Podcast: Robert Burns Subversive Radical by Kevin Williamson

Robert Burns was a radical, subversive political dissident throughout his life. His poems push against oppression, injustice and the treatment of the poor. Becoming the flavour of the time of the Edinburgh bourgeoisie he redoubled his efforts to change the social landscape of Scotland through his prose, art and opinions.  This put him at odds with the powers that be, and his risked his freedom to shout for the common man.

He sympathised with the republican ideals of the American Revolution of 1776, as well as the French Revolution of 1789, although his own government declared war on both republics.

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Podcast: Music In India; Music In Me By Jatin Puri

On the 26th Aug 2011 in the Edinburgh International Festival, Jatin Puri, an Indian Musician did a talk called “Music in India; Music in Me”. This is the podcast of the talk. Having been involved in the music industry in India since 2004, he brought a wealth of insight into the forces with which an independent musician has to contend in India.  With a desire to have always been a musician, it was his dream since being a child. Read more…

Lets Talk About Population Baby! By Brian Chrystal

Humanity at present is like lemmings preening there fur coats before going over the cliff, but we are taking many other species with us. David Attenborough has stated that he can think of no environmental problem that would be easier to solve with fewer people. The difference we can make is the difference between 8 billion and 10 billion but we can only do this by facing up to the problem and braking the taboo of talking about it. We do not need coercion, set limits or eugenics but we do need to talk. Read more…

Podcast: Professor Virginia Eubanks Talks About Digital Deadends

“If we don’t want the information age to deliver widespread economic and political destruction, we must commit to including all citizens in a dialog about creating a just and equitable future.  In the end, our liberation is bound up in each other; we all sink or swim together.”

Professor Virginia Eubanks wrote the book Digital Deadend from her time living and working with a YWCA just outside of New York.  Her experiences trying to provide free education, support and span the ‘digital divide’ led her to write this book.  Her studies show the myths which are perpetuated around the rhetoric of the digital age – i.e. computers will make us all free; it will make education accessible to all; the ‘poor’ lack skills whilst the rich have them…
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