Quixotic Musings

In this initial interview with musician, author and old friend, Tim Benson, we review some of the main themes of his new book, "The New Eon", which, building on the work of David Hawkins, advances that we are on the cusp of a historically unprecedented time. Check out Tim's site here: https://theneweon.org/what-is-an-eon-... His work is also available on Amazon, here: https://www.ama...

In a conversation that in some way draws many of our previously discussed themes to a point, James Tunney and I consider the manner in which contemporary modes of culture and technology are driving us not merely to a diminuition of thinking, but, perhaps even its loss altogether. Please check out James' work here: https://www.jamestunney.com/

In an opening discussion, WD James and I discuss elements of the Western Tradition that loosely constitute what could be termed "Egalitarian Anti-Modernism": Building upon and expanding on aspects of his ongoing essay series at Winter Oak, and WD's substack, Philosopher's Holler, themes we explore include aspects of Plato's 'Republic', the debate between Realism and N...

In another conversation with James Tunney, we take up the question of how relevant the distinction between the political Left and Right are, exploring whether its function is merely propagandist in quality. In turn, we scrutinize whether it is connected to deeper cultural currents, and how we are to relate to them....

In a sequel conversation with Eric Coppolino of Planet Waves FM and Chiron Return, we begin considering the degraded state of journalism in the wake of digital's ascendency, and move over the course of the conversation to reflections upon the importance of embodiment and embodied relationship as an antidote to the dilemmas of the present. Here is the link to Eric's work on Poormina Wagh, t...

In another ranging conversation with James Tunney, we survey the curiously mythological dimensions of the scientific project as prologue to considering the symbolism of the skull, the implications of Golgotha, and how these things ramify for our relationship to the technological. James Tunney's work can be found here: https://www.jamestunney.com/art-works

This conversation opens considering the surprising dearth of imagery around the death of Jesus until the late fourth century, a circumstance which clues one into questions of how, otherwise, is the death of Jesus remembered and understood for early Christianity: this segues into reflections of text, historicity, facticity, myth and imagination. The chat concludes, or, perhaps better, adjourns upon...

From the interrogation of the conceptual shifts which were crystallized by the events of recent years through the lens of Ivan Illich and beyond, this conversation with David Cayley turns over a bushel of stones, from the idolization of 'Life', to the unconsciously Christian character of secular society, to the problematics around the relationship between science and politics and more. May...

In a conversation with the fierce and gracious Eleanor Goldfield, we consider some of the themes of her latest film, "To The Trees", which documents the defense of the Redwood forests against the encroaching destruction of development and lumber companies. Numerous are the points along the way, leading to a surprising coda, which is a reflection on the role of literacy, and deep literacy...

In a ranging conversation with the inimitable Eric Coppolino of Planet Waves FM and Chiron Return, we reflect upon the spiritual hazards of the digital medium. Exemplified in recent years, the intensity of that interval reflected an initial consummation of a process long unfolding, but with which we must now reckon. Within that broader thematic context, we also explore the role of science in publi...

In our third in a series of conversations with James Tunney, we examine the double-edged archetype of the Prince, how its character is transposed, initially by Machiavelli near the dawn of Modernity, and then later with such more recent figures as Antonio Gramsci or H.G. Wells. Along the way, various signposts, and reflections on the nature of the digital, scientocracy, and a reconnection with the...

In this conversation, we begin with a consideration of how the digital informs and perhaps even does violence to our sense of time, appealing to the thought of Henri Bergson. As the chat unfolds, we turn also to Martin Heidegger, and additionally, to reflections upon death and being towards death as component to life itself. Richard Polt's rich and diverse work can be found amongst other place...

Going a bit further back in focus than some of our more recent conversations, in this chat with Dr. Timothy Sean Quinn we explore the metaphysical commitments upon which Machiavelli formulates a political vision which both departed from that of his predecessors and which formed the framing and justification of the scientific project, both by Francis Bacon, and by Rene Descartes.

Michael returns for a gamboling conversation which begins with a jump into the deep end with the problem of evil and the manner in which many decisions and policies emanating from institutions are suggestive of it. We also consider the moral valence of technologies in general, and way of response to the challenges raised by these issues... Michael's Podcast can be found here: https://tunein.co...

Beginning with some introductory remarks by David Katz where he introduces his thesis that aging is an adaptive trait of the evolutionary process, we then transition to a discussion of whether the cessation of aging or death is an advisable course of action. David avers that it is ultimately a worthy goal, whereas I contend it is deeply unwise. Some of David's efforts in this connection can be...

Building on our previous two conversations, Nick and myself depart from a remark of Jacques Ellul, namely, that fascism is the child of liberalism. Recalling some themes from our first exchange (on deschooling society), we then segue to Peter Thiel's apologetics for Sauron, the chief antagonist in J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" Saga. From there, we are off to the races. Do...

Beginning with a Walter Benjamin's "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction as a Touchstone", we consider the ramifications of digital technologies for the production, or perhaps rather the dissolution of art and culture. From there, we amble through various other themes, leading to a reflection on the nature of class consciousness, and how technology redounds upon clas...

A critical discussion with Bret Bernhoft on a variety of technologically related themes, ranging from the history of the digital, the relationship of technology to magic, and the nature of Cyberspace. Bret is involved in numerous projects, some of which can be found here: The Portland Web Development Club: https://www.meetup.com/portland-web-d... The Global Technomancer Guild: https://www.meetup.c...

A ranging discussion of the critique of technology found within the worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien, touching upon as well themes from Ivan Illich and Jacques Ellul. Check out Nick's work here: https://www.nickfrostbascom.com/ Also germane: A link to Ivan Illich's 'Tools for Conviviality': https://archive.org/details/illich-co... A link to Jacques Ellul's 'The Technological Societ...

A surveying discussion beginning with consideration of the Techno-Structure within which we find ourselves immured, and proceeding to the value of entomological lenses though which to view its operations, the intuitive nature of anarchism, and some thoughts on concrete approaches to resistance. Check out Guido's work through his website here: https://guidopreparata.com/books/ Or, here: https:/...

Another conversation with Johan Eddebo. Beginning with recollections upon the RPG Shadowrunners, and the Cyberpunk genre in general, we consider the subversive intuitions of those thought worlds, and the generation of hope which unfolds in their interstices. Johann's work can be found here: https://shadowrunners.substack.com/ https://shadowrun.fandom.com/wiki/Main_Page

An initial conversation with Christian Roy in which we touch upon the various senses of history which have sprung up from modernity, and the implications of those senses for the challenges of the moment. Numerous thinkers are raised along the way, with Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy's criticism of Oswald Spengler's "Decline of the West" being an initially guiding thematic. As the talk u...

Another installment in this series of reflections with John Steppling, and, here, a new interlocutor, Brett Ramsey, we consider what is the theatre in fundamental, even philosophical terms, distinguishing it from mere spectacle. Along the way a number of considerations... what is the actor performing, what is the actor, what is the relation of the theatre to the human, and how is contemporary soci...

A ranging talk drawing perhaps principally upon the articulations of Ivan Illich's 1971 book "Deschooling Society", but also thoughts of Emma Goldman, and Friedrich Nietzsche. We consider the notion of school abolition, and reflect upon resistance to that notion from quarters of the American Left. Please enjoy, and check out Nick's works here: https://www.nickfrostbascom.com/ Som...

In a follow up interview with James Tunney, we dive deeper into the historical origins of Scientocracy, noting along the way the unappreciated role of H.G. Wells in many contemporary developments, and the further importance of late medieval developments.... James Tunney's website for both his art and his works can be found here: https://www.jamestunney.com/about-the...