From Ramble Chats to Utopian Futures

After a meticulously organised Season 8, which was a submission for a journal article focusing on media literacies, Season 9 of The Tao of WAO podcast takes a more relaxed and spontaneous approach.

Co-hosts Laura Hilliger and Doug Belshaw (me!) engaged in a series of ramble chats, covering a wide array of topics from goofy websites to the potential future impacts of AI. We even spice things up mid-season with a special guest to discuss utopian futures.

Join us for a season filled with thought-provoking discussions, personal anecdotes, and plenty of spontaneous insights. You can find The Tao of WAO wherever you get podcasts. W

We’ve going to use SoundCloud embeds below, but encourage you to use whatever platform you’re most comfortable with!

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(thanks to Tim Eccleston, Adam Procter, and Alex Enkerli for their ongoing donations to keep the lights on!)

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S09 E01: Ramble Auctions

Laura and I kick off the season with a casual chat about our personal technology use, ranging from e-readers and work devices to gaming. We explore AI’s impact on jobs and highlight some unique websites like the German customs auction platform.

We also note a trend of professionals, including us, experiencing job market shifts potentially influenced by AI. The episode concludes with an invitation to engage with us through social media, reviews, or direct contact.

S09 E02: Wikis

In this episode, we explore the Six Degrees of Wikipedia tool, feminism, and the divergence of Gen Z’s political views by gender. We touch on conspiracy theories involving Taylor Swift, our experiences with Wikipedia, and the role of AI.

We also address misconceptions about feminism in younger generations and discuss the media’s role in amplifying controversial figures like Andrew Tate. We end on a lighter note with a discussion on monumental trees around the world, sharing personal anecdotes and concerns about nature preservation.

S09 E03: Etherpad

We lament the crashing of our Etherpad server in this episode, and chat about the tools we use for knowledge management. This episode offers a candid look at the challenges and solutions we encounter in our workflow.

S09 E04: Adam Greenfield

In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking the author of Radical Technologies: The Design of Everyday Life, with Adam Greenfield. He shared insights from his upcoming book Lifehouse: Taking Care of Ourselves in A World on Fire. It’s a thought-provoking discussion spanning various aspects of technology and society.

S09 E05: Yacht Money

Laura and I ramble in this episode about my lost microphone and the sound quality of the mic in my Apple Studio Display, eventually getting stuck into broader societal issues.

Along the way, we critique Adobe’s commodification of creativity through digital credentials and highlight the importance of local, community-driven initiatives. Our conversation explores futuristic concepts like AI developing its own form of consciousness and experiencing the world directly, contrasting with natural communication in ecosystems, such as trees using mycelium networks.

S09 E06: Charcuterie of Asshattery

In the final episode of the season, we cover a variety of topics including Laura’s anger over a minor incident (hence the episode title), poetry, yoga, electric scooters, book recommendations, and ‘debogging yourself’. It’s a diverse and engaging discussion that captures the essence of our ramble chats.

Next: Season 10?

We hope you enjoy listening to Season 9 of The Tao of WAO as much as we enjoyed making it. Feel free to reach out with your thoughts, and remember to support us if you can through Open Collective.

We’re open to sponsorship of the podcast, but you have to be aligned with the Spirit of WAO. Get in touch if you’re interested: podcast@weareopen.coop