Plutopia News Network

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...

Plutopians Jon and Scoop converse with Bruce Sterling, renowned for his cyberpunk novels. The discussion delves into Sterling’s interests beyond cyberpunk, including industrial design, steampunk, Frida Kahlo, and space exploration. Sterling shares insights on the evolution of the Viridian Design Movement and its impact on addressing climate change, albeit with limited success. He reflects on his e...

David Miles, a British immunologist, joins the Plutopia podcast to discuss vaccines and vaccine hesitancy, sharing insights from his book, How Vaccines Work . The conversation covers the history of vaccine development, from artisanal methods in the 1930s to modern techniques. Miles addresses the current skepticism towards vaccines, explaining that while no vaccine works perfectly for everyone, the...

Investigative journalist James Ball is no stranger to bullshit. In his 2017 book, Post Truth: How Bullshit Conquered the World, he explains how the political left and right tend to exist in an ecosystem of bullshit. James is also author of The Other Pandemic: How Q-Anon Contaminated the World, which explores the pervasive nature of misinformation and conspiracy theories (aka “bullshit”...

On this episode of the Plutopia Podcast, Jon and Scoop discuss current politics, the charm of vintage sci-fi movies, and the importance of reducing social media usage. They reflect on the shift in political conventions from dynamic debates to predictable events and lament the loss of genuine political discourse. The conversation also touches on the influence of the Heritage Foundation, the cultura...

Nate Wilcox has many opinions and he is not afraid to use them all. Nate joins the Plutopia podcast this time as we discuss politics, politicians, and other dangerous predators. Nate is a former political consultant turned MMA blogger (noting the similarity of politics to mixed martial arts). He’s publisher of “The MMA Draw Newsletter” and “Let It Roll” podcast (the l...

Ian Forrester, a member of the BBC’s R&D Advisory Team, focuses on open innovation and disruptive opportunities, working with startups and early adopters. With a history at the BBC World Service, Ian’s role evolved from traditional news development to anticipating future broadcasting and Internet challenges. His team addresses core issues relevant to public service broadcasters, emphasizing t...

In this episode of the Plutopia Podcast, the hosts revisit an interview with the late Stanton Friedman, a prominent nuclear physicist and UFO investigator who lectured extensively on his research into UFOs. Friedman argued that governments conceal information about UFOs to maintain nationalistic divisions and prevent public unification as earthlings. He emphasized the significant evidence supporti...

In this episode of the Plutopia Podcast, Jon and Scoop discuss the origin of the name “Plutopia” as well as the organization, and its connection to digital convergence. We also discuss the importance of democratic principles. Jon delves into the history of the Plutopia News Network, while Scoop shares his passion for analog technology. They touch on political issues, including conserva...

In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, hosts Scoop Sweeney, Wendy Grossman, and Jon Lebkowsky have an open discussion without a guest, considering what’s buzzing at the moment. The conversation touches on various topics, including being a dilettante versus a specialist, the misuse of AI in solving policy problems, and the influence of technology on participatory medicine. They also discuss...