General Intellect Unit

In which we talk about our first thirty-something episodes, and take time to tie some threads together. No, this isn't a clip-show.  If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon . Links: 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

We are joining forces with our friends at Swampside Chats, and From Alpha To Omega, to form the Emancipation Network, a Marxist podcast network and research collective. If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon . Links: emancipation.network General Intellect Unit on iTunes http://generalintellectunit.net Support the show on Patreon https://twitter.com/giunitpod General Intellect Unit...

In which we (struggle to) read a math paper, The Inherent Instability of Disordered Systems, by Taeer Bar-Yam, Owen Lynch, and Yaneer Bar-Yam. This paper introduces us to the Multi-scale Law of Requisite Variety, and the importance of organisation at multiple scales. The paper also furnishes a proof that disordered systems will inevitably become ordered by forces in their environment. If you like...

Hey there folks! We're giving away two copies of People's Republic of Walmart , by Leigh Phillips and Michal Rozworski . All of our patrons will automatically be included in the draw, while non-patrons can enter their email address in this form to add themselves to the draw. Winners will be selected at random on the 31st of March, and will be contacted via Patreon message or email to arrange deliv...

In which we discuss Stafford Beer's 1974 book "Designing Freedom". Beer makes the case for a total overhaul of our institutions and organisational methods, by way of management cybernetics. If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon . Links: Designing Freedom on the Internet Archive (free full ebook) Stafford beer on Wikipedia The Viable System Model on metaphorum.org General Intellec...

In which we talk to Wendy Liu and Jason Prado about tech, worker organising, and open source. If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon . Links: Wendy Liu on Twitter Jason Prado on Twitter Notes From Below 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...

In which we are joined by Fraser Simons to discuss The Player of Games, by Iain M. Banks. If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon . Links: The Player of Games, 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 a...

In which we continue our discussion of the Xenofeminist Manifesto, with Kira Magrann. The next book we read will be Designing Freedom, by Stafford Beer. If you want to read along with us before the episode airs, you can get the book free from the Internet Archive:  https://archive.org/details/DesigningFreedom If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon . Links: Xenofeminism: A Politics...

In which we are joined by Kira Magrann to discuss the Xenofeminist Manifesto. If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon . Links: Xenofeminism: A Politics for Alienation, on laboriacuboniks.net Kira Magrann 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 Int...

In which we discuss Shane's experience at the Metaphorum Conference 2018. If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon . Links: Metaphorum website Stafford Beer on Wikipedia Niklas Luhmann on Wikipedia 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 arc...

In which we interview Andrew Pickering, author of The Cybernetic Brain. If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon . Links: Borderless Exhibit Artists & Robots Exhibit 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 I...

In which we conclude our reading of Transforming Technology. This chapter ties up the theory of the Technical Code, explores Formal and Substantive Bias, and opens up opportunity for radical change of technological society. If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon . Links: Andrew Feenberg on Wikipedia General Intellect Unit on iTunes http://generalintellectunit.net Support the show...

An extra episode, for our one-year anniversary, in which we talk about scheduling issues and plans for the year ahead. If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon . Links: 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 chapter two of Transforming Technology. This chapter covers the transition to a Socialist society, the role of technology and labour process in that transition, and offers a theory of why previous attempts have largely failed. If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon . Links: Andrew Feenberg on Wikipedia General Intellect Unit on iTunes http://generalintellectunit.n...

In which we begin a three-part series on Andrew Feenberg's 2002 book: "Transforming Technology". This book "rethinks the relationships between technology, rationality, and democracy, arguing that the degradation of labor--as well as of many environmental, educational, and political systems--is rooted in the social values that preside over technological development." If you like the show, consider...

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...

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 G...

In which we conclude our two-part discussion of The Cybernetic Brain, by Andrew Pickering. This episode covers the chapter on Stafford Beer, and the final chapter, "Sketches of Another Future". If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon . Links: The Cybernetic Brain at University of Chicago Press Stafford Beer on Wikipedia General Intellect Unit on iTunes http://generalintellectunit.n...

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://tw...

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 arch...

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...

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 archiv...

In which we read "Markets In The Name Of Socialism, The Left-Wing Origins Of Neoliberalism", by Johanna Bockman. This book "reveals a dialogue among many economists on both sides of the Iron Curtain about democracy, socialism, and markets. These discussions led to the transformations of 1989 and, unintentionally, the rise of neoliberalism." If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon ....

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/...

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://gener...