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Ritournelle is a concept created by Gilles Deleuze & Felix Guattari for A Thousand Plateaus (1987.) It's the main subject of 11th plateau 1837: Of the refrain. In this episode of 'Love and Philosophy,' host Andrea Hiott engages in a deep and thought-provoking conversation with philosopher, psychologist, and poet Bayo Akomolafe. They discuss the transformative power of love, the complexities beyond binary categorizations, and the idea of life as a process filled with relational tensions and incompleteness. The discussion covers Bayo's personal journey, including reflections on his father and his book 'These Wilds Beyond Our Fences.' They explore themes of care, disruption, and the radical incompleteness of reality, providing listeners with insights into how we can embrace the multiplicities of being human. Host of this episode is philosopher Andrea Hiott.

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Bayo Akomolafe
https://www.bayoakomolafe.net/

These Wilds Beyond Our Fences

00:00 Introduction to Categories and Relational Tensions
02:20 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
02:43 Introducing Bayo Akomolafe
03:19 Themes of the Podcast and Bayo's Background
05:36 Binaries and Relationality
09:11 Personal Reflections and Philosophical Insights
09:46 The Concept of Retournello and Repetition
10:56 Navigating Categories and Structures
12:22 The Story of Bayo's Daughter
14:17 Philosophical Reflections on Life and Death
23:05 The Role of Trauma and Healing
32:11 The Pandemic and Societal Reflections
36:42 Love as Radical Incompleteness
38:27 Conclusion and Farewell

host and philosopher Andrea Hiott

Love and Philosophy in Video

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Life is not built by blocks but by lines woven together according to Tim Ingold, emeritus professor of anthropology at the University of Aberdeen and a leading thinker in anthropology and philosophy. Tim Ingold and Andrea Hiott explore key themes from Tim's influential works, such as 'Anthropology: Why It Matters' and 'Lines,' discussing how life is a continuous journey along interwoven threads and traces shaped by our every action. Building on Gibson, Deleuze,  Hallowell, Merleau-Ponty, and others, Ingold's idea of 'wayfaring' as our fundamental mode of being challenges traditional distinctions between nature and culture, mind and body, and forces us out of block-mind and into traces and threads of life interwoven. This enriching dialogue touches on the importance of awareness, attention, and responsibility, offering insights into how these ideas can help us navigate toward a world where love and respect for life are central. Whether it's through storytelling, music, or everyday actions, learn how our paths shape our humanity and influence the futures we create. This episode is an opportunity to reflect on how we should live together in a world full of possibility, a world we love enough to take responsibility for together.

00:00 Introduction to Love and Philosophy
00:05 Introducing Tim Ingold and His Work
00:43 The Concept of Lines in Life
01:43 Wayfaring and Life as a Process
02:54 The Importance of Awareness and Responsibility
04:18 Tim Ingold's Influences and Philosophical Approach
10:28 Tim Ingold's Early Life and Inspirations
17:26 Fieldwork and Anthropology
25:16 Challenging Traditional Divisions in Science and Humanities
32:07 The Evolution of Tim Ingold's Thought
48:47 Revisiting Nature and Culture
51:48 Anthropology as a Conversation
54:46 The Anthropological Conversation
56:12 Subject and Object in Anthropology
57:58 The Middle Voice of the Verb
59:39 Crafting and Teaching
01:06:38 The Concept of Lines
01:13:24 Embodiment and Attention
01:27:42 The Future of Technology and Education
01:39:52 Hope for the Future

https://www.timingold.com/

Lines, the book

Anthropology, why it matters

‘For we are made of lines. We are not only referring to lines of writing. Lines of writing conjugate with other lines, life lines, lines of luck or misfortune, lines productive of the variation of the line of writing itself, lines that are between the lines of writing.’

— Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, A Thousand Plateaus

A great interview with Tim Ingold by Juan Loaiza for ENSO.

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 "If a thing loves, it is infinite" William Blake: 

In this episode of Love and Philosophy, Andrea engages with Clive Grinyer, a renowned industrial and service designer and the director of Project Love. The discussion centers around how design can be a catalyst for fostering love, empathy, and compassion in society, and how this is a form of collective cognition. They explore various innovative projects, including a conversational bench, a heat map app, and a secular gravestone for natural beauty spots. The conversation delves into the philosophy behind design and how it influences our daily interactions and emotions. Grinyer shares insights from his extensive experience and highlights the transformative impact of design thinking in both personal and societal contexts.

Watch the video with powerpoint here.

00:00 Introduction: The Power of Design
01:17 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
01:43 Introducing Clive Grinyer and Project Love
06:19 Exploring Love Through Design
07:17 Defining Love and Design
21:39 Innovative Projects and Concepts
28:59 Community and Societal Impact
35:47 The Social Impact of Design
35:51 Designing for Sustainability and Economic Viability
36:01 The Complexity and Perception of Design
36:19 The Role of AI in Design
36:59 Technology and Human Experience
37:19 Design in Everyday Life
38:16 The Evolution of Technology Design
39:22 Emotional Design and User Experience
40:25 Project Love: Designing for Compassion
01:02:00 Empathy in Design
01:04:39 Future Directions and Community Building

Project Love

https://www.theprojectlove.com/

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About Clive:

"Clive Grinyer is an internationally renowned designer who has led global design teams at Samsung, Cisco, Orange and Barclays, worked at design consultancy IDEO, and was co-founder of the design company Tangerine. Starting as a product designer he has moved across digital, customer experience and service design and was Director of Design for the UK Design Council. As Head of Service Design at the Royal College of Art, he pioneered design as a tool for social impact, shaping how we respond to the environmental crisis and develop life services including financial and healthcare. He is an advisor and delivers executive training to companies including Bosch, the Dorchester Collection of hotels, and the Bank of England. Clive was a trustee of the Royal Society of Arts, Chair of the Design Business Association Effectiveness awards and visiting professor at the Glasgow School of Art. He is currently based in London."

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'Needful Freedom' comes from the work of philosopher Hans Jonas and though this podcast is not about Jonas, Andrea and Mike discuss this term towards understanding the skill of the future.

Mike's bio: "Ex-tech exec, now a reluctant Cassandra. Penning dispatches from democracy's peril at notesfromthecircus.com. Unmasking the unholy alliance of Silicon Valley and aspiring despots. 2+2=4, even when power insists otherwise."

Cognitive Revolution: Mike Brock on Love, Truth, and the Future of Democracy:

In this deep and thought-provoking episode, Mike Brock, an ex-tech executive and renowned writer, dives into the essence of human flourishing, liberal philosophy, and the crises we face today. With a powerful call for a cognitive revolution, Brock explores the balance between freedom and obligation, the pitfalls of technology, and the importance of love and shared understanding in navigating uncertainty. This conversation spans from historical insights to current events, offering a nuanced perspective on what it means to stay human in a rapidly changing world.

Notes From the Circus

The Manifesto of the Cognitive Revolution

The Matrix as an Example

Phenomenon of Life by Hans Jonas (Di Paolo)

00:00 Introduction to Human Flourishing and Liberalism
02:11 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
02:23 Introducing Mike Brock
03:16 The Cognitive Revolution and Love
05:31 The Role of Algorithms and Technology
06:41 The Grand Praxis and Emotional Honesty
32:44 Exploring Liberalism and Its Tensions
45:20 The Problem with Marxism and Liberalism
47:24 The Liberal Frontier and Welfare State
50:02 Debating Bias and Neutrality
01:14:35 The Crisis of Epistemic Fragmentation
01:18:39 The Role of Technology in Human Experience
01:30:18 The Fear of Asking Questions
01:30:54 Tech Oligarchs and Social Media Impact
01:33:44 The Cognitive Revolution
01:36:31 Praxis and Emotional Connection
01:37:40 The Role of a Prosecutor in Memetic Warfare
01:41:03 The Importance of Intellectual Honesty
01:41:46 The Intersection of Love and Philosophy
01:56:16 The Tension Between Creation and Chaos
01:57:16 The Legacy of Thinkers: Sagan and Hitchens
02:12:26 The Necessity of Intellectual Gatekeeping
02:14:31 The Importance of Understanding and Dialogue
02:15:37 Path Dependency and Shared Experiences
02:16:41 Frustrations with Social Justice Activism
02:17:48 The Role of Persuasion in Social Progress
02:21:32 AI Governance and Democratic Values
02:23:03 The Dangers of Algorithmic Thinking
02:31:06 Elon Musk and the Temptation of Efficiency
02:41:54 The Call for a Cognitive Revolution
02:53:25 Final Thoughts and Advice for Authentic Living

Clear Thinking vs. Curtis Yarvin

Doppler Effect

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#paradox of #love and #agency Yogi aka. Johannes Jaeger like to fashion himself as a natural philosopher. After having his own lab and being the director of an institute in Vienna he left academia for pursuing intellectual production independently. He is part of an science-art collective in Vienna called The Zone. His focus has been primarily focused on his book, Beyond the Age of #Machines, which he had been publishing incrementally in digital form. Fotis Tsiroukis is a cross-disciplinary researcher interested in the intersection between humanities, science and new media. Also a cyborg...

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Johannes Jaeger
The Zone

LinkedIn Fotis
Research Fotis

Giving Page

In this episode of the Love & Philosophy Podcast, host Fotis engages in a deep and
thought-provoking conversation with Johannes "Yogi" Jaeger, a freelance scholar and biologist-turned-philosopher. Yogi critiques the dominant "machine worldview" that has shaped modernity, arguing that it has led human civilization to a dangerous "cliff edge". He advocates for a shift towards a process-oriented, relational metaphysics that emphasizes the interconnectedness of living systems and the limitations of computational models. Yogi also discusses the pitfalls of AI, the dangers of technological hubris, and the need for a new kind of science that reconnects us with reality. The conversation touches on themes of agency, the limitations of a computationalist worldview and the importance of tough love in guiding humanity towards a more sustainable and meaningful future.

#computationalism

1. [00:00:00] Snippets
2. [00:02:10] Introduction (by Fotis)
3. [00:10:00] Yogi as a Natural Philosopher
4. [00:13:00] Critique of Modern Science
5. [00:14:30] Yogi’s Journey of Dissilusionment: from Molecular Biologist to Freelance
Theorist
6. [00:20:00] The Problem with the Academic System
7. [00:25:00] The Need for a New Metaphysics
8. [00:28:00] Getting Back in Touch with Reality
9. [00:32:00] Postmodernism & Metamodernism
10. [00:36:00] The Danger of Technological Hubris
11. [00:40:00] Complexity Science and the Pitfalls of the Computationalist Wordlview
12. [00:45:00] The Illusion of Total Control
13. [00:49:00] The Misuse of AI
14. [00:54:00] Preping for the Collapse of this Civilization
15. [00:57:00] AI "Agents" aren't Real Agents
16. [01:05:00] The Illusion of AI Sentience
17. [01:10:00] The Free Energy Principle and Reductionism
18. [01:20:00] The Importance of Relevance Realization
19. [01:25:00] The Role of Relationality and Connection
20. [01:30:00] Tough Love for Humanity
21. [01:35:00] Closing Thoughts

Yogi's Theory Paper on Dynamical
Metamodernism Primer

Bluesky: 
@lovephilosophy.substack.com

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 Elena Clare Cuffari is a Professor at Franklin and Marshall College. Shay Welch is a professor at Spelman College in Atlanta. In this episode, they discuss embodied cognition and participatory sensemaking in relation to marginalized body epistemologies. They share insights from a recent conference that brought together diverse perspectives on how embodied cognition intersects with issues of race, gender, and activism. Welch emphasizes that she never separates her scholarship from her personal life, seeing philosophy as inherently connected to her lived experience. Cuffari highlights the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of her work with colleagues, which seeks to challenge traditional philosophical boundaries. They address the challenges of integrating marginalized voices into academic fields and the importance of recognizing the body's knowledge. The conversation also touches on the discomfort that arises in both academic and social contexts when established norms are challenged, and how this requires responsibility beyond blame.
 
 00:00 Building a Community for Philosophical Dialogue
 02:02 Introduction to Embodied Cognition and Participatory Sensemaking
 02:22 Exploring Personal Philosophical Interests
 04:11 Defining Embodied Cognition and Participatory Sensemaking
 08:08 The Roots and Relevance of Embodied Cognition
 15:14 Challenges in Academia and Marginalized Philosophies
 28:51 The Concept of Normalcy in Philosophy and Society
 37:17 Addressing Misunderstandings in Philosophy
 39:34 Inclusivity and Change in Philosophy
 43:18 Discomfort and Openness in Philosophical Inquiry
 49:44 Marginalized Body Epistemologies
 01:01:43 The Intersection of Philosophy and Personal Experience
 01:05:57 Reflections on the Conference and Future Directions

Click to Substack page here for references and more.

Shay Welch: https://spelman.academia.edu/shaywelch

Read Rebecca Todd's post about Shay 

Elena Cuffari: https://www.elenaclarecuffari.com/

Women in embodied Cognition: https://women-4e.com/

Oxford Handbook of 4E Cognition

What is Feminist Phenomenology?

The Phenomenology of a Performative Knowledge System: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-04936-2#bibliographic-information

Linguistic Bodies: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262547864/linguistic-bodies/

Shay interview

Elena motivation

The quote Shay reads is chapter 8 of this book:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/oppression-and-the-body-christine-caldwell/1126641713

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In this episode, which was recorded in the autumn of 2024, Andrea Hiott talks with environmental philosopher and public intellectual Rupert Read. They delve into Read's realization that 'this civilization is finished,' his engagement with Wittgenstein's philosophy (especially the book he edited with Alice Crary), his subsequent involvement with Extinction Rebellion, how he has come to understand crisis as inflections of love, and the 'moving forward' work of the Climate Majority Project. The conversation explores themes of crisis, consciousness, intergenerational solidarity, and the liberating power of love and truth in the face of existential challenges. Read shares insights from his academic and activist career, emphasizing the importance of inner work, eco-spirituality, and the collective struggle for a better future.

00:00 A Shocking Revelation
00:20 Philosophy and Freedom
01:02 Wittgenstein's Wonderful Life
01:20 Embracing Difficult Emotions
02:29 Introduction to the Interview
02:33 Rupert Reed's Background
04:21 Philosophy as Therapy
05:06 Love as Action
07:51 Rupert Reed's Crisis
09:50 Philosophy and Personal Crisis
11:33 Wittgenstein's Liberatory Philosophy
23:28 Spiritual Practices and Eco-Spirituality
37:05 Climate Courage Campaign
39:16 The Importance of Truth
44:07 The Path to Truthfulness
44:55 The Revelation: Civilization is Finished
46:49 Engaging with Students and Public Reaction
47:54 Joining Extinction Rebellion
48:50 The Challenge of Facing Hard Realities
51:18 The Importance of Paradox and Love
55:21 The Role of Anxiety and Dreams
57:48 Extinction Rebellion's Evolution
01:01:49 The Climate Majority Project
01:10:51 Intergenerational Solidarity and Responsibility
01:17:24 Embracing Difficult Emotions
01:22:50 Final Thoughts and Invitation to Action

Links to what we discuss:

New Wittgenstein book with Alice Crary

Cora Diamond

Civil Disobedience

Love in the time of Corona

New Statesmen Article

Joanna Macy

Foucault
Rupert on Politics Live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5oAr9q277g 

https://dark-mountain.net/the-deluge/

https://www.parentsforafuture.org/ 

Thrutopia https://youtu.be/b1trbea-BkU?si=YlhO13yioc6jTekO

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 Decoding the Empowerment Measurement in AI and Robotics with Dari Trendafilov. Dari has a PhD in Computing Science from the University of Glasgow, UK. His research interests are situated at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Human–Computer Interaction. He specialized in probabilistic information-theoretic modelling of complex systems and analysis of computational and interactive cognitive systems in the context of social and human–robot interaction. Towards his aim of establishing the fundamental information processing principles driving decision-making in living organisms, he has developed information-theoretic models and tools for the study of human sensorimotor dynamics, robotic and simulated systems, based on behavioural and physiological sensing and analysis.

In this episode, Andrea and Dari explore the concept of empowerment in the context of artificial intelligence and robotics. The discussion covers Claude Shannon's information theory, intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, and the application of these theories in human-computer interaction and swarm robotics. Dari shares insights from his research on swarm intelligence and the use of evolutionary algorithms for collective decision-making. The episode also touches on the broader implications of modeling intelligence and the dynamic interaction between agents and their environments.

00:00 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
00:11 Understanding Empowerment and Information Theory
01:41 Empowerment in Artificial Intelligence
04:43 Robotics and Human Interaction
06:56 Exploring the Concept of Empowerment
19:29 Swarm Robotics and Collective Intelligence
33:59 Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation
40:36 Modeling Nature Through Robotics
42:38 The Journey to Empowerment Research
43:28 Challenges in Human-Computer Interaction
44:04 Interdisciplinary Approaches to Usability
44:50 Usability Engineering and Market Demands
45:30 Formal Models and Theories in HCI
47:20 Understanding Empowerment in HCI
51:01 The Role of Affordances
52:33 Introduction to Empowerment
53:07 Empowerment in Practice
53:33 Empowerment as a Measure
01:00:56 Applications and Implications of Empowerment
01:08:11 Swarm Robotics and Collective Intelligence
01:14:16 Modeling Intelligence and Future Directions

Empowerment papers

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  Exploring Human Embodiment and Conviviality with Thomas Fuchs, the Karl Jaspers Professor of Philosophy and Psychiatry, Heidelberg University, Germany

Join Andrea for an insightful conversation with Thomas Fuchs, a philosopher and psychiatrist at Universität Heidelberg, as they delve into his book, 'In Defense of the Human Being.' Explore the profound questions about our distinctiveness from machines, the concept of 'conviviality,' and the essence of human embodiment. They discuss the oscillation between self-aggrandizement and self-contempt and how intersubjectivity and embodied experiences are central to understanding what it means to be human. Discover how modern technology impacts our self-perception and the importance of regaining a balanced relationship with our body and others. This episode is a deep dive into the notions of self-awareness, bodily presence, and the interrelation of life, mind, and technology.

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00:00 Introduction: Are We Distinct from Machines?
01:32 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
01:36 Introducing Thomas Fuchs and His Work
02:15 Conviviality and Intersubjectivity
03:51 The Theory of Mind and Human Experience
07:56 The Defense of the Human Being
08:51 The Impact of Technology and Transhumanism
18:18 Embodiment and the Human Condition
24:23 The Illusion of Mind-Body Separation
40:29 The Role of Intersubjectivity
57:53 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

In Defense of the Human Body
Thomas Fuchs, Karl Jaspers Professor of Philosophy and Psychiatry, Heidelberg University, Germany

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 Mark Solms | Part 2 | Can love bring us beyond traditional divides?

Mark Solms is a professor in the Department of Neuropsychology at the University of Cape Town: "My early research focused on the brain mechanisms of sleep and dreaming led to an interest in consciousness, which is currently my major focus. My emphasis is on brainstem mechanisms of consciousness and the foundational role of affect, emotional affect in particular. This work has included applications to various neuropsychiatric disorders, such as anosognosia and confabulatory amnesia, and, more recently, depression and addiction."

In this episode, Andrea and Mark discuss the intricate dimensions of love and consciousness. Solms and Hiott explore the various elements that constitute love, including romantic love, attachment, and care. Solms highlights the complexities of human emotions and how they integrate into love and relationships. Solms also discusses the concepts of narcissism, object love, and how the integration of different emotional drives forms advanced states of mind. The conversation touches on the importance of subjectivity in neuroscience, the development of self-awareness, and Freud's contribution to understanding human nature. The episode provides a nuanced look at how feelings are fundamental to conscious experience and the obligation of science to incorporate subjectivity into its worldview.

00:00 Understanding Consciousness and Self-Awareness
00:55 The Complexity of Love and Relationships
02:47 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
04:48 Exploring the Concept of Love
05:40 The Components of Romantic Love
08:20 Attachment and Care in Relationships
11:56 Balancing Emotions in Love
17:18 The Role of Feelings in Human Nature
29:05 Exploring the Nature of Love in Mammals
30:33 Philosophical Love: The Quest for Knowledge
31:25 Lust and Its Complex Relationship with Love
32:42 Freud's Concept of Narcissism
35:22 Integrating Lust and Attachment
43:36 The Evolution of Consciousness
51:28 Freud's Scientific Project and Subjectivity
57:05 Balancing Objective and Subjective Realities
01:00:08 Concluding Thoughts on Love and Consciousness

Mark Solms
Hidden Spring
Love and Its Place in Nature

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