Podcasts about thoreau

Award-winning and celebrated filmmaker Jeff Orlowski-Yang is a masterful storyteller who documents the profound stories of our time. Founder and Creative Director of Exposure Labs, Jeff came to the Hoffman Process after hearing about it through many friends. One of Jeff's friends knew a woman who was offering to pay for anyone ready to step into parenthood to attend the Process. Jeff was curious about and deeply moved by the nature of her offer. He felt there must be something important about the Process he'd heard so much about. A key theme in this conversation is the power and nature of the stories we tell. The ones we carry on our backs, feeling like we cannot let them go, even knowing they are weighing us down. The ones we tell in hopes of changing hearts and minds. And the ones we create anew in our hopes for a different future. As a documentarian, Jeff knows both how to tell a great story and to listen to others telling their story. At his Process, he was able to listen deeply to the stories being shared around the classroom by his classmates. This helped him realize the nature of the story he has carried within. In recounting his Process experience, Jeff weaves in the wisdom he's gained from his work. He highlights the difference between communication and connection, a distinction that became clear to him while directing The Social Dilemma. And he speaks to the nature of change and how powerful stories can be great catalysts of change, both personally and collectively. We hope you enjoy this illuminating conversation with Jeff and Drew. More about Jeff Orlowski-Yang: Photo by Larissa Rhodes Jeff Orlowski-Yang is the Founder and Creative Director of Exposure Labs, a film and impact production studio that uses stories to change the world. Most recently, he directed Chasing Time (2024), a 40-minute short documentary currently screening at festivals around the world. Previously, he directed one of the most-watched documentaries on Netflix, The Social Dilemma (2020), which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, and was nominated for seven primetime Emmy awards, winning two. He was the director, producer, and cinematographer of the award-winning feature documentaries Chasing Coral (2017) and Chasing Ice (2012), both of which screened at Congress and the United Nations and have garnered awards and accolades worldwide. Jeff has several directorial projects currently in development and continues to support other filmmakers from concept to impact campaign as an executive producer and mentor. Orlowski-Yang won the 2017 Champion of the Earth Award, the UN's highest environmental honor, and serves on the boards of Green 2.0 and Netflix's Sustainability Advisory Group. He has traveled on tour representing the Sundance Institute, President Obama's Committee for the Arts and Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Arts, among many other speaking and press engagements. Jeff lives in Boulder, Colorado. Learn more about or get in touch with him at JeffOrlowski-Yang.com. Listen on Apple Podcasts As mentioned in this episode: eTown Studios •   Take a video tour of eTown Studios. Staten Island, New York National Geographic Magazine James Balog, National Geographic Photographer Guinness World Record •   Greenland - Largest calving event ever filmed: "CHASING ICE" Official Video Coral bleaching in Australia - Coral turns white due to heat The Adventure of Jason and the Argonauts from the Argonautica Chasing Ice Trailer at Sundance •   Nominated for an Academy Award Existential Crisis Tristan Harris - Tech ethicist and co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology (CHT). Thoreau quote, "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately..." Sundance Film Festival is moving from Sundance, Utah, to Boulder, Colorado. The Unpredictable Award and Dopamine Addiction. •   Article: Hooked: The Psychology of Variable Rewards

Beyond Boston: Epic Day Trips & Weekend Getaways in New EnglandBoston is amazing, but here's the thing: sometimes you've gotta escape the city limits to really soak in New England magic. Lucky for us wanderers, Boston sits at the heart of some of the coolest, quirkiest, most historic little towns in the U.S. We're talking witch trials, fishing villages, patriotic battlegrounds, and even beachy boardwalk sunsets.Grab a rental car (yes, it's finally worth it outside the city), load up on Dunkin' iced coffee, and let's road trip Travel Brats style. Here are the best day trips and weekend escapes from Boston that'll make you fall in love with New England all over again. Salem: Witches, Ghosts & Seaside VibesAbout an hour north of Boston, Salem is basically Halloween Town year-round. It's spooky, historic, and surprisingly charming.Walking Route to Hit the HighlightsGedney House (21 High St) – One of the oldest timber-frame homes in Salem, creaky and full of character.Salem Jail (50 St. Peter St) – Atmospheric and eerie; you'll feel like you've stepped into a gothic novel.Broad Street Cemetery – Quiet, haunting, and beautiful.The Witch House (310 Essex St) – Former home of Judge Jonathan Corwin from the witch trials. Legit spooky.Ropes Mansion (318 Essex St) – Movie fans, this is Allison's house from Hocus Pocus. The gardens are gorgeous.Salem Witch Museum (Washington Sq.) – Dramatic, theatrical, and totally worth it for the immersive history lesson.Optional extra: Max & Dani's House (Ocean Ave) from Hocus Pocus. It's a bit of a trek, but fangirls/fanboys, this is your moment.Afternoon Treat: Schooner Fame CruiseFor a change of pace, hit the water on the Schooner Fame. You can help hoist the sails, steer the ship, and pretend you're a pirate for the afternoon. Way more interactive than your average harbor cruise.Eats in SalemVillage Tavern – Cozy, hearty, and pub-y.Longboards – Chill vibe, seafood-heavy menu.Oneil's – Local classic. Lexington & Concord: Where the Revolution BeganIf you geek out on history (hi, it's me ✋), this one's a must. Just 30 minutes from Boston, these twin towns are where the Revolutionary War kicked off.Drive between the sites because they're spread out, but don't expect Uber to save you here—it's not very ride-share friendly.Highlights:Lexington Battle Green – Where the “shot heard 'round the world” was fired.Minute Man National Historical Park – Scenic walking trails + reenactments.Concord's North Bridge – Stand where the colonists forced the British to retreat.Orchards & Farms – Depending on the season, you can go apple picking or just sip hot cider.It's basically a living history lesson, except with better snacks.Walden Pond: Nature Meets LiteratureWalden Pond is the kind of place that makes you want to throw your phone into the lake and live like Thoreau (minus the whole no-WiFi situation).For history lovers: This is where Henry David Thoreau lived in his tiny cabin and wrote Walden.For nature lovers: It's a gorgeous, swimmable pond surrounded by peaceful hiking trails.Pro tip: Visit in the morning to beat the crowds, especially in the fall when the foliage is next-level. Cape Cod & Martha's Vineyard: Beachy BlissAbout 90 minutes south of Boston, Cape Cod is summer in postcard form: sandy beaches, salty air, and clapboard houses.Cape HighlightsHyannisport – Kennedy family stomping grounds.Sandwich Boardwalk – Walk this at sunset for pure magic.From here, hop a ferry to Martha's Vineyard. Yes, it takes planning—parking, ferry tickets, bus passes—but it's worth every ounce of effort. Once you're there, rent bikes or hop the island buses to explore:Oak Bluffs – Cute gingerbread houses.Edgartown – Upscale shops and restaurants.Beaches – All of them. Pack snacks and beach hop.It's laid-back, stunning, and gives you all the coastal New England vibes. Gloucester & Rockport: Fishermen & Art LoversNorth of Boston, you'll find Gloucester, one of America's oldest fishing ports.Fishermen's Memorial – A powerful tribute with the names of those lost at sea.Harbor Walk – Scenic and lively with boats everywhere.Nearby Rockport is like a tiny storybook village with shops, art galleries, and ocean views for days. Perfect for an afternoon stroll with an ice cream cone in hand. Portsmouth, New Hampshire: A Seaport SurpriseDrive about an hour north and boom—you're in Portsmouth, NH. This little town is buzzing with cool restaurants, historic homes, and waterfront charm.Perfect for:A dinner out with fresh seafood.Wandering cobblestone streets.Starting a mini New England road trip if you're heading toward Maine. Foxborough: Patriots NationIf you're into football, a trip to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough is basically a pilgrimage.Training Camp (summer) is free, but it gets packed.Patriot Place is like an entertainment complex on steroids—restaurants, shops, and a museum.Even if you're not a Pats fan, the energy is infectious. Plymouth: Pilgrims, Lobster Rolls & Shimmer by the SeaWelcome to America's hometown—the landing spot of the Mayflower. And yes, the infamous Plymouth Rock is here (spoiler: it's… underwhelming).How to Spend a Day in PlymouthBreakfast at Café Nicole – Fuel up for exploring.See the Mayflower II – A replica of the original ship.Tavern on the Wharf – Grab a lobster roll for lunch.Shimmer by the Sea cocktail – Sparkly, fun, and Instagram-worthy.Monument to the Forefathers – Bigger than you'd expect.Cupcake Charlie's – Sweet pit stop.Shopping – Fave stores: Soft as a Grape & Fidel's.First Church in Plymouth – Founded in 1606.Marina Walkway – Perfect for catching the sunset.Dinner at 71 West – End with waterfront dining.It's touristy, yes, but in the best way. Bonus: Manchester, NH & Fall LeavesIf you're visiting in the fall, New England's foliage is basically the main event. A quick drive up to Manchester, NH, or even deeper into the White Mountains, will blow your mind with fiery reds, golden yellows, and Instagram gold. Bring a sweater, a thermos of cider, and your camera. Final ThoughtsBoston is the hub, but the real magic happens when you venture just beyond. From spooky Salem to sun-soaked Cape Cod, every trip feels like stepping into a different story. The best part? You don't have to pick just one. With a car, a little caffeine, and a sense of adventure, you can road trip your way through history, beaches, and small-town charm—all within a couple of hours of the city.So, next time you're in Boston, don't stop at the Freedom Trail. Go beyond. The witches, patriots, and fishermen are waiting. 

Jonathan & Mountain Gazette editor, Mike Rogge, offer some thoughts on the current state of free speech, then discuss Thoreau's great essay, “Walking,” and the new Mountain Gazette anthology, Print Ain't Dead.Note: We Want to Hear From You!We'd love for you to share with us the stories or topics you'd like us to cover next month on Reviewing the News; ask your most pressing mountain town advice questions, or offer your hot takes for us to rate. You can email those to us here.RELATED LINKS: Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+Our Newsletter w/ Weekly Polls & GiveawaysTOPICS & TIMES: New Blister+ Members (3:08)The Current State of Free Speech (4:46)Print Ain't Dead (30:30)Thoreau's “Walking” (37:24)Jonathan's intro to Thoreau (46:52)Wilderness & The Wild (59:44)Mike's Big News! (1:22:26)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasGEAR:30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Holding on, hanging in there, being patient, sitting in the waiting room—none of those come easy for me. And being put on hold on the telephone is particularly annoying—don't you agree? So, today more than anything else I'm talking to me, and you can listen in, as I remind myself again that I have to hold on when I'm on hold. When you think of someone in the Bible who was on hold, you most likely think of Job. Talk about holding on when he was on hold, nobody has ever endured more than Job did while waiting for God to move. In Job 6:8, 11-12 he says: Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for. What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze? And in chapter seven, he goes on to say: My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and they come to an end without hope. Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again (Job 7:6-7). His words may express your heart today. Like Job, you may be saying or thinking: Why hasn't God granted my request? I don't have the strength to keep holding on. After all, I'm just flesh! I've lost hope, and I'll never be happy again. For most of us, this feeling of hopelessness doesn't show itself outwardly so much as it corrupts us on the inside. It takes the form of what Thoreau called “quiet desperation.” You keep going, saying the right things, and maintaining a semblance of normalcy, but on the inside you've truly given up. You're going through the motions of a marriage or a job; you're making people think everything's okay with your children or parents, but in reality, you're emotionally detached; there's no more fight left in you, and you're almost at the place where you really don't care. I want to share three simple truths that will help you hold on when you're on hold. And the first one is: Trust in God's Sovereignty. That simply means you continue to believe that nothing happens in God's universe outside of God's influence and authority. And you believe the same is true in your life. God is sovereign in your life. Therefore, you can trust that in his sovereignty, he will make all things work together for your good, even the evil and wrongs of others and the cruelty of this sin-infested world. Believe me, I know it's not easy to trust when you're on hold, especially when it looks like your world is crumbling around you. I think of a friend who went through years of pain and suffering from an unfaithful husband and a broken marriage, death of two children, another child who walked away from God, and other significant losses. Honestly, she was a Job-story for today, and I often wondered how she made it through. Obviously, all those things left deep scars and hurt, but she turned it into opportunity for her to minister to others. She completed a biblical counseling degree, and now she has a voice to help others who are “on hold” because she has walked deep, dark roads. In God's sovereignty and as only God can do, he turned her sorrow into dancing and has given her a broader, more effective ministry as a result. So, if you can put your trust in God's sovereignty today, regardless of your feelings, and simply repeat that you believe he is still in control, that is step one in holding on while you're on hold. Step two is to Trust in God's Timing. Listen to these verses from Psalm 37:5-7: Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. God's timing often seems so inappropriate to us. What possible good can come from waiting any longer? That's how we see it. I can look back on my life and see how the waiting periods of my life were there for a purpose—a purpo...

Support Our Cause at https://libri-vox.org/donateA biography of the famous and popular poet-naturalist, author, philosopher, historian, written by a family friend who spent time with Thoreau almost daily during the last seven years of his life and who knew and talked with members of his family. Written shortly after his death, it was immediately popular and this later edition gained a new audience. ( Lynne Thompson)Donate to LibriVox: https://libri-vox.org/donate

The Nextlander Podcast is taking a week off, so we bring you a classic NBABP episode, in which Abby Russell and Dan Ryckert join us to talk about eating food, eating not-food, and finding peace in the Internet Age. CHAPTERS (00:01:24) Intro (00:01:47) "Don't Ask Me!" (00:02:35) How's Metal Gear Solid doing? (00:03:41) What's going on with new space-themed Lego? (00:04:27) Dan's the secret leaker (00:05:14) God of War secrets revealed (00:06:24) Video games made into shows and movies (00:07:44) Does getting ripped make you less fun? (00:10:32) "I could eat a tennis ball" (00:10:52) Cooking with Dan (00:15:23) Tales from the Microwave (00:19:04) I actually looked this up and it seems like your skin just burns and you die. (00:21:48) First Break (00:21:58) Favorite YouTuber (00:26:17) Dan's unplugging (00:34:52) Any vacation plans for Abby? (00:35:23) Can Alex find peace in wilderness? (00:38:03) Second Break (00:38:16) Getting in your own head (00:42:41) Pottery Updates (00:46:43) Dan is getting into electronics and console modding! (00:48:01) How is the speed running going? (00:55:07) Dan's fancy smart-bed (00:57:58) Wrapping up

News; birthdays/events; would email reminders of what you purchase help you budget better?; word of the day. News; game: trivia potpourri; travel mishaps that turned into good stories (a.i. topic); what makes an amusement park or theme park great in your opinion? News; game: word ladder; a.i. topic: quirky superstitions you follow;  secret family reipes and the stories behind them. News; game: what do these movies have in common?; is there anything you are exceptionally good or bad at?; goodbye/fun facts....National Cinnamon Raisin Bread Day. Cinnamon-raisin bread has a long history in the making. Its predecessors include stollen, a German fruit bread with spices and candied fruits, kulich, a tall Easter bread served in the Russian and Slavic regions, and panettone, a tall raisin-filled fruit cake made in Italy. But did essayist and poet Henry David Thoreau create cinnamon raisin bread? He did write about it in his journals...but it is believed that the rumor started by Concord housewives because they were delighted by Thoreau's antics. The rumor was perpetuated by a 1943 article in the Ladies Home Journal, that deemed the culinary invention as Thoreau's. This, however, was later disproved by Biographer Walter Harding, who corrected the rumor in the Thoreau Society Bulletin and stated that raisin bread, or plum cake at the time, occurred during the Elizabethan era. If you're going to make your own from scratch...Coating raisins in flour before mixing them into the dough helps keep them evenly distributed.

Cathryn McIntyre is a natural psychic and clairvoyant and the author of two books about her experience living as a psychic in the historic town of Concord, Massachusetts. She is also an astrologer; a UFO experiencer; and an occasional ghost investigator. A blog McIntyre wrote about one of her investigations in Boothbay Harbor, Maine got the attention of author, Greg Latimer, who investigated and validated McIntyre's findings and included the story in his book, Ghosts of the Boothbay Region. Ronny LeBlanc, star of the Travel Channel's Expedition Bigfoot, featured an interview with McIntyre in the latest of his Monsterland series of books in which she discussed her alien abduction experiences and her ability to connect to spirit, including tapping into the consciousness of the creature known as Bigfoot. In her latest book, The Thoreau Whisperer, McIntyre writes about her experience channeling the spirit of Concord's most famous writer, Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau is best remembered for his essay Civil Disobedience, which was his plea in defense of the rights of man, and for his book, Walden, written about his experiment living alone in a cabin at Walden Pond in Concord. It was soon after moving from Michigan to Massachusetts in 1984 that McIntyre encountered the spirit of Thoreau at a home near Walden Pond but it wouldn't be until 2006, following an after-death encounter with her mentor, who was an eminent Thoreau scholar, that the channeling would begin. Cathryn McIntyre is the author of The Thoreau Whisperer: Channeling the Spirit of Henry David Thoreau (2018), and Honor in Concord: Seeking Spirit in Literary Concord (2008). She is also the founder of The Concord Writer, a literary and publishing concern dedicated to the words, wisdom and enduring spirit of Henry David Thoreau.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-x-zone-radio-tv-show--1078348/support.Please note that all XZBN radio and/or television shows are Copyright © REL-MAR McConnell Meda Company, Niagara, Ontario, Canada – www.rel-mar.com. For more Episodes of this show and all shows produced, broadcasted and syndicated from REL-MAR McConell Media Company and The 'X' Zone Broadcast Network and the 'X' Zone TV Channell, visit www.xzbn.net. For programming, distribution, and syndication inquiries, email programming@xzbn.net.We are proud to announce the we have launched TWATNews.com, launched in August 2025.TWATNews.com is an independent online news platform dedicated to uncovering the truth about Donald Trump and his ongoing influence in politics, business, and society. Unlike mainstream outlets that often sanitize, soften, or ignore stories that challenge Trump and his allies, TWATNews digs deeper to deliver hard-hitting articles, investigative features, and sharp commentary that mainstream media won't touch.These are stories and articles that you will not read anywhere else.Our mission is simple: to expose corruption, lies, and authoritarian tendencies while giving voice to the perspectives and evidence that are often marginalized or buried by corporate-controlled media. 

Spike Bucklow joins Jana Byars to talk about The Year: An Ecology of the Zodiac (Reaktion, 2025). This delightful book defies genre. It is a journey through nature's yearly cycle, blending science, history and poetic reflection.The Year takes us on a journey exploring how nature transforms across twelve months, each chapter focusing on a specific month's natural events, from spring's beginning through to winter's end. It opens with an overview of our evolving understanding of time and nature, from ancient astronomy to the present, and concludes with a chapter on the impact of climate change. Spike Bucklow draws on both modern ecological studies and historical naturalists such as Aristotle, Gilbert White, Thoreau and Aldo Leopold. Poetic reflections from Ovid, Shakespeare, John Clare and William Wordsworth enrich the narrative, giving further insights into nature's changes. Blending modern science with traditional wisdom, The Year provides a positive perspective on ecological, global and personal change, appealing to those interested in ecology, astrology and the history of science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Spike Bucklow joins Jana Byars to talk about The Year: An Ecology of the Zodiac (Reaktion, 2025). This delightful book defies genre. It is a journey through nature's yearly cycle, blending science, history and poetic reflection.The Year takes us on a journey exploring how nature transforms across twelve months, each chapter focusing on a specific month's natural events, from spring's beginning through to winter's end. It opens with an overview of our evolving understanding of time and nature, from ancient astronomy to the present, and concludes with a chapter on the impact of climate change. Spike Bucklow draws on both modern ecological studies and historical naturalists such as Aristotle, Gilbert White, Thoreau and Aldo Leopold. Poetic reflections from Ovid, Shakespeare, John Clare and William Wordsworth enrich the narrative, giving further insights into nature's changes. Blending modern science with traditional wisdom, The Year provides a positive perspective on ecological, global and personal change, appealing to those interested in ecology, astrology and the history of science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/folkore

Spike Bucklow joins Jana Byars to talk about The Year: An Ecology of the Zodiac (Reaktion, 2025). This delightful book defies genre. It is a journey through nature's yearly cycle, blending science, history and poetic reflection.The Year takes us on a journey exploring how nature transforms across twelve months, each chapter focusing on a specific month's natural events, from spring's beginning through to winter's end. It opens with an overview of our evolving understanding of time and nature, from ancient astronomy to the present, and concludes with a chapter on the impact of climate change. Spike Bucklow draws on both modern ecological studies and historical naturalists such as Aristotle, Gilbert White, Thoreau and Aldo Leopold. Poetic reflections from Ovid, Shakespeare, John Clare and William Wordsworth enrich the narrative, giving further insights into nature's changes. Blending modern science with traditional wisdom, The Year provides a positive perspective on ecological, global and personal change, appealing to those interested in ecology, astrology and the history of science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies

Spike Bucklow joins Jana Byars to talk about The Year: An Ecology of the Zodiac (Reaktion, 2025). This delightful book defies genre. It is a journey through nature's yearly cycle, blending science, history and poetic reflection.The Year takes us on a journey exploring how nature transforms across twelve months, each chapter focusing on a specific month's natural events, from spring's beginning through to winter's end. It opens with an overview of our evolving understanding of time and nature, from ancient astronomy to the present, and concludes with a chapter on the impact of climate change. Spike Bucklow draws on both modern ecological studies and historical naturalists such as Aristotle, Gilbert White, Thoreau and Aldo Leopold. Poetic reflections from Ovid, Shakespeare, John Clare and William Wordsworth enrich the narrative, giving further insights into nature's changes. Blending modern science with traditional wisdom, The Year provides a positive perspective on ecological, global and personal change, appealing to those interested in ecology, astrology and the history of science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history

Spike Bucklow joins Jana Byars to talk about The Year: An Ecology of the Zodiac (Reaktion, 2025). This delightful book defies genre. It is a journey through nature's yearly cycle, blending science, history and poetic reflection.The Year takes us on a journey exploring how nature transforms across twelve months, each chapter focusing on a specific month's natural events, from spring's beginning through to winter's end. It opens with an overview of our evolving understanding of time and nature, from ancient astronomy to the present, and concludes with a chapter on the impact of climate change. Spike Bucklow draws on both modern ecological studies and historical naturalists such as Aristotle, Gilbert White, Thoreau and Aldo Leopold. Poetic reflections from Ovid, Shakespeare, John Clare and William Wordsworth enrich the narrative, giving further insights into nature's changes. Blending modern science with traditional wisdom, The Year provides a positive perspective on ecological, global and personal change, appealing to those interested in ecology, astrology and the history of science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Na estante desta semana, temos “Desobediência Civil”, de Henry David Thoreau; “O Cérebro Ideológico”, de Leor Zmigrod; “Os Costumes do País”, de Edith Wharton; e “Latim em Pó”, de Caetano Galindo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boston is one of those cities that just gets under your skin in the best way possible. Equal parts old-school history and modern-day hustle, it's where cobblestone streets meet glass skyscrapers, where the story of America was born, and where you can eat your body weight in lobster rolls without a shred of regret.Founded in 1630 by English Puritans, Boston has played host to some of the most pivotal events in U.S. history—the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and even the first public park in America. Today, it's a vibrant mix of college-town energy, cutting-edge innovation, and diehard sports fandom (you'll never hear a “Go Sox!” shouted with more passion than here).I recently spent five days exploring Boston like a local, armed with a loose plan, comfy walking shoes, and an appetite big enough to conquer the city's legendary food scene. Here's how it all went down—my perfect Boston adventure. Day 1: Arrival & First Taste of the CityFlying into Logan International Airport is a breeze—it's practically right in the city. But here's your first Boston pro-tip: skip renting a car if you can. Boston traffic is next-level chaotic, parking is expensive, and the city is surprisingly walkable. Between the subway (locals call it “the T”) and Uber, you'll get around just fine.Of course, I had to test the rental car waters—$368 for two days of a Nissan Rogue—and let me tell you, the line alone made me question my life choices. If you do rent, book with a company that lets you walk straight to the garage and grab your car. Otherwise, hop in an Uber and save yourself the headache.Where to StayI split my stay between two totally different vibes:Hampton Inn & Suites Watertown – Budget-friendly ($100 a night) and great if you don't mind being just outside the city. Parking in Boston can run you $30 a day, so staying here helped balance the budget.Copley Square Hotel (FOUND Hotels) – Right in the heart of Back Bay, this historic gem ranges from $300–$600 a night. My corner-view studio overlooked the breathtaking Trinity Church at sunset, and it felt like waking up inside a postcard. Designed in 1877 by architect H.H. Richardson, this place is dripping with Richardsonian Romanesque charm—arched windows, rough stone, and colorful details. Around Copley, you'll also find:Fairmont Copley Plaza (1912) – A Gilded Age beauty and part of the Historic Hotels of America.Boston Public Library McKim Building (1895) – A Renaissance Revival masterpiece with white marble halls and free daily tours at 2 pm. Don't skip it; the architecture is jaw-dropping.Old South Church (1873) – A National Historic Landmark in Northern Italian Gothic style, complete with multicolored stone and a towering bell.John Hancock Tower (1976) – Boston's tallest skyscraper at 790 feet, shimmering in blue glass.After a long travel day, we celebrated our first night with dinner at Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar. Order the lobster guacamole and grilled elote—and when in Boston, remember the golden rule: always order seafood. Steaks are for later. Oh, and if you see Scrod on the menu? Don't panic. It's not a weird mythical fish; it's just the white catch of the day—usually cod or haddock. Day 2: Walking Through HistoryIf Boston had a greatest hits album, it would be the Freedom Trail—a 2.5-mile path that connects 16 historic sites and tells the story of America's revolution. You can do it self-guided, join a regular tour, or go all out with an actor-led adventure (think Paul Revere cosplay).Morning Coffee & Boston CommonStart with caffeine at Thinking Cup Coffee Bar, then wander into Boston Common, the oldest public park in America (1634). It's massive, filled with monuments, and now home to the striking Embrace Memorial, honoring Martin Luther King Jr.From there, the trail unfolds like a time machine:Massachusetts State House (1798) – Charles Bulfinch's golden-domed wonder, still home to the state government.Park Street Church (1809) – Once Boston's tallest landmark, it sits on the site of the city's old grain storage.Granary Burying Ground (1660) – Final resting place of heavyweights like John Hancock, Sam Adams, and Paul Revere.King's Chapel & Burying Ground (1686) – Boston's first Anglican church, with over 330 years of history.Boston Latin School Site (1635) – The oldest public school in America; today it's marked by a Benjamin Franklin statue.Old Corner Bookstore (1718) – Once the publishing hub of legends like Hawthorne, Longfellow, and Thoreau. Now… a Chipotle (I wish I were kidding).Lunch at Union Oyster HouseBy now, you'll be starving. Enter Union Oyster House, America's oldest continuously operating restaurant (since 1826). The JFK booth is a must-sit, and yes—you're ordering a lobster roll.Afternoon: Monuments & Baseball MagicDon't miss the New England Holocaust Memorial—six glass towers etched with survivor stories, both sobering and moving.Then, if you're lucky enough to visit in season, cap off your night at Fenway Park. Whether it's catching a Red Sox game, snagging early batting practice passes, or just soaking up the energy at Cask 'n Flagon across the street (hot tip: persistence pays when getting a table here), Fenway is pure Boston. Day 3: More Freedom Trail & North End TreatsStart with breakfast at Quincy Market, the ultimate food hall. Then dive back into history:Old South Meeting House (1729) – Where colonists debated tea taxes and kicked off the Boston Tea Party.Old State House (1713) – Boston's oldest public building, central to colonial politics.Boston Massacre Site (1770) – A simple cobblestone marker for one of America's darkest sparks of revolution.From here, pop back into Quincy Market for another lobster roll (yes, it's worth a second one).Keep following the trail:Faneuil Hall (1742) – “Cradle of Liberty” where fiery speeches once filled the air. Today, it's mostly a giant souvenir shop, but the echoes of history remain.Paul Revere House (1680) – The patriot's humble home. Tours are intimate but no photos allowed inside.Old North Church (1723) – Where lanterns signaled “One if by land, two if by sea.” Take the tour to see the crypt and bell chamber.Cannoli TimeBoston's North End is an Italian dreamland, so refuel at Mike's Pastry with a giant cannoli. (Pro tip: get a few extra to-go. You'll thank me later.)End the night at Bell in Hand Tavern (1795), America's oldest continuously operating tavern. It's rowdy, it's historic, and it's the perfect spot for your nightcap. Day 4: Big Battles & Big ShipsIf your legs aren't jelly yet, tackle the Bunker Hill Monument. Climb the 294 steps for killer views of the city.From there, wander over to the USS Constitution, aka “Old Ironsides,” the oldest commissioned warship afloat. The ship and museum are free and make for an epic history-meets-maritime adventure.For a modern twist, hop in an Uber to the JFK Presidential Library & Museum—a sleek, inspiring deep dive into the Camelot era. Afterward, head to Sam Adams Brewery in Jamaica Plain. Tours start at $10, include tastings, and give you all the Boston beer vibes. Day 5: Art, Rainy-Day Magic & Sunset on the HarborBoston weather can turn on a dime, so I saved indoor treasures for day five.Morning: Museum of Fine ArtsThe MFA is massive, so choose wisely:Jewelry lovers: Beyond Brilliance exhibit (ancient to modern sparkle, with Chanel and Bulgari highlights).Classicists: Greek, Roman, and Byzantine collections.Painters-at-heart: Dutch & Flemish gallery with works by Rembrandt and Rubens.Quirky souls: Dollhouses and temporary Van Gogh exhibits.Fuel up at the museum café before heading out.Evening: Sunset Harbor CruiseOur trip ended on the water, with a Boston Harbor sunset cruise. Even in the rain, the top deck views were worth it. There's a buffet dinner, DJ, and plenty of space to dance—because no Boston trip is complete without one last celebration. Other Boston Must-Dos (If You Have Time)Duck Boat Tour – Amphibious buses that roam the streets then splash into the Charles River. Cheesy? Yes. Fun? Also yes.Cheers Pub – Grab a drink where everybody used to know your name.Green Dragon Tavern – A revolutionary haunt turned modern-day pub.Boston Burger Co. or Wahlburgers – Because you need at least one outrageous burger on this trip. Final ThoughtsBoston is the kind of city that can be done in a weekend but deserves a week. It's history you can touch, seafood you'll crave long after, and neighborhoods that feel like they've been waiting just for you.If you only had one day, I'd say walk the Freedom Trail—it's Boston in a nutshell. But if you want to experience the city like a local? Take your time, eat the lobster rolls, get lost in the cobblestone streets, and maybe—just maybe—let Fenway turn you into a Red Sox fan for life.Boston, you're wicked awesome.

Professor Kozlowski continues testing the limits of algorithmic censorship with a discussion of Communism and Anarchism. No references to the Cookbook here, but we are going to look deeply at some widely varied ideas underlying Anarchist thought, and their justifications for fighting against the state, as well as the underpinning ideas of many 20th century activist movements (which we will discuss in the next lecture).Today's readings are:Lenin's What is to be Done? and The State and RevolutionKropotkin's "Law and Authority"Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God is Within YouGoldman's "Anarchism"Additional Readings include:Thoreau, "On Civil Disobedience"Mills, The Sociological ImaginationFoucault, Discipline and PunishThe Chomsky ReaderOrwell, Homage to CataloniaHemingway, For Whom the Bell TollsHemingway, To Have and Have NotHuxley, IslandSholokhov, And Quiet Flows the DonLeGuin, The DispossessedAnd, of course, the preeminent masterpiece of video games about politics: Disco Elysium

Drama on a MondayFirst,  a look at this day in History.Then, Counterspy starring Don Maclaughlin and Mandel Kramer, originally broadcast September 8, 1949, 76 years ago, The Case of the Courageous Come-On. A girl is "good at being bad" until she sees a blind spot. Is the sword mightier than the pen? After the drama, Vice President Barkley speaks about hiring disabled veterans.Followed by The Mysterious Traveler, originally broadcast September 8, 1946, 79 years ago, The Symphony of Death. Shortly after a composer buys three tombstones for his sisters, all three die of "unfortunate" accidents. Then, Suspense, originally broadcast September 8, 1957, 68 years ago, Old Army Buddy starring Victor Jory.  A pompous foreign correspondent is amazed to discover that his wife plans to divorce him!Followed by Wanted, originally broadcast September 8, 1950, 75 years ago,  Henry Clay Tollett.  A search for bank robbers who broke out of jail.  Finally. Lum and Abner, originally broadcast September 8, 1942, 83 years ago, Vacation.  Lum plans a "back to nature" vacation after reading Thoreau. Thanks to Richard G for supporting our podcast by using the Buy Me a Coffee function at http://classicradio.stream

In June 1853, Thoreau wrote of an enchanting encounter with the Wood Thrush: "This is the only bird whose note affects me like music. It lifts and exhilarates me. It is inspiring. It changes all hours to an eternal morning." Wood Thrushes thrive in large expanses of forest. And their numbers have declined as forests have been cut on their breeding grounds. Protected areas like Adirondack Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Ozark National Forest give them a chance to thrive.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. 

durée : 00:58:15 - Le Book Club - par : Marie Richeux - Les arbres occupent une place centrale dans la pensée du philosophe américain Henry David Thoreau, qui vécut une partie de sa vie dans les bois. La parution d'extraits de ses journaux est l'occasion d'évoquer son œuvre en compagnie du traducteur Thierry Gillyboeuf et la philosophe Pauline Nadrigny - réalisation : Vivien Demeyère - invités : Thierry Gillyboeuf Écrivain et traducteur; Pauline Nadrigny Philosophe, spécialisée en esthétique et maître de conférences à l'université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

Jonathan shares some big news about Blister Summit 2026 (and announces dates); reveals what we'll be reading next for the Blister Book Club; talks about getting on a gravel bike this weekend at Rebecca's Private Idaho; and quickly goes over a bunch of other developments here at Blister.Note: We Want to Hear From You!We'd love for you to share with us the stories or topics you'd like us to cover next month on Reviewing the News; ask your most pressing mountain town advice questions, or offer your hot takes for us to rate. You can email those to us at info@blisterreview.comRELATED LINKSGet Yourself Covered: BLISTER+Get Our Newsletter w/ Weekly Polls & GiveawaysPre-Order Our 25/26 Winter Buyer's GuideOur Bike Buyer's GuideTOPICS & TIMES:Welcome New BLISTER+ Members (0:57)My Meeting w/ the National Ski Council Federation (3:21)This Weekend: Rebecca's Private Idaho (5:26)What I'll be Riding: ENVE Mog (8:36)Blister Summit 2026 News! (9:38)Flat Pedals vs ‘Clipless' Debate (12:46)Update: My Snowboarding Project (15:09)Blister Book Club: What We're Reading Next (17:45)* Sep 22: Thoreau's essay, Walking* Oct 20: John McPhee, Coming into the CountrySki Media isn't Dead (22:01)Skiers & Fantasy Football? (23:47)Our Bike Buyer's Guide & Winter Guide (26:16)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasGEAR:30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's August 13th. This day in 1846, Henry David Thoreau is thrown in jail -- for one night -- for refusing to pay his back taxes.Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss why Thoreau objected to the poll tax, and how his political stances intersected with the more personal work that emerged from his two years living on Walden Pond.Don't forget to sign up for our America250 Watch newsletter, where you'll also get links and lots more historical tidbits.https://thisdaypod.substack.com/Find out more about the show at thisdaypod.comThis Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories.If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website: ThisDayPod.comGet in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Follow us on social @thisdaypodOur team: Jacob Feldman, Researcher/Producer; Brittani Brown, Producer; Khawla Nakua, Transcripts; music by Teen Daze and Blue Dot Sessions; Audrey Mardavich is our Executive Producer at Radiotopia Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Franco Faggiani"Verso la libertà con un bagaglio leggero"Andare per sentieri, viottoli e strade di campagnaAboca Edizioniwww.abocaedizioni.itRiflessioni, suggestioni, pensieri volanti, racconti di viandanti solitari in luoghi visti o immaginati.“Il mondo, quello che ci circonda, e il caos, quello che abbiamo dentro, hanno ancora molto da offrire se torniamo a esplorarli a passo lento.”Il sentiero è il filo sottile con cui la terra è imbastita. Cucitura che da sempre mette in collegamento luoghi più o meno lontani ma anche persone, modi di vivere, intenti. Il sentiero unisce e permette di condividere conoscenze, scoperte e beni. È arrivato prima delle strade e per migliaia, migliaia d'anni è stato calpestato da coloro che, via via, hanno costruito le civiltà: cacciatori nomadi, agricoltori, commercianti, uomini d'arti e di armi, fabbricanti, filosofi, cavalieri e pellegrini. Il sentiero non è mai uguale nemmeno a sé stesso. Cambia in continuazione in base alle stagioni, al trascorrere del tempo, al mutare del clima e perfino al passare delle ore. Il sentiero non può essere uniformato, ognuno ha la sua funzione. C'è quello dei cacciatori, dei viandanti, di chi fa lavori ormai inusuali; c'è quello storico e religioso, quello che attraversa luoghi dimenticati; quello che porta verso la quiete di un rifugio e anche quello che sembra non condurre da nessuna parte ma che, a osservare bene intorno, ha ancora molto da raccontare. Il sentiero è anche capace di portarci dalla sicurezza di un posto noto all'incertezza di uno ignoto provocando a ogni passo sentimenti e sensazioni: paura, sgomento, euforia, consapevolezza, coraggio, scoperta, capacità nel decidere.L'autore, frequentatore di sentieri per scelta e per necessità, per raggiungere, fuggire, esplorare, conoscere, non racconta di itinerari specifici – migliaia di guide già se ne occupano – ma di quello che i sentieri, a suo giudizio, possono rappresentare per chi li affronta con i piedi e la testa, con gli occhi e il cuore.Con 50 foto originali dell'autoreFranco Faggiani (Roma, 1948) vive a Milano e fa il giornalista, alternando la passione per la scrittura con quella per la montagna. Ha lavorato come reporter in diversi paesi e ha scritto manuali sportivi, guide, biografie e romanzi, dove dietro alla finzione spesso si celano storie vere. Scrittore molto amato dal pubblico, ma anche dalla critica: La manutenzione dei sensi (2018) ha vinto diversi premi, come Il guardiano della collina dei ciliegi (2019) e L'inventario delle nuvole (2023), con il quale, tra gli altri, ha vinto il Premio della Montagna Cortina d'Ampezzo 2023, il Gambrinus Mazzotti 2023, il Premio Selezione Bancarella 2024 e il Premio Asti d'Appello 2024. Un successo riscosso anche all'estero, grazie alle numerose traduzioni.IL POSTO DELLE PAROLEascoltare fa pensarewww.ilpostodelleparole.itDiventa un supporter di questo podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/il-posto-delle-parole--1487855/support.

In this episode, Dan and Steve Fouts are joined by Mitchell Conway to explore a quote from Henry David Thoreau: “It's not a man's duty as a matter of course, to devote himself to the eradication of any, even the most enormous wrong, but it is his duty at least to wash his hands of it.” Mitchell shares his diverse experiences in education, emphasizing the importance of philosophy in teaching across various age groups. The discussion explores the role of age in philosophical discourse, the transformative potential of education, and the significance of the Teach Different Method. Together they unpack Thoreau's views on civil disobedience, reflecting on the ethical responsibilities individuals hold in the face of injustice.   Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:10 - Mitch's Background in Philosophy and Education 02:14 - The Role of Philosophy in Education 04:55 - Philosophy for All Ages 07:19 - The Misconception of Youth and Philosophy 10:24 - The Importance of Open-Mindedness 13:18 - The Teach Different Method Explained 16:22 - Thoreau's Quote on Civil Disobedience 18:54 - Interpreting Thoreau's Message 22:02 - Real-World Applications of Thoreau's Ideas 24:45 - The Duty to Act Against Injustice 27:49 - The Complexity of Ethical Obligations 30:57 - Conclusion and Reflections on Responsibility 41:12 - Thoreau's Moral Duty and Civil Disobedience 43:42 - The Complexity of Ethical Obligations 44:43 - Criteria for Opposing Injustice 46:17 - Exploring Civil Disobedience 48:57 - Philosophy Walk on Civil Disobedience 49:44 - The Role of Education in Philosophy 51:07 - Teach Different Outro  Image Source: National Portrait Gallery, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons   

“In tyranny, you may not have a whole lot of political freedom, but you can still live a pretty free life under tyranny,” says Roger Berkowitz in this week's episode of The World in Time. “In your private world, you can live under a dictator and still read what books you want and talk to people as long as you don't act out in the public sphere. Totalitarianism is quite different. It tries to get inside your head, and make you, and make everyone, believe. And it has secret police, and snitches, and surveillance. And it tries to fully organize society. It's the most organized and successful attack on freedom that one can imagine. And so for Arendt, you can't just be an individual and sit in jail and be free if you're going to protect yourselves from the dangers of totalitarianism and the end of constitutional, free government, which is what she's worried about. You need to act politically, and you need to act politically with a certain amount of power.” This week on the podcast, Donovan Hohn sits down for a conversation with Roger Berkowitz, writer, scholar, and academic director of the Hannah Arendt Center for Politics and Humanities at Bard College. They discuss the life and work of Hannah Arendt and two essays that share a name, “Civil Disobedience”—one by Arendt, the other by Thoreau, both recently collected in a volume that Berkowitz edited and introduced. Their conversation touches broadly on the works of the two writers, on their differences and disagreements, on the political tumults that inspired their famous essays, and on the lessons to be learned from them in the present day.

Over the past several months, Thoreau College has marked several milestones in our growth and development. As of this year, we are now able to offer transferable college credits for our summer and gap semester programs through a new partnership with Prescott College. And this summer we will be welcoming several students from Oberlin College and Stanford University to Wisconsin as interns and participants in our July Driftless Field School program through exciting new partnerships with those schools. Find out more about Thoreau College and apply to the Metamorphosis Gap Semester on our website www.thoreaucollege.orgOn this episode of the podcast we meet two people who have had a big impact on the growth and development of Thoreau College while exploring our unique Scholar-in-Residence program which enables scholars (or artists) to participate in Thoreau College as teachers and mentors for up to a year at a time while working on major research and/or creative projects of their own.Benjamin Bernard-Herman was the 2023-2024 Thoreau College Scholar-in-Residence and is currently serving as a Thoreau College Faculty member as one of the lead instructors of our 2025 Driftless Field School summer program. He is a PhD candidate in cultural anthropology at the University of Illinois-Chicago whose dissertation research is focused on the spiritual and ethical beliefs and ideas that inform the lives and decisions of people engaging in small scale agriculture here in the Driftless Region, including members of the Amish community and back-to-the-land movement, and practitioners of biodynamics.Julia Buskirk was the 2024-2024 Thoreau College Scholar-in-Residence, as well as a past participant in our Fellowship program in 2021. A native of Milwaukee and a graduate of UW-Madison, Julia has spent the past year teaching and mentoring Thoreau College students while conducting archival and oral history research for her forthcoming historical novel which is focused on agriculture and ecology here in the Driftless Region during the era of the Dust Bowl in the 1930s.Learn more about our Residency program here: https://thoreaucollege.org/residencies/

After months of planning and hosting their immersive Celebrating Little Women event, Jayme and Steve return with a deeply personal look at the life and legacy of Louisa May Alcott. From her childhood in a famously dysfunctional household to her reluctant creation of Little Women, this episode uncovers the remarkable journey of an author who turned hardship into timeless storytelling. Along the way, you'll hear how Alcott's real-life experiences—her difficult relationship with her father Bronson, the influence of literary giants like Emerson and Thoreau, and her fierce drive to support her family—shaped the March sisters and their world.Listeners will come away with a greater appreciation for Alcott's brilliance and bravery, and the ordinary yet extraordinary moments that give Little Women its lasting power. READ BY: Jayme SmithSOURCES: Louisa May Alcott: A Personal Biography by Susan Cheever, The Journals of Louisa May Alcott edited by Joel Myerson, Daniel Shealy, and Madeleine B. Stern, and the 1994 film Little Women directed by Gillian Armstrong.

In this special recap episode of the Wolff Peace series, host Avis Kalfsbeek reflects on seven thinkers and seven peace warriors who challenge our assumptions about political loyalty. From Socrates to Thoreau, from Sophie Scholl to Desmond Tutu, we explore the personal, political, and moral tensions of obedience in a world that often demands conformity. In this episode: A guided overview of Wolff's “Limits of Political Authority” section Peace Pairings who refused to obey unjust power Thought-provoking questions for your inner world Visit aviskalfsbeek.com to learn more about the podcast and books. Music: “Dalai Llama Rides a Bike” by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez Bandcamp | Spotify Try my voice clone “Amaya Calm” on Eleven Labs for your audio book or other creative project: https://try.elevenlabs.io/peace Robert Paul Wolff's Political Man and Social Man: Amazon link

In this Shortcast edition, John Jantsch, author of The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur, draws wisdom from great American writers like Henry David Thoreau, Mark Twain, and William Wells Brown to explore three essential traits for thriving in life and business: perseverance, perspective, and resilience. Rather than chasing productivity hacks, John invites us to dig deeper—into reflection, discomfort, and slow growth.In this Shortcast, we explore:Perseverance Through Practice: Inspired by Thoreau, John explains why repeated effort—like walking a mountain trail—is not wasted energy but the very process that builds mastery and meaning.The Danger of Indestructible Contentment: Borrowing from Twain, John challenges the idea of being too comfortable, encouraging us to embrace discomfort as a path to perspective and growth.Redefining Resilience: With a reading from William Wells Brown, John reframes procrastination not as laziness, but as strategic patience born of experience—knowing when to act, and when to wait.Growth Beyond Hustle: John reminds us that true self-reliance isn't about grinding harder—it's about trusting yourself, honoring the process, and staying open to what life is teaching you through repetition and challenge.This episode is a refreshing reset—a deeper look at what it really takes to keep going, stay grounded, and lead with presence.Find more ⁠Shortcasts like this one on Blinkist here⁠. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Two centuries. Two refusals. One call to conscience. In this episode of Wolff Peace, host Avis Kalfsbeek reflects on the power of peaceful disobedience—from Thoreau's refusal to fund slavery and war, to Greta Thunberg's school strike for the climate. When systems harm the vulnerable, is breaking the law the most peaceful choice? In this episode: Thoreau's legacy of moral refusal Greta's unapologetic activism for the planet Two reflection questions for your everyday courage Visit aviskalfsbeek.com to learn more about the podcast, books, and upcoming episodes in the Wolff Peace series. Music: “Dalai Llama Rides a Bike” by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW Try my voice clone “Amaya Calm” on Eleven Labs for your audio book or other creative project: https://try.elevenlabs.io/peace Robert Paul Wolff's Political Man and Social Man: Amazon link

This one is a Thoreau-back! After a brief hiatus the boys are back in town following sojourns in Greece (Jeff) and South Africa (Dave). It's also time for our annual “4th of July”(ish) episode—so we return to Carl Richard's masterpiece, The Golden Age of Classics in America. This time the guys take a look at the era of Romanticism and the place the Classics held amongst America's romantics and transcendentalists. Here we see a shift away from the empiricism of Aristotle toward the inner “mysticism” of Plato and a view that the ancients should not be models to be slavishly copied, but rather taken as representative of a spirit or nature to imitate, or by which to be inspired. So get down to the lake, get in that cabin, light that lantern and get your contemplation on.

# 167 - What drives someone to abandon their shoes and run barefoot through mountains, forests, and even snow? In this captivating conversation, Ken Posner reveals the unexpected journey that turned him from a corporate professional with chronic running injuries into a barefoot endurance athlete who's completed thousands of miles without shoes.Ken's transformation began pragmatically – seeking relief from injury and following the principles in Christopher McDougall's "Born to Run." But what started as injury prevention blossomed into a life philosophy. Far from merely a physical adjustment, going barefoot created what Ken calls "the original human mindfulness." When your feet are unprotected, large portions of your brain that normally process worry must instead focus on safely navigating terrain, creating a natural state of presence that's increasingly rare in our hyper-connected world.The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Ken shares his remarkable accomplishment of completing "the grid" – climbing all 35 Catskill peaks every month for a year, totaling 420 ascents. This monumental challenge emerged during a period when his corporate career had plateaued, giving him purpose when he most needed it. Through blizzards, ice, and challenging terrain, Ken discovered that moving slowly through nature was mentally harder than the all-out effort he was accustomed to – a profound lesson for our hurried lives.Drawing inspiration from American transcendentalists like Thoreau and Emerson, Ken articulates how these physical challenges become spiritual pilgrimages that strip away modern preoccupations and reveal our authentic connection to nature. His current goal of climbing 1,000 mountains barefoot (he's at 521) serves as a structured way to "take himself offline" from conventional life and work on his character.Whether you're a committed athlete or someone simply curious about reconnecting with natural movement, Ken's insights will change how you think about the ground beneath your feet. Perhaps the wisdom we seek is already there – if only we're brave enough to feel it.To learn more about Ken and his book, Chasing the Grid, check out his website www.barefootken.com and give him a follow on Instagram @long_brown_path.Want to be a guest on Journey with Jake? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake Visit LandPirate.com to get your gear that has you, the adventurer, in mind. Use the code "Journey with Jake" to get an additional 15% off at check out. Visit geneticinsights.co and use the code "DISCOVER25" to enjoy a sweet 25% off your first purchase.

When it comes to powerful American Philosophers, there's no one like the great Transcendentalists Emerson & Thoreau. In this very special 40th show, join Norb and Al as we look at the lives of these giants and how we can apply their wisdom and insight about the human condition to our daily lives. The Magic of Positive Thinking is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios; follow today for exciting new episodes!

Jen Tota McGivney joins me on the High Road to talk about Henry David Thoreaus writing at Walden Pond. Finding Walden combines classic lit with happiness studies, exploring how experts, psychologists, career coaches and doctors support Thoreaus ideas as guide post for today. Jen is a writer in Charlotte North Carolina with a degree in English with a soft spot for the transcendentalists. Jen shares Thoreaus idea of simplicity and makes us think about what is really important in our own life and how are we spending our time? Great Read! Pick up Nancy's Books A Guide toAngel Communication and Spiritual Laws Nancy's new book is available at your favorite book site or order now https://shorturl.at/DrVZq Wake Up! The University is Speaking to You By Nancy Yearout. Learn how the Energy flows. https://shorturl.at/PqOD4 Visit Nancy's Website to listen to the Podcast or book your Psychic Reading or Energy Healing https://www.nancyyearout.com 

Dans "La Désobéissance civile", H.D Thoreau pose une question radicale, toujours d'actualité : où s'arrête le devoir collectif et où commence la responsabilité individuelle ? Pour y répondre, il va remettre en cause la légitimité du fameux "contrat social" théorisé par de nombreux philosophes. Et nous amener au cœur d'une interrogation grave : respecte-t-on la Loi par amour de la justice ou bien par amour de l'ordre ?➔ Regardez la version vidéo de cet épisode : https://youtu.be/RjzX29-e-bg➔ Rejoignez-moi sur Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/ParoledephilosopheMembre du Label Tout Savoir. Régies publicitaires : PodK et Ketil Media._____________Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

In this contemplative morning episode, I take you along on a wisdom walk through the Southam Woods—my own modern-day Walden. After a night spent sleeping under the stars, I revisit the teachings of Henry David Thoreau and reflect on what it means to live simply, wake up to the present, and find the extraordinary in the everyday. 

Francesca Sangalli"A Londra non serve l'ombrello"Giunti Editorewww.giunti.itUn racconto ricco di humour e momenti tragicomici sul coraggio di cercare il proprio posto nel mondo e sulla gioia di riscoprire se stessi. Quando arrivano i temuti quaranta, la protagonista si sente persa da tempo, intrappolata in una routine monotona e frustrante: la difficoltà a conciliare il lavoro da scrittrice freelance e il ruolo di mamma, le mille preoccupazioni di ogni giorno, l'angoscia di invecchiare, la ripetitività delle sue giornate. Ma tutto cambia nel momento in cui il destino le mette davanti una possibilità: perché non lasciarsi alle spalle ogni cosa per alcuni mesi e trasferirsi a Londra? Vero, non sarà la capanna nei boschi di Thoreau o un ritiro spirituale in India, ma quando devi organizzare una fuga con marito, figlio e gatta anche un'avventura in una giungla urbana può andare bene. Tra incomprensioni linguistico-culturali, infestazioni di tarme londinesi nella casa scalcagnata a quasi Notting Hill e la morte della regina Elisabetta, l'adattamento nella metropoli non è dei più semplici. Ma le cose cambieranno nel corso dei mesi. Che sia Londra, con la sua varietà infinita di luoghi, persone e avventure, a ridare alla protagonista la spinta per ritrovare se stessa e per scoprire che non t'importa più di aprire l'ombrello quando piove? Con uno stile dal ritmo rapido e coinvolgente, simile a una brillante commedia teatrale, e uno sguardo arguto, ricco di humour e ironia, Francesca Sangalli dipinge il ritratto di una donna alla ricerca del suo posto nel mondo.Francesca Sangalli, nata a Milano nel 1980, è autrice di diversi spettacoli teatrali premiati dalla critica, tra cui l'adattamento di “Le otto montagne” di Paolo Cognetti. Ha scritto testi comici per Alessandra Faiella, Loris Fabiani, Lucia Vasini, Maurizio Crozza. Insegna scrittura creativa, è sceneggiatrice e consulente editoriale.IL POSTO DELLE PAROLEascoltare fa pensarewww.ilpostodelleparole.itDiventa un supporter di questo podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/il-posto-delle-parole--1487855/support.

Jack and Ocean continue their deep conversation, exploring how to create positive change in the world without losing our spiritual center and loving essence. Today's podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/heartwisdom and get on your way to being your best self.“Neither meditation nor activism has to be a grim duty. These are invitations to open the heart and be present for everything. In activism you stand up because you care and you love, and then you bring your best to it.” – Jack KornfieldIn this episode, Jack and Ocean mindfully explore:Activism and creating positive change in the worldHow to save the world without losing yourselfActing beautifully without attachment to the fruitsHow not not to let the immense suffering of the world get to usWes Nisker, Gary Snyder, and saving the world because you love itActing in this world with peace, love, courage, and nobilityHonoring our emotions, grief, and fears, but not letting them control usBecoming what you want the world to beHis Holiness the Dalai Lama and meeting our lives with honesty and joyFighting for freedom and justice, but having fun doing itMaking activism fun, joyful, and beautifulEmphasizing the positives acts in the worldLife changing wisdom from the BuddhaHolding it all in the great heart of compassionAdding your voice, love, energy, and compassionIf your grief is big, hold it from something biggerThis episode was originally recorded for the Food Revolution Network in November of 2024. Discover Your Buddha Nature with Jack Kornfield, an online journey for reclaiming our dignity, compassion, and generosity, beginning June 2.“It says in the Bhagavad Gita, the essence is to act beautifully without attachment to the fruits of the actions. What it means is, you don't get to determine how it turns out, but you do get to plant your seeds of goodness. And as Thoreau says, ‘Convince me you have a seed there, and I'm prepared to expect miracles.' You get to plant the seeds, and eventually, in their own time, they bear fruit. That's not your job. Your job is to make a beautiful garden, to plant beautiful things, and to tend them.” – Jack KornfieldAbout Ocean Robbins:Ocean Robbins is an American entrepreneur and author, best known for his role as the co-founder of Food Revolution Network, Inc. This California-based company is dedicated to advocating for a whole foods, plant-based diet. Check out Ocean's book, 31-Day Food Revolution, to learn more about healing the body and transforming the world. You can keep up with Ocean on his website, HERE.About Jack Kornfield:Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India, and Burma, studying as a monk under the Buddhist master Ven. Ajahn Chah, as well as the Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974 and is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. Jack co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, with fellow meditation teachers Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein and the Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre, California. His books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies.Jack is currently offering a wonderful array of transformational online courses diving into crucial topics like Mindfulness Meditation Fundamentals, Walking the Eightfold Path, Opening the Heart of Forgiveness, Living Beautifully, Transforming Your Life Through Powerful Stories, and so much more. Sign up for an All Access Pass to explore Jack's entire course library. If you would like a year's worth of online meetups with Jack and fellow community members, join The Year of Awakening: A Monthly Journey with Jack Kornfield.Stay up to date with Jack and his stream of fresh dharma offerings by visiting JackKornfield.com and signing up for his email teachings.“If we don't look, if we don't acknowledge the children who are hungry, if we don't acknowledge not just Ukraine and Gaza, but Sudan, and the Congo, and Myanmar, and the Rohingas—if we turn our gaze away in denial, we can't make a difference. Our heart has to be big enough and our dignity strong enough that we're willing to see it. And then some of us are called to do that work in the way that we can.” – Jack KornfieldSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When was the last time you truly stopped?Not just paused for a breath—but dropped everything, tuned into your body, and asked: How am I really feeling right now?In this episode, you'll explore why stopping feels so hard, what resistance looks like in the moment, and how your mind fights to keep you in old patterns. Drawing wisdom from Walden by Thoreau, Donny reminds us that what we truly need is far less than we think—and joy lives on the other side of simplicity.This is your invitation to remember what matters, and to begin designing a life rooted in presence, clarity, and peace.Ask yourself: How do I really feel when I wake up each day? What small act could bring me joy today? And what would change if I just allowed myself to stop?To subscribe, comment or ask a question, visit www.donnyraus.com.

Kirsten Dirksen, An Unexpected Career as a YouTube Home & Lifestyle Content Creator Show Notes: Kirsten Dirksen majored in economics and math, but found creative writing to be her passion. She decided to become a magazine writer and interned at the NBC affiliate in San Francisco, where she worked for free for about nine months. Working at NBC and Moving a Women's Network After her internship, she went to work with the NBC elite, which was the old chronicle enterprise. Kirsten became the music person, interviewing bands and creating unique stories for interviews. She eventually moved to New York City to work for Oxygen, a women's network. She then worked freelance in New York City and for other networks, including MTV, where she did music-themed stories. She worked freelance for a while, and the Sundance Channel took her to Spain to do an interview with Javier Bardem. She later met her husband in Barcelona. Reality T.V. and Early YouTube Videos Throughout her career, Kirsten has been passionate about storytelling and experimenting with different topics. She started working with an old Oxygen producer in Spain to film weddings for a reality show called The Knot. They traveled to various locations, and Kirsten edited the shows which took around five weeks to complete. However, when her husband started a website about environmental sustainability, together they made videos and put them on YouTube. The first viral video was about a  micro apartment in New York. The video was picked up and shared on La Republica's homepage. This led to the story being picked up by Good Morning, America. We the Tiny House People and 20 Million Views After videos going viral in 2009, Kirsten and her husband continued posting YouTube videos. Since then she has done about five or six documentaries, with one being a taste-style documentary about the tiny house movement. The other two are family-based, chronicling the tiny house movement and the summer of family love. She has also done documentaries on homelessness, focusing on the experiences of homeless people in California. Kirsten's videos have gained popularity, with her first one being called We the Tiny House People, chronicling the tiny house movement. The second one, Our Summer of Family Love,  was a road trip across the Pacific Northwest and West for the summer. Her other documentaries have focused on homelessness, focusing on solutions and solutions for those living in small homes. Her videos have gained attention and have been viewed over 20 million times on YouTube. She has also been a guest on the show The Tiny House People,  where she shares her experiences with tiny house movements and the challenges faced by homeless people. From Documentarian to Author Kirsten  began in a formal documentary unit in San Francisco and has since focused on documentaries and tours of tiny homes. Her book, Life-Changing Homes, is titled after these homes, which she believes sum up the stories they tell. The books are categorized into 10 chapters, each with a theme that focuses on simplicity, slowness, impermanence, elevation, restoration, underground survival, resurrection, and future. The book covers a variety of houses, from simple to large, and features thought-provoking chapter headings that cover two or three different houses that fit that theme. Each chapter covers about two or three different houses that fit that theme, and Kirsten interviews the owner. The focus is not on a specific category or type of house, but rather on the story itself. Kirsten's work has been praised for its stunning photos and focus on eco-friendly designs, making it an attractive resource for those interested in living in tiny homes. The book is expected to be a valuable resource for those interested in exploring these unique and sustainable living options. The People Who Live in Non-Traditional Dwellings Kirsten discusses the experiences of interviewing people in non-traditional dwellings, such as those in Ontario and California. She highlights the importance of considering what one truly needs out of a home and what skills they have. Some examples include a widow who built a dome home in Ontario, where she had a refrigerator that pops up like a gadget in Willy Wonka's factory. Another example is a chiropractor who bought land near the border of Oregon and started building a tree house and an earth ship along the way. He has a community of people living there. She also mentions the chief architect for Apple who has a small, open home in Sonoma County. He lived on the land first, but then went camping to find the best place to live. He bought two prefabs and kept everything small, with only the bathroom having a bit of a door. His wife and kids enjoyed the openness and connection to the surroundings. Kirsten emphasizes that it's not just about affordability, but also about making the most sense of the space. Sometimes too big houses can be worse than not having the views or being in touch with the surroundings. This is why she came back to the idea of living in a small, open space. The Importance of Simplicity  The conversation turns to Thoreau and his way of thinking about time in nature, simplicity, and well-being. Kirsten discusses the importance of simplicity in her life and how it can impact her content creation. She also mentions a couple who live in the woods called the innermost house, which they call a place to reflect and experiment in simplicity. She talks about the connection between simplicity and high thinking, as seen in a woman who lived in a tiny house in her backyard in Santa Rosa, California back at a time when it was rebellious to live in a tiny, mobile home. Kirsten mentions how the woman found too many possessions cluttered her mind.  Viral Videos and Duds Kirsten shares her experiences with videos that go viral and which ones are more of a dud. One example is a story with a young architect living in a 12th-century mansion in Spain. Another example is a video with Special Operations, a flying car from an off-grid home, which has had 700,000 views in a week. The title of the video is "Special Operations," which is about a special operations vet who lives on land at the top of a mountain and works as a rescue mission and firefighters. Kirsten shares her experience of becoming a content creator and how it has changed her outlook on life and making a living. It wasn't something she planned; however, it has given her a lot of freedom and afforded her an income that allows her to make a living. Plain Living and High Thinking The conversation turns to the process of making a video, including filming, editing, and producing the perfect thumbnail. Kirsten and her husband usually spend two to three hours at a house or location.  The couple also film themselves during their stay, going on runs and shooting in the morning. Kirsten shares stories from many of the productions and the diverse and interesting people she has met along the way. She talks about what motivates and inspires these people to think and live differently. Influential Harvard Professors and Courses Kirsten discusses her experience with Verlyn Klinkenborg whose direction inspired her work back then and today.  Timestamps: 02:22 Internship at NBC and Early Career in Television  06:26: Transition to Freelancing and YouTube  11:03: Growth of YouTube Channel and Documentary Work  11:14: Discovering Unique Homes and Themes for Documentaries  11:36: Impact of Unique Living Spaces on Individuals  30:59: Challenges and Surprises in Content Creation  42:58: Balancing Work and Personal Life  43:09: Influence of Harvard Professors and Writing  Links: Book: https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/life-changing-homes_9781419771897/ Press page: https://faircompanies.com/media-kit/ Channel https://youtube.com/kirstendirksen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirsten.dirksen/ YouTube: Summer of (Family) Love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Iti4JU5ObU We the Tiny House People https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDcVrVA4bSQ Trapped in paradise: how we got the homeless situation (part 1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5XIljwl5hI     Featured Non-profit: The featured non-profit of this episode of The 92 Report is recommended by Eleanor Stafford who reports: “Hi. I'm Eleanor Stafford, class of 1992. The featured nonprofit of this episode of The 92 report is Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts. LVM is a statewide organization that trains volunteers to provide free, confidential and individualized tutoring to adults in basic literacy and or ESL. I have been the lead basic literacy volunteer trainer for about 20 years now, and have managed the Boston affiliate for the past two years. You can learn more about LVM's work at lvm.org and now here is Will Bachmann for this week's episode.” To learn more about their work, visit: www.lvm.org.

Yesterday, the self-styled San Francisco “progressive” Joan Williams was on the show arguing that Democrats need to relearn the language of the American working class. But, as some of you have noted, Williams seems oblivious to the fact that politics is about more than simply aping other people's language. What you say matters, and the language of American working class, like all industrial working classes, is rooted in a critique of capitalism. She should probably read the New Yorker staff writer John Cassidy's excellent new book, Capitalism and its Critics, which traces capitalism's evolution and criticism from the East India Company through modern times. He defines capitalism as production for profit by privately-owned companies in markets, encompassing various forms from Chinese state capitalism to hyper-globalization. The book examines capitalism's most articulate critics including the Luddites, Marx, Engels, Thomas Carlisle, Adam Smith, Rosa Luxemburg, Keynes & Hayek, and contemporary figures like Sylvia Federici and Thomas Piketty. Cassidy explores how major economists were often critics of their era's dominant capitalist model, and untangles capitalism's complicated relationship with colonialism, slavery and AI which he regards as a potentially unprecedented economic disruption. This should be essential listening for all Democrats seeking to reinvent a post Biden-Harris party and message. 5 key takeaways* Capitalism has many forms - From Chinese state capitalism to Keynesian managed capitalism to hyper-globalization, all fitting the basic definition of production for profit by privately-owned companies in markets.* Great economists are typically critics - Smith criticized mercantile capitalism, Keynes critiqued laissez-faire capitalism, and Hayek/Friedman opposed managed capitalism. Each generation's leading economists challenge their era's dominant model.* Modern corporate structure has deep roots - The East India Company was essentially a modern multinational corporation with headquarters, board of directors, stockholders, and even a private army - showing capitalism's organizational continuity across centuries.* Capitalism is intertwined with colonialism and slavery - Industrial capitalism was built on pre-existing colonial and slave systems, particularly through the cotton industry and plantation economies.* AI represents a potentially unprecedented disruption - Unlike previous technological waves, AI may substitute rather than complement human labor on a massive scale, potentially creating political backlash exceeding even the "China shock" that contributed to Trump's rise.Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Full TranscriptAndrew Keen: Hello, everybody. A couple of days ago, we did a show with Joan Williams. She has a new book out, "Outclassed: How the Left Lost the Working Class and How to Win Them Back." A book about language, about how to talk to the American working class. She also had a piece in Jacobin Magazine, an anti-capitalist magazine, about how the left needs to speak to what she calls average American values. We talked, of course, about Bernie Sanders and AOC and their language of fighting oligarchy, and the New York Times followed that up with "The Enduring Power of Anti-Capitalism in American Politics."But of course, that brings the question: what exactly is capitalism? I did a little bit of research. We can find definitions of capitalism from AI, from Wikipedia, even from online dictionaries, but I thought we might do a little better than relying on Wikipedia and come to a man who's given capitalism and its critics a great deal of thought. John Cassidy is well known as a staff writer at The New Yorker. He's the author of a wonderful book, the best book, actually, on the dot-com insanity. And his new book, "Capitalism and its Critics," is out this week. John, congratulations on the book.So I've got to be a bit of a schoolmaster with you, John, and get some definitions first. What exactly is capitalism before we get to criticism of it?John Cassidy: Yeah, I mean, it's a very good question, Andrew. Obviously, through the decades, even the centuries, there have been many different definitions of the term capitalism and there are different types of capitalism. To not be sort of too ideological about it, the working definition I use is basically production for profit—that could be production of goods or mostly in the new and, you know, in today's economy, production of services—for profit by companies which are privately owned in markets. That's a very sort of all-encompassing definition.Within that, you can have all sorts of different types of capitalism. You can have Chinese state capitalism, you can have the old mercantilism, which industrial capitalism came after, which Trump seems to be trying to resurrect. You can have Keynesian managed capitalism that we had for 30 or 40 years after the Second World War, which I grew up in in the UK. Or you can have sort of hyper-globalization, hyper-capitalism that we've tried for the last 30 years. There are all those different varieties of capitalism consistent with a basic definition, I think.Andrew Keen: That keeps you busy, John. I know you started this project, which is a big book and it's a wonderful book. I read it. I don't always read all the books I have on the show, but I read from cover to cover full of remarkable stories of the critics of capitalism. You note in the beginning that you began this in 2016 with the beginnings of Trump. What was it about the 2016 election that triggered a book about capitalism and its critics?John Cassidy: Well, I was reporting on it at the time for The New Yorker and it struck me—I covered, I basically covered the economy in various forms for various publications since the late 80s, early 90s. In fact, one of my first big stories was the stock market crash of '87. So yes, I am that old. But it seemed to me in 2016 when you had Bernie Sanders running from the left and Trump running from the right, but both in some way offering very sort of similar critiques of capitalism. People forget that Trump in 2016 actually was running from the left of the Republican Party. He was attacking big business. He was attacking Wall Street. He doesn't do that these days very much, but at the time he was very much posing as the sort of outsider here to protect the interests of the average working man.And it seemed to me that when you had this sort of pincer movement against the then ruling model, this wasn't just a one-off. It seemed to me it was a sort of an emerging crisis of legitimacy for the system. And I thought there could be a good book written about how we got to here. And originally I thought it would be a relatively short book just based on the last sort of 20 or 30 years since the collapse of the Cold War and the sort of triumphalism of the early 90s.But as I got into it more and more, I realized that so many of the issues which had been raised, things like globalization, rising inequality, monopoly power, exploitation, even pollution and climate change, these issues go back to the very start of the capitalist system or the industrial capitalist system back in sort of late 18th century, early 19th century Britain. So I thought, in the end, I thought, you know what, let's just do the whole thing soup to nuts through the eyes of the critics.There have obviously been many, many histories of capitalism written. I thought that an original way to do it, or hopefully original, would be to do a sort of a narrative through the lives and the critiques of the critics of various stages. So that's, I hope, what sets it apart from other books on the subject, and also provides a sort of narrative frame because, you know, I am a New Yorker writer, I realize if you want people to read things, you've got to make it readable. Easiest way to make things readable is to center them around people. People love reading about other people. So that's sort of the narrative frame. I start off with a whistleblower from the East India Company back in the—Andrew Keen: Yeah, I want to come to that. But before, John, my sense is that to simplify what you're saying, this is a labor of love. You're originally from Leeds, the heart of Yorkshire, the center of the very industrial revolution, the first industrial revolution where, in your historical analysis, capitalism was born. Is it a labor of love? What's your family relationship with capitalism? How long was the family in Leeds?John Cassidy: Right, I mean that's a very good question. It is a labor of love in a way, but it's not—our family doesn't go—I'm from an Irish family, family of Irish immigrants who moved to England in the 1940s and 1950s. So my father actually did start working in a big mill, the Kirkstall Forge in Leeds, which is a big steel mill, and he left after seeing one of his co-workers have his arms chopped off in one of the machinery, so he decided it wasn't for him and he spent his life working in the construction industry, which was dominated by immigrants as it is here now.So I don't have a—it's not like I go back to sort of the start of the industrial revolution, but I did grow up in the middle of Leeds, very working class, very industrial neighborhood. And what a sort of irony is, I'll point out, I used to, when I was a kid, I used to play golf on a municipal golf course called Gotts Park in Leeds, which—you know, most golf courses in America are sort of in the affluent suburbs, country clubs. This was right in the middle of Armley in Leeds, which is where the Victorian jail is and a very rough neighborhood. There's a small bit of land which they built a golf course on. It turns out it was named after one of the very first industrialists, Benjamin Gott, who was a wool and textile industrialist, and who played a part in the Luddite movement, which I mention.So it turns out, I was there when I was 11 or 12, just learning how to play golf on this scrappy golf course. And here I am, 50 years later, writing about Benjamin Gott at the start of the Industrial Revolution. So yeah, no, sure. I think it speaks to me in a way that perhaps it wouldn't to somebody else from a different background.Andrew Keen: We did a show with William Dalrymple, actually, a couple of years ago. He's been on actually since, the Anglo or Scottish Indian historian. His book on the East India Company, "The Anarchy," is a classic. You begin in some ways your history of capitalism with the East India Company. What was it about the East India Company, John, that makes it different from other for-profit organizations in economic, Western economic history?John Cassidy: I mean, I read that. It's a great book, by the way. That was actually quoted in my chapter on these. Yeah, I remember. I mean, the reason I focused on it was for two reasons. Number one, I was looking for a start, a narrative start to the book. And it seemed to me, you know, the obvious place to start is with the start of the industrial revolution. If you look at economics history textbooks, that's where they always start with Arkwright and all the inventors, you know, who were the sort of techno-entrepreneurs of their time, the sort of British Silicon Valley, if you could think of it as, in Lancashire and Derbyshire in the late 18th century.So I knew I had to sort of start there in some way, but I thought that's a bit pat. Is there another way into it? And it turns out that in 1772 in England, there was a huge bailout of the East India Company, very much like the sort of 2008, 2009 bailout of Wall Street. The company got into trouble. So I thought, you know, maybe there's something there. And I eventually found this guy, William Bolts, who worked for the East India Company, turned into a whistleblower after he was fired for finagling in India like lots of the people who worked for the company did.So that gave me two things. Number one, it gave me—you know, I'm a writer, so it gave me something to focus on a narrative. His personal history is very interesting. But number two, it gave me a sort of foundation because industrial capitalism didn't come from nowhere. You know, it was built on top of a pre-existing form of capitalism, which we now call mercantile capitalism, which was very protectionist, which speaks to us now. But also it had these big monopolistic multinational companies.The East India Company, in some ways, was a very modern corporation. It had a headquarters in Leadenhall Street in the city of London. It had a board of directors, it had stockholders, the company sent out very detailed instructions to the people in the field in India and Indonesia and Malaysia who were traders who bought things from the locals there, brought them back to England on their company ships. They had a company army even to enforce—to protect their operations there. It was an incredible multinational corporation.So that was also, I think, fascinating because it showed that even in the pre-existing system, you know, big corporations existed, there were monopolies, they had royal monopolies given—first the East India Company got one from Queen Elizabeth. But in some ways, they were very similar to modern monopolistic corporations. And they had some of the problems we've seen with modern monopolistic corporations, the way they acted. And Bolts was the sort of first corporate whistleblower, I thought. Yeah, that was a way of sort of getting into the story, I think. Hopefully, you know, it's just a good read, I think.William Bolts's story because he was—he came from nowhere, he was Dutch, he wasn't even English and he joined the company as a sort of impoverished young man, went to India like a lot of English minor aristocrats did to sort of make your fortune. The way the company worked, you had to sort of work on company time and make as much money as you could for the company, but then in your spare time you're allowed to trade for yourself. So a lot of the—without getting into too much detail, but you know, English aristocracy was based on—you know, the eldest child inherits everything, so if you were the younger brother of the Duke of Norfolk, you actually didn't inherit anything. So all of these minor aristocrats, so major aristocrats, but who weren't first born, joined the East India Company, went out to India and made a fortune, and then came back and built huge houses. Lots of the great manor houses in southern England were built by people from the East India Company and they were known as Nabobs, which is an Indian term. So they were the sort of, you know, billionaires of their time, and it was based on—as I say, it wasn't based on industrial capitalism, it was based on mercantile capitalism.Andrew Keen: Yeah, the beginning of the book, which focuses on Bolts and the East India Company, brings to mind for me two things. Firstly, the intimacy of modern capitalism, modern industrial capitalism with colonialism and of course slavery—lots of books have been written on that. Touch on this and also the relationship between the birth of capitalism and the birth of liberalism or democracy. John Stuart Mill, of course, the father in many ways of Western democracy. His day job, ironically enough, or perhaps not ironically, was at the East India Company. So how do those two things connect, or is it just coincidental?John Cassidy: Well, I don't think it is entirely coincidental, I mean, J.S. Mill—his father, James Mill, was also a well-known philosopher in the sort of, obviously, in the earlier generation, earlier than him. And he actually wrote the official history of the East India Company. And I think they gave his son, the sort of brilliant protégé, J.S. Mill, a job as largely as a sort of sinecure, I think. But he did go in and work there in the offices three or four days a week.But I think it does show how sort of integral—the sort of—as you say, the inheritor and the servant in Britain, particularly, of colonial capitalism was. So the East India Company was, you know, it was in decline by that stage in the middle of the 19th century, but it didn't actually give up its monopoly. It wasn't forced to give up its monopoly on the Indian trade until 1857, after, you know, some notorious massacres and there was a sort of public outcry.So yeah, no, that's—it's very interesting that the British—it's sort of unique to Britain in a way, but it's interesting that industrial capitalism arose alongside this pre-existing capitalist structure and somebody like Mill is a sort of paradoxical figure because actually he was quite critical of aspects of industrial capitalism and supported sort of taxes on the rich, even though he's known as the great, you know, one of the great apostles of the free market and free market liberalism. And his day job, as you say, he was working for the East India Company.Andrew Keen: What about the relationship between the birth of industrial capitalism, colonialism and slavery? Those are big questions and I know you deal with them in some—John Cassidy: I think you can't just write an economic history of capitalism now just starting with the cotton industry and say, you know, it was all about—it was all about just technical progress and gadgets, etc. It was built on a sort of pre-existing system which was colonial and, you know, the slave trade was a central element of that. Now, as you say, there have been lots and lots of books written about it, the whole 1619 project got an incredible amount of attention a few years ago. So I didn't really want to rehash all that, but I did want to acknowledge the sort of role of slavery, especially in the rise of the cotton industry because of course, a lot of the raw cotton was grown in the plantations in the American South.So the way I actually ended up doing that was by writing a chapter about Eric Williams, a Trinidadian writer who ended up as the Prime Minister of Trinidad when it became independent in the 1960s. But when he was younger, he wrote a book which is now regarded as a classic. He went to Oxford to do a PhD, won a scholarship. He was very smart. I won a sort of Oxford scholarship myself but 50 years before that, he came across the Atlantic and did an undergraduate degree in history and then did a PhD there and his PhD thesis was on slavery and capitalism.And at the time, in the 1930s, the link really wasn't acknowledged. You could read any sort of standard economic history written by British historians, and they completely ignored that. He made the argument that, you know, slavery was integral to the rise of capitalism and he basically started an argument which has been raging ever since the 1930s and, you know, if you want to study economic history now you have to sort of—you know, have to have to address that. And the way I thought, even though the—it's called the Williams thesis is very famous. I don't think many people knew much about where it came from. So I thought I'd do a chapter on—Andrew Keen: Yeah, that chapter is excellent. You mentioned earlier the Luddites, you're from Yorkshire where Luddism in some ways was born. One of the early chapters is on the Luddites. We did a show with Brian Merchant, his book, "Blood in the Machine," has done very well, I'm sure you're familiar with it. I always understood the Luddites as being against industrialization, against the machine, as opposed to being against capitalism. But did those two things get muddled together in the history of the Luddites?John Cassidy: I think they did. I mean, you know, Luddites, when we grew up, I mean you're English too, you know to be called a Luddite was a term of abuse, right? You know, you were sort of antediluvian, anti-technology, you're stupid. It was only, I think, with the sort of computer revolution, the tech revolution of the last 30, 40 years and the sort of disruptions it's caused, that people have started to look back at the Luddites and say, perhaps they had a point.For them, they were basically pre-industrial capitalism artisans. They worked for profit-making concerns, small workshops. Some of them worked for themselves, so they were sort of sole proprietor capitalists. Or they worked in small venues, but the rise of industrial capitalism, factory capitalism or whatever, basically took away their livelihoods progressively. So they associated capitalism with new technology. In their minds it was the same. But their argument wasn't really a technological one or even an economic one, it was more a moral one. They basically made the moral argument that capitalists shouldn't have the right to just take away their livelihoods with no sort of recompense for them.At the time they didn't have any parliamentary representation. You know, they weren't revolutionaries. The first thing they did was create petitions to try and get parliament to step in, sort of introduce some regulation here. They got turned down repeatedly by the sort of—even though it was a very aristocratic parliament, places like Manchester and Leeds didn't have any representation at all. So it was only after that that they sort of turned violent and started, you know, smashing machines and machines, I think, were sort of symbols of the system, which they saw as morally unjust.And I think that's sort of what—obviously, there's, you know, a lot of technological disruption now, so we can, especially as it starts to come for the educated cognitive class, we can sort of sympathize with them more. But I think the sort of moral critique that there's this, you know, underneath the sort of great creativity and economic growth that capitalism produces, there is also a lot of destruction and a lot of victims. And I think that message, you know, is becoming a lot more—that's why I think why they've been rediscovered in the last five or ten years and I'm one of the people I guess contributing to that rediscovery.Andrew Keen: There's obviously many critiques of capitalism politically. I want to come to Marx in a second, but your chapter, I thought, on Thomas Carlyle and this nostalgic conservatism was very important and there are other conservatives as well. John, do you think that—and you mentioned Trump earlier, who is essentially a nostalgist for a—I don't know, some sort of bizarre pre-capitalist age in America. Is there something particularly powerful about the anti-capitalism of romantics like Carlyle, 19th century Englishman, there were many others of course.John Cassidy: Well, I think so. I mean, I think what is—conservatism, when we were young anyway, was associated with Thatcherism and Reaganism, which, you know, lionized the free market and free market capitalism and was a reaction against the pre-existing form of capitalism, Keynesian capitalism of the sort of 40s to the 80s. But I think what got lost in that era was the fact that there have always been—you've got Hayek up there, obviously—Andrew Keen: And then Keynes and Hayek, the two—John Cassidy: Right, it goes to the end of that. They had a great debate in the 1930s about these issues. But Hayek really wasn't a conservative person, and neither was Milton Friedman. They were sort of free market revolutionaries, really, that you'd let the market rip and it does good things. And I think that that sort of a view, you know, it just became very powerful. But we sort of lost sight of the fact that there was also a much older tradition of sort of suspicion of radical changes of any type. And that was what conservatism was about to some extent. If you think about Baldwin in Britain, for example.And there was a sort of—during the Industrial Revolution, some of the strongest supporters of factory acts to reduce hours and hourly wages for women and kids were actually conservatives, Tories, as they were called at the time, like Ashley. That tradition, Carlyle was a sort of extreme representative of that. I mean, Carlyle was a sort of proto-fascist, let's not romanticize him, he lionized strongmen, Frederick the Great, and he didn't really believe in democracy. But he also had—he was appalled by the sort of, you know, the—like, what's the phrase I'm looking for? The sort of destructive aspects of industrial capitalism, both on the workers, you know, he said it was a dehumanizing system, sounded like Marx in some ways. That it dehumanized the workers, but also it destroyed the environment.He was an early environmentalist. He venerated the environment, was actually very strongly linked to the transcendentalists in America, people like Thoreau, who went to visit him when he visited Britain and he saw the sort of destructive impact that capitalism was having locally in places like Manchester, which were filthy with filthy rivers, etc. So he just saw the whole system as sort of morally bankrupt and he was a great writer, Carlyle, whatever you think of him. Great user of language, so he has these great ringing phrases like, you know, the cash nexus or calling it the Gospel of Mammonism, the shabbiest gospel ever preached under the sun was industrial capitalism.So, again, you know, that's a sort of paradoxical thing, because I think for so long conservatism was associated with, you know, with support for the free market and still is in most of the Republican Party, but then along comes Trump and sort of conquers the party with a, you know, more skeptical, as you say, romantic, not really based on any reality, but a sort of romantic view that America can stand by itself in the world. I mean, I see Trump actually as a sort of an effort to sort of throw back to mercantile capitalism in a way. You know, which was not just pre-industrial, but was also pre-democracy, run by monarchs, which I'm sure appeals to him, and it was based on, you know, large—there were large tariffs. You couldn't import things in the UK. If you want to import anything to the UK, you have to send it on a British ship because of the navigation laws. It was a very protectionist system and it's actually, you know, as I said, had a lot of parallels with what Trump's trying to do or tries to do until he backs off.Andrew Keen: You cheat a little bit in the book in the sense that you—everyone has their own chapter. We'll talk a little bit about Hayek and Smith and Lenin and Friedman. You do have one chapter on Marx, but you also have a chapter on Engels. So you kind of cheat. You combine the two. Is it possible, though, to do—and you've just written this book, so you know this as well as anyone. How do you write a book about capitalism and its critics and only really give one chapter to Marx, who is so dominant? I mean, you've got lots of Marxists in the book, including Lenin and Luxemburg. How fundamental is Marx to a criticism of capitalism? Is most criticism, especially from the left, from progressives, is it really just all a footnote to Marx?John Cassidy: I wouldn't go that far, but I think obviously on the left he is the central figure. But there's an element of sort of trying to rebuild Engels a bit in this. I mean, I think of Engels and Marx—I mean obviously Marx wrote the great classic "Capital," etc. But in the 1840s, when they both started writing about capitalism, Engels was sort of ahead of Marx in some ways. I mean, the sort of materialist concept, the idea that economics rules everything, Engels actually was the first one to come up with that in an essay in the 1840s which Marx then published in one of his—in the German newspaper he worked for at the time, radical newspaper, and he acknowledged openly that that was really what got him thinking seriously about economics, and even in the late—in 20, 25 years later when he wrote "Capital," all three volumes of it and the Grundrisse, just these enormous outpourings of analysis on capitalism.He acknowledged Engels's role in that and obviously Engels wrote the first draft of the Communist Manifesto in 1848 too, which Marx then topped and tailed and—he was a better writer obviously, Marx, and he gave it the dramatic language that we all know it for. So I think Engels and Marx together obviously are the central sort of figures in the sort of left-wing critique. But they didn't start out like that. I mean, they were very obscure, you've got to remember.You know, they were—when they were writing, Marx was writing "Capital" in London, it never even got published in English for another 20 years. It was just published in German. He was basically an expat. He had been thrown out of Germany, he had been thrown out of France, so England was last resort and the British didn't consider him a threat so they were happy to let him and the rest of the German sort of left in there. I think it became—it became the sort of epochal figure after his death really, I think, when he was picked up by the left-wing parties, which are especially the SPD in Germany, which was the first sort of socialist mass party and was officially Marxist until the First World War and there were great internal debates.And then of course, because Lenin and the Russians came out of that tradition too, Marxism then became the official doctrine of the Soviet Union when they adopted a version of it. And again there were massive internal arguments about what Marx really meant, and in fact, you know, one interpretation of the last 150 years of left-wing sort of intellectual development is as a sort of argument about what did Marx really mean and what are the important bits of it, what are the less essential bits of it. It's a bit like the "what did Keynes really mean" that you get in liberal circles.So yeah, Marx, obviously, this is basically an intellectual history of critiques of capitalism. In that frame, he is absolutely a central figure. Why didn't I give him more space than a chapter and a chapter and a half with Engels? There have been a million books written about Marx. I mean, it's not that—it's not that he's an unknown figure. You know, there's a best-selling book written in Britain about 20 years ago about him and then I was quoting, in my biographical research, I relied on some more recent, more scholarly biographies. So he's an endlessly fascinating figure but I didn't want him to dominate the book so I gave him basically the same space as everybody else.Andrew Keen: You've got, as I said, you've got a chapter on Adam Smith who's often considered the father of economics. You've got a chapter on Keynes. You've got a chapter on Friedman. And you've got a chapter on Hayek, all the great modern economists. Is it possible, John, to be a distinguished economist one way or the other and not be a critic of capitalism?John Cassidy: Well, I don't—I mean, I think history would suggest that the greatest economists have been critics of capitalism in their own time. People would say to me, what the hell have you got Milton Friedman and Friedrich Hayek in a book about critics of capitalism? They were great exponents, defenders of capitalism. They loved the system. That is perfectly true. But in the 1930s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s, middle of the 20th century, they were actually arch-critics of the ruling form of capitalism at the time, which was what I call managed capitalism. What some people call Keynesianism, what other people call European social democracy, whatever you call it, it was a model of a mixed economy in which the government played a large role both in propping up demand and in providing an extensive social safety net in the UK and providing public healthcare and public education. It was a sort of hybrid model.Most of the economy in terms of the businesses remained in private hands. So most production was capitalistic. It was a capitalist system. They didn't go to the Soviet model of nationalizing everything and Britain did nationalize some businesses, but most places didn't. The US of course didn't but it was a form of managed capitalism. And Hayek and Friedman were both great critics of that and wanted to sort of move back to 19th century laissez-faire model.Keynes was a—was actually a great, I view him anyway, as really a sort of late Victorian liberal and was trying to protect as much of the sort of J.S. Mill view of the world as he could, but he thought capitalism had one fatal flaw: that it tended to fall into recessions and then they can snowball and the whole system can collapse which is what had basically happened in the early 1930s until Keynesian policies were adopted. Keynes sort of differed from a lot of his followers—I have a chapter on Joan Robinson in there, who were pretty left-wing and wanted to sort of use Keynesianism as a way to shift the economy quite far to the left. Keynes didn't really believe in that. He has a famous quote that, you know, once you get to full employment, you can then rely on the free market to sort of take care of things. He was still a liberal at heart.Going back to Adam Smith, why is he in a book on criticism of capitalism? And again, it goes back to what I said at the beginning. He actually wrote "The Wealth of Nations"—he explains in the introduction—as a critique of mercantile capitalism. His argument was that he was a pro-free trader, pro-small business, free enterprise. His argument was if you get the government out of the way, we don't need these government-sponsored monopolies like the East India Company. If you just rely on the market, the sort of market forces and competition will produce a good outcome. So then he was seen as a great—you know, he is then seen as the apostle of free market capitalism. I mean when I started as a young reporter, when I used to report in Washington, all the conservatives used to wear Adam Smith badges. You don't see Donald Trump wearing an Adam Smith badge, but that was the case.He was also—the other aspect of Smith, which I highlight, which is not often remarked on—he's also a critic of big business. He has a famous section where he discusses the sort of tendency of any group of more than three businessmen when they get together to try and raise prices and conspire against consumers. And he was very suspicious of, as I say, large companies, monopolies. I think if Adam Smith existed today, I mean, I think he would be a big supporter of Lina Khan and the sort of antitrust movement, he would say capitalism is great as long as you have competition, but if you don't have competition it becomes, you know, exploitative.Andrew Keen: Yeah, if Smith came back to live today, you have a chapter on Thomas Piketty, maybe he may not be French, but he may be taking that position about how the rich benefit from the structure of investment. Piketty's core—I've never had Piketty on the show, but I've had some of his followers like Emmanuel Saez from Berkeley. Yeah. How powerful is Piketty's critique of capitalism within the context of the classical economic analysis from Hayek and Friedman? Yeah, it's a very good question.John Cassidy: It's a very good question. I mean, he's a very paradoxical figure, Piketty, in that he obviously shot to world fame and stardom with his book on capital in the 21st century, which in some ways he obviously used the capital as a way of linking himself to Marx, even though he said he never read Marx. But he was basically making the same argument that if you leave capitalism unrestrained and don't do anything about monopolies etc. or wealth, you're going to get massive inequality and he—I think his great contribution, Piketty and the school of people, one of them you mentioned, around him was we sort of had a vague idea that inequality was going up and that, you know, wages were stagnating, etc.What he and his colleagues did is they produced these sort of scientific empirical studies showing in very simple to understand terms how the sort of share of income and wealth of the top 10 percent, the top 5 percent, the top 1 percent and the top 0.1 percent basically skyrocketed from the 1970s to about 2010. And it was, you know, he was an MIT PhD. Saez, who you mentioned, is a Berkeley professor. They were schooled in neoclassical economics at Harvard and MIT and places like that. So the right couldn't dismiss them as sort of, you know, lefties or Trots or whatever who're just sort of making this stuff up. They had to acknowledge that this was actually an empirical reality.I think it did change the whole basis of the debate and it was sort of part of this reaction against capitalism in the 2010s. You know it was obviously linked to the sort of Sanders and the Occupy Wall Street movement at the time. It came out of the—you know, the financial crisis as well when Wall Street disgraced itself. I mean, I wrote a previous book on all that, but people have sort of, I think, forgotten the great reaction against that a decade ago, which I think even Trump sort of exploited, as I say, by using anti-banker rhetoric at the time.So, Piketty was a great figure, I think, from, you know, I was thinking, who are the most influential critics of capitalism in the 21st century? And I think you'd have to put him up there on the list. I'm not saying he's the only one or the most eminent one. But I think he is a central figure. Now, of course, you'd think, well, this is a really powerful critic of capitalism, and nobody's going to pick up, and Bernie's going to take off and everything. But here we are a decade later now. It seems to be what the backlash has produced is a swing to the right, not a swing to the left. So that's, again, a sort of paradox.Andrew Keen: One person I didn't expect to come up in the book, John, and I was fascinated with this chapter, is Silvia Federici. I've tried to get her on the show. We've had some books about her writing and her kind of—I don't know, you treat her critique as a feminist one. The role of women. Why did you choose to write a chapter about Federici and that feminist critique of capitalism?John Cassidy: Right, right. Well, I don't think it was just feminist. I'll explain what I think it was. Two reasons. Number one, I wanted to get more women into the book. I mean, it's in some sense, it is a history of economics and economic critiques. And they are overwhelmingly written by men and women were sort of written out of the narrative of capitalism for a very long time. So I tried to include as many sort of women as actual thinkers as I could and I have a couple of early socialist feminist thinkers, Anna Wheeler and Flora Tristan and then I cover some of the—I cover Rosa Luxemburg as the great sort of tribune of the left revolutionary socialist, communist whatever you want to call it. Anti-capitalist I think is probably also important to note about. Yeah, and then I also have Joan Robinson, but I wanted somebody to do something in the modern era, and I thought Federici, in the world of the Wages for Housework movement, is very interesting from two perspectives.Number one, Federici herself is a Marxist, and I think she probably would still consider herself a revolutionary. She's based in New York, as you know now. She lived in New York for 50 years, but she came from—she's originally Italian and came out of the Italian left in the 1960s, which was very radical. Do you know her? Did you talk to her? I didn't talk to her on this. No, she—I basically relied on, there has been a lot of, as you say, there's been a lot of stuff written about her over the years. She's written, you know, she's given various long interviews and she's written a book herself, a version, a history of housework, so I figured it was all there and it was just a matter of pulling it together.But I think the critique, why the critique is interesting, most of the book is a sort of critique of how capitalism works, you know, in the production or you know, in factories or in offices or you know, wherever capitalist operations are working, but her critique is sort of domestic reproduction, as she calls it, the role of unpaid labor in supporting capitalism. I mean it goes back a long way actually. There was this moment, I sort of trace it back to the 1940s and 1950s when there were feminists in America who were demonstrating outside factories and making the point that you know, the factory workers and the operations of the factory, it couldn't—there's one of the famous sort of tire factory in California demonstrations where the women made the argument, look this factory can't continue to operate unless we feed and clothe the workers and provide the next generation of workers. You know, that's domestic reproduction. So their argument was that housework should be paid and Federici took that idea and a couple of her colleagues, she founded the—it's a global movement, but she founded the most famous branch in New York City in the 1970s. In Park Slope near where I live actually.And they were—you call it feminists, they were feminists in a way, but they were rejected by the sort of mainstream feminist movement, the sort of Gloria Steinems of the world, who Federici was very critical of because she said they ignored, they really just wanted to get women ahead in the sort of capitalist economy and they ignored the sort of underlying from her perspective, the underlying sort of illegitimacy and exploitation of that system. So they were never accepted as part of the feminist movement. They're to the left of the Feminist Movement.Andrew Keen: You mentioned Keynes, of course, so central in all this, particularly his analysis of the role of automation in capitalism. We did a show recently with Robert Skidelsky and I'm sure you're familiar—John Cassidy: Yeah, yeah, great, great biography of Keynes.Andrew Keen: Yeah, the great biographer of Keynes, whose latest book is "Mindless: The Human Condition in the Age of AI." You yourself wrote a brilliant book on the last tech mania and dot-com capitalism. I used it in a lot of my writing and books. What's your analysis of AI in this latest mania and the role generally of manias in the history of capitalism and indeed in critiquing capitalism? Is AI just the next chapter of the dot-com boom?John Cassidy: I think it's a very deep question. I think I'd give two answers to it. In one sense it is just the latest mania the way—I mean, the way capitalism works is we have these, I go back to Kondratiev, one of my Russian economists who ended up being killed by Stalin. He was the sort of inventor of the long wave theory of capitalism. We have these short waves where you have sort of booms and busts driven by finance and debt etc. But we also have long waves driven by technology.And obviously, in the last 40, 50 years, the two big ones are the original deployment of the internet and microchip technology in the sort of 80s and 90s culminating in the dot-com boom of the late 90s, which as you say, I wrote about. Thanks very much for your kind comments on the book. If you just sort of compare it from a financial basis I think they are very similar just in terms of the sort of role of hype from Wall Street in hyping up these companies. The sort of FOMO aspect of it among investors that they you know, you can't miss out. So just buy the companies blindly. And the sort of lionization in the press and the media of, you know, of AI as the sort of great wave of the future.So if you take a sort of skeptical market based approach, I would say, yeah, this is just another sort of another mania which will eventually burst and it looked like it had burst for a few weeks when Trump put the tariffs up, now the market seemed to be recovering. But I think there is, there may be something new about it. I am not, I don't pretend to be a technical expert. I try to rely on the evidence of or the testimony of people who know the systems well and also economists who have studied it. It seems to me the closer you get to it the more alarming it is in terms of the potential shock value that there is there.I mean Trump and the sort of reaction to a larger extent can be traced back to the China shock where we had this global shock to American manufacturing and sort of hollowed out a lot of the industrial areas much of it, like industrial Britain was hollowed out in the 80s. If you, you know, even people like Altman and Elon Musk, they seem to think that this is going to be on a much larger scale than that and will basically, you know, get rid of the professions as they exist. Which would be a huge, huge shock. And I think a lot of the economists who studied this, who four or five years ago were relatively optimistic, people like Daron Acemoglu, David Autor—Andrew Keen: Simon Johnson, of course, who just won the Nobel Prize, and he's from England.John Cassidy: Simon, I did an event with Simon earlier this week. You know they've studied this a lot more closely than I have but I do interview them and I think five, six years ago they were sort of optimistic that you know this could just be a new steam engine or could be a microchip which would lead to sort of a lot more growth, rising productivity, rising productivity is usually associated with rising wages so sure there'd be short-term costs but ultimately it would be a good thing. Now, I think if you speak to them, they see since the, you know, obviously, the OpenAI—the original launch and now there's just this huge arms race with no government involvement at all I think they're coming to the conclusion that rather than being developed to sort of complement human labor, all these systems are just being rushed out to substitute for human labor. And it's just going, if current trends persist, it's going to be a China shock on an even bigger scale.You know what is going to, if that, if they're right, that is going to produce some huge political backlash at some point, that's inevitable. So I know—the thing when the dot-com bubble burst, it didn't really have that much long-term impact on the economy. People lost the sort of fake money they thought they'd made. And then the companies, obviously some of the companies like Amazon and you know Google were real genuine profit-making companies and if you bought them early you made a fortune. But AI does seem a sort of bigger, scarier phenomenon to me. I don't know. I mean, you're close to it. What do you think?Andrew Keen: Well, I'm waiting for a book, John, from you. I think you can combine dot-com and capitalism and its critics. We need you probably to cover it—you know more about it than me. Final question, I mean, it's a wonderful book and we haven't even scratched the surface everyone needs to get it. I enjoyed the chapter, for example, on Karl Polanyi and so much more. I mean, it's a big book. But my final question, John, is do you have any regrets about anyone you left out? The one person I would have liked to have been included was Rawls because of his sort of treatment of capitalism and luck as a kind of casino. I'm not sure whether you gave any thought to Rawls, but is there someone in retrospect you should have had a chapter on that you left out?John Cassidy: There are lots of people I left out. I mean, that's the problem. I mean there have been hundreds and hundreds of critics of capitalism. Rawls, of course, incredibly influential and his idea of the sort of, you know, the veil of ignorance that you should judge things not knowing where you are in the income distribution and then—Andrew Keen: And it's luck. I mean the idea of some people get lucky and some people don't.John Cassidy: It is the luck of the draw, obviously, what card you pull. I think that is a very powerful critique, but I just—because I am more of an expert on economics, I tended to leave out philosophers and sociologists. I mean, you know, you could say, where's Max Weber? Where are the anarchists? You know, where's Emma Goldman? Where's John Kenneth Galbraith, the sort of great mid-century critic of American industrial capitalism? There's so many people that you could include. I mean, I could have written 10 volumes. In fact, I refer in the book to, you know, there's always been a problem. G.D.H. Cole, a famous English historian, wrote a history of socialism back in the 1960s and 70s. You know, just getting to 1850 took him six volumes. So, you've got to pick and choose, and I don't claim this is the history of capitalism and its critics. That would be a ridiculous claim to make. I just claim it's a history written by me, and hopefully the people are interested in it, and they're sufficiently diverse that you can address all the big questions.Andrew Keen: Well it's certainly incredibly timely. Capitalism and its critics—more and more of them. Sometimes they don't even describe themselves as critics of capitalism when they're talking about oligarchs or billionaires, they're really criticizing capitalism. A must read from one of America's leading journalists. And would you call yourself a critic of capitalism, John?John Cassidy: Yeah, I guess I am, to some extent, sure. I mean, I'm not a—you know, I'm not on the far left, but I'd say I'm a center-left critic of capitalism. Yes, definitely, that would be fair.Andrew Keen: And does the left need to learn? Does everyone on the left need to read the book and learn the language of anti-capitalism in a more coherent and honest way?John Cassidy: I hope so. I mean, obviously, I'd be talking my own book there, as they say, but I hope that people on the left, but not just people on the left. I really did try to sort of be fair to the sort of right-wing critiques as well. I included the Carlyle chapter particularly, obviously, but in the later chapters, I also sort of refer to this emerging critique on the right, the sort of economic nationalist critique. So hopefully, I think people on the right could read it to understand the critiques from the left, and people on the left could read it to understand some of the critiques on the right as well.Andrew Keen: Well, it's a lovely book. It's enormously erudite and simultaneously readable. Anyone who likes John Cassidy's work from The New Yorker will love it. Congratulations, John, on the new book, and I'd love to get you back on the show as anti-capitalism in America picks up steam and perhaps manifests itself in the 2028 election. Thank you so much.John Cassidy: Thanks very much for inviting me on, it was fun.Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

David S. Brown discusses his new book, “Hell of a Storm: The Battle for Kansas, the End of Compromise, and the Coming of the Civil War.” With chapters on Emerson, Stowe, Thoreau, and Fitzhugh, alongside with a cast of presidents, abolitionists, and black emigrationists, Professor Brown shows how political, cultural, and literary history foreshadow the […]

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Nov 13, 2017 Dr. Thoreau Redcrow is an American academic with a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis with a concentration in Global Conflict. Thoreau is a researcher who specializes in studying armed guerrilla movements, and who has over a decade of experience studying the life and legacy of Che Guevara. His prior investigations into Che's biography have taken him to Cuba to speak to those who knew and fought alongside Che, as well as to other arenas around the world which have been influenced by Che Guevara's armed struggle. Brett sits down with Dr. Redcrow to discuss the Argentine Marxist revolutionary; including an entire segment of the podcast dedicated to debunking many of the right-wing and anti-communist lies about him. Topics Include: Che's childhood, the political context out of which Che emerged, the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, debunking lies and slander about Che, The Bay of Pigs, Anti-Imperialism, "Guevarism", Marx, Lenin, and much, MUCH more! ---------------------------------------------------- Support Rev Left and get access to bonus episodes: www.patreon.com/revleftradio Make a one-time donation to Rev Left at BuyMeACoffee.com/revleftradio Follow, Subscribe, & Learn more about Rev Left Radio HERE Outro Beat Prod. by flip da hood

John McGowan joins the podcast again to discuss a recent republication of Hannah Arendt's essay "Civil Disobedience, which responds to Plato's Crito, Thoreau's "Resistance to Civil Government," and the leftwing mass movements of the 1960s. John and I discuss Arendt's importance as a theorist of revolution and totalitarianism, as well as the complex life of the idea of civil disobedience and its reception by Tolstoi, Gandhi, and King.

Step into the timeless world of Walden, Henry David Thoreau's iconic meditation on simplicity, nature, and self-reliance. Recorded here in its complete and unabridged form, this audiobook captures Thoreau's two-year journey living deliberately in a small cabin by Walden Pond. In this profound reflection, Thoreau critiques modern society, questions materialism, and explores how reconnecting with nature...

Our website - www.perksofbeingabooklover.com. Instagram - @perksofbeingabookloverpod Facebook - Perks of Being a Book Lover. To send us a message go to our website and click the Contact button.   You can find Ben Shattuck at his website https://www.benshattuck.com/ or on IG @Benshattuck_   This week we chat with Ben Shattuck, author of Six Walks: In the Footsteps of Henry David Thoreau published by Tin House Books in 2022.  Amy knew this book would appeal to Carrie because she is nothing if not a literary weirdo, and she has been since high school when she quoted from Thoreau in her senior yearbook. Despite her hopes that Ben would, like her, have a high school infatuation with Thoreau, he explains that his interest began much later. Even if you don't know anything about Thoreau, if you're a walker or a hiker, you have experienced the unique meditative impact of this activity and can appreciate Ben's insights on it. Ben also has a book of fiction out titled The History of Sound that is a finalist for the Pen/Faulkner prize so we are just really thrilled to have him with us today.  And this week, for our recommendations section, we didn't just pick a random topic like asparagus or comas to share books about—we actually continue with the theme of walking. We each share at least 3 books that feature walking, hiking, or being in nature in some meditative way. We have literary fiction, memoirs, essays, and even a romance.   Books mentioned-- 1- Six Walks: In the Footsteps of Henry David Thoreau by Ben Shattuck   2- The History of Sound by Ben Shattuck   3- Better Living Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World by Christian Cooper   4- A Paris Year: My Day to Day Adventures in the Most Romantic City in the World by Janice Macleod   5- Dear Paris by Janice Macleod   6- The French Ingredient: A Memoir by Jane Bertch (La Cuisine French Cooking School)   7- Teaching a Stone to Talk by Annie Dillard   8- Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard   9- The Journals of Henry David Thoreau by Henry David Thoreau    10 - Matrix by Lauren Groff   11- Year of Wonder by Geraldine Brooks   12- Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt   13- Dancing Woman by Elaine Neil Orr   14- A 5 Star Read Recommended by Fellow Book Lover Simone Praylow @fullof_lit - Twenty Years Later by Charlie Donlea   15- Summit Lake by Charlie Donlea   16- Don't Believe It by Charlie Donlea   17- In My Boots: A Memoir of 5 Million Steps Along the Appalachian Trail by Amanda K. Jaros 18- Going to Maine: All the Ways to Fall on the Appalachian Trail by Sally Chaffin Brooks 19- The Unforeseen Wilderness: Kentucky's Red River Gorge by Wendell Berry 20- Windswept: Walking the Paths of Trailblazing Women by Annabelle Abbs 21- Ulysses by James Joyce  22- The Paris Bookseller by Kerri Maher 23- The Guide to James Joyce's Ulysses by Patrick Hastings 24- The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce 25- You Are Here by David Nichols   Media mentioned-- The Residence (Netflix, 2024)  

In today's complex, fast-paced world, what can we learn from philosophers? John Kaag thinks we can learn a lot. He's created an audiobook Spring Training (for the Rest of Your Life), discussing his ideas highlighting Thoreau, Emerson and William James. He's also the co-founder of Rebind, an AI company transforming classic literature into interactive, guided experiences. Rebind pairs books with original interactive commentary from some of today's greatest thinkers who serve as expert guides,  featuring conversations, personal anecdotes, historical context, and reflections. Rebind was named to Fast Company's prestigious list of the World's Most Innovative Companies of 2025 and was a TIME Magazine "Best Invention of 2024." John Kaag joins us from Massachusetts. __________________ Bio John Kaag is a distinguished philosopher and author, widely recognized for his deep knowledge of Henry David Thoreau's classic Walden. He has authored several books, including American Philosophy: A Love Story and Hiking with Nietzsche, both of which were New York Times and NPR Best Books of the Year. In 2023, he published Henry at Work, a thorough examination of Thoreau's philosophy as it relates to post-pandemic work habits. Kaag has contributed to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Harper's Magazine, bringing timeless philosophical insights to a wider audience. ________________________ For More on John Kaag Spring Training (for the Rest of Your Life)  Rebind Try Rebind - Discount offer _________________________ Podcast Episodes You May Like Living for Pleasure – Emily Austin, PhD The Art of the Interesting – Lorraine Besser, PhD An Artful Life – John P. Weiss _________________________ About The Retirement Wisdom Podcast There are many podcasts on retirement, often hosted by financial advisors with their own financial motives, that cover the money side of the street. This podcast is different. You'll get smarter about the investment decisions you'll make about the most important asset you'll have in retirement: your time. About Retirement Wisdom I help people who are retiring, but aren't quite done yet, discover what's next and build their custom version of their next life. A meaningful retirement doesn't just happen by accident. Schedule a call today to discuss how The Designing Your Life process created by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans can help you make your life in retirement a great one – on your own terms. About Your Podcast Host  Joe Casey is an executive coach who also helps people design their next life after their primary career and create their version of The Multipurpose Retirement.™ He created his own next chapter after a twenty-six-year career at Merrill Lynch, where he was Senior Vice President and Head of HR for Global Markets & Investment Banking. Today, in addition to his work with clients, Joe hosts The Retirement Wisdom Podcast, which thanks to his guests and loyal listeners, ranks in the top 1 % globally in popularity by Listen Notes, with over 1.6 million downloads. Business Insider has recognized Joe as one of 23 innovative coaches who are making a difference. He's the author of Win the Retirement Game: How to Outsmart the 9 Forces Trying to Steal Your Joy. Connect on LinkedIn _________________________ Wise Quotes On Philosophers - and AI "I think it's interesting. I think that when it comes to the perennial questions of philosophy, like why am I here? What is the good life? Why is life worth living? These questions typically are answered in very personal settings, between friends, between family members, between, I teach at UMass Lowell, so my classes are relatively small within a classroom setting. But I think what's interesting is that when like lots of readers and lots of thinkers don't have the chance to interact with others in a sort of active way. My mother was one of these individuals. She retired when she was 68,

Since publishing his debut essay collection—Video Night in Kathmandu, featuring far-flung reportage from 10 Asian countries—in 1988, the prolific travel writer Pico Iyer has gone on to write more than a dozen books exploring themes ranging from displacement and identity to globalization and technology, as well as contribute to publications such as The New York Times, Time, and Condé Nast Traveler. Over the years, Iyer's travels have taken him to some of the world's most remote destinations—North Korea, Bhutan, and Iceland, to name a few—but it's his hundred-plus visits to a Benedictine hermitage in Big Sur, California, that form the heart of his latest book, Aflame: Learning From Silence. Connecting with his inner stillness during these various sojourns in solitude has left him wholly transformed, opening him up to discover the thrumming, ineffable joy of being truly awake to the world and wonderfully alive. On this episode of Time Sensitive, Iyer explores the purpose and joy of travel, and shares deeply moving reflections about what he finds most essential in life.Special thanks to our Season 11 presenting sponsor, L'École, School of Jewelry Arts.Show notes:Pico Iyer[4:25] “Aflame”[4:25] “Autumn Light”[4:25] Philip Larkin[4:25] “The Art of Poetry No. 30”[7:18] Bashō[7:18] Leonard Cohen[10:21] New Camaldoli Hermitage[10:21] Post Ranch Inn [16:25] “Postmodern Tourism: A Conversation with Pico Iyer”[17:08] “The Eloquent Sounds of Silence”[21:48] “The Joy of Quiet”[31:42] “What Ping-Pong Taught Me About Life”[33:14] “Walden”[37:28] “The Open Road”[41:37] “Video Night in Kathmandu”[41:37] “The Lady and the Monk”[41:37] “Lonely Places”[41:37] The Global Soul[44:40] “In the Realm of Jet Lag”[52:35] “Culture: The Leading Hotels of the World”[55:17] Potala Palace[55:17] Naoshima, Japan[55:17] Teshima, Japan[55:17] Narita, Japan[01:00:43] “The Half Known Life”[01:10:10] “No Time”

Kevin Maier is an English professor at the University of Alaska Southeast. In this episode we discuss the Outdoor Skills and Leadership Certificate program at UAS. This one-year certificate offers a unique academic approach to outdoor pursuits, integrating academic inquiry with practical skills like swift water rescue and ice climbing. We then discuss how reading classic outdoor literature, such as works by Thoreau and Hemingway, enriches outdoor experiences and informs our understanding of nature and conservation. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Click here for a 20% discount on an annual subscription to The Westrn, the outdoor community's newest newspaper. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers

Thoreau said it well when he said, "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." Well Meredith, Luke and Strider discuss what else goes down in the woods and much, much more! Meredith Casey: @meredith_casey_ Luke's Special Bill Burr's Special is out now on Hulu! Strider's Special Makin' Memories Sources: britannica.com, plato.stanford.edu, history.com, brainyquote.com, allamericanatlas.org, ranker.com