Plutopia News Network

In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, British immunologist David Miles discusses his book How Vaccines Work and considers the science of vaccines, viruses, and the societal impact of vaccine misinformation. The conversation covers the role of vaccines in combating diseases like COVID-19, polio, and avian influenza, as well as the challenges posed by anti-vaccine narratives fueled by figures lik...

On this Inauguration Day episode of the Plutopia podcast, we discuss the past, present and future of democracy. We also acknowledge the return of Felonious Trump, the 45th and 47th President of the United States. Our friend Dr. Roy Casagranda joins the podcast as we examine the incoming Trump Dream Team and its possible impact upon the nation. We discuss the potential challenges of the new Trump a...

Jon and Scoop consider various political and societal issues, centering on Donald Trump’s potential second term as U.S. president, the constraints of governance, and the role of systemic friction in tempering political ambitions. The Plutopians highlight misunderstandings around Trump’s perceived ability to operate outside the established political framework, emphasizing the persistence of institu...

This time on the Plutopia podcast, we turn on our time machine and take you back to 1979. King Crimson guitarist and founder Robert Fripp was touring with his Frippertronics real-time tape looping device. He performed shows at UC Berkeley and Mabuhay Gardens, San Francisco’s premier punk venue. Following those shows, Ed Ward and Scoop Sweeney interviewed Robert Fripp and this restored from t...

In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, communication coach and author Michelle Gladieux discusses her book Communicate with Courage: Taking Risks to Overcome the Four Hidden Challenges. She highlights the importance of communication skills, vulnerability, and ethical influence, providing practical strategies for improving personal and professional relationships. Gladieux shares insights on overc...

Cybersecurity expert Ahana Datta discusses the complexities and evolving nature of cybersecurity, touching on topics like the “security-insecurity paradox,” the challenges of defending against nation-state actors and private hackers, and the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure, including healthcare systems and Internet of Things devices. She explores the role of AI in both offensive and def...

In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, we explore the evolving dynamics of online interaction, contrasting the personal connections fostered by early online communities with the algorithm-driven experiences of modern social media platforms. Hosts Jon and Scoop reflect on the history and challenges of digital networking, touching on the influence of major tech companies, the manipulation of user...

This time on the Plutopia podcast we explore an immigration crisis, not the one you might think, but one that occurred almost 50 years ago. We focus on the 1975 Operation Babylift, a controversial airlift of Vietnamese children, many labeled as orphans, during the final days of the Vietnam War. The event garnered international media attention, but questions arose about the true status of the child...

Dr. Ann-Marie Wilson, a psychologist and senior research advisor with the Orchid Project, joined the Plutopia podcast to discuss her extensive efforts to combat female genital mutilation (FGM). Drawing on over 30 years of experience and a profound moment of epiphany during aid work in Darfur, Dr. Wilson described her journey from corporate HR to becoming a leading advocate against FGM. Her activis...

Our Thanksgiving episode of the Plutopia podcast features Tiffany Lee Brown, a writer and interdisciplinary artist, and Jane Hirshfield, an award-winning poet and essayist. Tiffany is also an astrologer, Tarot reader, and the creator of the Burning Tarot podcast (see tiffanyleebrown.com ). We talk about staying sane during turbulent times, fostering genuine dialogue, and addressing fears that pola...

In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, Jaye Robinson, a multifaceted professional with experience as an attorney, navy diver, and AI specialist, joins Jon and Scoop to explore the societal and ethical impacts of artificial intelligence. The conversation considers the challenges of copyright law in the age of Large Language Models, the mechanics and limitations of AI systems, and the broader impl...

In this episode of the Plutopia News Network podcast, engineer Lee Felsenstein shares his experiences with the Homebrew Computer Club, a pioneering group of technology enthusiasts in Silicon Valley during the early days of personal computing. Felsenstein debunks the myth that the counterculture was solely responsible for the personal computer revolution, describing a diverse group of members, incl...

In this episode of the Plutopia News Network podcast, Dr. Roy Casagranda shares his insights on the 2024 election, expressing concerns about Donald Trump’s authoritarian leanings and his potential to undermine democratic principles if re-elected. Comparing Trump’s rhetoric to that of historical authoritarian figures, Casagranda suggests Trump’s repeated claims, such as the election being “stolen,”...

In The Web We Weave, Jeff Jarvis discusses the tensions between traditional mass media and the rise of the internet, emphasizing how the web has provided a platform for diverse voices that were previously sidelined. Jarvis argues that mass media, traditionally dominated by older, established institutions, has struggled with the democratization of information, often reacting with resistance and mor...

Joanna Price, a public librarian with an interest in community-building, discusses the dynamics of building resilient and compassionate online communities. She critiques large social media platforms, like Twitter and Facebook, for fostering alienation and trolls. Joanna shares her vision for smaller, more intimate communities of around 100 people that grow naturally without heavy promotion. This,...

In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, writer and cyberculture celebrity R.U. Sirius discusses the evolution of Mondo 2000, a groundbreaking magazine he co-founded that blended tech, art, and psychedelics. Sirius reflects on its origins, transitioning from High Frontiers and Reality Hackers, exploring how psychedelic culture intertwined with early tech innovation. He recounts Mondo 2000 ’s uniqu...

Ken Flippin, a seasoned Texas political consultant and activist, has launched the Green Wave PAC, a political action committee aimed at promoting environmentally conscious political campaigns. Also focused on supporting public school advocates and ousting pro-voucher Republicans, Flippin’s PAC targets local races with the potential to sway the Texas House in favor of more progressive, community-or...

Glenn Smith is an author, activist and political consultant. He is not a fan of the conservative fanboys pushing the so-called “Great Replacement Theory.” Glenn also finds little to admire when they worship strongman dictators. In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, Glenn critiques the insecurity among white men driving far-right movements, highlighting how fear of losing status or r...

Christopher Brown is an author, attorney, and urban naturalist living in Austin, Texas. His newest book, A Natural History of Empty Lots: Field Notes from Urban Edgelands, Back Alleys, and Other Wild Places, blends nature writing, memoir, and nonfiction. The book explores the intersection of nature and urban spaces, encouraging readers to reconnect with the wilderness found in city edgelands and f...

Sustainability pioneer Gil Friend joins the Plutopia podcast this time. He has been called one of the 10 most influential sustainability voices in America. Gil is the founder, chair, and CEO of Natural Logic Inc. and Critical Path Capital. He advises leading companies, communities, and investors on value-driving sustainability strategies. He has been a noted sustainability pioneer for more than 50...

Filmmaker Nadya Wynd recently premiered her new movie “At Her Feet” in Hawaii and select mainland theatres. She joins the Plutopia podcast this time as we explore her creation of this moving and beautiful film. Nadya is a Hawaii-based director, writer and producer with extensive experience in writing, acting, producing and directing for stage and film. Nadya Wynd: I went to the big isl...

In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, Linda Castellani and Tim Powers join Jon to discuss the legendary science fiction author Philip K. Dick. Linda and Tim recount their personal interactions with Dick. The discussion considers Dick’s complex personality, his writings, and his often tumultuous relationships, including Linda’s own experience as one of Dick’s “dark-haired girls.” They explore Di...

Climate scientist Dr. Michael Tobis returns to the Plutopia podcast with an update on the current state of the Earth’s climate. The current state, it appears, is not so good. Michael discusses the worsening state of the Earth’s climate, highlighting the missed opportunities to transition away from fossil fuels over the past 30 years. He delves into the complexities of attributing specific ex...

This time, on the Plutopia podcast, blogger and author Susan McCarthy, a noted authority on apologies, helps us perform a verbal autopsy on the worldwide CrowdStrike security meltdown. Unlike most large outages, the CrowdStrike outage impacted individual workstations, Microsoft Windows workstations. In the aftermath, CrowdStrike apologized and even offered a $10 Uber Eats voucher. Susan found the...

Nick Selby, a law enforcement and security expert, shares insights from his extensive experience in the complexities of policing and information security. He highlights the often misunderstood realities of police encounters, noting that while 1,400 people die annually following interactions with police, the use of non-deadly force—such as intimidation and humiliation—more significantly erodes publ...