Semantic Reactions

Our August 2025 episode features coaches Keith Clark and Ted Delicath, in conversation with IGS president Lance Strate, discussing the CORO Fellows Program in Public Affairs and its relation to general semantics, as well as related topics such as leadership, governance, listening,  cybernetics, and journalism. 

Our July 2025 installment features writer and journalist Ryan Zickgraf, the author of an op-ed on the continuing relevance of Neil Postman’s best known book, Amusing Ourselves to Death that was recently published by the Washington Post. IGS president Lance Strate conducts the interview, which touches on politics and democracy, gamergate, the effects of screens and social media on public discourse, the additional impact of AI, the decline of rationality and time-binding, as well as the reaction against technology on the part of Gen Z. 

Our June 2025 installment features IGS trustee and past president Martin H. Levinson talking about the recent publication of his latest book, Sensible Thinking 3: The Adventure Continues. In conversation with IGS president Lance Strate, Marty talks about general semantics, learning and education, and the process of writing, as well as topics such as PTSD, antisemitism, politics, and satire.

Corey Anton, a professor at Grand Valley State University, sheds light on cultural divides and technology's role in education. Susan Drucker, from Hofstra University, shares insights on students’ perspectives of higher ed and tech's impact. Thom Gencarelli discusses mental health challenges and the transformative power of AI, while Peggy Cassidy points out distractions students face and the difficulties in conveying education's value. Together, they navigate the complexities of current educational dynamics amid technological advancements and political pressures.

Our April 2025 installment features the return of author, financier, and IGS Trustee Christopher Mayer to discuss the current economic situation in the United States with IGS President Lance Strate. Their dialogue emphasizes how general semantics can help us to understand financial concepts such as the trade deficit, tariffs, inflation, and even money itself.

Our March 2025 installment features the return of author, scholar, and critic Marleen Barr to discuss her recently published anthology entitled, Jewish Women Science Fiction Writers Create Future Females, with IGS President Lance Strate.

Our February 2025 podcast features IGS President Lance Strate interviewing writer, musician, artist, and author of the recently published book, Chapel Perilous: The Life and Thought of Robert Anton Wilson, Gabriel Kennedy, aka Prop Anon. Their discussion deals with the life and work of Robert Anton Wilson and how he was greatly influenced by Alfred Korzybski and general semantics, as well as Gabriel Kennedy’s background and career.

Our January 2025 podcast features IGS President Lance Strate interviewing computer programmer and activist Brianna Wu. Their conversation covers Gamergate, feminism, transexual issues, and politics and activism. 

Our December 2024 podcast features IGS President Lance Strate interviewing computer scientist and IGS Past President Jeff Mordkowitz. Their conversation covers the history of general semantics and the Institute, approaches to teaching general semantics, the importance of the non-verbal or silent level, and Mordkowitz’s Seven Simple Steps to Sanity. 

Our November 2024 episode departs from our usual format as IGS President Lance Strate shares the Balvant Parekh Memorial Lecture that he recently delivered in India for the Balvant Parekh Centre for General Semantics and other Human Sciences. The lecture, entitled "The Message, the Meaning, and the Medium," ties together general semantics, behaviorism, information theory and cybernetics, and media ecology.