Podcast of the Cybernetic Marxists. Examining the intersection of Technology, (Left) Politics, and Philosophy
Episodes
Jul 15, 2019
Jul 15, 2019
1hr 44 min
In which we discuss the Viable System Model, by Stafford Beer. We read "The VSM Guide" by Jon Walker, and "The Viable System Model as a Framework for Understanding Organizations" by Raul Espejo and Antonia Gill.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
- A diagram of the VSM (on wikipedia)
- The Viable System Model as a Framework for Understanding Organizations
- The VSM Guide
- General Intellect Unit on iTunes
- http://generalintellectunit.net
- Support the show on Patreon
- https://twitter.com/giunitpod
- General Intellect Unit on Facebook
- General Intellect Unit on archive.org
Jun 19, 2019
Jun 19, 2019
1hr 26 min
In which we continue reading "The People's Republic of Walmart" by Leigh Phillips and Michal Rozworski.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Jun 5, 2019
Jun 5, 2019
1hr 18 min
In which we read "The People's Republic of Walmart" by Leigh Phillips and Michal Rozworski.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
May 18, 2019
May 18, 2019
54 sec
We're launching a community discord server for our patrons!
Support us on Patreon at the $5 per month level or above to get access!
Links:
May 15, 2019
May 15, 2019
1hr 2 min
In which we are joined by Tina Sikka to discuss her new book "Climate Technology, Gender, and Justice: The Standpoint of the Vulnerable".
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
May 1, 2019
May 1, 2019
1hr 45 min
In which we are joined by Bob Neubauer to discuss Nick Srnicek's 2016 book "Platform Capitalism"
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Apr 17, 2019
Apr 17, 2019
1hr 56 min
In which we talk about our first thirty-something episodes, and take time to tie some threads together. No, this isn't a clip-show.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Apr 7, 2019
Apr 7, 2019
1 min
We are joining forces with our friends at Swampside Chats, and From Alpha To Omega, to form the Emancipation Network, a Marxist podcast network and research collective.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Apr 3, 2019
Apr 3, 2019
57 min
In which we (struggle to) read a math paper, The Inherent Instability of Disordered Systems, by Taeer Bar-Yam, Owen Lynch, and Yaneer Bar-Yam.
This paper introduces us to the Multi-scale Law of Requisite Variety, and the importance of organisation at multiple scales. The paper also furnishes a proof that disordered systems will inevitably become ordered by forces in their environment.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Mar 16, 2019
Mar 16, 2019
54 sec
Hey there folks!
We're giving away two copies of People's Republic of Walmart, by Leigh Phillips and Michal Rozworski.
All of our patrons will automatically be included in the draw, while non-patrons can enter their email address in this form to add themselves to the draw.
Winners will be selected at random on the 31st of March, and will be contacted via Patreon message or email to arrange delivery. To keep this fair, if we don't hear back from an entrant within two weeks, we'll draw another winner for that book.
Why are we doing this? Well, Shane accidentally placed three separate pre-orders for this book over the course of two years, so there's two spare copies floating around.
Check out this post on our Patreon page for more details: https://www.patreon.com/posts/25294050
Mar 13, 2019
Mar 13, 2019
1hr 57 min
In which we discuss Stafford Beer's 1974 book "Designing Freedom". Beer makes the case for a total overhaul of our institutions and organisational methods, by way of management cybernetics.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
- Designing Freedom on the Internet Archive (free full ebook)
- Stafford beer on Wikipedia
- The Viable System Model on metaphorum.org
- General Intellect Unit on iTunes
- http://generalintellectunit.net
- Support the show on Patreon
- https://twitter.com/giunitpod
- General Intellect Unit on Facebook
- General Intellect Unit on archive.org
Feb 20, 2019
Feb 20, 2019
1hr 11 min
In which we talk to Wendy Liu and Jason Prado about tech, worker organising, and open source.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Feb 6, 2019
Feb 6, 2019
2hr 41 sec
In which we are joined by Fraser Simons to discuss The Player of Games, by Iain M. Banks.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Jan 23, 2019
Jan 23, 2019
1hr 9 min
In which we continue our discussion of the Xenofeminist Manifesto, with Kira Magrann.
The next book we read will be Designing Freedom, by Stafford Beer. If you want to read along with us before the episode airs, you can get the book free from the Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/DesigningFreedom
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Jan 9, 2019
Jan 9, 2019
1hr 4 min
In which we are joined by Kira Magrann to discuss the Xenofeminist Manifesto.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links: