A slide from Mike’s talk which is discussed on this episode, with the caption explaining the audience’s reaction.

You can listen to this episode above and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. You can also listen to this episode on StitcherCyber Ears or download it on Archive.org (48mins, 37MB).

This episode features designer and anthropologist Michael Palmyre who elaborates on some of the themes touched on in his talk ‘Are We Using Design to Make the World a Less Valuable Place?’. This talk was played on our last episode, #196.

More specifically, the discussion covers: the reaction to the talk, especially because it featured “the c word”; questioning whether economic growth really make our lives better; slavery and capitalism; the books Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind and Utopia for Realists: And How We Can Get There; Star Wars and the military industrial complex; mental health and capitalism; and Cracked on apocalyptic movies, zombies and vampires.

The final part of our discussion with Mike is played on episode 198.

If you like what you hear, please support the show!

Clips:

Local Resident FailureThe Opener’, Bill Hicks ‘Vs the Audience 2’ from the album ‘Flying Saucer Tour Vol 1’, Does economic growth really make our lives better? Anthropologist Jason Hickel says it’s killing us, Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality in The Sims 3: Chapter 18.

*Title inspired by a quote from the movie Dodgeball, coz we’re that highbrow!

Michael Palmyre giving his talk ‘Are We Using Design to Make the World a Less Valuable Place?’, which is featured on this episode.

You can listen to this episode above and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. You can also listen to this episode on StitcherCyber Ears or download it on Archive.org (64mins, 46MB).

This episode features a talk by designer and anthropologist Michael Palmyre: ‘Are We Using Design to Make the World a Less Valuable Place?’. You can watch this talk here and it is also embedded below.

We’re also joined by Mike for an additional discussion on some background for the talk, the importance of challenging dominant narratives and ideologies, and the all-important Sydney versus Melbourne debate.

This discussion continues on episodes 197 and 198, focusing on reactions to the talk and elaborating on some of the themes covered.

If you like what you hear, please support the show!

Clips:

MarthaPrecarious (The Supermarket Song)’, Michael PalmyreAre We Using Design to Make the World a Less Valuable Place?’, Gil-Scot Heron ‘New York is Killing Me’.

Our two new rescued dogs Sophie and Penny, saved from death row – they were going to be killed at the pound in the next day or two.

You can listen to this episode above and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. You can also listen to this episode on StitcherCyber Ears or download it on Archive.org (37mins, 35MB).

On this episode we discuss how people can make a difference and save lives around Christmas time and beyond. Some great organisations to donate to are:

To hear more about the themes discussed on this episode, check out our Buy Nothing Christmas episode (#43), our episode on homelessness featuring the Homeless Persons Union (#160), and our episodes on effective altruism and charity versus change (#142 and #143). Also check out Adam Ruins Giving!

Please support our show by giving us nice reviews on iTunesStitcher and Facebook – thanks 🙂

Clips:

KeshaWoman’, The TutsChristmas is in the Air’.

You can listen to this episode above and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. You can also listen to this episode on StitcherCyber Ears or download it on Archive.org (51mins, 39MB).

As with last episode #193, Nick is joined by author, poet and sexual health nurse Kyna Reddan aka “The Poly Guru” to discuss consensual non-monogamy and the campaign for marriage equality. More specifically, we cover jealousy in non-monogamous and monogamous relationships, how polyamory works, demisexuality, polygamy and queer critiques of the campaign for marriage equality.

For more on polyamory, Kyna recommends:

If you like what you hear, please support the show!

Clips:

NOFXI’m a Transvest-lite’, Georgia MaqWhat do you mean?’.