The Interesting Times podcast

Kevin Hockmuth
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The Interesting Times podcast

Mapping the intersections of politics, economics, technology, and ethics. theinterestingtimes.substack.com

  1. Why do 'democracies' seem to be breaking down everywhere?

    NOV 3

    Why do 'democracies' seem to be breaking down everywhere?

    I know many people are fretting about the coming election. I understand as the implications of it going one way or the other are massive. However, I don’t have anything of value to add to the daily deluge of polls and takes. So what I wanted to do is release an audio version of an essay I posted here a few years back entitled, ‘A Run on the Bank of Mass Democracy: modern 'participatory' governance relies on non-participation’. As the episode title indicates, it takes a step back to consider why there seems to be an ever-accelerating fraying, or even breakdown, of democratic governance in the US and elsewhere around the world. To be sure, the essay speaks to matters that will persist and likely continue to accelerate, regardless of who prevails on Tuesday. I know this is a question that has also been explored by many others, sometimes to very illuminating effect. That said, whether you sign on to my arguments or not, I do think it puts forward an angle of approach not commonly found in these discussions. In sum, it is an essay in the truest sense as it takes advantage of the format to explore some tentative, but (I think) defensible, provocative propositions. Thanks as always for listening and supporting the show. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com

    48 min

  2. SEP 30

    The Quest for Authenticity

    Excited to share our latest episode featuring a discussion with my colleague at Akita International University, Dr. Kyle Shuttleworth. We use his excellent book, The History and Ethics of Authenticity: Meaning, Freedom, and Modernity to center our discussion of the crucial, yet vexing, concept of authenticity. As becomes clear in the discussion, authenticity is simultaneously a dense philosophical terrain and something that persistently weighs upon the day-to-day lives we lead, or aspire to lead. It is also a term that has been subject to multiple angles philosophical inquiry and dispute. Our discussion takes us through some of this history and provides the opportunity to think about how these debates intersect with our experiences of the here and now. Lastly, below is a copy the 1818 painting Wanderer above the Sea of Fog by German Romanticist artist Caspar David Friedrich which is on the cover of the book and discussed at some length in the episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com

    1h 17m
  3. Overtourism and How to Travel Wisely

    SEP 6

    Overtourism and How to Travel Wisely

    We like to travel and so do others, but significant problems emerge when we all decide we want to visit the same places. Stories on overtourism and the stresses it places on these desirable locales have been a constant in the summer news. We are joined by my friend and travel writer extraordinaire, Chris Tharp, to dig into this issue as well as discuss his list of 5 do’s and don’ts for the intrepid sojourner. Here is a link to the excellent NYTimes article by Lisa Abend we reference in the conversation. An of course be sure to check out Chris’s exceptional substack The World According to Tharp here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com

    1h 3m

  4. AUG 23

    A Royal Mess

    For me, and I would guess for many others, the UK is a country we know well, but don’t really know, well. Thankfully, we are joined by Nick Bibby who brings of trove of experience in UK politics, society, and history to help give us a clearer picture of what is happening, not only in contemporary affairs, but the bigger social and historical forces that are shaping them. I am going to spare you the dozens of British inspired puns I spent 30 or so minutes thinking up and encourage you to just dive right in! One note, there are some minor issues with Nick’s mic that cause some ruffling sounds here and there. But not to worry, we’ll get through it, stiff upper lip (see what I did there!). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com

    1h 21m
  5. A Conversation with Mr. Jones X

    AUG 7

    A Conversation with Mr. Jones X

    Very excited to release my conversation with a pioneer of the educational Tik Tok, or ‘edutok’ space, Mr. Patrick Jones aka Mr. Jones X. He has over 250,000 followers and his videos have garnered roughly 3.5 billion views. So much to learn from what Mr. Jones has to say on a range of topics, including how he grew his enormous following. Please be sure to check out his insightful videos and discussions on Tik Tok and elsewhere. Thanks as always for supporting the show. He can be found on social media using these handles:Tik Tok - @mr.jonesx , @mr.jones_x , @the_tuff_family YouTube - @Mr. Jones X Instagram - @mr.jones_x Linktree - https://linktr.ee/MrTuffJones This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com

    1h 21m

  6. JUL 8

    Black Woman on Board

    We are excited to release our latest episode featuring a discussion with Dr. Donna J. Nicol of California State University Long Beach. We discuss her insightful new book entitled Black Woman on Board: Claudia Hampton, the California State University, and the Fight to Save Affirmative Action. Suffice it to say this was an exceptionally interesting conversation built around Dr. Nicol’s exploration of the intersection of race, politics, and higher education surrounding the life and times of Claudia Hampton, the first African American to sit on the Board of Trustees for the California State University system. I am certain there is a lot to be gained from listening to what Dr. Nicol was able to discover and illuminate in terms of Claudia Hampton’s journey and what it has to tell us about her times, and ours. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com

    1h 17m

  7. JUN 16

    Panic Now?

    So happy to welcome back Prof. Ira Allen (Northern Arizona University) to discuss his soon-to-be-released book (July 28), Panic Now? Tools for Humanizing (Univ. of Tennessee Press). In short, Prof. Allen challenges us to consider what steps we must begin to put in motion now—i.e., to think boldly, but cooly, about what ‘world’ will replace the one driven by what he dubs CaCaCo (Carbon, Capitalism, & Colonialism). Indeed, Ira is one of the sharpest intellects I have had the opportunity to know, so I think you’ll want to hear how he thinks about our current situation and potential ways to move forward. Neither all gloom and doom, nor all rainbows and unicorns, but a sober assessment of where we are at and a deep consideration of where we can go in the future. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com

    1h 18m

  8. APR 25

    Gender Without Identity

    After a respite, the Interesting Times podcast is back with an illuminating conversation with Dr. Ann Pellegrini and Dr. Avgi Saketopoulou. They join us to discuss their fascinating and genuinely important new book entitled, Gender Without Identity. There is so much to say about this book, but I will leave it to the insightful observations shared by the authors in the conversation. However, I will say that this book was born of the very controversies and toxic politics that have increasingly encased issues related to gender and gender identity. In many ways, I believe this book offers critical pathways for repairing the faulty architecture encompassing these matters. Further, Drs. Pellegrini and Saketopoulou’s long service as both highly accomplished scholars and practicing psychoanalysts provides them with a unique set of frames and vantage points to improve our understanding and foster new thinking on these pressing and important issues. Thanks as always for your support! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com

    1h 33m
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Mapping the intersections of politics, economics, technology, and ethics. theinterestingtimes.substack.com

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