Ragtime

Brief inquiry into the considerable societal consequences  of disallowing free criticism.

Furthering the analogy between the Necker cube and Quantum Mechanics via a simple thought experiment involving the collapse of three-dimensioned space. 

A short introduction pertaining to Superposition in Quantum Mechanics using the so-called 'Necker' Cube. 

Immunotopia: A thought-experiment opting from a thirty-years' perspective on one of the most devastating events in human history: the Covid era.

A brief episode on the inescapable historic reality of Zionism and its ramifications.

Ragtime S2 Episode 3: The Science.  A short 9’ episode which examines the true meaning - albeit rarely understood - of moral relativism, leading to an argument featuring a brief tour through the evolution of Western ideas philosophic, scientific, good as well as bad, based upon the quintessential theme of Western culture: Science.

A brief, experimental episode which examines and critiques certain points raised in the previous interview with Kristian Winther.

Ragtime Series 2 Episode#1: Is a Mushroom Cloud Beautiful?  Featuring virtuoso violinist, deep thinker and maverick artist Kristian Winther. 0:00. Intro: On a mushroom cloud 0:45. Introducing Kristian Winther 1:08. EXCERPT: Vanessa Mae playing Bach 1:51. Art and mass consumerism 5:23. Celebrating uniqueness 10:50.  Bruckner versus Mahler 15:30. Stravinsky and commercialism 19:05. EXCERPT: Beethove...

Ragtime #9: The Language of Violence.  A brief homage to Charlie Kirk, assassinated for opposing cult ideology. 

Ragtime #8: AI - A Necessary Predicament.  Examining the shattering relevance of Walter Benjamin's most prescient essay.

Ragtime #7 - The Mass Man: outlining the attributes of a most dangerous type of character, the  'mass-man', through the prism of Kierkegaard and Jung.

Ragtime #6 - Streets of Consciousness: Few might imagine that a most celebrated street musician is in fact a brilliant academic intellect, composer, painter, poet, as well as a highly credentialed philosopher with extensive training in both Eastern and Western medicine.  Melvyn Cann is a genuine Renaissance-style polymath, embodying the empirical spirit of Diogenes with the humanity of Erasmus. 0’...

Host Benjamin Martin on how a lack of grassroots artistic initiative results in a vacuum that is filled by a veneer culture.

The sprawling, thought-provoking, and highly entertaining fourth episode of Ragtime with the brilliant Peter de Jager and renowned scholar and performer Peter Tregear. 0’00 - Intro 3’29 - EXCERPT: Faust Symphony (Liszt) 5’34 - Is there an evolving principle at work leading to serialism? 17’12 - EXCERPT: Moro Lasso al Mio Duolo (Gesualdo) 18’52 - Are we losing receptivity to dissonances past? 23’54...

Ragtime’s Pilot episode featuring preeminent musicians David Berlin, Fabian Russell and Joe Chindamo, discussing a wide range of subject-matter addressing the underpinnings of Art, culture, and society. 0’00 Intro 2’22 What might be some quintessential aspects of leadership? 16’04 Ought art matter to the person in the street? 22’08 Aesthetics versus morals: is a mushroom cloud beautiful? 33’23 The...

 Very short episode narrated by Ragtime host Benjamin Martin on the importance of remaining in touch with the unknown.

Agent of History: exploring the musical and societal ramifications of Schoenberg’s twelve-tone method, as well as examining elements which presaged serialism.  With brilliant musical mind and celebrated pianist-composer Peter de Jager. 0’00 - Intro 3’48 - EXCERPT: Schoenberg Erwartung 5’26 - Why was the implementation of the 12-tone method necessary? 12’ -    Dissonance not necessarily subjective ...