Team Human

Topics discussed include the evolving dating scene, effects of social media, lateral support and prey animal behavior, ethics and limitations of social media, the evolution of Twitter, changing theology to poetics, nonviolent resistance, fostering inquiry, and the partnership between humans and mushrooms.

Jem Bendell, former Professor of Sustainability Leadership and author of Breaking Together: A Freedom-Loving Response To Collapse, discusses prioritizing caring for each other, skepticism towards green solutions, tough conversations about the climate crisis, indigenous harmony with nature, regenerative agriculture, the influence of the gut biome, accelerationism, and the guest's book Breaking Together.

Nora Bateson, President of the International Bateson Institute, discusses the importance of embracing interdependence and ambiguity. They explore disorientation as a way to break free from familiar patterns of thinking. They reflect on the interconnectedness of factors in nourishing a baby and delve into the concept of nth order observation. They discuss surrealism, challenge institutional biases, and explore the concept of safety hindering progress. They advocate for embracing social change and unconventional thinking.

Historian of alternative spirituality Mitch Horowitz and musician Steven Brent challenge rigid definitions and explore the potential of magic in addressing global challenges. They discuss the illusion of individuality and emphasize the power of reciprocity and interconnectedness. They share personal stories about struggles with infertility, adoption, and encounters with magic. They explore the concept of retro-causality and its potential to solve world problems. They discuss the idea of structuring a social experiment to benefit humanity and express gratitude to various individuals.

The speaker reflects on leaving social media, discussing the need for a different approach to debate. They explore the polarizing effects of social media and the importance of sustaining mystery. The hosts discuss their frustrations and suggest alternative platforms. They also discuss the changing nature of social media and the dangers of extreme binary thought. Social media's impact on discourse and perception is explored.

Guest Douglas Rushkoff, media theorist, reflects on the evolution of media consumption, changes in technology and capitalism, and the importance of human connection. They discuss the cycle between hope and fear with technology and share personal experiences including app downloads and getting lost in IKEA.

Activist, filmmaker, author, and podcaster behind Gaslit Nation Andrea Chalupa shows us how to muster the courage, tenacity ,and willpower to fight for the willpower we want.About Andrea ChalupaAndrea Chalupa is a journalist, filmmaker, author, and activist. She is the writer and producer of the journalistic thriller Mr. Jones, directed by three-time Academy Award-nominee Agnieszka Holland (Europa Europa; The Secret Garden; House of Cards; The Wire) and starring James Norton, Vanessa Kirby, and Peter Sarsgaard. Her script for Mr. Jones is being adapted into a graphic novel by Lion Forge, the animation studio that produced Matthew Cherry’s Academy Award-winning Hair Love. She is the author of Orwell and The Refugees: The Untold Story of Animal Farm, which was taught in several high schools in Canada in a genocide studies program called Orwell Art.Andrea co-hosts the popular civic action podcast Gaslit Nation, a Webby Award Honoree, in the spirit of The Golden Girls sitting around a cheesecake discussing geopolitics. With her Gaslit Nation co-host Sarah Kendzior, Andrea wrote the bestselling graphic novel Dictatorship: It’s Easier Than You Think!, a wild ride showing the perks and pitfalls of becoming a dictator, and how to overthrow one.Keep up with Andrea ChalupaWebsite | Gaslit Nation | Twitter | LinkedIn🎟️ Team Human Live returns! Douglas Rushkoff will be in conversation with Mitch Horowitz on Saturday, Oct. 28, at Caveat in New York City! Join two award-winning authors for a special live podcast taping, book signing, live music, and social hour. Click here for tickets and livestream.🌍 You can support Team Human on Patreon to unlock access to a number of great perks including ad-free episodes of Team Human, access to the Team Human Discord community where we record monthly Q&A sessions with Rushkoff, special perks like free tickets to live events, and access to the Rushkoff archive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The podcast addresses the tragic violence in the Middle East, expressing frustration with people in power and interference by outside interests. It emphasizes the importance of not dehumanizing people on any side of the conflict and offers support to listeners.

Dennis Yi Tenen, Associate Professor of English and Comparative Literature, discusses the hidden history of modern machine intelligence influenced by medieval poetry and Russian folktales. They explore similarities in folk tales across cultures and the impact of high-definition televisions on perception. They challenge the misconception of technology as independent, discuss limitations of language models, and emphasize the importance of historical context in understanding technology. They also reflect on nostalgia in music and desire to produce Jesus Christ Superstar in Moldovan.

Award-winning author and journalist Maggie Jackson discusses her new book on the wisdom of being unsure. Rushkoff advocates for a holistic understanding of life. They explore embracing uncertainty, presentism, obsession with certainty, and the importance of curiosity.