Heart Yoga Radio

TACO? - INTERESTING TIMES 94

In this podcast, I consider president Trump's blood-curdling threats to eliminate the entire civilisation of Iran and his sudden reversal into claiming that Iran's ten-point requirement to cease firing is a basis for future talks and an immediate cease fire. I consider this in the light of a number of actual events, certain expert commentary, and the notion that fascism is the weaponisation of the death instinct. [Free. 34 minutes.]

MISSILES, STARMER, GAZA - INTERESTING TIMES 92

In this podcast, I attempt to paint a picture of where we are now by drawing on Starmer's two-faced approach to war in West Asia, the on-going genocide in Gaza and the firing of missiles towards Diego Garcia by Iran. I take all of these as signalling the beginning of the end for the hegemon. [Free. 23 minutes.]

WW3, AUTHORITARIANISM, ANTI-SCIENCE - INTERESTING TIMES 88

In this podcast I consider (1) Col Wilkerson's assertion that World War 3 is underway, (2) Mick Wallace's claim that, in the global north, governments are against their own peoples, and (3) the irrationality of the US administration's attempt to dismantle cutting edge science projects and scientifically-based public services. I synthesise these interpretations, and though the result is very bleak, I nevertheless describe certain glimmers of hope. NB This was  recorded in August 25 but was overlooked for publication. [Free. 48 minutes.]

WHAT IS FASCISM? 4 - SATURN EATS HIS SON & THE DEATH INSTINCT

In this wide-ranging podcast, I interpret Goya's painting of the early 1820s, Saturn Eating His Son. This leads me to considerations of Freud's notion of Thanatos or the death instinct, Nietzsche's readings of human cruelty and its relationship to the will to power, current affairs and recent history, particularly with respect to all too common orgies of depraved destruction of life. I describe how the death instinct and the possibility of joy in cruelty are mobilsed by the rich and powerful in pursuit of their own agenda. [Free. 24 minutes.]

A PIVOTAL MOMENT FOR OUR FUTURE? - INTERESTING TIMES 70

In this podcast, we reflect on recent events in Gaza. We pay particular attention to huge pro-Palestine marches and demonstrations across the earth, as well as geo-political shifts that are taking place this moment. We plead for immediate ceasefire. [Free. 1 hour 6minutes.]

LAO TZU 63

In this podcast, we consider Chapter 76 of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching. The main theme that emerges is that Lao Tzu distinguishes ways of being which are inflexible, rigid and death-orientated from ways of being which a supple, flexible and life-orientated. We draw out how these orientations play out in all aspects of life, including politics and meditation. [Free. 20 minutes.]

STARING INTO THE ABYSS

What did Nietzsche mean when he said, "If you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back at you."? In this podcast, I attempt an answer. (Click the link to buy me a coffee.) [Free. 18 minutes.]

REMARKS ON FREUD PART 1 - THE UNCONSCIOUS

This podcast is the first in an ongoing series on Freud and psychoanalysis which is meant to be useful to our series on fascism and reason, as well as to our many considerations of the workings of propaganda and ideology. Here, give some background to Freud's intellectual journey and elucidate the notion of 'the unconscious' and its significance for humanity's self-image. [Free. 34 minutes.]

COVIDIOCY: WHO BENEFITS? - INTERESTING TIMES 10

In this podcast, we analyse the covid-is-a-hoax movement which demonstrated recently in London, demanding the abandonment of all remedial measures against the global pandemic. We do so primarily by asking the question that we identified in a recent podcast [Grassroots and Astroturf] 'Who benefits from this movement?' The question proves revelatory of how this movement plays to the far right and upholds the status quo, whilst claiming the contrary. The involvement of far right parties in the loose coalition of new-agers, antivaxers, climate deniers, and adherents to fantastic conspiracy theories is not accidental. These elements are stitched together by irrationalism. [Free. 24 minutes.]

HOLLOW SYMBOLS - INTERESTING TIMES 2

In this podcast, we take issue with the complaints from  certain Tory MPs, conservative academics and right wing pundits that the toppling of statues of slave traders and imperialists 'erases history' and  'strikes at our way of life', and that historical figures should not be appraised according to modern morality and values. We argue that, contrary to these positions, obscured parts of history are illuminated by such acts, that 'our way of life' does not exist as a monolith, and that past figures should be evaluated according to modern values if we are to appraise our desires for future generations. We sketch out out symbols need to be understood as both heavy and empty. Warning: contains swearing. [Free. 19 minutes.]