The Easy Existentialist - Enduring ideas💡 that matter ☕to you

Donald Harvey Marks
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  • MEDICINE
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The Easy Existentialist podcast - home to engaging readings of contemporary political thought, short explainers of Shakespeare and poetry, excerpts from my works of medical fiction, my thoughts on the Meaning of Time, Vaccinating Against Hate, and more. The existential theme is preserved throughout. Visit my personal blog www.DHMarks.blogspot.com to learn even more, including the text of all my writings. And on Substack. Follow my reading of books on @Goodreads @DHMarks

  1. Software Obsolescence and the Crisis of Wasteful Windows Digital Ownership

    12/27/2025

    Software Obsolescence and the Crisis of Wasteful Windows Digital Ownership

    I examine the widespread issue of planned obsolescence, specifically focusing on Microsoft's decision to end Windows 10 support in October 2025. This transition forced a massive hardware turnover because many existing computers lack the TPM 2.0 chips and specific CPU requirements necessary to officially run Windows 11. Experts warn this policy could lead to hundreds of millions of functional devices becoming e-waste, while also creating significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities for those who cannot afford to upgrade. To combat these issues, users are exploring alternatives such as Linux distributions, specialized IoT Enterprise editions, and third-party tools like Rufus to bypass installation restrictions. Simultaneously, international advocacy groups like Euroconsumers are pushing for right-to-repair legislation and mandatory software update durations to protect consumers from artificial product lifespans. Ultimately, the texts highlight a growing tension between corporate security standards and the environmental and economic impact of forced technological aging.

    35 min

  2. 12/27/2025

    Capitalism's_Endgame: AI, Inequality, and the Battle for a Post-labor world

    This conversation draws on my analysis covering general questions regarding major economic and societal challenges. Common themes include the analysis of wealth and income inequality, lack of affordability, critiques of prevailing economic systems, and the disruptive impact of technological change, particularly concerning Universal Basic Income in a post-labor economy, its application to vulnerable populations like the unemployed and the homeless, A.I., and the sustainability of crucial social systems like US Healthcare. I add general reflections on the negative effects upon social stability. LMK your reaction.

    13 min

  3. 12/27/2025

    Twilight Before the Storm: Neoliberalism, Crisis of Capitalism, and the 1930s Parallel

    Review by Donald Harvey Marks concerning Viktor Shvets' fantastic recent book: The Twilight Before the Storm. I analyze the book's central arguments, which posit that the world is in a dangerous transitional period marked by the decline of neoliberalism - an ideology rooted in free-market capitalism that sounds reasonable, but went astray. A core concept in the book is the "Fujiwara Effect," describing how advanced technology combined with financialization is reshaping the global economy and creating abundance. Shvets draws historical parallels to the 1930s to illustrate today's social and political fractures, warning of potential conflict unless we can reach a new societal consensus.

    15 min

  4. 12/25/2025

    Fixing USA Healthcare v3. Obstructive payers, ridiculous drug companies and dangerous hospitals.

    The United States healthcare system faces a dual crisis of unsustainable spending and suboptimal outcomes. Despite spending nearly one-fifth of its GDP—approximately $4.8 trillion in 2023—on healthcare, the U.S. ranks last among ten high-income nations in health equity, access, and outcomes. I propose a cogent, six-point reform strategy designed to restore systemic health by mandating universal participation, lowering the age of federal coverage, expanding the provider network, and drastically reducing administrative complexity. Discussed ACA, affordability crisis, drug prices, pharma benefit managers, expensive insurance options and needing to go without.

    38 min

  5. 12/24/2025

    Fixing USA Healthcare v1

    The United States healthcare system faces a dual crisis of unsustainable spending and suboptimal outcomes. Despite spending nearly one-fifth of its GDP—approximately $4.8 trillion in 2023—on healthcare, the U.S. ranks last among ten high-income nations in health equity, access, and outcomes. I propose a cogent, six-point reform strategy designed to restore systemic health by mandating universal participation, lowering the age of federal coverage, expanding the provider network, and drastically reducing administrative complexity.

    16 min

  6. 11/05/2025

    Elitists Neocons Neolibs, Globalists and Narcissists, oh my. What are they, who are they, and why should I care?

    Elitists, Neoconservatives, Neoliberals, and Globalists are all political ideologies that hold distinct beliefs and values. Knowing the differences is essential to starting a thoughtful discussion. It really helps, having been a child progeny. LMK your reactions

    8 min

  7. 11/05/2025

    Antisemitism, Anti-Zionism, and Anti-Capitalism: Untangling Leftist Prejudice

    I examine various contemporary and historical issues through the lens of social, political, and moral critique. I cover the history of antisemitism at UCLA, distinguishing between legitimate criticism of Israeli policy and anti-Zionism that devolves into antisemitic tropes, and note that modern antisemitism often originates from liberal or leftist political spheres. I give an ethical and rhetorical analysis of conservative figure Charlie Kirk's controversial statements regarding LGBTQ+ and especially transgender individuals, comparing his language to that used by some conservative Muslim clerics, and concluding that while his speech is highly problematic and can lead to harm, it does not justify violence against him. Two of my related podcasts argue that the pro-Palestinian–antisemitic alliance is often rationalized through a leftist anti-capitalist ideology, which falsely casts Israel as a capitalist-colonial oppressor. I refer to another of my podcasts, which analyzes the historical context of Shylock from Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice to understand the centuries-old stereotype of the Jewish money lender and the theme of revenge in antisemitic persecution.

    8 min

  8. 11/05/2025

    Neuroimaging and neuro-freedom

    How neuroimaging techniques, like functional MRI, can be used to interpret thoughts.

    17 min
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About

The Easy Existentialist podcast - home to engaging readings of contemporary political thought, short explainers of Shakespeare and poetry, excerpts from my works of medical fiction, my thoughts on the Meaning of Time, Vaccinating Against Hate, and more. The existential theme is preserved throughout. Visit my personal blog www.DHMarks.blogspot.com to learn even more, including the text of all my writings. And on Substack. Follow my reading of books on @Goodreads @DHMarks

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