General Intellect Unit

In which we talk about Accelerationism, it's bizarre history, and it's recent Left-wing manifestations. We read from three articles: "Accelerationism: how a fringe philosophy predicted the future we live in" by Andy Beckett, "Terminator vs. Avatar: Notes on Accelerationism" by Mark Fisher, and "#Accelerate, Manifesto for an Accelerationist Politics" by Alex Williams and Nick Srnicek. (PS: We will never miss an opportunity to dunk on Nick Land.) If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon. Links: Accelerationism: how a fringe philosophy predicted the future we live in Terminator vs. Avatar: Notes on Accelerationism #Accelerate, Manifesto for an Accelerationist Politics General Intellect Unit on iTunes http://generalintellectunit.net Support the show on Patreon https://twitter.com/giunitpod General Intellect Unit on Facebook General Intellect Unit on archive.org

In which we discuss the politics of Open Source software, starting from Gavin Mueller's article "Microsoft and the Yeoman Coders". If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon. Links: "Microsoft and the Yeoman Coders" at Jacobin General Intellect Unit on iTunes http://generalintellectunit.net Support the show on Patreon https://twitter.com/giunitpod General Intellect Unit on Facebook General Intellect Unit on archive.org

Stafford Beer, a pivotal figure in cybernetics and systems thinking, delves into his remarkable career and theories. He discusses the interplay between cybernetics and Marxism, shedding light on adaptivity in complex systems. The fascinating Cybersyn project illustrates how technology can empower economic management in crisis. Beer also explores the spiritual dimensions of cybernetics, emphasizing its relevance to modern democratic governance and civic engagement. His innovative Syntegrity framework aims to revolutionize meeting dynamics, showcasing the harmony between diverse perspectives.

In which we begin a two-part discussion of The Cybernetic Brain, by Andrew Pickering. This episode covers the opening two chapters, "The Adaptive Brain" and "Ontological Theatre". If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon. Links: The Cybernetic Brain at University of Chicago Press General Intellect Unit on iTunes http://generalintellectunit.net Support the show on Patreon https://twitter.com/giunitpod General Intellect Unit on Facebook General Intellect Unit on archive.org

In which we talk with Fraser Simons about Ursula K. Le Guin's 1974 novel, The Dispossessed. If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon. Links: The Dispossessed on Wikipedia Fraser Simons on Twitter General Intellect Unit on iTunes http://generalintellectunit.net Support the show on Patreon https://twitter.com/giunitpod General Intellect Unit on Facebook General Intellect Unit on archive.org

In which we talk with Tina Sikka about Geoengineering, and an Intersectional analysis of the potential negative effects of the same. If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon. Links: Tina Sikka on Twitter General Intellect Unit on iTunes http://generalintellectunit.net Support the show on Patreon https://twitter.com/giunitpod General Intellect Unit on Facebook General Intellect Unit on archive.org

In which we read from the latest issue of Notes From Below, titled "Technology And The Worker". If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon. Links: Technology And The Worker, on notesfrombelow.org General Intellect Unit on iTunes http://generalintellectunit.net Support the show on Patreon https://twitter.com/giunitpod General Intellect Unit on Facebook General Intellect Unit on archive.org

Explore the co-opting of ideas from economists on both sides of the Iron Curtain, little-known history of interviews with economists from around the world, collaboration between Soviet and American planning structures, decentralization of economy and worker ownership, challenges to neoclassical economics and reforms in the Eastern Bloc, initiatives and opposition to market socialism in Yugoslavia, debate between centralized planning and market economies in socialism, factors behind the hijacking of socialist dialogue and the adoption of neoliberal reforms, dominance of neoclassical economics and academic nature of a book on economics history.

In which we look at two papers, the Labour Party's "Alternative Models of Ownership", and "How To Change The Course Of Human History" by David Graeber and David Wengrow. If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon. Links: Alternative Models of Ownership (PDF) How To Change The Course Of Human History General Intellect Unit on iTunes http://generalintellectunit.net https://twitter.com/giunitpod General Intellect Unit on Facebook General Intellect Unit on archive.org Support the show on Patreon

In which we discuss the third and final part of Adam Curtis' documentary film series "All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace". This episode explores the development of Selfish Gene theory, the spiraling conflicts in Central Africa, and how we came to believe that we were machines ourselves, with no power to change the world for the better. Links: General Intellect Unit on iTunes http://generalintellectunit.net https://twitter.com/giunitpod General Intellect Unit on Facebook General Intellect Unit on archive.org Support the show on Patreon