Best Graham Culbertson Podcasts (2024)

1
"Games are Perfect Anarchist Practices" -- Miguel Sicart 1:04:04

2h ago1:04:04

1:04:04

Here's a crossover episode from my other podcast, Plumbing Game Studies. Things have been crazy lately, and I have emails from back in April I haven't responded to. My apologies if you've emailed me and not heard back. I hope to get caught up soon, or at least in 2024!By Graham Culbertson

1
Hobbes' Leviathan -- Alison McQueen (English Revolution) 1:01:20

2d ago1:01:20

1:01:20

Who create the modern theory of political sovereignty? Thomas Hobbes. What was Hobbes afraid of? Anarchy. What made Hobbes so afraid of anarchy? The English Revolution. Today's guest is Alison McQueen, who can be found at https://www.alisonmcqueen.info/By Graham Culbertson

1
1.5 Agon and Ancient Greek Society -- David Potter 41:54

5d ago41:54

41:54

Historian David Potter joins me to discuss the concept of agon, or competitive play, and how it animated everything in ancient Greek society from sports to education to politics to art. And Plato's The Republic, often considered the foundation of Western philosophy, was an attempt to end the agonistic nature of society.…

1
1.4 Maria Lugones (and David Graeber) -- Miguel Sicart 1:02:10

17d ago1:02:10

1:02:10

Miguel Sicart, author of Playing Software, joins me for a playful, even anarchist discussion which was supposed to be about the work of Maria Lugones but ended up being about Lugones, Graeber, Almodóvar, Maradona, and much more. You can find Miguel's work here: https://miguelsicart.net/By Graham Culbertson

1
127. Debt Discussion 7, Honor and Dignity with Clif Mark 48:37

17d ago48:37

48:37

Clif Mark, host of the Good in Theory podcast, joins me to discuss honor and degradation in Graeber's Debt. Also I make Clif talk about representation in Star Wars, for some reason.By Graham Culbertson

1
126. Milton's Radicalism -- Nick McDowell and Nigel Smith (English Revolution) 1:16:39

1M ago1:16:39

1:16:39

One of the most famous author's in the English language, John Milton, was a 17th century English radical who not only supported but also worked for the English revolutionary government. I'm joined by Nigel Smith, a returning guest, and Nick McDowell, author of Poet of Revolution: The Making of John Milton, to discuss Milton's radicalism and its rel…

1
125. Graeber's Debt Chapter 7, Honor and Degradation 45:52

1M ago45:52

45:52

A little belatedly, here's my episode about Graeber's Debt, Chapter 7. A discussion on honor and dignity will be coming later this month with Clif Mark of the Good in Theory podcast!By Graham Culbertson

1
124. The Early Quakers -- Kate Peters (English Revolution) 1:26:57

2M ago1:26:57

1:26:57

Kate Peters, author of Print Culture and the Early Quakers, joins me to discuss the Quakers, the last of the radical groups we're covering the English Revolution series. You can hear about how the Quakers can be seen as the end of political radicalism in the revolution, or alternately as a different form of radical organizing, as evidenced by Willi…

1
123. Debt Discussion 6: Graeber as Grand Theorist with Fuad Musallam 1:08:37

2M ago1:08:37

1:08:37

In this debt discussion, Fuad and I discuss Chapter 6 of Debt, "Games with Sex and Death," and especially the way that Graeber is writing in the grand theory tradition of anthropology. Fuad also taught with David at the London School of Economics, and is able to explain how Graeber approached these same concepts in anthropology as a teacher and col…

1
122. The Fifth Monarchists -- Bernard Capp (English Revolution) 1:10:24

2M ago1:10:24

1:10:24

In the next episode of Radicalism in the English Revolution, I'm joined by Bernard Capp to discuss The Fifth Monarchists - a radical protestant sect that was trying to bring about the end of the world, and wanted Cromwell to help them!By Graham Culbertson

1
1.3 Bernard Suits' The Grasshopper - C. Thi Nguyen 1:07:21

2M ago1:07:21

1:07:21

Thi Nguyen joins me to discuss The Grasshopper, a work which takes up Wittgenstein's challenge to define a game and does so in a very productive way. Thi and I discuss the Suitsian definition of a game, how it can redefine not just our sense of games but also the meaning of life, and what this definition of games means for our understanding of agen…

1
121. Graeber's Debt Chapter 6, Games with Sex and Death 43:13

2M ago43:13

43:13

Graeber explains human economies, economies in which money can only be used to shore up social relations, and can't be used to buy things - to the utter confusion of anthropologists trying to buy thingsBy Graham Culbertson

1
120. Richard Rorty's Anti-Authoritarianism -- John McGowan and Meili Steele 1:01:56

2M ago1:01:56

1:01:56

My former professors John McGowan and Meili Steele join me to discuss Richard Rorty's final book, Pragmatism as Anti-Authoritarianism.By Graham Culbertson

1
119. Debt Discussion 5: The Sterility of Economics with James K. Galbraith 52:35

3M ago52:35

52:35

James K. Galbraith joins me to discuss the flaws in the field of economics and its pseudoscientific justificationsBy Graham Culbertson

1
Schopenhauer on Using Games Against Anxiety (Minigame 2) 21:19

3M ago21:19

21:19

Why do you feel anxious, according to Schopenhauer? Excess energy! What should you do about it? Play a game!By Graham Culbertson

1
118. The Films of Preston Sturges -- Stuart Klawans 51:17

3M ago51:17

51:17

Stuart Klawans joins me to discuss his recent book Crooked but Never Common about the films of Preston Sturges, the first writer-director of the Hollywood sound era. Informed by the work of Stanley Cavell, Stuart's book reads these comedies as asking important questions about democracy, business, the New Deal, marriage, and other pressing questions…

1
117. Graeber's Debt Chapter 5, The Moral Ground of Economic Relations 55:51

3M ago55:51

55:51

The chapter of Debt which inspired this podcast - get ready to hear the origin of everyday anarchism!By Graham Culbertson

1
116. Seeing Like a Game -- C. Thi Nguyen 1:12:08

3M ago1:12:08

1:12:08

Philosopher of games C. Thi Nguyen joins me to discuss his current work on the intersection of anarchism and games studies. The conversation was so much fun that I started a whole new podcast, Plumbing Game Studies, to continue exploring this topic. For more from Thi, here's his website: https://objectionable.net/ Here's the website for the new pod…

1
Seeing Like a Game -- C. Thi Nguyen 1:11:15

3M ago1:11:15

1:11:15

Philosopher of games C. Thi Nguyen joins me to discuss his current work on the intersection of anarchism and games studies. The conversation was so much fun that I started this podcast to continue exploring this topic. For more from Thi, here's his website: https://objectionable.net/By Graham Culbertson

1
1.2: Wittgenstein and Game Definitions --Jonne Arjoranta 49:17

4M ago49:17

49:17

Jonne Arjoranta the of Centre of Excellence in Game Culture Studies joins me to talk about games and definitions in Ludwig Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations. You can find Jonne's articles on the topics below: "Game Definitions - A Wittgensteinian Approach" https://gamestudies.org/1401/articles/arjoranta "How to Define Games and Why We Nee…

1
115. Debt Discussion 4: Henry Farrell on His Internet Argument with Graeber 49:40

4M ago49:40

49:40

In this episode I'm joined by Henry Farrell, who got into an internet spat with David Graeber over Debt. Henry recently wrote a reflection on the kerfuffle at the blog Crooked Timber, and also co-wrote a book, Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy, that came about in part as a response to Graeber's Debt.…

1
Mario, Roguelites, and Nietzsche's Eternal Recurrence (Minigame 1) 14:30

4M ago14:30

14:30

How would you feel if you had to live life over and over again? Would it be like playing Slay the Spire? Or maybe Super Mario Bros?By Graham Culbertson

1
114. Revolution and Anarchism in The Mars Trilogy -- Kim Stanley Robinson 55:36

4M ago55:36

55:36

Kim Stanley Robinson to talk about his Mars trilogy, the theory of revolution that animates it, and where anarchism and anarchists fit in. This conversation is a direct sequel to our conversations on the Three Californias triptych, which you can listen to here: https://www.everydayanarchism.com/093-the-wild-shore-three-californias-kim-stanley-robin…

1
1.1: Philosophical Plumbing and Games of Truth 31:12

4M ago31:12

31:12

This episode of How to Do Things with Games begins with Mary Midgley’s 1974 question: “Why do philosophers talk about games so much?” Well, why do they (she continues)? I’m not sure, but I’m sure there’s work that needs to be done on the philosophy of games, philosophical infrastructure that can, like plumbing, help ideas flow. I also discuss the d…

1
Rerun: Anarchism is...Mardi Gras with Meredith King 57:26

5M ago57:26

57:26

Happy Mardi Gras! The show should be back publishing new episodes in March. In the meantime, here's a rerun, and a link to a couple of interview I did late last year: https://pod.link/1705765872/episode/716e36494d7eff56dc142642d55c7c3b https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jelle-laverge/episodes/The-Core-Curriculum---Episode-1---Interview-with-Gr…

1
113. The Ranters -- Nigel Smith (English Revolution) 1:23:17

7M ago1:23:17

1:23:17

Radicalism in the English Revolution gets to the Ranters, the radical group of protestants who may or may not have practiced free love - but definitely sparked a moral panic! In this extra-long discussion, Nigel Smith and I discuss the roots of Ranterism, its connections to the Diggers, its legacy for romanticism, and its connection to later Americ…

1
Rerun: Anarchism is...Santa Claus! -- Ruth Kinna 41:43

7M ago41:43

41:43

For my very first repeat episode, I'm reposting a conversation with Ruth Kinna about Santa Claus, Kropotkin, and the prefigurative practice of Christmas. You can read Ruth's article on the topic here: An Anarchist Guide to ChristmasBy Graham Culbertson

1
112. The Puritan Christmas Wars -- Diane Purkiss (English Revolution) 47:05

7M ago47:05

47:05

Diane Purkiss joins me to discuss the Christmas Wars, in which Puritans attempted to prevent the celebration of Christmas in the 17th century. Christmas was a carnival in which the world was turned upside down - and the Puritans weren't having it. We also discuss the Lord of Misrule, Twelfth Night, and that 21st century lord of misrule: Lord Bucket…

1
111. Graeber's Debt: Chapter 4, Cruelty and Redemption 39:13

7M ago39:13

39:13

Debt Chapter 4, in which Jesus and Nietzsche show up!By Graham Culbertson

1
110. Luddism: 19th Century Direct Action against TechnoCapitalism -- Brian Merchant 53:04

8M ago53:04

53:04

I'm joined by Brian Merchant to discuss his new book, Blood in the Machine. Brian argues persuasively that the Luddites weren't anti-technology but were actually for a different social order and a different use of technology. More importantly, in Brian's book the factory owners look a lot like today's tech titans and the workers look a lot like, we…

1
109. Anarchism is...Homeschooling -- Andrewism 51:45

8M ago51:45

51:45

In a break from the two ongoing series, in this week's episode I'm joined by the anarchist YouTuber Andrewism. Andrew and I discuss homeschooling, our shared experiences as homeschooled kids, the way homeschooling prepared us to be learners, and the liberatory potential of the homeschooling ethos. Andrewism is one of the best ways to introduce your…

1
108. Radicalism in the English Revolution 4: Oliver Cromwell - - John Morrill 58:02

8M ago58:02

58:02

John Morrill, whose work I first encountered in Mike Duncan's podcast about the English Revolution, joins me to discuss the career of Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell was attacked in his time for being both too radical and not radical enough, and the picture has only gotten more complicated from there. John and I discuss his career, his convictions, his r…

1
107. Debt Discussion 3: Anthropology and Everyday Anarchism with Bill Maurer 55:11

8M ago55:11

55:11

For the third episode of Debt Discussions, the anthropologist Bill Maurer joins me to talk about Chapter 3 of Debt, Primordial Debts. Bill and I talk about the myth of primordial debt, where it fits in the anarchism vs. social democracy debate, and if the anthropological parables in the book fit Graeber's claims. We also talk about the strengths an…

1
106. Radicalism in the English Revolution 3: The Diggers -- Ariel Hessayon 59:46

8M ago59:46

59:46

Ariel Hessayon returns to discuss The Diggers, the radical group whose farming community most closely resembles the ideas of anarchist communism as expressed by 19th century figures such as Kropotkin, Morris, and Tolstoi. Ariel and I discuss their origins, their theology, their 19th century recovery, and above all the brilliant writings of one of t…

1
105. Graeber's Debt: Chapter 3, Primordial Debts 29:55

9M ago29:55

29:55

Continuing my series on Graeber's Debt, this episode looks at chapter 3, which introduces the other big myth which Graeber says underpins our modern imaginary. Primordial Debt, I argue, is the left-wing counterpart to the myth of barter, and Graeber critiques it less harshly but just as fully. Join me later this month for a conversation with the an…

1
104. Radicalism in the English Revolution 2: The Levellers -- Rachel Foxley 58:32

9M ago58:32

58:32

Emerging from both civilian and military backgrounds, the Levellers were a radical group who advocated for expanded voting rights and freedom of conscience and speech. Rachel Foxley, author of The Levellers: Radical Political Thought in the English Revolution, explains the Levellers' views, their relationship to Oliver Cromwell, their revolutionary…

1
103. Debt Discussion 2: Economics and Other Science Fictions with Cory Doctorow 59:48

9M ago59:48

59:48

For the second episode of Debt Discussions, Cory Doctorow returns to the show to talk about Chapter 2 of Debt, The Myth of Barter. Cory and I talk about the way that economics resembles science fiction, the original reception of Debt (especially on the blog Crooked Timber), and talk some more about the topic of UBI and a jobs guarantee.…

1
102. Radicalism in the English Revolution 1: General Introduction -- Ariel Hessayon 1:08:43

10M ago1:08:43

1:08:43

Ariel Hessayon joins me to start a new series, Radicalism in the English Revolution. Before we get to all the delightful radical groups - like Diggers and Levellers - Ariel and I discuss the English revolution, whether it was a revolution, what revolution meant to them, and what it meant to be a radical at the time. Here's an introduction to the co…

1
101. Graeber's Debt: Chapter 2, The Myth of Barter 29:07

10M ago29:07

29:07

Continuing my series on Graeber's Debt, this episode looks at chapter 2, which is all about the silly stories that economists tell themselves to explain why economics is an objective science. Economics tells us that we can't imagine other worlds - but the field of economics is more imaginary than any fantasy novel…

1
100. The Pacific Edge (Three Californias) -- Kim Stanley Robinson 35:03

10M ago35:03

35:03

In just over two years, Everyday Anarchism hits 100 episodes! Kim Stanley Robinson returns to discuss The Pacific Edge, the third volume of his Three Californias triptych. We discuss how the beautiful ecosocialist utopia in The Pacific Edge keeps all of the mundanity, tedium, and tragedy of life, just without the horrors of neoliberal capitalism. S…

1
099. Debt Discussion 1: Moral Confusion and Garden Parties with Eleanor Janega 53:52

10M ago53:52

53:52

Medieval historian Eleanor Janega joins me as the first guest in Graeber's Debt series. We discuss the big ideas in chapter 1, especially garden parties, moral confusion, American empire, and British debt. Eleanor also helped me understand how debt is the most important thing in Jane Austen's novels - and that's a bad thing. For more from Eleanor, …

1
098. The Responsibility of Anarchist Intellectuals -- Ruth Kinna 51:25

10M ago51:25

51:25

For my second anniversary episode, frequent guest Ruth Kinna joins to talk about academic/intellectual anarchism. What's the point of this work? How do we know if we're making a difference? Who are we helping? We particularly highlight the role of Noam Chomsky in intellectual anarchism, as well as the rise of the social justice/alter globalization …

1
097. Graeber's Debt: Chapter 1 20:54

11M ago20:54

20:54

At long last, my thoughts on Graeber's Debt, chapter 1. Get ready for a discussion of this chapter, and the garden party, with Eleanor Janega later this month!By Graham Culbertson

1
096. The Gold Coast (Three Californias) -- Kim Stanley Robinson 42:54

11M ago42:54

42:54

Kim Stanley Robinson and I discuss The Gold Coast, the second volume of his Three Californias triptych. We discuss how the Reagan era served as the inspiration for the book, the connection between the character Dennis McPherson and Stan's own father, and why this is Stan's favorite of the trilogy. Join us next month for a discussion of the final vo…

1
095. Everyday Utopia -- Kristen Ghodsee 1:01:26

11M ago1:01:26

1:01:26

Kristen Ghodsee joins me to discuss her new book, Everyday Utopia. Kristen and I discuss the history of utopian communities, the promise and perils of state socialism, and how anarchism serves as a reminder that everyday communities can change the world.By Graham Culbertson

1
094. A Usable Progressive Past -- James Fallows 50:29

11M ago50:29

50:29

Frequent guest James Fallows returns to the podcast as the first ever guest host! James interviews regular host Graham Culbertson about the legacy of progressivism and what ideas from that era we could use today in the struggle to make a better world, especially those related to William James and his famous talk "The Moral Equivalent of War." You c…

1
Trailer: David Graeber's Debt 8:36

12M ago8:36

8:36

Finally, it's happening! My series on David Graeber's book Debt is finally starting for real on September 6. This trailer tells you what to expect, announces a few exciting guests, and reminds me to read the book. Later in September Eleanor Janega will join me to discuss Chapter 1. And if you can't wait, check out the prequel episodes based on Grae…

1
093. The Wild Shore (Three Californias) -- Kim Stanley Robinson 48:17

12M ago48:17

48:17

Kim Stanley Robinson and I discuss The Wild Shore, the first volume of his Three Californias triptych. We discuss how his career started, the inspiration for both this novel and the entire triptych, and most of all the novel itself - a post-apocalyptic narrative in which most of America has been destroyed, and what's left is a frontier lifestyle ju…

1
092. Star Trek Into Anarchy -- Avi Khalil 1:05:07

1y ago1:05:07

1:05:07

Avi Khalil joins me to discuss the concept of everyday anarchism with respect to Star Trek. Although Star Trek purports to be a perfect neoliberal bureaucracy, all of the heroes are constantly breaking the rules. You can read Avi's blog post that served as an inspiration for the episode here: https://avikhalil.com/2023/06/15/the-spock-rule/…

1
Romi Asad - Brady Manek of League of Legends (eSports at UNC) 21:12

1y ago21:12

21:12

In this episode, I interview the captain and game head of UNC League of Legends.By Graham Culbertson

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