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There is nothing honourable about trade unions. Trade unions allow certain self-interested individuals, to become petite Capitalists themselves. You either change the entire system for everyone, or you can play the Capitalist own game and start a trade union, and become a Capitalist entrepreneur yourself. Exploiting the Capitalist entrepreneur for your own set of workers. Rarely do these trade unions realise they always lose this game. They win in the short term, but everyone else in their society, including them...fail. If you can't understand why... then you don't really understand the power of Capitalism.

The Govt actions to decimate those in hierarchies lower than their own multi-billionaire, money-is-like-air, ie FREE, hierarchy is infinite. Just distract the plebs. The only way Socialism will work is if the creators of rules (approved by populace) has Conscience that will mot allow them to be selfish, accumulative and greedy. Like the Stanley Kubrick film opines. Otherwise, we're doomed for a future of "Every Man for Himself/his Family". An off shoot of Capitalism, BTW.

Yanis finally acknowledged that the Greek state wrongfully ethnically cleansed Macedonians from Aegan Macedonia👌🏻

Levelling Down.

Nice! I wanna read his books now. I've only seen the movie Trainspotting, I wonder which is a good place to start with his books 🤔

Yanis, you are not a ‘fake’ musician; you are a musician when you pick up the guitar, like myself. You are simply not a ‘professional’ musician. I live through music, and as the band Triumph suggests, “music keeps you going now, it’s your one chance to escape”.

There are no words that convey my connection to this fascinating podcast. You each bring forth a piece of me that brings me understanding and even joy. I have experienced trauma, and find myself Obsessed with the need to fight for Palestinians. I am a retired Social Worker, so, of course it’s my core, but even the comment of being a ‘musician’. I just picked up my guitar again, after being alone and isolated for 9 yrs, and playing ‘Mother by Pink Floyd. I’ve lost almost everyone in my life through trauma, and Gabor, I have given your books as gifts, and you have brought me more peace than a lifetime of therapy. thank you

There are no words that convey my connection to this fascinating podcast. You each bring forth a piece of me that brings me understanding and even joy. I have experienced trauma, and find myself Obsessed with the need to fight for Palestinians. I am a retired Social Worker, so, of course it’s my core, but even the comment of being a ‘musician’. I just picked up my guitar again, after being alone and isolated for 9 yrs, and playing ‘Mother by Pink Floyd. I’ve lost almost everyone in my life through trauma, and Gabor, I have given your books as gifts, and you have brought me more peace than a lifetime of therapy. thank you

I at least am an alcoholic.

Great conversation, thankyou.

dude, the germans killed 20-30M ussr citizens. they had a plan to clear the ussr territory of slavs and settle germans there. not a word about that.

Talking pish about Thatcher. Enabled everyone in Scotland to buy their council house if they so wished. Aspirational Scots did. The ones still complaining didnt

Ultimately about control of the populace.

Democratically choosing Undemocratic Capitalism/Feudalism, over Democratic Communism. I can see how lack of purpose can lead to addiction and a form of slavery, to comfort and apathy and how this can be exploited in exchange for a sense of comfort/protection.

"Just be ready to die, and read history" really funny quote to end it from Rob. A man who has suffered enough loss to be bitter and hateful, and has enough money to stop caring about those less fortunate, but continues onward as a warm, caring and compassionate soul. Great interview, and thanks to all involved for giving hope and imagining another now.

How do "you" explain the CIA, UK, US and, Corporations investment in politics, terrorism, regime change, the drug and arms trades? Surely techno feudalism is a characteristic of a this far greater annexation of power and a grander global struggle... There must be bigger players working with and against one another. Complete with bigger and grander objectives and aspirations than serving the "machinations" of Capital. The N*zis for instance who were spread out among the winners of WWII to run their assault on Space, their arms and chemical industries were not motivated by Capitalism but by Idolism and darker forces.

The matrix is a great metaphor for technofeudalism. These overlords are vampires thst suck the life blood out of us to feed their addiction to power. It's just ego mind gone mad subjugating the human body and distracting us from the reality of our bodies and conciousness. We can unplug from our minds and addictive habits by observung them and making moment to moment concious decisions about where we place our attention and energy and emotional investments. I think its alwsys been the same, the proletariat getting out and meeting and marching in a carnival of community and connection. This is the subversion of the real carnival, as well as dialogic democratic discourse as Bakhtin articulated it, in which people are siezing their piwer again. Isnt it amazing that young people at universities are the ones leading the democratic protests despite being a digital generation? They instinctively know how to free themselves and others through recreating physical community and connection. I have hope in this. They are a more politically aware, tech savy and spirituslly awake than the generation before them. This proves to me that even though capitalism has evolved into this hideous self perietuating cannibalistic macine that humans are more intelligent and able as s community to outsmart and outimagine and outlive it.

Well worth listening to the whole conversation. Two very powerful thinkers. Thanks for bringing them together.

Excellent discussion. Thanks.

.....I chosse not to choose LIFE ... Sumtheen else - Yea! hahahaah THanks for the Everalsting Spotting of Trains!!!!

Thank you for all each of you do. Such clarity of perception and such courage is what brings me hope.

Excellent!

excellent, as always, thank you.

Politicians, whether local or central need to engage more, and engage in a mature way with the public and the press. In Mexico, I noticed recently a refreshing reform: President Obrador has a daily broadcast and press conference so the whole nation can tune in and listen to him explain his policies and answer questions. It seems to work to re-engage people in political discourse. I'm fed up of only seeing ridiculous PR stunts by British politicians and prime ministers or hear reports of them visiting hospitals and schools. Empty promotional nonsense. They only debate with other politicians in the HofC. Our politicians should engage directly with us, so we can all honestly debate the issues of the times and move forward.

Irvine, I've long admired you as a novelist - I'm intrigued to find you as good a commentator on matters social/economic! Thanks to all three of you for a lively and thoughtful discussion.

As a professional music8an trying to eke out an existence in today's hyper capitalism, I have to use social media, for promotions. I'm nit very good at it. I hate doing it, so I don't do enough. But if you want people to come to a show, you MUST play the social media. How do we get away from this?

No business school dare speak it, but all in effect teach it: Addiction is the perfect business model!

What Irvine Walsh said at around 29m has been an obsession of mine since the pandemic. If this isn't the great reset it's a thousand other conspiracies that amount to the same thing.

Thank you

There are slaves for everything. Also Money Slaves...

(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻ "That's why Germany is silent" you'd be amazed about this vid (12min long) - it's in german but auto translation should b fine. TOTALLY WORTH IT !!! /watch?v=rvPmh3OU2V0

Much of humanity is simply deluded. Because of the multi layered challenges and nature of modern life, it's easy to muddy the waters for those who wish or accidentally do so. Glad there are some bright sparks who can see through the mud and distinguish between the good mud which generated life and the toxic waste mud born of human greed, ignorance and the negative side of science...ie science is, to borrow from Spencer Chapman's classic of jungle survival, ' The (Jungle) Science is Neutral.' Its easy to despair with war mongers full steam ahead, livestreamed Genocide with the perpetraors-Israel-enabled and defended and even many, not only on the nut job right, but on the left and greens believing the lie that because they are supposedly 'carbon based life forms' there is no problem with CO2 emmissions whatsoever and no man made climate change to worry about at all...they arent sensible enough to understand such a wide spread conspiracy is impossible in the world wide scientific field and the idea ' there is no problem with carbon' is just madness: a problem will never be solved if it is denied and who benefits most? Oil,coal and gas industries who made the problem and who benefit first and foremost from the lie that there is no emissions CO2 Climate crisis. Save the viability,diversity and beauty of our Planet, criminalse Israel and her supporters: negotiate with Russia and stop arming Ukraine, send Peace Enforcement to Israel-Palestine,Sudan,Yemen etc, stop making more nuclear power stations- potential Chernobyl's and worse, reign in arms trade and stop it, free Palestine,revoke Israel's Statehood and designate Israel a terrorist entity, Educate properly and make the UN fair and universal not hegemonic with veto holders. Hand on a world better than we inherited not on its very knees teetering on the cliff edge as we are now. Less war, space, greed and insanity more peace planet and Sanity. Thanks for your work.

marvellous

Omgeeee! A breathe of fresh thinkers. Brilliant and 👁️opening. Thank you for creating these VITAL series of CONVERSATIONS!

The best way to heal from the "trauma of capitalism" is to go and spend a few years in a non capitalist country and see how that's working out for you

Brilliant conversation...Thank you! ALOHA!

Whoop, whoop!!!! Really is time for a discussion about 'Post Leftism' and Anarcho-primitivism xxx

🎯 Key points for quick navigation: 00:46 *🏠 Irvine Welsh's formative years in Scotland* - Irvine Welsh grew up in Leith, a working-class district of Edinburgh, in the 1970s. - His family members were dockworkers and trade unionists, instilling in him a strong political consciousness. - He was involved in union activities from a young age, witnessing the social and political changes of the time. 05:05 *🇬🇧 Irvine Welsh's perspective on Scottish independence* - While initially against Scottish independence, Welsh's viewpoint evolved due to the failures of the British government and the positive impact of the Scottish Parliament. - He advocates for further decentralization, not only in Scotland but also in England, to empower local communities and create a more inclusive society. - Centralization of power and money is seen as a major contributing factor to social unrest and the rise of nationalism. 14:59 *🤝 Yanis Varoufakis' perspective on decentralization and internationalism* - Yanis Varoufakis strongly believes that decentralization is crucial for fostering democracy, as it allows citizens to have a greater say in decisions that directly affect their lives. - This, in turn, can counter the rise of nationalism and xenophobia by encouraging inclusivity and shared responsibility. - The connection between the centralization of power and the consolidation of money in the hands of a few fuels social discontent and promotes nationalist sentiments. 24:02 *💻 The Privatization of the Internet and its Impact on Behavior* - Cloud capital is a new form of capital that uses technology to modify human behavior. - It is not designed to produce goods but to influence our actions for the benefit of its owners. - This system creates a situation where individuals contribute their labor to cloud capital without receiving any financial compensation. 25:23 *🏛️ From Capitalism to Tech-Feudalism and Reclaiming the Means of Production* - The traditional left-wing solution of taxing capitalist profits and redistributing wealth is no longer sufficient. - We need to reclaim the means of production, distribution, exchange, and communication. - The algorithms that control the internet are transforming capitalism into a form of digital feudalism, with powerful tech corporations acting as digital lords. 28:36 *🕹️ The Role of Addiction in the Technological Control of Behavior* - Technological systems thrive on their failures, using addiction to profit from our disconnection. - The internet has evolved from a tool that provides information to a force that manipulates our behavior. - This creates a situation where we are constantly responding to prompts and instructions issued by corporations or the state. 33:35 *🧠 The Relationship Between Addiction and Control* - The more powerful technological tools become, the easier it is for those in power to manipulate our behavior. - This manipulation often takes the form of addiction, whether to online content, social media, or other technologies. - These addictions become a key driver of the economy, as we are constantly being lured into patterns of consumption that benefit those in power. 35:07 *🤖 Capitalism is a Self-Perpetuating System* - Capitalism operates without conscious conspirators, driven by its own logic. - This logic compels both workers and capitalists to participate in a system that perpetuates itself through exploitation. - The fear of bankruptcy forces capitalists to exploit workers, while workers are also forced into this system by their need to survive. 38:18 *👥 From Passive Victims to Sentient Conspirators* - Under technofeudalism, the ruling class transitions from being passive beneficiaries of the capitalist system to active manipulators of technology. - Individuals like Jeff Bezos have a level of control over our lives that even previous industrialists like Henry Ford never possessed. - This power is not just financial, but also ideological, shaping our behavior and choices through social conditioning and manipulation. 42:55 *🚀 The Madness of Rockets and Space Exploration* - The obsession with space exploration by tech billionaires like Elon Musk may be a response to the failures of our current civilization. - It could be seen as a selfish survival instinct, seeking to escape the problems on Earth, or a Messianic impulse to seed a new civilization elsewhere. - This obsession with space distracts from the real problems facing humanity, such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. 46:15 *🧲 The Genesis of Tech-Feudalism and the Distortion of Free Markets* - The roots of tech-feudalism lie in the neoliberal policies of the 1980s, which promoted deregulation and concentration of wealth. - This led to the rise of powerful corporations with a massive influence over our lives. - The ideology of free markets has been distorted into a system that rewards those who accumulate power and exploits those who lack it. 47:39 *🏛️ Neoliberalism as a result of capitalism's evolution* - Neoliberalism was not the cause of capitalism's shift, but a necessary consequence of the Bretton Woods system's collapse. - The financialization of capitalism emerged from the need to liberate bankers from regulations after the Bretton Woods system's demise. 50:12 *📈 The Evolution of Capitalism and the Rise of Neoliberalism* - The shift from a planned capitalist system to a neoliberal ideology was not sudden, but a gradual consequence of the US losing its economic surplus in the late 1960s. - Milton Friedman's ideals, previously disregarded, became crucial in providing ideological cover for the economic changes. 51:37 *💬 The Importance of Understanding Crises for Progress* - Understanding the dynamics of crisis is crucial for progressives to navigate the opportunities they present. - The 2008 financial crisis provided a rare opportunity for progressive change, though it didn't achieve the desired outcome. 52:20 *😔 The Challenges of Motivating People in Times of Crisis* - It's easier to motivate people through low-frequency fear than to encourage positive change. - Fear-mongering tactics, such as those used in Brexit and concerning immigration, exploit people's anxieties and hinder their participation in meaningful debate. 53:56 *📱 The Impact of Technology and Addiction on Our Lives* - The widespread use of smartphones and the pervasiveness of online addiction have created a culture of isolation and diminished human engagement. - Smartphones and social media platforms, driven by algorithms that promote addictive behavior, exacerbate social divisions and foster negativity. 56:04 *🎓 The Influence of Right-Wing Think Tanks and the Decline of Leftist Engagement* - Right-wing think tanks, funded by powerful interests, have strategically disseminated their ideas and undermined the intellectual foundations of the left. - Universities have been co-opted by corporate interests, prioritizing financial gain over academic values and contributing to the suppression of dissenting viewpoints. 58:53 *🌪️ The Need for Re-Engagement and a Renewed Vision for the Left* - The left has largely retreated from debates, allowing right-wing think tanks to dominate the discourse and proliferate simplistic ideas. - The left needs to actively engage in public dialogue to counter the spread of right-wing narratives and to offer a more nuanced and progressive vision for the future. 01:00:53 *✊ The Importance of Anarchism and Imagination for a Better Future* - The left should embrace an anarchist approach to challenge the existing power structures and work towards a more just and equitable society. - Cultivating imagination and fostering creativity are essential for overcoming the limitations of capitalist ideology and envisioning a brighter future. 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There is zero evidence that the unceasing quest to build an earthly utopia can be realised. Every dimension, in the west, is horizontal - the vertical dimension is absent.

There are many poor in London who have no voice either.

Thanks for this so well designed series where through diverse points of view of the left wing arena, it's not only a registry but through the straightforward dialogues one feels living-imagining and theorizing at same time, a kind of almost also be participating... really well done and Thanks!

Thank you all for the wonderful analysis as always. love you guys and what you stand for. We need more people like yourselves in this world if we are to maintain hope in our future! God bless ya'll.

Very worthwhile and constructive conversation. Thank you!

I echo every word.

I became fascinated - thought I was going to drop in. Watched the whole thing. Good stuff.

All true. But humans do not learn.

Very interesting.

What a random crossover

Great conversation.

One big problem is the techno-feudal overlords tend to be sociopaths and psychopaths.