Podcast of the Cybernetic Marxists. Examining the intersection of Technology, (Left) Politics, and Philosophy
Episodes
Jul 21, 2026
Jul 21, 2026
1hr 22 min
In which the show returns! Kyle is joined by James Macumber of INDEP (International Network for Democratic Economic Planning) to discuss Aaron Benenav's "Beyond Capitalism—I" essay in the New Left Review. Subsequent episodes will discuss the second and third parts of "Beyond Capitalism."
Special thanks to Todd for editing this episode.
International Network for Democratic Economic Planning
General Intellect Unit on iTunes
http://generalintellectunit.net/
General Intellect Unit on archive.org
Apr 1, 2024
Apr 1, 2024
1hr 3 min
In which the show ends, and Kyle & June reflect on the project.
Thank you all.
Links:
Mar 8, 2024
Mar 8, 2024
2hr 8 min
In which Kyle interviews Eric Meier on his recent exhibition "Art, Design, Aesthetics of Democratic Economic Planning".
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
- A tour of the exhibition, on Youtube
- "About my exhibition 'Art, Design, Aesthetics of Democratic Economic Planning'"
- Eric on Twitter
- Eric on Instagram
- 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
- Emancipation Network
Feb 9, 2024
Feb 9, 2024
1hr 26 min
In which we are joined by Ezri of Swampside Chats, to continue our discussion of "Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgement to Calculation" by Joseph Weizenbaum. In this episode we cover the third an fourth chapters of the book.
Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgment to Calculation (1976) by Joseph Weizenbaum displays the author's ambivalence towards computer technology and lays out the case that while artificial intelligence may be possible, we should never allow computers to make important decisions because computers will always lack human qualities such as compassion and wisdom.
Weizenbaum makes the crucial distinction between deciding and choosing. Deciding is a computational activity, something that can ultimately be programmed. It is the capacity to choose that ultimately makes one a human being. Choice, however, is the product of judgment, not calculation. Comprehensive human judgment is able to include non-mathematical factors such as emotions. Judgment can compare apples and oranges, and can do so without quantifying each fruit type and then reductively quantifying each to factors necessary for mathematical comparison.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Jan 25, 2024
Jan 25, 2024
58 min
In which we are joined by Ezri of Swampside Chats, to continue our discussion of "Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgement to Calculation" by Joseph Weizenbaum. In this episode we cover the second chapter of the book.
Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgment to Calculation (1976) by Joseph Weizenbaum displays the author's ambivalence towards computer technology and lays out the case that while artificial intelligence may be possible, we should never allow computers to make important decisions because computers will always lack human qualities such as compassion and wisdom.
Weizenbaum makes the crucial distinction between deciding and choosing. Deciding is a computational activity, something that can ultimately be programmed. It is the capacity to choose that ultimately makes one a human being. Choice, however, is the product of judgment, not calculation. Comprehensive human judgment is able to include non-mathematical factors such as emotions. Judgment can compare apples and oranges, and can do so without quantifying each fruit type and then reductively quantifying each to factors necessary for mathematical comparison.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
- Computer Power and Human Reason on Wikipedia
- Weizenbaum's Nightmares, on The Guardian
- Inside the Very Human Origin of the Term “Artificial Intelligence”
- 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
- Emancipation Network
Dec 21, 2023
Dec 21, 2023
1hr 22 min
In which we are joined by Ezri of Swampside Chats, to continue our discussion of "Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgement to Calculation" by Joseph Weizenbaum. In this episode we cover the first chapter of the book.
Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgment to Calculation (1976) by Joseph Weizenbaum displays the author's ambivalence towards computer technology and lays out the case that while artificial intelligence may be possible, we should never allow computers to make important decisions because computers will always lack human qualities such as compassion and wisdom.
Weizenbaum makes the crucial distinction between deciding and choosing. Deciding is a computational activity, something that can ultimately be programmed. It is the capacity to choose that ultimately makes one a human being. Choice, however, is the product of judgment, not calculation. Comprehensive human judgment is able to include non-mathematical factors such as emotions. Judgment can compare apples and oranges, and can do so without quantifying each fruit type and then reductively quantifying each to factors necessary for mathematical comparison.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
- Computer Power and Human Reason on Wikipedia
- Weizenbaum's Nightmares, on The Guardian
- Inside the Very Human Origin of the Term “Artificial Intelligence”
- 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
- Emancipation Network
Dec 6, 2023
Dec 6, 2023
1hr 15 min
In which we are joined by Ezri of Swampside Chats, to continue our discussion of "Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgement to Calculation" by Joseph Weizenbaum. In this episode we cover the prefaces, introduction, and chapter one.
Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgment to Calculation (1976) by Joseph Weizenbaum displays the author's ambivalence towards computer technology and lays out the case that while artificial intelligence may be possible, we should never allow computers to make important decisions because computers will always lack human qualities such as compassion and wisdom.
Weizenbaum makes the crucial distinction between deciding and choosing. Deciding is a computational activity, something that can ultimately be programmed. It is the capacity to choose that ultimately makes one a human being. Choice, however, is the product of judgment, not calculation. Comprehensive human judgment is able to include non-mathematical factors such as emotions. Judgment can compare apples and oranges, and can do so without quantifying each fruit type and then reductively quantifying each to factors necessary for mathematical comparison.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
- Computer Power and Human Reason on Wikipedia
- Weizenbaum's Nightmares, on The Guardian
- Inside the Very Human Origin of the Term “Artificial Intelligence”
- 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
- Emancipation Network
Nov 22, 2023
Nov 22, 2023
1hr 23 min
In which we are joined by Ezri of Swampside Chats, to continue our discussion of "Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgement to Calculation" by Joseph Weizenbaum.
Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgment to Calculation (1976) by Joseph Weizenbaum displays the author's ambivalence towards computer technology and lays out the case that while artificial intelligence may be possible, we should never allow computers to make important decisions because computers will always lack human qualities such as compassion and wisdom.
Weizenbaum makes the crucial distinction between deciding and choosing. Deciding is a computational activity, something that can ultimately be programmed. It is the capacity to choose that ultimately makes one a human being. Choice, however, is the product of judgment, not calculation. Comprehensive human judgment is able to include non-mathematical factors such as emotions. Judgment can compare apples and oranges, and can do so without quantifying each fruit type and then reductively quantifying each to factors necessary for mathematical comparison.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
- Computer Power and Human Reason on Wikipedia
- Weizenbaum's Nightmares, on The Guardian
- Inside the Very Human Origin of the Term “Artificial Intelligence”
- 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
- Emancipation Network
Nov 9, 2023
Nov 9, 2023
1hr 15 min
In which we are joined by Ezri of Swampside Chats, to begin a series on "Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgement to Calculation" by Joseph Weizenbaum.
Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgment to Calculation (1976) by Joseph Weizenbaum displays the author's ambivalence towards computer technology and lays out the case that while artificial intelligence may be possible, we should never allow computers to make important decisions because computers will always lack human qualities such as compassion and wisdom.
Weizenbaum makes the crucial distinction between deciding and choosing. Deciding is a computational activity, something that can ultimately be programmed. It is the capacity to choose that ultimately makes one a human being. Choice, however, is the product of judgment, not calculation. Comprehensive human judgment is able to include non-mathematical factors such as emotions. Judgment can compare apples and oranges, and can do so without quantifying each fruit type and then reductively quantifying each to factors necessary for mathematical comparison.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
- Computer Power and Human Reason on Wikipedia
- Weizenbaum's Nightmares, on The Guardian
- Inside the Very Human Origin of the Term “Artificial Intelligence”
- 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
- Emancipation Network
Sep 28, 2023
Sep 28, 2023
1hr 58 min
In which we finish our reading of "Entangled Life" by Merlin Sheldrake.
The more we learn about fungi, the less makes sense without them.
They can change our minds, heal our bodies and even help us avoid environmental disaster; they are metabolic masters, earth-makers and key players in most of nature's processes. In Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake takes us on a mind-altering journey into their spectacular world, and reveals how these extraordinary organisms transform our understanding of our planet and life itself.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Sep 7, 2023
Sep 7, 2023
1hr 59 min
In which we continue our reading of "Entangled Life" by Merlin Sheldrake.
The more we learn about fungi, the less makes sense without them.
They can change our minds, heal our bodies and even help us avoid environmental disaster; they are metabolic masters, earth-makers and key players in most of nature's processes. In Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake takes us on a mind-altering journey into their spectacular world, and reveals how these extraordinary organisms transform our understanding of our planet and life itself.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Jul 3, 2023
Jul 3, 2023
1hr 44 min
In which we read "Entangled Life" by Merlin Sheldrake.
The more we learn about fungi, the less makes sense without them.
They can change our minds, heal our bodies and even help us avoid environmental disaster; they are metabolic masters, earth-makers and key players in most of nature's processes. In Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake takes us on a mind-altering journey into their spectacular world, and reveals how these extraordinary organisms transform our understanding of our planet and life itself.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
May 24, 2023
May 24, 2023
1hr 37 min
In which we read "Tree Stories" by Stefano Mancuso.
We'd like to thank everyone who has supported us through our first one hundred episodes, and we look forward to the next hundred.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
May 3, 2023
May 3, 2023
1hr 38 min
In which we finish our reading of "Neither Vertical nor Horizontal", by Rodrigo Nunes.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Apr 26, 2023
Apr 26, 2023
1hr 33 min
In which we continue our reading of "Neither Vertical nor Horizontal", by Rodrigo Nunes.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links: