Past Present Future

Virginia Woolf, known for her essay 'A Room of One's Own,' discusses anger, power, sex, modernity, independence, and transcendence. The podcast explores the humor and gender bias in her essay, reflects on women's experiences in Oxbridge, and explores the unequal distribution of wealth and opportunities. It also examines Shakespeare's privilege and the challenges faced by women writers in breaking free from societal limitations, emphasizing the importance of having a personal space for expression.

This podcast explores Thoreau's 'Civil Disobedience' and his resistance against slavery and unjust wars. It discusses his views on democracy, majority opinion, and the importance of individual conscience. The speakers also delve into Thoreau's beliefs on climate change, institutional failure, and the world consumed by news and noise. They examine his actions in protesting slavery and awakening his fellow citizens, highlighting his impact on civil disobedience movements.

Explore David Hume's essay on public debt and credit and its relevance to American politics. Delve into Hume's controversial ideas on suicide, mockery, and the morality of ending one's life. Discover Hume's perspectives on the dangers and unsustainability of borrowing, the impact of a national debt-driven economy, and the relationship between debt, democracy, and political responsibility. Uncover the complexities surrounding suicide, obligations, and the role of public debt in sustaining lives.

Learn about Montaigne, the man who invented a new way of writing and being read. From the fear of death to the joys of life, Montaigne wrote the book of himself, exploring topics such as atheism, faith, sex, religion, and more. Discover the open-ended and adventurous nature of essays, as well as Montaigne's unique exploration of animals, randomness, simplicity, and complexity in philosophy.

Topics discussed in this podcast include the decline of Norman Maynard's essay, the parallels between Trump and characters in Dickens' novels, seeking justice and restitution for Black Americans, exploring Tanhisi Coates' evolving ideas, Nietzsche's slave revolt and imaginary revenge, the substance and process in politics, and upcoming episodes on great political novels and bad ideas.

The podcast explores the power of essays and their evolution from Montaigne to contemporary writers. It discusses a notable essay from 2020 and delves into the challenges faced by a Chinese American writer and her mother in a new country. The emotional strain of caregiving, the impact of online attacks, and the lasting effects of cruelty are also explored. The podcast emphasizes the significance of personal essays and announces future episodes and a series of 12 essays starting on Christmas Day.

Leading economists Dieter Helm and Diane Coyle discuss building sustainability into our lives. They critique GDP as a measure of well-being, propose modified versions of universal basic income, and stress the importance of accurate economic data. They explore local vs international optimism, the state of the UK economy, and the politics of English devolution. They also mention Dieter Helm's free book on building the sustainable economy.

Lea Ypi, a political expert and optimist about socialism, joins David to answer questions about democracy. They discuss the tension between democratic freedom and anarchy, the connection between democracy and human rights, the role of individual power and regulation in modern society, conflicting views on big government and bureaucracy, the significance of paperwork in the rule of law, and the complex relationship between human rights and democracy. Lea also shares personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of criticizing and advocating for alternatives to the current society.

Ta-Nehisi Coates, writer and author, discusses 'The Case for Reparations'. Topics include the exploitation of black Americans within their own community, debt servitude faced by black Americans in the 20th century, challenges in the housing market, the disproportionate impact of poverty on marginalized communities, vulnerabilities and exploitation in different systems, and the role of money in resistance against exploitation.

Lea Ypi, a political scientist, discusses the grip of nationalism on democracy, exploring alternatives such as cosmopolitanism and challenges of a world state. The podcast also examines the potential for democracy in corporations and the economic imperative overriding democracy and nationalism.