Best Alex Reisner Podcasts (2024)

1
Artificial Intelligence vs Infrastructure with Rene Morkos 34:50

2h ago34:50

34:50

In today's podcast we discuss the way artificial intelligence is set to transform infrastructure performance. In the short time since generative AI tools such ChatGPT and array of AI driven apps have emerged and become mainstream, our daily interactions with data has changed dramatically. There should therefore, be absolutely no doubt in anyone’s m…

1
17. Computation is Computation (w/ M. Beatrice Fazi) 51:00

7d ago51:00

51:00

This episode features one of our most anticipated guests: M. Beatrice Fazi. M. Beatrice Fazi is a philosopher working in philosophy of computation, philosophy of technology and media philosophy. In this episode we mostly cover some key definitions relating to computation and its onto-epistemology grounded in Fazi’s landmark book, Contingent Computa…

1
Building growth by solving problems with Alex Gilbert 34:28

1d ago34:28

34:28

We're back from a short summer week off and with today's podcast we are going to talk about how the engineering sector can support the new Labour government’s ambition to roll out infrastructure investment at pace and drive growth back into the UK economy. There can be no doubt about the new government’s infrastructure ambitions following the recen…

1
𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑛 (𝑤/ 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑠𝑚01) 54:41

16d ago54:41

54:41

𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑠𝑚01 𝑗𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝑢𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑘 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑒By Marek Poliks, Roberto Alonso

1
16. Sh*tshow Theory (w/ Mattin & Inigo Wilkins) 49:35

20d ago49:35

49:35

BACK with some of the world's foremost experts on NOISE: Mattin & Inigo Wilkins. Relevant links include: The Noise Research Union (NRU) which involves both Mattin and Inigo alongside founding members Cécile Malaspina, Martina Raponi, Miguel Prado, and Sonia de Jager. Mattin's AWESOME book Social Dissonance (out on Urbanomic). Mattin's podcast Socia…

1
Water investment realities with Tom Williams 33:24

16d ago33:24

33:24

In today's podcast we build on last week’s Kings Speech and dig into the new government’s ambitions to reform the much-criticised water sector and drive investment into this vital part of the UK’s infrastructure. And it’s just a week or so after the delayed release of Ofwat’s long-awaited draft determination setting out how much water companies wil…

1
Getting Britain building with Alasdair Reisner 34:31

23d ago34:31

34:31

In the podcast today we spend a few moments digging behind the headlines from last week’s Kings Speech and try to understand what the implications of the new government’s ambitious first legislative programme will mean for the civil engineering and infrastructure sector. In my Kings Speech preview last week I perhaps adopted a somewhat optimistic t…

1
Things can only get better - again, with Antony Oliver 13:05

1M ago13:05

13:05

This podcast is a bit different. In short, due to various reasons, you just have me. But that’s fine as it’s a great opportunity to have a quick catch up post General Election and a gaze into the crystal ball to see what the new and very shiny Starmer government has in store for infrastructure as we head towards the Kings Speech and opening of a ne…

1
15. Systems (w/ Georgina Voss) 54:33

2M ago54:33

54:33

In this episode, Georgina Voss helps Roberto and Marek kick off on a journey to think about the relationship between human agency and political scale, specifically how that relationship is mediated by technology. The next few episodes will stick to this theme. Georgina's work spans the arts, anthropology, policy, technology, cultural theory -- and,…

1
New thinking for infrastructure delivery with Andy Beard 35:53

1M ago35:53

35:53

In today' podcast we talk about new thinking to create a new era for infrastructure delivery By the time you hear this podcast the dust will have settled on the General Election and we will know the rough direction in which the UK is set to take for the next five years. But as it stands right now, all we can really say for certain is that whoever i…

1
A manifesto for growth with Kate Jennings 33:16

1M ago33:16

33:16

It's General Election week and so in today's podcast we talk about creating sustainable growth - and how we ensure that professional engineers remain at the top table when it comes to influencing the vital infrastructure investment decisions needed to deliver it. Given that we are choosing out next government this week, it seems a great moment to f…

1
Harnessing the power of small business with Julie White 30:44

2M ago30:44

30:44

In this podcast we talk about the vital role of small businesses in driving growth into the UK economy as they invest in skills and technology to lead innovation and new thinking across the infrastructure sector. And as we approach the General Election and all parties talk about the need to drive growth, it is a great moment to talk about how gover…

1
Retrofitting our built environment with Sara Edmonds 34:29

2M ago34:29

34:29

In the podcast today we talk about the opportunities and challenges of retrofitting our built environment to make our homes, offices, industrial buildings and infrastructure more energy efficient but also more resilient to a changing climate. To meet our vitally important and hugely challenging target to become a net-zero carbon emitter by 2050, we…

1
[Hyperlecture] Marek & Roberto: Non-Player Dynamics: Agency Fetish in Game-World 1:43:33

2M ago1:43:33

1:43:33

Youtube for the full experience + Q&A. In the pod, I say to just listen to the audio, but honestly the video is really really fire. Lecture given to our friends at Foreign Objekt, now ON POD. Programmer and Organizer: Sepideh Majidi Moderator: Maure Coise Video Edit: Shaum Mehra Tons of references here from all over the place, but definitely strong…

1
The power of professional engineering with Sir Jim McDonald 36:18

3M ago36:18

36:18

In today's podcast we talk about the power of professional engineering and explore why a largely unseen and unsung profession increasingly has the power to change all our lives. If you think about the major issues and challenges facing the whole of society today, they all seem to come back to infrastructure and engineering. While the headlines may …

1
The public transport tech journey with Thomas Ableman 36:23

3M ago36:23

36:23

In today's podcast we focus on public transport - and specifically how investment in innovation, and in data and digital technologies can underpin a new era of passenger centric services. Certainly, technology is already transforming the way that we plan our travel and the way that we use public and private transport services. But the goal goes wid…

1
14. Deathcare for the End of the World (w/ Patricia MacCormack) 54:09

3M ago54:09

54:09

This one is deep so see tons of explanatory resources below. The philosophy talk turns to political talk (easier to grok) after about 15 minutes, but the philosophical context adds a lot of richness to the latter conversation. Patricia MacCormack is driving productive tension between philosophy and political action. Her Ahuman Manifesto is strongly…

1
Architecture for better infrastructure with Clare Donnelly 30:56

3M ago30:56

30:56

In today's podcast we talk about the role that architecture can - and must - play in delivering better design outcomes from our infrastructure investment. It is a subject that we have discussed before on the podcast, notably with architect Harbinder Birdi who is currently leading work with the Institution of Civil Engineers to promote, and in many …

1
CRASH - changing lives with Francesca Roberts 34:39

3M ago34:39

34:39

Today’s podcast is slightly different and rather special as we talk about CRASH, the charity set up in 1996 to focus the philanthropic power of construction.\ Since November 2007, CRASH has been run by chief executive Francesca Roberts, and over that time has grown in terms of its influence and impact and truly brought the construction sector on bo…

1
13. Fully Automated Luxury Gay Space Creative Production (Marek Solo Ep.) 25:56

3M ago25:56

25:56

Creativity = sus.By Marek Poliks, Roberto Alonso

1
The Project 13 community with Dale Evans 32:01

3M ago32:01

32:01

In today’s podcast we talk about fixing the broken model for delivering major infrastructure projects in the UK. Why do we need to fix this model? Well, as we know, Britain needs high performing infrastructure if we are to improve the productivity of our economy and boost living standards for communities. “Yet the model we use to deliver and operat…

1
Transforming public transport with Colette Carroll 34:44

4M ago34:44

34:44

In today's podcast we talk about public transport – why it works, what stops it from working and what policy levers government should be pulling to ease the path to greater investment and better outcomes. And in particular, we discuss the role of the nation’s rail network in transforming the entire public transport system; why rail reform is import…

1
12. Piles (w/ Alex Reisner) 40:39

4M ago40:39

40:39

Alex Reisner's writing in the Atlantic is some of the best investigative coverage of Large Language Models out there. In this episode, we talk through the mind-bogglingly vast archives of random pirated material that provide every major commercial LLMs with their linguistic faculty. Definitely check out his writing on https://www.theatlantic.com/au…

1
Designing for economic growth with Charlie Hodgson 34:07

4M ago34:07

34:07

In today's podcast we ask how designing better infrastructure can help to really grow the UK economy. Now we hear constantly about the vital role that investment in infrastructure projects must play in driving economic growth across the nation and across the regions of the UK – be that investment in transport; in energy systems; in water treatment …

1
Defining the digital twin with Alex Luck 35:12

4M ago35:12

35:12

In today's podcast we are talking about digital twins and the challenge of digitalising the infrastructure sector in our bid to increase efficiency and boost outcomes from every pound of investment. There is certainly no shortage of talk nowadays about transforming productivity and the way that the use of digital technology and data can help improv…

1
Rethinking rail ticketing with Milda Manomaityte 33:45

4M ago33:45

33:45

In today's podcast we delve into the complex world or railway ticketing. I say complex but what I really mean is complicated, confusing, and frustrating. Who hasn’t spent time pondering over the multitude of options thrust upon us when buying a rail ticket and mulled over the permutations and consequences of advanced, off peak, super off peak day r…

1
11. Reinventing the Surface (w/ Refik Anadol) 36:31

5M ago36:31

36:31

Refik Anadol, and by extension Refik Anadol Studio, is one of the most visible, if not the most visible, artists working with large models today. His work is everywhere, from MoMa to the Biennale Venezia, from the very first Las Vegas Exosphere art display to the front of Walt Disney Concert Hall. We’re delighted to have had him on the pod to talk …

1
Automotive lessons with Chetan Kotur 36:07

5M ago36:07

36:07

In this podcast we ask what, if anything, UK construction can learn from the automotive sector. A quarter of a century ago, Sir John Egan’s Review of the industry drew on the successes and lessons from car manufacturing as a guide for how the construction sector might be transformed. Rethinking Construction highlighted the use of standardisation, c…

1
Beyond Mission Zero with Rt.Hon. Chris Skidmore 34:33

5M ago34:33

34:33

In today’s podcast we will be finding out just how much we still have to do as nation and as a planet to hit our net zero carbon emission targets and really start to reverse the clearly catastrophic impacts of a changing climate. My guest today is the Rt Hon Chris Skidmore, former MP for Kingswood in South Gloucestershire and the man who, as interi…

1
10. Voice (w/ Jennifer Walshe) 49:53

5M ago49:53

49:53

Jennifer Walshe is one of the coolest people we know. Her artistic work and thought has broken our brains for years, leaving us shipwrecked in its torrential waves of reference and irony and joy and conceptual viscera. We talk about her recent piece for the Unsound Dispatch, 13 Ways of Looking at AI, Art & Music — a series of vignettes that in thei…

1
Circular thinking with John Twitchen 34:47

5M ago34:47

34:47

Today we are talking once again about building circular economies and in particular the role and challenge facing the infrastructure sector as it tackles this issue as part of the journey towards a net zero carbon emission future. My guest today has just been nominated for the prestigious Earthshot Prize – a prize launched by Prince William in 2020…

1
The future of road transport with Steve Gooding 30:59

5M ago30:59

30:59

In this podcast we are talk about road transport and take a quick look into the crystal ball to see what lies around the corner for this vital mode of transport. Despite the volume and frequency of discussion about the UK’s approach to public transport – and specifically rail travel which continues to absorb huge amounts of public cash – the realit…

1
Rethinking project delivery with Ali Mafi 33:21

5M ago33:21

33:21

In today’s podcast we will delve into the knotty and, it seems, unending challenge of controlling and reducing the cost and the time spent delivering our major infrastructure projects. As we a constantly reminded by politicians, the public and our colleagues, the track record of global major project delivery is not good. I have referenced the findi…

1
[Bonus] Non-Player Dynamics (Teaser) 6:04

6M ago6:04

6:04

Go here for more information about the upcoming talk that Roberto and Marek are doing Sunday, March 10, at 10AM Pacific. It's virtual, so come join us!!!By Marek Poliks, Roberto Alonso

1
Building careers that count with Dervilla Mitchell 35:02

6M ago35:02

35:02

In today's podcast we spend a delightful 30 minutes or so discussing what drives successful careers in engineering and infrastructure. I say delightful because my guest today is Dervilla Mitchell CBE, deputy chair at world renowned design practice Arup, someone who, over the last few decades, I have never tired of talking to! As she prepares to ste…

1
9. Alignment (w/ Benjamin Bratton) 53:49

6M ago53:49

53:49

Benjamin Bratton writes about world-spanning intelligences, grinding geopolitical tectonics, “accidental megastructures” of geotechnical cruft, the millienia-long terraforming project through which humans rendered an earth into a world, and the question of what global-scale order means in the twilight of the Westphalian nation-state. Candidly, if e…

1
Championing design with Harbinder Birdi 35:27

6M ago35:27

35:27

In today's podcast we talk about design – specifically the need to embed good design at the heart of infrastructure investment. To help us to unpack and explore this issue my guest today is Harbinder Birdi, architect and founder of the Birdi and Partners practice. Loyal listeners may well remember that Harbinder was a guest on the podcast last Apri…

1
Driving a UK nuclear renaissance with Tim Stone 36:16

6M ago36:16

36:16

It's the first anniversary episode of the Infrastructure Podcast and today we are going to talk about nuclear power! When I first jumped ship from civil engineering to a new life as a journalist with New Civil Engineer 30 years ago, the magazine was gearing up to celebrate the Sizewell B project which was being commissioned as the first of a new br…

1
8. World Models (w/ Anil Bawa-Cavia) 58:58

6M ago58:58

58:58

Anil Bawa-Cavia (AA Cavia) is one of our favorite writers and practitioners on the philosophy of computation. We discovered his work through Logiciel, on &&& (we <3 &&&!), both a gorgeous book in print and an elegant formal depiction of what computation might actually be (a definition that stands in striking contrast to the limitations imposed upon…

1
The global net zero carbon challenge with Faustine Delasalle 32:28

6M ago32:28

32:28

In today's podcast we talk about the challenge of global decarbonisation – specifically looking at what actions industrial sectors can take today to ensure we have a sustainable future. Clearly infrastructure professionals have a massive role to play when it comes to tackling global carbon emissions and climate change; in ensuring that the UK and a…

1
Rebuilding and rethinking our prison estate with Sue McElroy 32:44

7M ago32:44

32:44

In today's podcast we are talking about prisons – specifically the challenge and huge opportunity surrounding the Ministry of Justice’s on-going £4bn plus investment in the UK prison estate. I say opportunity because the MOJ’s ambition goes beyond simply adding 20,000 new prison places to the estate and intends to use this investment to deliver far…

1
Better cities for better lives with Stephen O'Malley 34:56

7M ago34:56

34:56

In this, the 50th episode of the Infrastructure Podcast, we talk about cities – specifically how we should be designing our urban landscapes to be both fit for the future and fit for the people of the future. It’s a huge and growing issue. The UN reckons that around 57% of the world’s population currently lives in an urban environment – and that th…

1
French thinking for UK rail with Mike Muldoon 33:27

7M ago33:27

33:27

In today's podcast we are going to talk about “building modern railway” and discuss why we seem to find it so difficult in the UK to plan, design and construct decent, affordable rail connections. To discuss this issue, let’s turn to some French thinking. After all, according to many, they seem to know what they are doing when it comes to the Chemi…

1
7. Protocols of Encounter (w/ Sofian Audry) 43:12

7M ago43:12

43:12

Sofian Audry wrote Art in the Age of Machine Learning, an absolute canon read that contextualizes the contemporary flurry of creative AI application and detournement within a much longer lineage of human-machine relations. Their chapter in Choreomata straddles theory and practice, situating Sofian’s own work in the field of robotics within a histor…

1
Election year challenges with Simon Rawlinson 35:38

7M ago35:38

35:38

In today's podcast we will build on last week’s episode by taking another quick look into the crystal ball and exploring some more of the big issues for 2024. To help me with this exercise my guest this week is Simon Rawlinson, Head of Strategic Research and Insight at Arcadis. Simon is a long-time agitator and commentator across the sector and of …

1
Hot topics for 2024 with FT's Gill Plimmer 34:18

8M ago34:18

34:18

In this the first of 2024 we take a quick look into the crystal ball, asking what we might expect in 2024. To help me with this my guest today is Gill Plimmer, infrastructure correspondent at the Financial Times and long-time observer of what makes this sector tick. Gill has spent several decades immersed in the business, finances and politics of i…

1
6. Autolinguistics & Autopoetics (w/ Sasha Stiles) 44:53

8M ago44:53

44:53

Sasha Stiles writes poetry with and as machines. We first encountered her work as a direct, powerful rejoinder to the allegation that AI-generated work is cold, unfeeling, or lifeless. Her chapter in Choreomata underlines the technicity implicit in language and in poetics, positioning technology not as a thing one applies to language but instead as…

1
Looking back, looking forward with Antony Oliver 12:31

8M ago12:31

12:31

In this podcast …. well it’s just me. Just me doing a very quick recap of 2023 and the first 45 episodes of The Infrastructure Podcast - and a brief trail for what lies ahead in 2024. When I set out on this podcasting adventure back in February, I billed it as being a new, regular podcast series featuring conversations with some of the key leaders …

1
[Bonus] Choreomata Launch Panel (w/ Foreign Objekt) 1:22:25

8M ago1:22:25

1:22:25

Here's the audio version of the Choreomata book launch with Foreign Objekt, featuring Anil Bawa-Cavia, Jonathan Impett, Mattin, Reza Negarestani, Keith Tilford, and Jennifer Walshe. MANY thanks to Sepideh Majidi. The full video is here. You can find Choreomata anywhere, especially here.By Marek Poliks, Roberto Alonso

1
5. The Unknown X (w/ Luciana Parisi) 50:15

8M ago50:15

50:15

Luciana Parisi has produced some of the 21st century’s most daring and bold work in the theories of cybernetics, information, and computation. Her work has had a major impact on both Marek and Roberto’s artistic practices, specifically her early work in the inorganic components of human reproduction. Just a brief content note — we mention some comp…

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Alex Reisner Podcasts

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