides.Executive Produced by G. Angela Corpus and Matt Prewitt.Intro/Outro music by MagnusMoone, “Wind in the Willows,” is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

Audrey Tang, Taiwan’s Cyber Ambassador-at-large and 1st Digital Minister, discusses her journey toward becoming a 'good enough ancestor.' She shares insights on intertwining technology with Taoism, emphasizing calmness for collaborative problem-solving. Tang contrasts Taiwan’s Sunflower Movement with January 6, explores the role of AI in democracy, and advocates for education that marries traditional values with modern needs. With a focus on diverse perspectives, she highlights how embracing 'brokenness' can foster democratic growth and societal change.

Matt Prewitt and Gary Zhexi Zhang discuss Chinese cybernetics, focusing on pioneer Qian Xuesen and how the field developed differently in China versus the West. They explore how Chinese cybernetics emerged as a practical tool for nation-building, examining its scientific foundations, political context, and broader cultural impact. Together, they discuss key concepts like information control systems while highlighting the field's interdisciplinary nature and its evolution from thermodynamic to information-based approaches.Links & References: References:The Critical Legacy of Chinese Cybernetics by Gary Zhexi Zhang | Combinations Magazine Cybernetics - WikipediaNorbert Wiener ("Father of Cybernetics")Whose entropy is it anyway? (Part 1: Boltzmann, Shannon, and Gibbs ) — Chris AdamiCollection: Norbert Wiener papers | MIT ArchivesSpaceRelationship between entropy of a language and crossword puzzles (a comment from Claude Shannon) - Mathematics Stack ExchangeA Mathematical Theory of Communication BY C.E. SHANNON | Harvard MathA Mathematical Theory of Communication - WikipediaCybernetics - MITBrownian motion - WikipediaIntercontinental ballistic missile - Wikipedia AKA “ICBMs”Summary: The Macy ConferencesWarren Sturgis McCulloch (Neuroscience), Gregory Bateson and Margaret Mead (Cultural Anthropology)Claude Shannon (Mathematician)The Bandwagon BY CLAUDE E. SHANNONFrom Counterculture to Cyberculture: Stewart Brand, the Whole Earth Network, and the Rise of Digital Utopianism by Fred Turner, introductionFrom Cybernetics to AI: the pioneering work of Norbert Wiener - Max Planck NeuroscienceMarvin Minsky | AI Pioneer, Cognitive Scientist & MIT Professor | BritannicBios:Gary Zhexi Zhang is an artist and writer. He is the editor of Catastrophe Time! (Strange Attractor Press, 2023) and most recently exhibited at the 9th Asian Art Biennial, Taichung.Gary’s Social Links:Gary Zhexi Zhang (@hauntedsurimi) / XMatt Prewitt (he/him) is a lawyer, technologist, and writer. He is the President of the RadicalxChange Foundation.Matt’s Social Links:ᴍᴀᴛᴛ ᴘʀᴇᴡɪᴛᴛ (@m_t_prewitt) / XAdditional Credits:Narration by Guy Mackinnon-Little Connect with RadicalxChange Foundation:RadicalxChange Website@RadxChange | TwitterRxC | YouTubeRxC | InstagramRxC | LinkedInJoin the conversation on Discord.Credits:Produced by G. Angela Corpus.Co-Produced, Edited, and Audio Engineered by Aaron Benavides.Executive Produced by G. Angela Corpus and Matt Prewitt.Intro/Outro music by MagnusMoone, “Wind in the Willows,” is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

In this engaging discussion, Joe Edelman, a philosopher and co-founder of the Meaning Alignment Institute, delves into the interplay between artificial intelligence and our moral decisions. He highlights how AI influences our daily lives through algorithms and explores tools designed for value negotiation. The conversation navigates the complexities of human-AI symbiosis, the evolution of moral reasoning, and the importance of aligning AI with personal values, emphasizing a community-centered approach to ethical decision-making and meaningful engagement.

Join host Matt Prewitt in an inspiring conversation with Edge City co-founders Janine Leger and Timour Kosters, as they dive into the transformative world of pop-up villages and cities. Discover the story behind Edge City's latest experiment, Edge Esmeralda, and learn how temporary communities are reshaping the way we live and work. Janine and Timour share their passion for experimentation, collaboration, co-creation, and their vision for building healthier, more dynamic environments.From the Whole Earth Catalog to the Chautauqua movement, this episode explores the rich history of pop-up communities while introducing groundbreaking ideas like community currencies ("∈dges") and iterative social technologies. Tune in for an engaging and forward-thinking discussion that reveals fresh perspectives on the future of community building, collaboration, and social innovation. Don’t miss this illuminating discussion!Links & References: References:About Edge CityEdge Esmeralda RecapWhy I Built Zuzalu by Vitalik Buterin | Palladium Magazine2023: First ZuzaluBalaji Srinivasan’s on network states: The Network StateDigital nomad - WikipediaWhole Earth Catalog - WikipediaBack-to-the-land movement - WikipediaBurning Man - WikipediaHistory of the Regional Network | Burning Man ProjectMichel Bauwens - WikipediaThe Seeds of The Commons: Peer-to-Peer Alternatives for Planetary Survival and Justice | Postdigital Science and EducationChautauqua - Wikipedia  What is a Chautauqua“Scenius” = Scenes of geniusScenius, or Communal Genius | WIREDFurther notes on scenius - Austin KleonRadicalxChange(s) | Barry Threw: Executive & Artistic Director of Gray AreaSecret Societies, Network States, Burning Man, Zuzalu, and More - RadicalxChangeEdges: A Plural Money Experiment - RadicalxChangeFork Edges herePlural Money: A New Currency Design - RadicalxChangeBios:Janine Leger is the co-founder of Edge City, an organization that convenes leaders and builders across tech, science, and society in pop-up villages around the globe. Previously, she co-created Zuzalu and led the Public Goods Funding team at Gitcoin.Timour Kosters is also a co-founder of Edge City. Prior, he spent ten years building and investing in startups, including Artsy, the largest online art marketplace; Kama, a leading health-tech app; and Impact, an impact-focused social media brand. He was most recently a partner at Seed Club Ventures.Links: Janine and Timour’s Social Links:Janine Leger (@JanineLeger) / Xtimour kosters (@timourxyz) / XEdge City (@JoinEdgeCity) / XEdge CityMatt Prewitt (he/him) is a lawyer, technologist, and writer. He is the President of the RadicalxChange Foundation.Matt’s Social Links:ᴍᴀᴛᴛ ᴘʀᴇᴡɪᴛᴛ (@m_t_prewitt) / X Connect with RadicalxChange Foundation:RadicalxChange Website@RadxChange | TwitterRxC | YouTubeRxC | InstagramRxC | LinkedInJoin the conversation on Discord.Credits:Produced by G. Angela Corpus.Co-Produced, Edited, and Audio Engineered by Aaron Benavides.Executive Produced by G. Angela Corpus and Matt Prewitt.Intro/Outro music by MagnusMoone, “Wind in the Willows,” is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

In this episode, Project Liberty Founder Frank McCourt joins Matt for a second round to discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by rapidly developing AI technologies. Building on their previous chat about digital infrastructure, they explore whether AI will exacerbate social media, digital advertising, and data centralization issues, or fundamentally change them. McCourt emphasizes fixing the internet’s design flaws to ensure AI benefits society, advocates for returning data ownership to individuals and stresses the need for political engagement to align AI with democratic values. Tune in for this enlightening conversation and what we can do moving forward.Links & References: References:RadicalxChange(s) | Frank McCourt: Founder of Project Liberty (Part I) on Reclaiming the InternetKhmer Empire | WikipediaThe Decline of the Khmer Empire | National Library of AustraliaRestrictions on TikTok in the United States | WikipediaTikTok sues to block prospective US app ban | CNN BusinessHow Silicon Valley gamed the world's toughest privacy rules - POLITICOEuropean Union fines Meta $1.3 billion for violating privacy laws : NPRThe Dangers of the Global Spread of China’s Digital Authoritarianism | Center for a New American Security (en-US)China’s Techno-Authoritarianism Has Gone Global | Human Rights WatchChina trying to develop world ‘built on censorship and surveillance’ | Privacy News | Al JazeeraProject LibertyPeople’s Bid For TikTok - Project LibertyBios:Frank H. McCourt, Jr. is a civic entrepreneur and the executive chairman and former CEO of McCourt Global, a private family company committed to building a better future through its work across the real estate, sports, technology, media, and capital investment industries, as well as its significant philanthropic activities. Frank is proud to extend his family’s 130-year legacy of merging community and social impact with financial results, an approach that started when the original McCourt Company was launched in Boston in 1893.He is a passionate supporter of multiple academic, civic, and cultural institutions and initiatives. He is the founder and executive chairman of Project Liberty, a far-reaching, $500 million initiative to transform the internet through a new, equitable technology infrastructure and rebuild social media in a way that enables users to own and control their personal data. The project includes the development of a groundbreaking, open-source internet protocol called the Decentralized Social Networking Protocol (DSNP), which will be owned by the public to serve as a new web infrastructure. It also includes the creation of Project Liberty’s Institute (formerly The McCourt Institute,) launched with founding partners Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA, and Sciences Po in Paris, to advance research, bring together technologists and social scientists, and develop a governance model for the internet’s next era.Frank has served on Georgetown University’s Board of Directors for many years and, in 2013, made a $100 million founding investment to create Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. He expanded on this in 2021 with a $100 million investment to catalyze an inclusive pipeline of public policy leaders and put the school on a path to becoming tuition-free.In 2024, Frank released his first book, OUR BIGGEST FIGHT: Reclaiming Liberty, Humanity, and Dignity in the Digital Age.Frank’s Social Links:Project LibertyProject Liberty (@pro_jectliberty) / XProject Liberty (@pro_jectliberty) • InstagramMcCourt Institute (@McCourtInst) / XMatt Prewitt (he/him) is a lawyer, technologist, and writer. He is the President of the RadicalxChange Foundation.Matt’s Social Links:ᴍᴀᴛᴛ ᴘʀᴇᴡɪᴛᴛ (@m_t_prewitt) / X Connect with RadicalxChange Foundation:RadicalxChange Website@RadxChange | TwitterRxC | YouTubeRxC | InstagramRxC | LinkedInJoin the conversation on Discord.Credits:Produced by G. Angela Corpus.Co-Produced, Edited, and Audio Engineered by Aaron Benavides.Executive Produced by G. Angela Corpus and Matt Prewitt.Intro/Outro music by MagnusMoone, “Wind in the Willows,” is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

Frank H. McCourt Jr., Founder of Project Liberty, discusses reclaiming internet rights and data privacy. He compares digital infrastructure to physical infrastructure, advocates for collective action on data rights, and explores the moral implications of data ownership.

Former IP lawyer turned reform advocate, Tahir Amin, discusses flaws in the patent system, particularly in pharmaceuticals. Proposes significant reforms for a more just approach to intellectual property, challenging corporate monopolies. Explores complexities of patents, drug pricing, public funding in research, and global patent system challenges. Advocates for transparency, 'use it or lose it' principle, and socially-conscious IP protections. Considers branding impact on consumer decisions and calls for integrity in IP systems.

Architect and Co-Founder of Dark Matter Labs, Indy Johar, discusses decentralized protocols in property governance, advocating for frameworks empowering individuals. Topics include challenges in regulating economies, rethinking property regulations, tech's role in empowerment, and new governance models for diverse agents emphasizing care and co-care relationships.

Matt Prewitt, President of RadicalxChange Foundation, discusses rethinking property rights with Margaret Levi. They explore Partial Common Ownership as a fairer asset management solution. Their collaboration with Stanford and Dark Matter Labs focuses on reimagining ownership institutions to create a politics of change.