BlomCast Sun, 22 Mar 2026 04:05:10 -0400 https://blomcast.buzzsprout.com en © 2026 BlomCast yes Support this Podcast e5f8a0c6-30cb-5198-80a3-7145988b5fdc Philipp Blom episodic false The BlomCast looks at turning points in history, which have always fascinated me. My name is Philipp Blom, I am a historian and broadcaster and author of many books about the Enlightenment, the story of modernity and climate history. The climate catastrophe places us at the greatest historical turning point hin human history. What, if anything, can we learn from moments in the past in which a model of life seemed to change, or had to change, in which whole societies were transformed?


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]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Philipp Blom https://storage.buzzsprout.com/mn3ilgw4f2gq089ozzg9kpmqr5nj?.jpg BlomCast [67] Ralph Janik — das Völkerrecht, eine Illusion? [67] Ralph Janik — das Völkerrecht, eine Illusion? Nachdem Ursula van der Leyen offen die Frage stellt, wie wichtig und wie realistisch es für Europa ist, das Völkerrecht zu verteidigen, und nachdem internationale Institutionen wie die UN und der International Criminal Court marginalisiert werden ist es Zeit, auch diesen Wendepunkt zu besprechen. Ralph Janik ist Völkerrechtler und mein Gast für dieses Gespräch über die Frage, ob das Völkerrecht tot ist, wie Macht eigentlich funktioniert und was das alles mit Gewalt und Zivilisiertheit zu tun hat. Ist es naiv, um Zeitalter von Trump und Putin über das Völkerrecht zu sprechen, oder ist es wichtiger denn je?

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]]> Nachdem Ursula van der Leyen offen die Frage stellt, wie wichtig und wie realistisch es für Europa ist, das Völkerrecht zu verteidigen, und nachdem internationale Institutionen wie die UN und der International Criminal Court marginalisiert werden ist es Zeit, auch diesen Wendepunkt zu besprechen. Ralph Janik ist Völkerrechtler und mein Gast für dieses Gespräch über die Frage, ob das Völkerrecht tot ist, wie Macht eigentlich funktioniert und was das alles mit Gewalt und Zivilisiertheit zu tun hat. Ist es naiv, um Zeitalter von Trump und Putin über das Völkerrecht zu sprechen, oder ist es wichtiger denn je?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-18884148 Sun, 22 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0100 4989 Völkerrecht, Menschenrecht, internationales Recht, International Criminal Court, United Nations, UN, Ursua van der Leyen, Donal Trump, Macht, Imperialismus, Iran, Irankrieg, Demokratie, Michael Ignatieff, Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, Kriegsrecht, Krieg, Nürn 3 1 full false [66] Innovation – a blessing, and a curse? [66] Innovation – a blessing, and a curse? Innovation is often hailed as the solution to many of society's problems, from climate change to economic growth. But is it really the silver bullet we think it is? In this rant, I examine how different societies have responded to innovation throughout history, the benefits and challenges it brings, and what we can learn from these examples today. What can the invention of the printing press, the Ottoman reticence to allow Arabic book printing, the Luddites in Britain and China’s century of humiliation tell us about the technological innovations of our own societies and how to cope with them?

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]]> Innovation is often hailed as the solution to many of society's problems, from climate change to economic growth. But is it really the silver bullet we think it is? In this rant, I examine how different societies have responded to innovation throughout history, the benefits and challenges it brings, and what we can learn from these examples today. What can the invention of the printing press, the Ottoman reticence to allow Arabic book printing, the Luddites in Britain and China’s century of humiliation tell us about the technological innovations of our own societies and how to cope with them?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-18854806 Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:00:00 +0100 2164 BlomCast, Philipp Blom. Innovation, Technology, Transformation, Climate Catastrophe, Economic Growth, Printing Press, Gutenberg, Religious Wars, Propaganda, Ottoman Empire, Luddites, Britain, Capitalism, China, Century of Humiliation, Ching Dynasty, Meiji 2 35 full false [66] Innovation – Segen oder Fluch? [66] Innovation – Segen oder Fluch? Innovation wird oft als Lösung für gesellschaftliche Probleme gepriesen, vom Klimawandel bis hin zum Wirtschaftswachstum. Aber ist sie wirklich das Wundermittel, für das wir sie halten? In diesem Beitrag untersuche ich, wie verschiedene Gesellschaften im Laufe der Geschichte auf Innovation reagiert haben, welche Vorteile und Herausforderungen sie mit sich bringt und was wir heute aus diesen Beispielen lernen können. Was können uns die Erfindung der Druckerpresse, die Weigerung der Osmanen, den Druck arabischer Bücher zuzulassen, die Ludditen in Großbritannien und Chinas Jahrhundert der Demütigung über die technologischen Innovationen unserer eigenen Gesellschaften und den Umgang mit ihnen sagen?

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]]> Innovation wird oft als Lösung für gesellschaftliche Probleme gepriesen, vom Klimawandel bis hin zum Wirtschaftswachstum. Aber ist sie wirklich das Wundermittel, für das wir sie halten? In diesem Beitrag untersuche ich, wie verschiedene Gesellschaften im Laufe der Geschichte auf Innovation reagiert haben, welche Vorteile und Herausforderungen sie mit sich bringt und was wir heute aus diesen Beispielen lernen können. Was können uns die Erfindung der Druckerpresse, die Weigerung der Osmanen, den Druck arabischer Bücher zuzulassen, die Ludditen in Großbritannien und Chinas Jahrhundert der Demütigung über die technologischen Innovationen unserer eigenen Gesellschaften und den Umgang mit ihnen sagen?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-18854778 Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:00:00 +0100 1836 BlomCast, Philipp Blom. Innovation, Technologie, Transformation, Klimakatastrophe, Wirtschaftswachstum, Druckerpresse, Gutenberg, Religionskriege, Propaganda, Osmanisches Reich, Ludditen, Großbritannien, Kapitalismus, China, Jahrhundert der Demütigung, Qi 2 35 full false [65] Anton Howes — Why did the industrial Revolution happen, and why in England? [65] Anton Howes — Why did the industrial Revolution happen, and why in England? In this episode of the BlomCast I speak to economic historian Anton Howes. The question is as simple as the answer is complex: Why did the Industrial Revolution not happen in ancient Rome or China, but in Britain? And why not earlier? Together we delve into the complexities of the Industrial Revolution, exploring why it occurred in Britain and the various factors that contributed to this pivotal moment in history. We discuss the unlikely path of England towards industrialization, the impact of demographic changes, the enclosure movement, and the crucial role of knowledge and ideas in fostering innovation. The conversation also touches on technological developments in the 1600s, environmental consequences, and the significance of capital and investment in driving change. Ultimately, we reflect on the mentality of improvement that characterized this era and its relevance to understanding historical turning points. And what was the role played by the improving mentality Anton speaks about?

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]]> In this episode of the BlomCast I speak to economic historian Anton Howes. The question is as simple as the answer is complex: Why did the Industrial Revolution not happen in ancient Rome or China, but in Britain? And why not earlier? Together we delve into the complexities of the Industrial Revolution, exploring why it occurred in Britain and the various factors that contributed to this pivotal moment in history. We discuss the unlikely path of England towards industrialization, the impact of demographic changes, the enclosure movement, and the crucial role of knowledge and ideas in fostering innovation. The conversation also touches on technological developments in the 1600s, environmental consequences, and the significance of capital and investment in driving change. Ultimately, we reflect on the mentality of improvement that characterized this era and its relevance to understanding historical turning points. And what was the role played by the improving mentality Anton speaks about?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-18764639 Sun, 01 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0500 3976 BlomCast, Philipp Blom, Anton Howes, Age of Improvement, Industrial Revolution, history, innovation, Britain, technology, demographics, capitalism, environmental impact, population decline, knowledge preservation, steam engine, Renaissance, stock markets, 2 33 full false [64] Jörg Baberowski II — Wie Demokratien sterben [64] Jörg Baberowski II — Wie Demokratien sterben Am Volk vorbei heißt Jörg Baberowskis neues Buch, ein wunderbarer Anlass für das zweite Gespräch mit dem deutschen Historiker. Es ist ein Missverständnis, die Demokratie vor sich selbst bewahren zu wollen, argumentiert er. Politische und akademische Eliten, die meinen die Demokratie zu definieren und zu kontrollieren, laufen selbst Gefahr, die Demokratie abzuschaffen. Der Populismus ist in dieses Spiel zwischen Macht und Repräsentation immer schon eingeschlossen, er behauptet, das einfache Volk gegen die Eliten zu verteidigen. Aber auch sie werden durch die Macht korrumpiert, von der Elite vereinnahmt — oder sie zerstören die Demokratie tatsächlich. Nur Offenheit kann das verhindern, meint Baberowski in unserem faszinierenden Gespräch.

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]]> Am Volk vorbei heißt Jörg Baberowskis neues Buch, ein wunderbarer Anlass für das zweite Gespräch mit dem deutschen Historiker. Es ist ein Missverständnis, die Demokratie vor sich selbst bewahren zu wollen, argumentiert er. Politische und akademische Eliten, die meinen die Demokratie zu definieren und zu kontrollieren, laufen selbst Gefahr, die Demokratie abzuschaffen. Der Populismus ist in dieses Spiel zwischen Macht und Repräsentation immer schon eingeschlossen, er behauptet, das einfache Volk gegen die Eliten zu verteidigen. Aber auch sie werden durch die Macht korrumpiert, von der Elite vereinnahmt — oder sie zerstören die Demokratie tatsächlich. Nur Offenheit kann das verhindern, meint Baberowski in unserem faszinierenden Gespräch.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-18738715 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0100 3067 BlomCast, Philipp Blom, Jörg Baberowski, Am Volk vorbei, Demokratie, Populismus, AfD, Le Pen, Nationalismus, Nationalstaat, Russland, Ukraine, Ukrainekrieg, Invasion, Wladimir Putin, Mauerfall, Josef Stalin, Willy Brandt 2 33 full false [63] Kerry Brown — The Great Reversal, China and the West [63] Kerry Brown — The Great Reversal, China and the West In this episode of the BlomCast, host Philipp Blom engages with Kerry Brown, a prominent expert on China, to explore the historical and cultural dynamics that have shaped China's relationship with the West. They discuss Brown's personal journey with China, the significance of language and culture, and the historical context of the Opium Wars and the Taiping Rebellion. The conversation delves into the modern implications of China's economic transformation, the clash of values between East and West, and the pragmatic nature of Chinese society. Brown emphasizes the need for the West to reassess its understanding of China and to recognize the complexities of its culture and governance.

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]]> In this episode of the BlomCast, host Philipp Blom engages with Kerry Brown, a prominent expert on China, to explore the historical and cultural dynamics that have shaped China's relationship with the West. They discuss Brown's personal journey with China, the significance of language and culture, and the historical context of the Opium Wars and the Taiping Rebellion. The conversation delves into the modern implications of China's economic transformation, the clash of values between East and West, and the pragmatic nature of Chinese society. Brown emphasizes the need for the West to reassess its understanding of China and to recognize the complexities of its culture and governance.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-18678867 Sun, 15 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500 3131 BlomCast, Philipp Blom, China, Kerry Brown, Opium Wars, Taiping Rebellion, Great Reversal, Chinese culture, language, history, technology, global relations, Karl Marx, Great Britain, Brexit 2 32 full false [62] Daniel Marwecki — Die Welt nach dem Westen [62] Daniel Marwecki — Die Welt nach dem Westen Der Politologe Daniel Marwecki lehrt in Hong Kong und schreibt über den Westen. Das gibt ihm eine wertvolle Außenperspekive: Wir denken mehr über die Chinesen nach als die über uns, sagt er. Wir sprechen darüber, wie der Westen zu diesem Punkt gekommen ist, vom seinem frühen Erfolgsmodell, Nationalstaat plus industrieller Kapitalismus, bis zu seinen gegenwärtigen Ringen um Orientierung und Möglichkeiten. Aber bleibt dem Westen wirklich nur “würdevolles Abstiegsmanagement” oder gibt es neue Dynamiken? Können westliche Staaten eine neue Idee einer positiven Zukunft entwickeln, oder gehen sie auf ein Jahrhundert der Demütigung zu , wie China im 19. Jahrhundert? Ich hoffe, dieses Gespräch macht Ihnen so viel Spaß, wie es mir gemacht hat, ich habe viel gelernt.

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]]> Der Politologe Daniel Marwecki lehrt in Hong Kong und schreibt über den Westen. Das gibt ihm eine wertvolle Außenperspekive: Wir denken mehr über die Chinesen nach als die über uns, sagt er. Wir sprechen darüber, wie der Westen zu diesem Punkt gekommen ist, vom seinem frühen Erfolgsmodell, Nationalstaat plus industrieller Kapitalismus, bis zu seinen gegenwärtigen Ringen um Orientierung und Möglichkeiten. Aber bleibt dem Westen wirklich nur “würdevolles Abstiegsmanagement” oder gibt es neue Dynamiken? Können westliche Staaten eine neue Idee einer positiven Zukunft entwickeln, oder gehen sie auf ein Jahrhundert der Demütigung zu , wie China im 19. Jahrhundert? Ich hoffe, dieses Gespräch macht Ihnen so viel Spaß, wie es mir gemacht hat, ich habe viel gelernt.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-18562448 Sun, 25 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500 3998 Daniel Marwecki, Die Welt nach dem Westen, Abendland, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Industrialisierung, Nationalstaat, Deutschland,, Friedrich Merz, Donald Trump, Europa, EU, Kreislaufwirtschaft, Degrowth, Wachstum, Solidarität, Bruno Latour, Hong Kong, Gewalt, 2 31 full false [61] Bonus Episode — Spinoza and the Art of Organising Knowledge [61] Bonus Episode — Spinoza and the Art of Organising Knowledge Recently, I was honoured to give the Spinoza Lecture in Den Haag, Netherlands, a wonderful opportunity to pay homage to a truly great thinker, as well as for a few reflections on knowledge and how it has been organised throughout history. In the course of my reflections, we meet Spinoza in his house in The Hague, the great scholar and dictionary writer Pierre Bayle, as well as Denis Diderot and his favourite friends and enemies. We follow revolutions in writing and thinking through Bayle’s Dictionnaire historique et critique and Diderot and d’Alembert’s Encycopédie, and their inversion during the nineteenth century, when dictionaries were no longer instruments of intellectual subversion, but empire building. Knowledge and its organisation are always contested. Who gets to chose? To describe? To value? Whose authority? And what about today, about Wikipedia and increasingly about AI engines, the questions we ask them and the ways we trust them? Where does autonomy go?

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]]> Recently, I was honoured to give the Spinoza Lecture in Den Haag, Netherlands, a wonderful opportunity to pay homage to a truly great thinker, as well as for a few reflections on knowledge and how it has been organised throughout history. In the course of my reflections, we meet Spinoza in his house in The Hague, the great scholar and dictionary writer Pierre Bayle, as well as Denis Diderot and his favourite friends and enemies. We follow revolutions in writing and thinking through Bayle’s Dictionnaire historique et critique and Diderot and d’Alembert’s Encycopédie, and their inversion during the nineteenth century, when dictionaries were no longer instruments of intellectual subversion, but empire building. Knowledge and its organisation are always contested. Who gets to chose? To describe? To value? Whose authority? And what about today, about Wikipedia and increasingly about AI engines, the questions we ask them and the ways we trust them? Where does autonomy go?

Support the show

]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-18492545 Mon, 12 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0500 1959 Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Baruch Spinoza, Den Haag, The Hague, Spinoza House, Rijnsburg, Pierre Bayle, Rotterdam, Denis Diderot, Paris, Jean LeRond d’Alembert, Wikipedia, AI, ChatGPT, freedom, autonomy, slavery, serfdom, heretics, intellectual freedom, athe 2 30 full false [60] Natasha Wheatley — How States Live and Die [60] Natasha Wheatley — How States Live and Die Yes, sometimes history has echos, and sometimes they become almost deafening. What does it take to make as state? It is not just the borders. What makes people into citizens, what gives the whole legitimacy? For the Habsburg empire in its dying days just before the end of World War I these were very urgent questions. Natasha Wheatley has analysed the end of empire and the beginning of the republic of Austria and shows brilliantly why the new state and its laws were both far sighted and deeply flawed. In the course of the discussion we touch on issues from The Voice in Australia to today’s changing world order and the use of collective fictions — and what happens when they break down.

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]]> Yes, sometimes history has echos, and sometimes they become almost deafening. What does it take to make as state? It is not just the borders. What makes people into citizens, what gives the whole legitimacy? For the Habsburg empire in its dying days just before the end of World War I these were very urgent questions. Natasha Wheatley has analysed the end of empire and the beginning of the republic of Austria and shows brilliantly why the new state and its laws were both far sighted and deeply flawed. In the course of the discussion we touch on issues from The Voice in Australia to today’s changing world order and the use of collective fictions — and what happens when they break down.

Support the show

]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-18486147 Sun, 11 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500 3558 Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Natasha Wheatley, The life and Death of States, Habsburg empire, Austria, Nazism, Hans Kelsen, Carl Schmitt, fascism, democracy, constitution, revolution, the voice, World War I, antisemitism, Vienna, Sigmund Freud, Gustav Klimt, E 2 29 full false [59] Georgios Varouxakis — The West, History of an Idea [59] Georgios Varouxakis — The West, History of an Idea In this wide ranging conversation, Georgios and I delve into the history of the concept of the west, as opposed to Christendom or Europe, its two predecessors. When did people start talking about the West and when did it become a thing? And what on earth did they mean by it? Beginning with the ancient Greeks we tried to tease out different ways in which this concept was filled. On the way we encounter an amazing gallery of protagonists, from French philosophers such as Simone Weil and Auguste Comte to John Stuart Mill, Alexis de Tocqueville, and Hannah Ahrendt. Recording this a few days after the new US National Security Strategy, we also ask whether this is the point, at which we can bury this idea, which role cultural elites played in its decline, and what may come after it.

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]]> In this wide ranging conversation, Georgios and I delve into the history of the concept of the west, as opposed to Christendom or Europe, its two predecessors. When did people start talking about the West and when did it become a thing? And what on earth did they mean by it? Beginning with the ancient Greeks we tried to tease out different ways in which this concept was filled. On the way we encounter an amazing gallery of protagonists, from French philosophers such as Simone Weil and Auguste Comte to John Stuart Mill, Alexis de Tocqueville, and Hannah Ahrendt. Recording this a few days after the new US National Security Strategy, we also ask whether this is the point, at which we can bury this idea, which role cultural elites played in its decline, and what may come after it.

Support the show

]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-18349775 Sun, 14 Dec 2025 02:00:00 -0500 4166 Georgios Varouxakis, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, the West, Christendom, Europe, Simone Weil, Auguste Comte, John Stuart Mill, Alexis de Tocqueville, Hannah Ahrendt, elites, culture and civilisation, Oswald Spengler, Decline of the West, cultural pessimism, EU 2 28 full false [58] Mark Galeotti — On Russia, Historical Continuity, and the Business of Diplomacy [58] Mark Galeotti — On Russia, Historical Continuity, and the Business of Diplomacy In this episode of the BlomCast, I engage with historian Mark Galeotti to explore the complexities of Russian history, military strategy, and the interplay of crime and society. They discuss the continuities in Russian military tactics, the cultural narratives that shape Russian identity, and the role of the Orthodox Church. The conversation also delves into the impact of globalization on organized crime and the challenges Russia will face post-war, and into the remarkable connections between crime, state-building, and societal norms.

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]]> In this episode of the BlomCast, I engage with historian Mark Galeotti to explore the complexities of Russian history, military strategy, and the interplay of crime and society. They discuss the continuities in Russian military tactics, the cultural narratives that shape Russian identity, and the role of the Orthodox Church. The conversation also delves into the impact of globalization on organized crime and the challenges Russia will face post-war, and into the remarkable connections between crime, state-building, and societal norms.

Support the show

]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-18304291 Sun, 07 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500 3521 BlomCast, Philipp Blom, Mark Galeotti, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Russia, Ukraine, military strategy, historical myths, Orthodox Church, globalization, organized crime, post-war society 2 27 full false [57] Europe 2050 — the Challenges [57] Europe 2050 — the Challenges In an imperial world in which a few powers divide the globals spoils among them, Europe is faced with huge challenges. Those who do not have a place at the table find themselves on the menu. In this episode I think about the fundamental challenges of autonomy, sustainability and democracy. Europeans will have to decide whether they are willing to fight for their autonomy or whether they are happy to see the continent of the former colonisers finally turn into a colony itself.

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]]> In an imperial world in which a few powers divide the globals spoils among them, Europe is faced with huge challenges. Those who do not have a place at the table find themselves on the menu. In this episode I think about the fundamental challenges of autonomy, sustainability and democracy. Europeans will have to decide whether they are willing to fight for their autonomy or whether they are happy to see the continent of the former colonisers finally turn into a colony itself.

Support the show

]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-18197559 Sun, 16 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500 2903 Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Europe, European Community, autonomy, digital sovereignty, demography, immigration, borders, democracy, social states, defence, post war era, colonisation, AI, digital revolution, basic income, redistribution, future 2 26 full false [57] Europa 2050 — die Herausforderungen [57] Europa 2050 — die Herausforderungen Europa findet sich in einer neuen Welt, in der große Imperien alles untereinander aufteilen: Wer keinen Platz am Tisch hat, ist auf der Speisekarte. Aber wie können europäische Demokratien überleben? In dieser Folge denke ich über drei fundamentale Säulen nach: Autonomie, Nachhaltigkeit und Demokratie. Die Herausforderungen sind enorm und die Europäer:innen werden sich entscheiden müssen, ob sie bereit sind, sich für ihre Autonomie einsetzen, oder ob der Kontinent der Kolonisatoren jetzt endlich zur Kolonie anderer Mächte wird.


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]]> Europa findet sich in einer neuen Welt, in der große Imperien alles untereinander aufteilen: Wer keinen Platz am Tisch hat, ist auf der Speisekarte. Aber wie können europäische Demokratien überleben? In dieser Folge denke ich über drei fundamentale Säulen nach: Autonomie, Nachhaltigkeit und Demokratie. Die Herausforderungen sind enorm und die Europäer:innen werden sich entscheiden müssen, ob sie bereit sind, sich für ihre Autonomie einsetzen, oder ob der Kontinent der Kolonisatoren jetzt endlich zur Kolonie anderer Mächte wird.


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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-18197551 Sun, 16 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500 2398 Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Europa, EU, Autonomie, digitale Souveränität, Demographie, Immigration, Grenzen, Demokratie, Sozialstaat, Verteidigung, Nachkriegszeit, Kolonisierung, AI, digitale Revolution, Grundeinkommen, Umverteilung, Zukunft 2 26 full false [56] Stuart Gillespie — Food Fight: How Corporate Profit Overwhelmed Farming [56] Stuart Gillespie — Food Fight: How Corporate Profit Overwhelmed Farming The current regime of agriculture leads to a paradoxical situation: not only does this system destroy more in terms of natural resources than it creates in terms of food, it also leads to hundreds of millions of people being overfed while simultaneously being undernourished. There are now more obese children in the world than undernourished ones, and the effects on their physical and mental health are severe. But how did we get here? Stuart’s changing point lies at the end of the Second World War, when the international food market was ordered anew and the production of calories became top priority. What comes afterwards is almost too familiar: the rise of industrially produced agricultural products which locks farmers into a product palette from particular seeds to fertilisers, pesticides and other products to the rise of highly processed foods, which are designed to exploit our evolutionary craving for sugar, fat, and salt. The result of these developments have brought global food production to a crisis point. But what has to be done to change this destructive system?

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]]> The current regime of agriculture leads to a paradoxical situation: not only does this system destroy more in terms of natural resources than it creates in terms of food, it also leads to hundreds of millions of people being overfed while simultaneously being undernourished. There are now more obese children in the world than undernourished ones, and the effects on their physical and mental health are severe. But how did we get here? Stuart’s changing point lies at the end of the Second World War, when the international food market was ordered anew and the production of calories became top priority. What comes afterwards is almost too familiar: the rise of industrially produced agricultural products which locks farmers into a product palette from particular seeds to fertilisers, pesticides and other products to the rise of highly processed foods, which are designed to exploit our evolutionary craving for sugar, fat, and salt. The result of these developments have brought global food production to a crisis point. But what has to be done to change this destructive system?

Support the show

]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-18112950 Sun, 02 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500 3804 Stuart Gillespie, Food Fight. Philipp Blom, BlomCast, agriculture, HPF, highly processed foods, industrial farming, pesticides, marketing, Nestlé, Rabo Bank, Second World War, food production, crisis of agriculture, diabetes, malnutrition, sustainable far 2 25 full false [55] Philippe Sands — Impunity: International Justice in an Age of Lawlessness [55] Philippe Sands — Impunity: International Justice in an Age of Lawlessness Few people have shaped the public perception and debate about with as much eloquence and precision as Philippe Sands, who combines a distinguished career as a human rights lawyer with writing a series of books on themes such as justice, memory, and personal and family history. During the discussion series MQ Gespräche a the Museumsquartier in Vienna I spoke to Philippe about his new book 38 Londes Street, Nazi War Criminals and the Pinochet dictatorship, and about the arch of history that spans form 1930s Lemberg to London in 2025. In the second part of our conversation, we touch more contemporary developments about international law and lawlessness, the delicate question of when a mass killing must be considered genocide and whether it matters, and the importance of pragmatism in the pursuit of justice.
The MQ Gespräche is a series of public discussions in which I invite prominent intellectuals to reflect about current questions. Allow me to say thank you to the Bruno Kreisky Forum, the IWM in Vienna, and the Museumsquartier, wonderful partners in this project.

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]]> Few people have shaped the public perception and debate about with as much eloquence and precision as Philippe Sands, who combines a distinguished career as a human rights lawyer with writing a series of books on themes such as justice, memory, and personal and family history. During the discussion series MQ Gespräche a the Museumsquartier in Vienna I spoke to Philippe about his new book 38 Londes Street, Nazi War Criminals and the Pinochet dictatorship, and about the arch of history that spans form 1930s Lemberg to London in 2025. In the second part of our conversation, we touch more contemporary developments about international law and lawlessness, the delicate question of when a mass killing must be considered genocide and whether it matters, and the importance of pragmatism in the pursuit of justice.
The MQ Gespräche is a series of public discussions in which I invite prominent intellectuals to reflect about current questions. Allow me to say thank you to the Bruno Kreisky Forum, the IWM in Vienna, and the Museumsquartier, wonderful partners in this project.

Support the show

]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-18073438 Sun, 26 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400 5092 Philippe Sands, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Justice, International Court of Justice, ICJ, International Criminal Court, ICC, 38 Londres Street, East West, Ukraine, Lemberg, Chile, Santiago, Bruce Chatwin, Roberto Bolano, Human Rights, Myanmar, Israel, Palesti 2 24 full false [54] Sarah Newman — Did We Learn Culture from Animals? [54] Sarah Newman — Did We Learn Culture from Animals? Sarah Newman is a zooarcheologist, specialising in animal remains and what they tell about the interaction between humans and animals in the distant past. Her research projects took her to investigate the impact of humans on the landscape and on natural systems among the ancient Mayans and the inhabitants of ancient Jordan. Working on ancient beaver dams and early wooden buildings in which humans had clearly reused tree trunks felled by beavers, she had a fascinating idea: what if early humans got inspiration from special animal skills such as felling trees, damming water, building with wood, and even creating art? What if the division between culture and nature that seemed essential for centuries simply melts away if we allow the idea that there was collaboration and even co-creation between humans and animals, as animal culture and skills were acquired and combined by early humanity?

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]]> Sarah Newman is a zooarcheologist, specialising in animal remains and what they tell about the interaction between humans and animals in the distant past. Her research projects took her to investigate the impact of humans on the landscape and on natural systems among the ancient Mayans and the inhabitants of ancient Jordan. Working on ancient beaver dams and early wooden buildings in which humans had clearly reused tree trunks felled by beavers, she had a fascinating idea: what if early humans got inspiration from special animal skills such as felling trees, damming water, building with wood, and even creating art? What if the division between culture and nature that seemed essential for centuries simply melts away if we allow the idea that there was collaboration and even co-creation between humans and animals, as animal culture and skills were acquired and combined by early humanity?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-17853811 Sat, 27 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400 3778 Sarah Newman, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, zooarcheology, archeology, anthropology, animal archeology, culture and nature, beaver dams, innovation, art, animal art, agriculture, architecture, ancient architecture, prehistory, ancient religion, animism, subjuga 2 23 full false [53] Colombe Cahen-Salvador — A New Age of Democracy? [53] Colombe Cahen-Salvador — A New Age of Democracy? Colombe Cahen-Salvador is driven by the vision to create a turning point in the near future: to reform not only the European Union to make it stronger, more federal, and above all more democratic, but to create a global political movement. Oh, and she is also standing to become secretary general of the United Nations. This is not megalomania, but tactic, she explains. It is not about being elected, but about making a statement about the democratisation of an institution that is no longer fit for purpose. To effect the changes she is pursuing, she has co-founded Volt, the first pan-European political party, and almost impossible enterprise, she says, and Atlas, a global movement for progressive politics that is operating not only in Europe, but also on other continents. Colombe’s analysis of Europe, the old Left, and the project of the liberal West is as scathing as it is compelling and we had plenty to discuss.

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]]> Colombe Cahen-Salvador is driven by the vision to create a turning point in the near future: to reform not only the European Union to make it stronger, more federal, and above all more democratic, but to create a global political movement. Oh, and she is also standing to become secretary general of the United Nations. This is not megalomania, but tactic, she explains. It is not about being elected, but about making a statement about the democratisation of an institution that is no longer fit for purpose. To effect the changes she is pursuing, she has co-founded Volt, the first pan-European political party, and almost impossible enterprise, she says, and Atlas, a global movement for progressive politics that is operating not only in Europe, but also on other continents. Colombe’s analysis of Europe, the old Left, and the project of the liberal West is as scathing as it is compelling and we had plenty to discuss.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-17815892 Sat, 13 Sep 2025 18:00:00 -0400 3484 Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Colombe Cahen-Salvador, Volt, Atlas movement, European Union, Europe, democratic politics, democracy, left politics, socialism, progressivism, Brexit, climate crisis, inequality, transformation, democracy activism, future of democr 2 22 full false [52] Karl Schlögel — Der Historiker und die Annexion [52] Karl Schlögel — Der Historiker und die Annexion Karl Schlögel, Träger des Friedenspreises des deutschen Buchhandels 2025, ist einer der ganz wichtigen historischen Autoren in Europa. Er hat sein Lebenswerk der intellektuellen Geschichte Russlands gewidmet, eine Geschichte, die er immer wieder als eine Topografie beschreibt, die sich in großen Städten lesen lässt. Sein Wendepunkt ist die Annexion der Krim 2014, ein Moment, in dem sich seine eigene, tiefe Beziehung zu Russland radikal änderte. Wir sprechen über die kulturelle Geographie Russlands, die Blindheit westlicher Eliten und Schlögels eigene intellektuelle Neuorientierung hin zur Ukraine und einer alternativen Geschichte und Grammatik Osteuropas. 

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]]> Karl Schlögel, Träger des Friedenspreises des deutschen Buchhandels 2025, ist einer der ganz wichtigen historischen Autoren in Europa. Er hat sein Lebenswerk der intellektuellen Geschichte Russlands gewidmet, eine Geschichte, die er immer wieder als eine Topografie beschreibt, die sich in großen Städten lesen lässt. Sein Wendepunkt ist die Annexion der Krim 2014, ein Moment, in dem sich seine eigene, tiefe Beziehung zu Russland radikal änderte. Wir sprechen über die kulturelle Geographie Russlands, die Blindheit westlicher Eliten und Schlögels eigene intellektuelle Neuorientierung hin zur Ukraine und einer alternativen Geschichte und Grammatik Osteuropas. 

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-17799378 Sun, 07 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400 3611 Philipp Blom, Blomcast, Karl Schlögel, Russland, Stalin, Moskau, St Petersburg, Kiew, Lemberg, Lviv, Ukraine, Wladimir Putin, Ideengeschichte, Ukrainekrieg, Krim, Annexion der Krim, Osteuropa, 1989, Mauerfall, Geschichte lesen, Biografie, Geschichte 2 21 full false [51] Ussama Makdisi — Creating the Modern Middle East: The Peace Conference of 1919 [51] Ussama Makdisi — Creating the Modern Middle East: The Peace Conference of 1919 Present political structures, powers, and peoples are better understood through their history. Ussama Makdisi, a historian of the Middle East and distinguished professor at the University of California at Berkeley, has spent much of his research on the formation of the modern Middle East out of the ruins of the Ottoman empire. He now writes on the peace conference of 1919 and its effects on the lands of the collapsing Ottoman empire, including the often-ignored fact finding mission that asked local inhabitants of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine about their own visions of their future governance. The report was quietly shelved, as a story of colonial domination played itself out and the region was carved up between Britain and France. The historical consequences, including the orientalist gaze that depicted Arabs and Muslims as less than human or at least less than civilised second-class citizens seen through a series of stereotypes. This orientalism still dominates Western policy towards the Middle East, Ussama Makdisi argues in this fascinating discussion. 

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]]> Present political structures, powers, and peoples are better understood through their history. Ussama Makdisi, a historian of the Middle East and distinguished professor at the University of California at Berkeley, has spent much of his research on the formation of the modern Middle East out of the ruins of the Ottoman empire. He now writes on the peace conference of 1919 and its effects on the lands of the collapsing Ottoman empire, including the often-ignored fact finding mission that asked local inhabitants of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine about their own visions of their future governance. The report was quietly shelved, as a story of colonial domination played itself out and the region was carved up between Britain and France. The historical consequences, including the orientalist gaze that depicted Arabs and Muslims as less than human or at least less than civilised second-class citizens seen through a series of stereotypes. This orientalism still dominates Western policy towards the Middle East, Ussama Makdisi argues in this fascinating discussion. 

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-17748525 Sun, 31 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400 3644 Ussama Makdisi, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, turning points, Middle East, Jerusalem, Beirut, Jordan, Lebanon, Lebanon war, Edward Said, Orientalism, Antisemitism, Gaza, Peace conference 1919, first world war, Versailles treaty, ottoman empire, arab revolt, zio 2 20 full false [50] Beatrice de Graaf – 1815 and the Security State [50] Beatrice de Graaf – 1815 and the Security State Beatrice de Graaf is fascinated by the tensions between terror and statehood and she asks what it really takes to maintain vibrant democracies in a neo-imperial world. Her turning point lies in the early 19th century. When Napoleon was finally defeated at Waterloo in 1815, the allies drew up a new political order in Europe. Its architecture not only shaped the patterns of alliances of Western powers and Russia engaged in a series of more or less difficult dances while leaving the Russian partners feeling betrayed, it also redefined the idea of terror and terrorism and answered the loss of metaphysical authority with a secular authority based not on democratic legitimacy, but on systematic surveillance and information gathering. Welcome to the modern nation state. In the early 21st century, the question remains how and indeed weather security and democratic freedoms can be reconciled, especially in an age of AI and digital self surveillance on an unprecedented scale. Could a fight against inequality be the only possibility for democracy to survive? And can we learn from history, after all?

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]]> Beatrice de Graaf is fascinated by the tensions between terror and statehood and she asks what it really takes to maintain vibrant democracies in a neo-imperial world. Her turning point lies in the early 19th century. When Napoleon was finally defeated at Waterloo in 1815, the allies drew up a new political order in Europe. Its architecture not only shaped the patterns of alliances of Western powers and Russia engaged in a series of more or less difficult dances while leaving the Russian partners feeling betrayed, it also redefined the idea of terror and terrorism and answered the loss of metaphysical authority with a secular authority based not on democratic legitimacy, but on systematic surveillance and information gathering. Welcome to the modern nation state. In the early 21st century, the question remains how and indeed weather security and democratic freedoms can be reconciled, especially in an age of AI and digital self surveillance on an unprecedented scale. Could a fight against inequality be the only possibility for democracy to survive? And can we learn from history, after all?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-17720225 Sun, 24 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400 3659 Beatrice de Graaf, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, 1815, Napoleon, Waterloo, Europe, alliances, terror, terrorism, Johan Huizinga, Huizinga Lecture, Homo ludens, autumn of the middle ages, learning from history, applied history, redemption, divine authority, nati 2 19 full false [49] Luke Kemp — Elites and the Collapse of Empires [49] Luke Kemp — Elites and the Collapse of Empires Luke Kemp works at the Center for the study of existential risk at Cambridge University, the kind of place that works out how close humanity is to killing itself and what the strategies might be for avoiding this. In his new book, Goliath’s Curse — Pst and Future of Societal Collapse, he makes a brilliant case for the role of elites in hastening the end of empire. But how did empires and even states come about? Are they a natural state of human development? Not so, says Luke, and points to the fact that throughout history empire collapse was actually a good thing for most people, and that it was usually triggered through elites hogging resources and accumulating more an more wealth at the cost of everyone else. There are certain echoes with the present here, and our conversation pivots from the distant past into the not so distant future. 

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]]> Luke Kemp works at the Center for the study of existential risk at Cambridge University, the kind of place that works out how close humanity is to killing itself and what the strategies might be for avoiding this. In his new book, Goliath’s Curse — Pst and Future of Societal Collapse, he makes a brilliant case for the role of elites in hastening the end of empire. But how did empires and even states come about? Are they a natural state of human development? Not so, says Luke, and points to the fact that throughout history empire collapse was actually a good thing for most people, and that it was usually triggered through elites hogging resources and accumulating more an more wealth at the cost of everyone else. There are certain echoes with the present here, and our conversation pivots from the distant past into the not so distant future. 

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-17638120 Sun, 10 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400 4236 Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Luke Kemp, existential risk, Cambridge University, elites, empires, societal collapse, Roman empire, Rome, Maya empire, Mesopotamia, agriculture, grain, billionaires, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, democracy, golden ages, dark ages, great 2 18 full false [48] David Bell — Charismatic Leaders and Revolutions [48] David Bell — Charismatic Leaders and Revolutions David Bell is Professor for the Era of North American Revolutions at Princeton University. He has written a biography of Napoleon Bonaparte, and much of his research is focussed on the French Revolution, the history of the Enlightenment, and on the importance of charisma in political leadership. In our conversation we discuss what makes a charismatic leader and why some historical moments tilt the balance of power towards charismatic leaders, past and present. How much is the Enlightenment legacy of human rights, individualism and universalism under threat as democracy is on the retreat and universities, scientific research, institutions, freedom of speech, and human rights are being questioned? And was there really one Enlightenment, and was it not completely hijacked by capitalism, communism, and colonialism, to leave little more than a dry shell of empty slogans? Is the Enlightenment still an inspiration for today? 

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]]> David Bell is Professor for the Era of North American Revolutions at Princeton University. He has written a biography of Napoleon Bonaparte, and much of his research is focussed on the French Revolution, the history of the Enlightenment, and on the importance of charisma in political leadership. In our conversation we discuss what makes a charismatic leader and why some historical moments tilt the balance of power towards charismatic leaders, past and present. How much is the Enlightenment legacy of human rights, individualism and universalism under threat as democracy is on the retreat and universities, scientific research, institutions, freedom of speech, and human rights are being questioned? And was there really one Enlightenment, and was it not completely hijacked by capitalism, communism, and colonialism, to leave little more than a dry shell of empty slogans? Is the Enlightenment still an inspiration for today? 

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-17603162 Sun, 03 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400 4368 David A. Bell, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Men on Horseback, Charisma, Power, French Revolution, Revolutions, Charismatic Leaders, Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Denis Diderot, Immanuel Kant, Post-Modernism, Post-Colonialism, Napoleon Bonaparte, Alexis de T 2 17 full false [47] Tim Mackintosh-Smith: Being Arab Throughout History and Ibn Khaldoun [47] Tim Mackintosh-Smith: Being Arab Throughout History and Ibn Khaldoun As a scholar of Arabic language and literature, Tim has made classic Arabic literature his life’s work, and has lived in Yemen until 2019. His special interest at the moment is the great scholar Ibn Khaldoun, who lived in the 14th century and who was one of the great thinkers about power, society, and, yes, being Arab, a concept linked to language more than to territory or ethnicity — or even religion. Ibn Khaldoun created an analytical lens through which societal dynamics and turning points become very clear. So, what does being Arab really mean, what did it mean at the time of the writing of the Quran, and what does it mean today? How did the love of the language influence the confrontation with new technologies such as printing with moveable type, and, lately, social media? What did it mean to be Arab for the demonstrators of the Arab Spring, and what can it mean in a time when language is so much shaped by social media? 

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]]> As a scholar of Arabic language and literature, Tim has made classic Arabic literature his life’s work, and has lived in Yemen until 2019. His special interest at the moment is the great scholar Ibn Khaldoun, who lived in the 14th century and who was one of the great thinkers about power, society, and, yes, being Arab, a concept linked to language more than to territory or ethnicity — or even religion. Ibn Khaldoun created an analytical lens through which societal dynamics and turning points become very clear. So, what does being Arab really mean, what did it mean at the time of the writing of the Quran, and what does it mean today? How did the love of the language influence the confrontation with new technologies such as printing with moveable type, and, lately, social media? What did it mean to be Arab for the demonstrators of the Arab Spring, and what can it mean in a time when language is so much shaped by social media? 

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-17567197 Sun, 27 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400 4258 Tim Macintosh-Smith, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Arabs, Arabic, Quran, Ibn Khaldun, Ibn Battuta, Jamal ab-el Nasser, Damascus, Yemen, Gaza, Israel, Egypt, Tunisia, Al-Andalus, Reconquista, printing press, silk road, poetry, center and periphery, Arab Spring 2 16 full false [46] Gerd Schwerhoff — Die Bauernkriege, ein Wendepunkt? [46] Gerd Schwerhoff — Die Bauernkriege, ein Wendepunkt? Im frühen 16. Jahrhundert erhoben sich im süddeutschen Raum tausende von Bauern, Bergwerksknappen und Bürgern gegen ihre adeligen oder kirchlichen Herren. Sie stürmten Burgen und Klöster und forderten mehr Rechte, weniger Frondienste, weniger Steuern und die freie Ernennung von Priestern. Gerd Schwerhoff hat diese Welle von Rebellionen, durch die innerhalb von wenig mehr als einem Jahr 70.000 Menschen zu Tode kamen, untersucht und nacherzählt. War dies die erste Sozialrevolution Europas oder nur eine Serie von gescheiterten Aufständen? Wie wichtig war die Reformation für die aufständischen Bauern und welchen Einfluss hatten die Abschaffung der Almenden und der Buchdruck? Geschichte, sagt man, wird immer von Siegern geschrieben. In diesem Falle ist es sicher so. Die meisten offiziellen Dokumente kommen von der Seite, die die Aufstände niederschlug und die Anführer oft grausam hinrichten ließ. Was können wir von der anderen Seite wissen, davon, was sie dachten, wie sie den Konflikt erlebten und wie sie sich daran erinnerten?

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]]> Im frühen 16. Jahrhundert erhoben sich im süddeutschen Raum tausende von Bauern, Bergwerksknappen und Bürgern gegen ihre adeligen oder kirchlichen Herren. Sie stürmten Burgen und Klöster und forderten mehr Rechte, weniger Frondienste, weniger Steuern und die freie Ernennung von Priestern. Gerd Schwerhoff hat diese Welle von Rebellionen, durch die innerhalb von wenig mehr als einem Jahr 70.000 Menschen zu Tode kamen, untersucht und nacherzählt. War dies die erste Sozialrevolution Europas oder nur eine Serie von gescheiterten Aufständen? Wie wichtig war die Reformation für die aufständischen Bauern und welchen Einfluss hatten die Abschaffung der Almenden und der Buchdruck? Geschichte, sagt man, wird immer von Siegern geschrieben. In diesem Falle ist es sicher so. Die meisten offiziellen Dokumente kommen von der Seite, die die Aufstände niederschlug und die Anführer oft grausam hinrichten ließ. Was können wir von der anderen Seite wissen, davon, was sie dachten, wie sie den Konflikt erlebten und wie sie sich daran erinnerten?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-17493687 Sun, 13 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400 3910 BlomCast, Philipp Blom, Gerd Schwerhoff, Bauernkriege, Peasant Wars. C. H. Beck Verlag, Aufstände, Revolutionen, Reformation, Martin Luther, Soziale Revolution, Almende, Enclosure of the Commons, Grundrechte, Menschenrechte, Freiheit, religiöse Freiheit, 2 15 full false [45] Laura Spinney — The First Human Language and How We Think [45] Laura Spinney — The First Human Language and How We Think Once more a dive into deep history, this time into the question how languages developed, and how it is possible to reconstruct the history and genesis of languages, and with them of abstract thinking and civilisation. Laura Spinney is a distinguished and bestselling science writer. In her new book Proto she looks at the world of languages before the indo-european and sino-tibetan language families that today represent the bulk of the 7000 or so languages still spoken today. But apart from the mere question of history: how does language colour and influence the way we think about the world and we perceive it? How do we think about things for which we lack the vocabulary? This question has preoccupied philosophers for centuries and we try to apply Laura’s historical insights to throw a little light on the matter.

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]]> Once more a dive into deep history, this time into the question how languages developed, and how it is possible to reconstruct the history and genesis of languages, and with them of abstract thinking and civilisation. Laura Spinney is a distinguished and bestselling science writer. In her new book Proto she looks at the world of languages before the indo-european and sino-tibetan language families that today represent the bulk of the 7000 or so languages still spoken today. But apart from the mere question of history: how does language colour and influence the way we think about the world and we perceive it? How do we think about things for which we lack the vocabulary? This question has preoccupied philosophers for centuries and we try to apply Laura’s historical insights to throw a little light on the matter.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-17368396 Sun, 06 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400 3733 Laura Spinney, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Proto, language, Indo-European languages, language history, out of Africa, migration, language and thinking, language and culture, abstract thought, primate language, modern languages, language dying, English 2 14 full false [44] Ian Buruma — Where Did the West Begin? [44] Ian Buruma — Where Did the West Begin? Ian Buruma is a historian, biographer, memorialist and essayist between “East” and “West" whose insights and intellectual precision make him a joy to discuss with. In his recent biography of Spinoza he argues that the great Enlightenment philosopher has a message that is more urgent today than ever. The idea of a West, of a realm of rational rule and individual choice, of emancipation and liberty, began with these early Enlightenment thinkers as well as with Protestantism which eliminated the priest as intermediary between God and his people, making the relationship to the divine a matter based on individual conscience and personal choice. But what is left of this great utopia in a time in which democracies appear to collapse and the legacy of the Enlightenment seems in crisis? Do these ideals and principles still have the power to carry a social consensus, as well as societies and states, or is this the beginning of the sunset of Enlightened thinking?

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]]> Ian Buruma is a historian, biographer, memorialist and essayist between “East” and “West" whose insights and intellectual precision make him a joy to discuss with. In his recent biography of Spinoza he argues that the great Enlightenment philosopher has a message that is more urgent today than ever. The idea of a West, of a realm of rational rule and individual choice, of emancipation and liberty, began with these early Enlightenment thinkers as well as with Protestantism which eliminated the priest as intermediary between God and his people, making the relationship to the divine a matter based on individual conscience and personal choice. But what is left of this great utopia in a time in which democracies appear to collapse and the legacy of the Enlightenment seems in crisis? Do these ideals and principles still have the power to carry a social consensus, as well as societies and states, or is this the beginning of the sunset of Enlightened thinking?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-17367988 Sat, 28 Jun 2025 18:00:00 -0400 3356 Ian Buruma, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Bard College, Harvard University, Donald Trump, democracy, rise of fascism, Baruch Spinoza, Enlightenment, Romanticism, California, Los Angeles, elites, right-wing populism, migration, woke, New York Review of Books, ca 2 13 full false [43] Julian Baggini — What happened to the Enlightenment? [43] Julian Baggini — What happened to the Enlightenment? Julian Baggini is one of the most insightful writers on philosophy in general and the Enlightenment in particular I know. We talk about the Enlightenment, and in how far it was the radical turning point as which it is often seen, or whether it does not mask great continuities under the guise of dramatic change. Has the Enlightenment released a vast liberating energy or was it just another mask of power? And does Western culture have a god-shaped hole at its heart. And how does one talk about the problems of the time if our shared use of language has been ring-fenced so rigidly that it is almost impossible to have a conversation about it? Is there a connection between Enlightenment traditions, liberal values and plain old hypocrisy? And is it possible to rescue these ideals from the hypocrisy that cloaks them? I had immense fun encountering Julian’s sharp thinking, his historical and political points?

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]]> Julian Baggini is one of the most insightful writers on philosophy in general and the Enlightenment in particular I know. We talk about the Enlightenment, and in how far it was the radical turning point as which it is often seen, or whether it does not mask great continuities under the guise of dramatic change. Has the Enlightenment released a vast liberating energy or was it just another mask of power? And does Western culture have a god-shaped hole at its heart. And how does one talk about the problems of the time if our shared use of language has been ring-fenced so rigidly that it is almost impossible to have a conversation about it? Is there a connection between Enlightenment traditions, liberal values and plain old hypocrisy? And is it possible to rescue these ideals from the hypocrisy that cloaks them? I had immense fun encountering Julian’s sharp thinking, his historical and political points?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-17357092 Sun, 22 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400 3690 Julian Baggini, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Enlightenment, Western values, hypocrisy, God, atheism, transcendence, socialism, migration, racism, liberal ideals, crisis of liberalism, crisis of democracy, authenticity, culture, post colonialism, women’s rights 2 12 full false [42] Misha Glenny — Highways and Byways of History [42] Misha Glenny — Highways and Byways of History A historian and journalist, Misha Glenny has written about the history of the Balkans the wars in Yugoslavia, about cybercrime, and about international organised crime in “McMafia” which also became a TV series. In this free-ranging conversation we not only revisit his fascination with history and with accelerating change, but we also discuss what will be next for an international order at the brink of collapse.

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]]> A historian and journalist, Misha Glenny has written about the history of the Balkans the wars in Yugoslavia, about cybercrime, and about international organised crime in “McMafia” which also became a TV series. In this free-ranging conversation we not only revisit his fascination with history and with accelerating change, but we also discuss what will be next for an international order at the brink of collapse.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-17339385 Sun, 15 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0400 2855 Misha Glenny, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Balkans, Yugoslavia, McMafia, Brazil, Nemesis, DarkMarket, online crime, drug trade, cybercrime, great acceleration 2 11 full false [41] Luuk van Middelaar — Can Europe do Power? [41] Luuk van Middelaar — Can Europe do Power? Luuk van Middelaar is head of the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics, as he points out an ironic name, because  until very recently Brussels and geopolitics rarely occurred in the same sentence. But things have changed, and in a new world in which Russia is invading Ukraine and the USA are, as Luuk put it, “the sun leaving the solar system” Europe will have to find a completely new stance. This ist big history, and we’re right in it. But what could a good European future be? Is the continent capable of reinventing itself? And is the EU the right instrument for this? So many questions, so many really interesting answers from Luuk.

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]]> Luuk van Middelaar is head of the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics, as he points out an ironic name, because  until very recently Brussels and geopolitics rarely occurred in the same sentence. But things have changed, and in a new world in which Russia is invading Ukraine and the USA are, as Luuk put it, “the sun leaving the solar system” Europe will have to find a completely new stance. This ist big history, and we’re right in it. But what could a good European future be? Is the continent capable of reinventing itself? And is the EU the right instrument for this? So many questions, so many really interesting answers from Luuk.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-17297490 Sun, 08 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400 3187 Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Luuk van Middelaar, Brussels Institute for Geopolitics, BIG, Brussels, EU, European Community, Europe, Britain, Russia, Ukraine, USA, Trump, end of history, Francis Fukuyama, global order, post-war order, Ukraine peace, Napoleon 2 10 full false [40] Julia Fischer — Wann wurden Primaten zu Menschen? [40] Julia Fischer — Wann wurden Primaten zu Menschen? In dieser Folge gehe ich zurück zum frühesten aller Wendepunkte der menschlichen Geschichte. Die Primatologin Julia Fischer studiert Paviane und besucht seit vielen Jahren dieselbe Gruppe von Tieren, um ihre Kommunikation und ihr Sozialverhalten besser zu verstehen. Obwohl andere Pavian-Arten brutal und hierarchisch sind, sind diese Tiere anders, sanfter, und haben flachere Hierarchien. Wie entstehen die Strukturen einer Primatengesellschaft? Sind die Unterschiede zwischen Ihnen durch Umweltfaktoren bedingt, und was können uns Paviane und andere Primaten über Menschen und ihre Gesellschaften sagen?

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]]> In dieser Folge gehe ich zurück zum frühesten aller Wendepunkte der menschlichen Geschichte. Die Primatologin Julia Fischer studiert Paviane und besucht seit vielen Jahren dieselbe Gruppe von Tieren, um ihre Kommunikation und ihr Sozialverhalten besser zu verstehen. Obwohl andere Pavian-Arten brutal und hierarchisch sind, sind diese Tiere anders, sanfter, und haben flachere Hierarchien. Wie entstehen die Strukturen einer Primatengesellschaft? Sind die Unterschiede zwischen Ihnen durch Umweltfaktoren bedingt, und was können uns Paviane und andere Primaten über Menschen und ihre Gesellschaften sagen?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-17255635 Sun, 01 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400 3313 Julia Fischer, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Primaten, Paviane, Bonobos, Schimpansen, Sozialverhalten, Kommunikation 2 9 full false [39] Ulrich Schmid — von der Oktoberrevolution in die Gegenwart [39] Ulrich Schmid — von der Oktoberrevolution in die Gegenwart Ulrich Schmid ist Slawist und unterrichtet an der Universität Sankt Gallen. Sein Wendepunkt ist die Revolution 1917 und besonders die Rolle von Lenin dabei. Einmal mehr stellt sich die Frage, ob Revolutionen wirklich radikale Umbrüche sind, oder ob sie nicht auch viele Kontinuitäten kaschieren. Die Art der Machtausübung und das Verständnis davon, wie das Verhältnis zwischen Regierenden und Regierten funktioniert, ist jedenfalls bemerkenswert stabil geblieben, argumentiert Ulrich Schmid, und auch Putins historische Vorbilder zeigen, wie er die russische Geschichte sieht. Wir sprechen darüber, was Wladimir Putin von Lenin gelernt hat, welche Rolle Alexander Dugin im neuen Russland spielt, wie sich nicht nur in Russland längst ein postmoderner Wahrheitsbegriff durchgesetzt hat und welche russischen Autorinnen und Autoren mein Gast heute liest.

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]]> Ulrich Schmid ist Slawist und unterrichtet an der Universität Sankt Gallen. Sein Wendepunkt ist die Revolution 1917 und besonders die Rolle von Lenin dabei. Einmal mehr stellt sich die Frage, ob Revolutionen wirklich radikale Umbrüche sind, oder ob sie nicht auch viele Kontinuitäten kaschieren. Die Art der Machtausübung und das Verständnis davon, wie das Verhältnis zwischen Regierenden und Regierten funktioniert, ist jedenfalls bemerkenswert stabil geblieben, argumentiert Ulrich Schmid, und auch Putins historische Vorbilder zeigen, wie er die russische Geschichte sieht. Wir sprechen darüber, was Wladimir Putin von Lenin gelernt hat, welche Rolle Alexander Dugin im neuen Russland spielt, wie sich nicht nur in Russland längst ein postmoderner Wahrheitsbegriff durchgesetzt hat und welche russischen Autorinnen und Autoren mein Gast heute liest.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-17218652 Sun, 25 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400 3668 Ulrich Schmid, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Russland, Oktoberrevolution, Bolschewiken, Wladimir Iljitsch Lenin, Wladimir Putin, 1917, Postmoderne, Wahrheit, Revolution, Ukraine, Kolonialismus, Neo-Kolonialismus, Ukraine-Krieg, Josef Stalin, Alexander III., Ale 2 8 full false [38] Bas van Bavel — How Markets Captured Societies [38] Bas van Bavel — How Markets Captured Societies The “Golden Age” during the seventeenth century was a period of unparalleled power, wealth, and splendour in the Netherlands. It was made possible by the maritime trade with Asia and the economic growth the East India Company brought to the country. But it carried the seed of its downfall. As the rich grew richer they not only speculated with tulips, but they increasingly bought themselves political power and became an oligarchy. Bas van Babel is an economic historian and researcher who looks at the fascinating relationship between markets and societies. We speak about how the Black Death shaped Europe, how important Church Law was for the development of a middle class, the different development of eastern and western Europe, and about the beginnings of capitalism. In fact, we have so much to talk about that we will have to speak about Bas’s present work in a part two!

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]]> The “Golden Age” during the seventeenth century was a period of unparalleled power, wealth, and splendour in the Netherlands. It was made possible by the maritime trade with Asia and the economic growth the East India Company brought to the country. But it carried the seed of its downfall. As the rich grew richer they not only speculated with tulips, but they increasingly bought themselves political power and became an oligarchy. Bas van Babel is an economic historian and researcher who looks at the fascinating relationship between markets and societies. We speak about how the Black Death shaped Europe, how important Church Law was for the development of a middle class, the different development of eastern and western Europe, and about the beginnings of capitalism. In fact, we have so much to talk about that we will have to speak about Bas’s present work in a part two!

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-17134959 Sun, 18 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400 3259 Bas van Bavel, Utrecht University, Golden Age, Netherlands, Calvinism, Protestantism, Capitalism, Adam Smith, Markets, Guilds, Trade Unions, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, East India Company, Colonialism, Amsterdam, Oligarchy, Financial Markets, Investment, Mone 2 7 full false [37] Padraic Scanian — What the Irish Potato Famine Tells us About Markets and Merit [37] Padraic Scanian — What the Irish Potato Famine Tells us About Markets and Merit The so-called Irish Potato Famine between 1845 and 1852 killed up to one million people and led to the emigration of hundreds of thousands of others. It left a deep imprint on Irish, European and American history and memory. But this was not a natural catastrophe, argues economic historian Padraic Scanian. He sees the famine as a result of globalisation, and of a very Victorian determination to let the market do its work and discipline the undeserving poor. The stereotype of the lazy Irishman was born out of the quasi colonial perspective of large landowners and London bureaucrats. The famine may be in the past, Padraic observes, but the mechanisms that led to it may still be more present than we think.

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]]> The so-called Irish Potato Famine between 1845 and 1852 killed up to one million people and led to the emigration of hundreds of thousands of others. It left a deep imprint on Irish, European and American history and memory. But this was not a natural catastrophe, argues economic historian Padraic Scanian. He sees the famine as a result of globalisation, and of a very Victorian determination to let the market do its work and discipline the undeserving poor. The stereotype of the lazy Irishman was born out of the quasi colonial perspective of large landowners and London bureaucrats. The famine may be in the past, Padraic observes, but the mechanisms that led to it may still be more present than we think.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-17130757 Sun, 11 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400 3801 Padriaic Scanian, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, university, freedom of opinion, academic freedom, Irish Potato Famine, Rot, Irish History, Victorian Age, colonialism, economic history, USA, Irish independence, decolonisation, racism, history of racism, free mar 2 6 full false [36] Jörg Baberowski — Macht und Herrschaft in Russland und Europa [36] Jörg Baberowski — Macht und Herrschaft in Russland und Europa Die russische Geschichte ist voller dramatischer Wendepunkte — von Peter dem Großen und Katharina II. bis zur Revolution und dem Fall der Sowjetunion — aber hinter den Ereignissen steht eine große Kontinuität von Macht, davon, wie sie funktioniert und worauf sie sich gründet. Macht in Russland hat schon seit Jahrhunderten anders funktioniert als im Westen, erzählt Jörg Baberowski, einer der profiliertesten Russland-Historiker. Das liegt nicht an einer “russischen Seele” oder einer besonderen historischen Mission der russischen Kultur, sondern daran, wer in Russland wen kontrolliert und beherrscht hat. Diese historischen Beharrungskräfte setzen sich bis ins heutige Russland fort. Kann eine Analyse der russischen Macht auch helfen, den Zusammenbruch des liberalen Westens besser zu verstehen?

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]]> Die russische Geschichte ist voller dramatischer Wendepunkte — von Peter dem Großen und Katharina II. bis zur Revolution und dem Fall der Sowjetunion — aber hinter den Ereignissen steht eine große Kontinuität von Macht, davon, wie sie funktioniert und worauf sie sich gründet. Macht in Russland hat schon seit Jahrhunderten anders funktioniert als im Westen, erzählt Jörg Baberowski, einer der profiliertesten Russland-Historiker. Das liegt nicht an einer “russischen Seele” oder einer besonderen historischen Mission der russischen Kultur, sondern daran, wer in Russland wen kontrolliert und beherrscht hat. Diese historischen Beharrungskräfte setzen sich bis ins heutige Russland fort. Kann eine Analyse der russischen Macht auch helfen, den Zusammenbruch des liberalen Westens besser zu verstehen?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-17093233 Sat, 03 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400 3535 Jörg Baberowski, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Macht, Herrschaft, Russland, Wladimir Putin, Kreml, Peter der Große, Peter II., Katharina die Große, Katharina II., Wladimir Iljitsch Lenin, Josef Stalin, Michail Gorbatschow, Pjotr Kropotkin, Fodor Dostojewski, ru 2 5 full false [35] Trevor Jackson — Capitalism and the Impunity of the Elites [35] Trevor Jackson — Capitalism and the Impunity of the Elites Trevor Jackson is an economic historian teaching at Berkeley. I talk to him about the current political situation of the universities and the science, and about his own research area, the history of capitalism, which has always been prone to crashes and other crises. The development of a capitalist economy is also the story of the elites learning to evade responsibility for the failures, while reaping the rewards of markets. What role does elite impunity play in the current crisis of political legitimacy? Could this be changed, and, if so, how? 

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]]> Trevor Jackson is an economic historian teaching at Berkeley. I talk to him about the current political situation of the universities and the science, and about his own research area, the history of capitalism, which has always been prone to crashes and other crises. The development of a capitalist economy is also the story of the elites learning to evade responsibility for the failures, while reaping the rewards of markets. What role does elite impunity play in the current crisis of political legitimacy? Could this be changed, and, if so, how? 

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-17000654 Sun, 20 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0400 3667 Trevor Jackson, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, capitalism, history of capitalism, free markets, slavery, abolitionism, South Sea Bubble, Karl Polanyi, neoliberalism, globalisation, climate crisis, collective action, democratic change, USA, crisis of the liberal 2 4 full false [34] Kwame Anthony Appiah — On Tribalism and Cosmopolitanism [34] Kwame Anthony Appiah — On Tribalism and Cosmopolitanism In a life lived between Ghana, Britain and the USA, Kwame Anthony Appiah has had ample opportunity to reflect on identities and difference, as well as what binds us together. Our conversation starts with the struggles of decolonisation and moves towards trying to understand the role and importance a liberal education for functioning democracies. Are people in charge of their own lives or do they need to be empowered to take charge of them, and of their societies? And have Western democracies been failed by their elites, which abolished the guardrails that kept democracies functioning? The liberal project may have failed. Can it be rescued by a groundswell of democratic determination? And what place could ideas like cosmopolitanism, identity and honour have in his process?

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]]> In a life lived between Ghana, Britain and the USA, Kwame Anthony Appiah has had ample opportunity to reflect on identities and difference, as well as what binds us together. Our conversation starts with the struggles of decolonisation and moves towards trying to understand the role and importance a liberal education for functioning democracies. Are people in charge of their own lives or do they need to be empowered to take charge of them, and of their societies? And have Western democracies been failed by their elites, which abolished the guardrails that kept democracies functioning? The liberal project may have failed. Can it be rescued by a groundswell of democratic determination? And what place could ideas like cosmopolitanism, identity and honour have in his process?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-16965686 Sun, 13 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0400 4452 Kwame Anthony Appiah, Philiipp Blom, BlomCast, The Honour Code, Lies That Bind, Cosmpolitanism, race, racism, slavery, enlightenment, liberalism, cosmopolitanism, cosmpolitan, liberal arts, liberal education, elite overproduction, Musa Al-Gharbi, Olivier 2 3 full false [33] Sunil Amrith — The Burning Earth [33] Sunil Amrith — The Burning Earth The current crisis of democracy and governance goes back a long way, and has a lot in common with the development of capitalism, says my guest Sunil Amrith, professor of history at Yale University. The logic of profit and exploitation not only damaged natural systems, it profoundly changed societies and their ways of organising themselves and understanding themselves. From its very beginnings, from the stock exchange Amsterdam to the foundation of Singapore, from the sugar plantations of Madeira to the palm oil plantings today, there are patterns that repeat themselves in different historical contexts. The crisis of the so-called West is one consequence of this development, but it is seen in a very different light within the global south with its historical experience of colonialism and globalised exploitations. Sunil and I also talk about what comes after the logic of humans exploiting nature and setting themselves apart from it. Is a different narrative possible, or is homo sapiens irretrievably caught up in the acceleration of history?

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]]> The current crisis of democracy and governance goes back a long way, and has a lot in common with the development of capitalism, says my guest Sunil Amrith, professor of history at Yale University. The logic of profit and exploitation not only damaged natural systems, it profoundly changed societies and their ways of organising themselves and understanding themselves. From its very beginnings, from the stock exchange Amsterdam to the foundation of Singapore, from the sugar plantations of Madeira to the palm oil plantings today, there are patterns that repeat themselves in different historical contexts. The crisis of the so-called West is one consequence of this development, but it is seen in a very different light within the global south with its historical experience of colonialism and globalised exploitations. Sunil and I also talk about what comes after the logic of humans exploiting nature and setting themselves apart from it. Is a different narrative possible, or is homo sapiens irretrievably caught up in the acceleration of history?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-16906127 Sun, 06 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0400 3388 Sunil Amrith, Philipp Blom, Blomcast, The Burning Earth, Unruly Waters, Subjugate the Earth, subjugation, Madeira, Singapore, Amsterdam, climate catastrophe, palm oil, sugar plantations, slavery, end of the west, decline of the west, end of democracy, cri 2 2 full false [32] The Collapse of the West and European Futures [32] The Collapse of the West and European Futures The first episode in this new series of the BlomCast looks at a truly historic event: the end of the “West”. With the new US administration, the transatlantic alliance has practically collapsed leaving Europe exposed to a dictator on its eastern flank whose war has already cost some one million lives. Whither Europe? Will it become a collection of colonies and puppet states steered by hostile powers in a neo-imperial world? Or can European find the determination and energy to create a new alliance centred on a new kind of Europe? Nathalie Tocci is at the heart of the European project. She has advised on and written EU strategy, is director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali in Rome and has researched and written extensively, among others for the Guardian, the New York Times and Le Monde. In my conversation with Nathalie we try to understand whether the collapse of the West is analogous to that of the Soviet Union, how the global picture has shifted, and whether the values at the heart of the European project can be enough to motivate a real transformation.

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]]> The first episode in this new series of the BlomCast looks at a truly historic event: the end of the “West”. With the new US administration, the transatlantic alliance has practically collapsed leaving Europe exposed to a dictator on its eastern flank whose war has already cost some one million lives. Whither Europe? Will it become a collection of colonies and puppet states steered by hostile powers in a neo-imperial world? Or can European find the determination and energy to create a new alliance centred on a new kind of Europe? Nathalie Tocci is at the heart of the European project. She has advised on and written EU strategy, is director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali in Rome and has researched and written extensively, among others for the Guardian, the New York Times and Le Monde. In my conversation with Nathalie we try to understand whether the collapse of the West is analogous to that of the Soviet Union, how the global picture has shifted, and whether the values at the heart of the European project can be enough to motivate a real transformation.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-16866513 Wed, 26 Mar 2025 18:00:00 -0400 3632 Nathalie Tocci, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Istituto Affari Internazionali, Europe, European Union, EU, USA, Trump, the West, the West and the rest, Brussels, European Future, Soviet Union, Collapse of the West, Liberal Project, Democracy, Human Rights, rearm 2 1 full false [31] Danilo Brozovic — How Societies Collapse [31] Danilo Brozovic — How Societies Collapse Societal collapse is a topic hotly debated not only among climate scientists and activists. But why do formerly prosperous and powerful societies break down? And what makes them resilient? Are the reasons the same for ancient Rome and the empire of the Incas, for the Chinese Tang dynasty and the culture of Rapanui (Easter Islands)? Danilo Brozovic has made a study of literature dealing with societal collapse throughout history. Talking to him was really, really fascinating, and we discussed past, present and future.

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]]> Societal collapse is a topic hotly debated not only among climate scientists and activists. But why do formerly prosperous and powerful societies break down? And what makes them resilient? Are the reasons the same for ancient Rome and the empire of the Incas, for the Chinese Tang dynasty and the culture of Rapanui (Easter Islands)? Danilo Brozovic has made a study of literature dealing with societal collapse throughout history. Talking to him was really, really fascinating, and we discussed past, present and future.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-16574060 Sun, 09 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0500 4938 Danilo Brozovic, Philipp Blom, Blomcast, societal collapse, climate crisis, capitalism, sunk cost fallacy, resilience, technology, innovation, future of democracy, Rome, little ice age, Inca empire, Rapanui, extraction, transformation, complexity 1 31 full false [30] Raoul Schrott — Der Sternenhimmel oder, wie Homo sapiens die Welt eroberte [30] Raoul Schrott — Der Sternenhimmel oder, wie Homo sapiens die Welt eroberte Alle Kulturen sehen dieselben Sterne (wenn auch auf beiden Hemisphären unterschiedlich), erzählen sich aber ganz unterschiedliche Geschichten darüber. Tatsächlich gibt es überraschende Ähnlichkeiten zwischen den Sternbildern der Australischen Ureinwohner und der Mesopotamier, der Buschleute und der Maya, die nur schwer zu erklären sind, sagt Raoul Schrott, Dichter und Universalgelehrter. Ich habe aus diesem Gespräch immens viel gelernt und habe jetzt mehr fragen als davor. Was können uns Sternbilder und Mythen über die Geschichte der ältesten Kulturen erzählen? Und was sagen sie über den ersten Wendepunkt der Menschheitsgeschichte, als die ersten Homo sapiens Afrika verließen?

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]]> Alle Kulturen sehen dieselben Sterne (wenn auch auf beiden Hemisphären unterschiedlich), erzählen sich aber ganz unterschiedliche Geschichten darüber. Tatsächlich gibt es überraschende Ähnlichkeiten zwischen den Sternbildern der Australischen Ureinwohner und der Mesopotamier, der Buschleute und der Maya, die nur schwer zu erklären sind, sagt Raoul Schrott, Dichter und Universalgelehrter. Ich habe aus diesem Gespräch immens viel gelernt und habe jetzt mehr fragen als davor. Was können uns Sternbilder und Mythen über die Geschichte der ältesten Kulturen erzählen? Und was sagen sie über den ersten Wendepunkt der Menschheitsgeschichte, als die ersten Homo sapiens Afrika verließen?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-16447323 Sun, 19 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500 5686 Raoul Schrott, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Sternenhimmel, Sternbilder, Astrologie, Mythen, Schöpfungsmythen, Horoskop, Sternzeichen, Navigation, Kalender, Kulturgeschichte, Migrationen, Vorgeschichte, Menschheitsgeschichte, Vorgeschichte, Steinzeit, Afrika, A 1 30 full false [29] Richard Cockett — Vienna, City of Ideas [29] Richard Cockett — Vienna, City of Ideas Modernity is a Viennese phenomenon, says historian Richard Cockett, who is currently working as senior editor at The Economist. The cauldron of Vienna ca. 1900 with its dynamism, its migrants and its cultural new beginnings and especially the political and intellectual energies after the First World War created panoply of new approaches which revolutionised life far beyond Vienna, and indeed Europe. As creative minds and experienced city planners, film directors, engineers, philosophers, economists, artists, and designers fled from the Nazis, the world would never be quite the same again, from fitted kitchens to neo-classical economics, from Hollywood to shopping malls, from nuclear physics to right-wing populism, all had their debut what had been an imperial capital and was now an experiment in living.

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]]> Modernity is a Viennese phenomenon, says historian Richard Cockett, who is currently working as senior editor at The Economist. The cauldron of Vienna ca. 1900 with its dynamism, its migrants and its cultural new beginnings and especially the political and intellectual energies after the First World War created panoply of new approaches which revolutionised life far beyond Vienna, and indeed Europe. As creative minds and experienced city planners, film directors, engineers, philosophers, economists, artists, and designers fled from the Nazis, the world would never be quite the same again, from fitted kitchens to neo-classical economics, from Hollywood to shopping malls, from nuclear physics to right-wing populism, all had their debut what had been an imperial capital and was now an experiment in living.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-16233558 Sun, 08 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0500 4064 Richard Cockett, Vienna, Red Vienna, Friedrich von Hayek, Richard Gruen, Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, Richard Lueger, neoliberalism, economic liberalism, Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan, Francis Fukuyama, 1989, Iron Curtain, Ivan Krasev, Edward Bernays, m 1 29 full false [28] Musa Al-Gharbi — Symbolic Capitalism and the Pitfalls of Moral Righteousness [28] Musa Al-Gharbi — Symbolic Capitalism and the Pitfalls of Moral Righteousness "We Have Never Been Woke" is the title of Musa Al-Gharbi’s brilliantly polemic analysis of an educational and social elite that believes it has all the answers. He calls this professional class symbolic capitalists — people who make their living from manipulating the symbols of our societies, i.e. journalists, academics, creative professions, the media, NGOs, etc. The turning point here is the arrival of wokeness as the ultimate arbiter of truth, coupled with great moral rigidity and intolerance of other opinions. The reason for this, Musa suggests, may be elite overproduction, which means that too many qualified people are competing for two few jobs, and therefore have to develop not only professional, but also ideological points of distinction and advantage. Has symbolic capitalism taken over the public sphere?


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]]> "We Have Never Been Woke" is the title of Musa Al-Gharbi’s brilliantly polemic analysis of an educational and social elite that believes it has all the answers. He calls this professional class symbolic capitalists — people who make their living from manipulating the symbols of our societies, i.e. journalists, academics, creative professions, the media, NGOs, etc. The turning point here is the arrival of wokeness as the ultimate arbiter of truth, coupled with great moral rigidity and intolerance of other opinions. The reason for this, Musa suggests, may be elite overproduction, which means that too many qualified people are competing for two few jobs, and therefore have to develop not only professional, but also ideological points of distinction and advantage. Has symbolic capitalism taken over the public sphere?


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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-16193965 Sun, 01 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0500 5027 Musa Al-Gharbi, heterodox academy, Jonathan Haidt, Philipp Blom, Blomcast, subjugate the earth, symbolic capitalism, elite overproduction, woke, wokeness, free speech, faith, Islam, atheism, religion, Catholicism, status competition, moral righteousness, 1 28 full false [27] Franz Essl — Über Wendepunkte reden [27] Franz Essl — Über Wendepunkte reden Die Artenvielfalt bricht weltweit so rasend schnell zusammen, dass die Naturwissenschaft schon von einem Sechsten Artensterben sprechen. In Europa sind beispielsweise die Insekten um bis zu 80% zurückgegangen, die der Singvögel um etwa 50%. Franz Essl ist Biodiversitätsforscher an der Universität Wien. Seine Wahl zum Wissenschaftler des Jahres 2023 verdankt er auch seiner Arbeit in der Wissenschaftsvermittlung und als politischer und wissenschaftlicher Berater verschiedener NGOs. Der Einsatz für die Erhaltung der Artenvielfalt in der eigenen Landschaft war ihm schon immer so wichtig, wie ihre Erforschung. Ein Gespräch über Naturwissenschaft und eine Kindheit am Land, über Wissenschaft und Macht. Ist es möglich, eine ökologische Transformation voranzutreiben ohne die Bürger:innen dabei zu verlieren? Wie kann eine wirklich breite demokratische Diskussion über eine gemeinsame Zukunft entstehen?

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]]> Die Artenvielfalt bricht weltweit so rasend schnell zusammen, dass die Naturwissenschaft schon von einem Sechsten Artensterben sprechen. In Europa sind beispielsweise die Insekten um bis zu 80% zurückgegangen, die der Singvögel um etwa 50%. Franz Essl ist Biodiversitätsforscher an der Universität Wien. Seine Wahl zum Wissenschaftler des Jahres 2023 verdankt er auch seiner Arbeit in der Wissenschaftsvermittlung und als politischer und wissenschaftlicher Berater verschiedener NGOs. Der Einsatz für die Erhaltung der Artenvielfalt in der eigenen Landschaft war ihm schon immer so wichtig, wie ihre Erforschung. Ein Gespräch über Naturwissenschaft und eine Kindheit am Land, über Wissenschaft und Macht. Ist es möglich, eine ökologische Transformation voranzutreiben ohne die Bürger:innen dabei zu verlieren? Wie kann eine wirklich breite demokratische Diskussion über eine gemeinsame Zukunft entstehen?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-16118814 Sun, 17 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0500 4166 Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Franz Essl, Uni Wien, Universität Wien, Artenvielfalt, Biodiversität, Biodiversity, Artensterben, sixth extinction, Sechstes Artensterben, Last Generation, Extinction Rebellion, Fridays for Future, Biologie, Große Beschleunigung, G 1 27 full false [26] Samuel Moyn — Has the Liberal Dream Collapsed [26] Samuel Moyn — Has the Liberal Dream Collapsed In this fascinating conversation we explore the history of liberal ideas from Alexis de Tocqueville and John Stuart Mills until today. Samuel Moyn is particularly interested in liberalism during the Cold War and the changes these ideas were subjected to during the battle of the ideologies. But we also explore how important theological traditions are for liberal thinking and how the philosophical principles underlying this broad current of ideas — freedom from oppression, emancipation, and human rights — can be revived in our current world.

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]]> In this fascinating conversation we explore the history of liberal ideas from Alexis de Tocqueville and John Stuart Mills until today. Samuel Moyn is particularly interested in liberalism during the Cold War and the changes these ideas were subjected to during the battle of the ideologies. But we also explore how important theological traditions are for liberal thinking and how the philosophical principles underlying this broad current of ideas — freedom from oppression, emancipation, and human rights — can be revived in our current world.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-15861519 Sun, 06 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400 3644 Samuel Moyn, Liberalism, Liberal Project, Cold War, Alexis de Tocqueville, John Stuart Mill, Friedrich Hayek, Thomas Piketty, theological thinking, new aristocracy, technofeudalism, retrospective continuity, surveillance capitalism, democracy 1 26 full false [25] Philipp Blom — Zerrissene Jahre [25] Philipp Blom — Zerrissene Jahre Warum sind so viele Menschen der Meinung, dass ihre Gesellschaften zerrissen sind, dass die Demokratie am Ende ist, dass sie überwältigt werden durch Fremdheit, durch Migration, dass sie in einer Welt leben, die sie nicht mehr verstehen? Das hat mehrere Gründe, glaube ich, aber zwei scheinen mir besonders wichtig: Demographie und Technologie. In alternden Gesellschaften ändert sich vieles, besonders, wenn sie gleichzeitig von neuen Technologien von innen heraus völlig umgekrempelt werden. Ich versuche dieses Phänomen einmal zu umreißen und mir auch Gedanken darüber zu machen, was diese Zerrissenheit verringern und vielleicht sogar beenden könnte.

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]]> Warum sind so viele Menschen der Meinung, dass ihre Gesellschaften zerrissen sind, dass die Demokratie am Ende ist, dass sie überwältigt werden durch Fremdheit, durch Migration, dass sie in einer Welt leben, die sie nicht mehr verstehen? Das hat mehrere Gründe, glaube ich, aber zwei scheinen mir besonders wichtig: Demographie und Technologie. In alternden Gesellschaften ändert sich vieles, besonders, wenn sie gleichzeitig von neuen Technologien von innen heraus völlig umgekrempelt werden. Ich versuche dieses Phänomen einmal zu umreißen und mir auch Gedanken darüber zu machen, was diese Zerrissenheit verringern und vielleicht sogar beenden könnte.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-15740267 Sun, 15 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1603 Zerrissene Jahre, Dachstein Dialoge, Zerrissenheit, Finanzkapitalimus, Globalisierung, Digitalisierung, Technologien, Demographie, Olivier Roy, Samuel Moyn, Gaia Vince, Liberalismus, Thomas Piketty, Klimakrise, Krise der Demokratie, Migration, Neue Aristo 1 25 full false [24] Roman Krznaric – History for Tomorrow [24] Roman Krznaric – History for Tomorrow It is an age-old question: can we learn from history? Yes! says distinguished political scientist Roman Krznaric in his new book, which looks at the past for inspiration for building a better future. From striking low-caste women in Kerala to Suffragettes in Great Britain, from the first explosion of capitalism in 17-century Amsterdam to the rise of AI and from Ibn Khaldun to an ancient water authority in Spain, he shows that we are often stuck in a constructed version of history and that the true diversity of different pasts and experiments in living throughout the ages and the continents hold lessons we will need for our survival. A fascinating account.

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]]> It is an age-old question: can we learn from history? Yes! says distinguished political scientist Roman Krznaric in his new book, which looks at the past for inspiration for building a better future. From striking low-caste women in Kerala to Suffragettes in Great Britain, from the first explosion of capitalism in 17-century Amsterdam to the rise of AI and from Ibn Khaldun to an ancient water authority in Spain, he shows that we are often stuck in a constructed version of history and that the true diversity of different pasts and experiments in living throughout the ages and the continents hold lessons we will need for our survival. A fascinating account.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-15686404 Sun, 08 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400 4154 Roman Krznaric, History for Tomorrow, Good Ancestor, Empathy, Doughnut Economics, Kate Rayworth, Kerala, Amsterdam, Commons, covid vaccines, asabiya, Finnland, Capitalism, Cooperatives, great acceleration, polycrisis, enlightenment, little ice age, nature 1 24 full false [23] Gaia Vince – Climate and a World in Motion [23] Gaia Vince – Climate and a World in Motion Celebrated science writer Gaia Vince takes us into a future that is strangely familiar and yet quite different. The future will be determined by managing the immense and irresistible forces of climate change and global migration, and that can only become possible by embracing radical change and making courageous choices. There is no way forward without transformation, says Gaia, but ultimately this transformation will improve the lives even of those who are too trapped in their model of success to see the possibility of hope.

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]]> Celebrated science writer Gaia Vince takes us into a future that is strangely familiar and yet quite different. The future will be determined by managing the immense and irresistible forces of climate change and global migration, and that can only become possible by embracing radical change and making courageous choices. There is no way forward without transformation, says Gaia, but ultimately this transformation will improve the lives even of those who are too trapped in their model of success to see the possibility of hope.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-15617035 Sun, 25 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400 3425 Gaia Vince, nomad century, global migration, global warming, climate change, climate crisis, philipp blom, blomcast, hope, global transformation, geoengineering, social hope, diversity, culture, climate science, solidarity 1 23 full false [22] Richard Whatmore – The End of Enlightenment? [22] Richard Whatmore – The End of Enlightenment? Richard Whatmore reads the late eighteenth century very much as a warning to the present. Some of the greatest Enlightenment thinkers were despairing of the fact that their fight against prejudice and fanaticism, against the power or princes and priests, had led to a mercantile state living in a perpetual state of war, and a society whose fanaticism had turned into a blind worship of freedom, individuality, and rights. Richard is a fascinating sparring partner for ideas ranging from a critical moment in intellectual history featuring thinkers like David Hume, Adam Smith, or Mary Wollstonecraft to Friedrich Hayek and the very present and political resonances of these thoughts. Faced the cruelty of the French revolution and the reality of mercantilism, colonialism and a political sphere dominated by the interests of private entrepreneurs and shareholders, a generation of intellectuals had to construct new strategies in the face of disaster. 

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]]> Richard Whatmore reads the late eighteenth century very much as a warning to the present. Some of the greatest Enlightenment thinkers were despairing of the fact that their fight against prejudice and fanaticism, against the power or princes and priests, had led to a mercantile state living in a perpetual state of war, and a society whose fanaticism had turned into a blind worship of freedom, individuality, and rights. Richard is a fascinating sparring partner for ideas ranging from a critical moment in intellectual history featuring thinkers like David Hume, Adam Smith, or Mary Wollstonecraft to Friedrich Hayek and the very present and political resonances of these thoughts. Faced the cruelty of the French revolution and the reality of mercantilism, colonialism and a political sphere dominated by the interests of private entrepreneurs and shareholders, a generation of intellectuals had to construct new strategies in the face of disaster. 

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-15495772 Sun, 11 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400 3529 Richard Whatmore, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, turning points in history, end of Enlightenment, the Enlightenment, mercantile states, colonialism, fanaticism, fanatics, political philosophy, post enlightenment, David Hume, Adam Smith, Mary Wollstonecraft, Frie 1 22 full false [21] Katy Hessel — The Story of Art without Men [21] Katy Hessel — The Story of Art without Men In this episode I talk about the amazing history of women artists, and of who is written into history, and who isn’t. Katy Hessel writes not only about female artists, but also about ways of seeing, of telling stories, and of telling the story of humanity. Why were women, even if they had been hugely successful artists in their own time, written out of history? And why is it still necessary to make this point? Katy Hessel is a passionate advocate — not only for women artists, but also for a better, more inclusive and richer way of approaching art, and life.

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]]> In this episode I talk about the amazing history of women artists, and of who is written into history, and who isn’t. Katy Hessel writes not only about female artists, but also about ways of seeing, of telling stories, and of telling the story of humanity. Why were women, even if they had been hugely successful artists in their own time, written out of history? And why is it still necessary to make this point? Katy Hessel is a passionate advocate — not only for women artists, but also for a better, more inclusive and richer way of approaching art, and life.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-15487051 Sun, 28 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0400 3574 Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Katy Hessel, thegreatwomenartists, great women artists, women in art, Artemisia Gentileschi, Georgia O’Keefe, Nikki de Saint Phalle, Louise Bourgeois, feminist history, National Gallery, Royal Academy of Arts, London, Vienna, Ernst 1 21 full false [20] Olivier Roy — the Crisis of Culture [20] Olivier Roy — the Crisis of Culture Four great forces have changed human cultures, says Olivier Roy distinguished political scientist and expert on radical Islam: a change in sexual mores since 1968, the internet, the liberalisation of global finance, and the free movement of people. the result is a flattened world, in which old hierarchies count for little and implicit culture is being replaced by explicit norms, a world without a way forward, and therefore a profoundly conservative one. Floor us in this fascinating exploration of cultures in crisis and what might replace them.

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]]> Four great forces have changed human cultures, says Olivier Roy distinguished political scientist and expert on radical Islam: a change in sexual mores since 1968, the internet, the liberalisation of global finance, and the free movement of people. the result is a flattened world, in which old hierarchies count for little and implicit culture is being replaced by explicit norms, a world without a way forward, and therefore a profoundly conservative one. Floor us in this fascinating exploration of cultures in crisis and what might replace them.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-14797106 Sun, 31 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0400 3906 BlomCast, Philipp Blom, Olivier Roy, Islam, Afghanistan, Fundamentalism, radical Islam, Taliban, crisis of culture, cancel culture, liberalism, neoliberalism, 1968, sexual revolution, internet, Ivan Krastev, religion, secularism, gilets jaunes, France, au 1 20 full false [19] Maja Göpel — wie man eine Zukunft baut [19] Maja Göpel — wie man eine Zukunft baut Maja Göpel ist nicht nur die wohl bekannteste Zukunftsforscherin Deutschlands, sie ist auch eine anregende Gesprächspartnerin und Analystin. Die Energiewende und die Stärkung der Demokratie sind Themen, die sie besonders umtreiben. Wir sprechen über Klima, Superreiche, wie Demokratien ticken und was nötig ist, um für eine sinnvolle, lebenswerte Zukunft zu arbeiten.


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]]> Maja Göpel ist nicht nur die wohl bekannteste Zukunftsforscherin Deutschlands, sie ist auch eine anregende Gesprächspartnerin und Analystin. Die Energiewende und die Stärkung der Demokratie sind Themen, die sie besonders umtreiben. Wir sprechen über Klima, Superreiche, wie Demokratien ticken und was nötig ist, um für eine sinnvolle, lebenswerte Zukunft zu arbeiten.


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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-14701696 Sun, 17 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0400 3100 Maja Göpel, BlomCast, Philipp Blom. Zukunft, Zukunftsforscherin, Klimakatastrophe, Klimakrise, Klimaerhitzung, Demokratie, Klimaaktivisten, soziale Gerechtigkeit, Biodiversität, Bodenversieglung, Ressourcennutzung, Fossile Brennstoffe, Anthropozän, Europa 1 19 full false [18] From the Invention of Race and to Identity Politics [18] From the Invention of Race and to Identity Politics Kenan Malik is simply one of the most nuanced and profound thinkers about race and cultural identity I know. You may have seen his columns in the Observer or his books The Quest for a Moral Compass or Not So Black And White. Here we talk about when and why the idea of different races was invented to justify slavery and turn people against one another and how this arbitrary distinction between people became a bedrock of populism, and how cultural essentialism and the cult of purity have affected not only the political right, but also the left.

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]]> Kenan Malik is simply one of the most nuanced and profound thinkers about race and cultural identity I know. You may have seen his columns in the Observer or his books The Quest for a Moral Compass or Not So Black And White. Here we talk about when and why the idea of different races was invented to justify slavery and turn people against one another and how this arbitrary distinction between people became a bedrock of populism, and how cultural essentialism and the cult of purity have affected not only the political right, but also the left.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-14474406 Sun, 11 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500 4455 Kenan Malik, race, identity politics, racism, multiculturalism, stay in your lane, Enlightenment, radical universalists, post liberalism, populism, identity, solidarity, radicalism, trade unions, colonialism, post colonialism 1 18 full false [17] The collapse of the liberal project? Part 2 [17] The collapse of the liberal project? Part 2 Is the polycrisis a side effect of progress and victorious liberalism? The victory of the liberal world has dramatically transformed life on this planet in a very short space of time. In the process, many of the basic liberal ideas have been distorted beyond recognition. Is the liberal project a victim of its own success and, if so, is it doomed to failure?

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]]> Is the polycrisis a side effect of progress and victorious liberalism? The victory of the liberal world has dramatically transformed life on this planet in a very short space of time. In the process, many of the basic liberal ideas have been distorted beyond recognition. Is the liberal project a victim of its own success and, if so, is it doomed to failure?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-14220278 Sun, 31 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500 2946 liberalism, enlightenment, liberal project, fossil fuels, modernity, John Locke, Isaiah Berlin, rule of law, tolerance, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, neoliberalism, individual freedom, capitalism, Francis Fukuyama, end of history, return of his 1 17 full false [17] Der Zusammenbruch des liberalen Projekts? Teil 2 [17] Der Zusammenbruch des liberalen Projekts? Teil 2 Ist die Polykrise eine Nebenwirkung des Fortschritts und eines siegreichen Liberalismus? Der Sieg der liberalen Welt transformierte das Leben auf diesem Planeten innerhalb kürzester Zeit auf dramatische Weise. Dabei sind viele der liberalen Grundideen zur Unkenntlichkeit verzerrt worden. Ist das liberale Projekt also Opfer seines eigenen Erfolgs und, wenn ja, ist es damit zum Scheitern verdammt?

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]]> Ist die Polykrise eine Nebenwirkung des Fortschritts und eines siegreichen Liberalismus? Der Sieg der liberalen Welt transformierte das Leben auf diesem Planeten innerhalb kürzester Zeit auf dramatische Weise. Dabei sind viele der liberalen Grundideen zur Unkenntlichkeit verzerrt worden. Ist das liberale Projekt also Opfer seines eigenen Erfolgs und, wenn ja, ist es damit zum Scheitern verdammt?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-14220268 Sun, 31 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500 4172 Liberalismus, Aufklärung, liberales Projekt, fossile Brennstoffe, Moderne, John Locke, Isaiah Berlin, rule of law, Toleranz, Meinungsfreiheit, Pressefreiheit, Neoliberalismus, individuelle Freiheit, Kapitalismus, Francis Fukuyama, Ende der Geschichte, 196 1 17 full false [16] The collapse of the liberal project? Part 1 [16] The collapse of the liberal project? Part 1 Almost exactly a generation ago, the triumphant West proclaimed the victory of the liberal world, of the liberal project. From now on, there would be only one model for societies: liberal democracies in a global market. Things have turned out quite differently. The world is in a polycrisis and today the core ideas of the liberal project - individual freedoms, tolerance, progressive ideals - are fighting for their political survival. How did it come to this?

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]]> Almost exactly a generation ago, the triumphant West proclaimed the victory of the liberal world, of the liberal project. From now on, there would be only one model for societies: liberal democracies in a global market. Things have turned out quite differently. The world is in a polycrisis and today the core ideas of the liberal project - individual freedoms, tolerance, progressive ideals - are fighting for their political survival. How did it come to this?

Support the show

]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-14193621 Sun, 24 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500 2981 liberalism, enlightenment, liberal project, fossil fuels, modernity, John Locke, Isaiah Berlin, rule of law, tolerance, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, neoliberalism, individual freedom, capitalism, Francis Fukuyama, end of history, return of his 1 16 full false [16] Der Zusammenbruch des liberalen Projekts? Teil 1 [16] Der Zusammenbruch des liberalen Projekts? Teil 1 Vor ziemlich genau einer Generation verkündete der triumphierende Westen den Sieg der liberalen Welt des liberalen Projekts. Von nun an würde es nur noch ein Modell für Gesellschaften geben: liberale Demokratien in einem globalen Markt. Es ist ganz anders gekommen. Die Welt steckt in einer Polykrise und heute kämpfen die Kernideen des liberalen Projekts — individuelle Freiheiten, Toleranz, progressive Ideale — um ihr politisches Überleben. Wie ist es so weit gekommen?

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]]> Vor ziemlich genau einer Generation verkündete der triumphierende Westen den Sieg der liberalen Welt des liberalen Projekts. Von nun an würde es nur noch ein Modell für Gesellschaften geben: liberale Demokratien in einem globalen Markt. Es ist ganz anders gekommen. Die Welt steckt in einer Polykrise und heute kämpfen die Kernideen des liberalen Projekts — individuelle Freiheiten, Toleranz, progressive Ideale — um ihr politisches Überleben. Wie ist es so weit gekommen?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-14193613 Sun, 24 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500 3035 Liberalismus, Aufklärung, liberales Projekt, fossile Brennstoffe, Moderne, John Locke, Isaiah Berlin, rule of law, Toleranz, Meinungsfreiheit, Pressefreiheit, Neoliberalismus, individuelle Freiheit, Kapitalismus, Francis Fukuyama, Ende der Geschichte, 196 1 16 full false [15] Transformationen — Wenn die Welt eine andere wird [15] Transformationen — Wenn die Welt eine andere wird Philipp Ther erforscht Transformationen in der Geschichte. Der Wittgenstein Preis-Träger und Autor historischer mehrerer Bestseller beschäftigt sich besonders mit Phasen, in denen die Welt sich radikal verändert. Ich frage ihn, ob wir in der Gegenwart in so einer Phase sind, welche transformativen Momente in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten besonders zu unserer gegenwärtigen Situation beigetragen haben und ob das liberale Projekt sich totgelaufen hat.

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]]> Philipp Ther erforscht Transformationen in der Geschichte. Der Wittgenstein Preis-Träger und Autor historischer mehrerer Bestseller beschäftigt sich besonders mit Phasen, in denen die Welt sich radikal verändert. Ich frage ihn, ob wir in der Gegenwart in so einer Phase sind, welche transformativen Momente in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten besonders zu unserer gegenwärtigen Situation beigetragen haben und ob das liberale Projekt sich totgelaufen hat.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-14036163 Sun, 26 Nov 2023 16:00:00 -0500 3571 Philipp Ther, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Transformation, Transformationsgeschichte, Klimakrise, Karl Polanyi, Great Transformation, Francis Fukuyama, Ende der Geschichte, Liberalismus, Liberales Projekt, Erdöl, Geschichte fossiler Brennstoffe, CO2, Demokrati 1 15 full false [14] The Tyranny of Merit—How Liberal Promises Have Turned Sour [14] The Tyranny of Merit—How Liberal Promises Have Turned Sour For this episode, I am delighted to welcome the distinguished philosopher Michael Sandel, whose Harvard course on moral philosophy has been followed by millions of people online. Michael’s book The Tyranny of Merit trenchantly analyses the perversion of meritocracy  and what the rule of the credentialed and of technocrats is doing to our democracies. While the social and political elite claims for itself to rule through merit alone, the idea of merit itself has not only been corrupted by mechanisms of exclusion, it is also a fraught concept in itself. In our conversation, we explore the politics of humiliation, the theological dimension of thinking that we get what we deserve, the populist backlash against a sense of entitlement, and how to address these fault lines which threaten to split our societies in two.


Michael Sandel will appear at the Vienna Humanities Festival 2023: https://www.humanitiesfestival.at/sandel

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]]> For this episode, I am delighted to welcome the distinguished philosopher Michael Sandel, whose Harvard course on moral philosophy has been followed by millions of people online. Michael’s book The Tyranny of Merit trenchantly analyses the perversion of meritocracy  and what the rule of the credentialed and of technocrats is doing to our democracies. While the social and political elite claims for itself to rule through merit alone, the idea of merit itself has not only been corrupted by mechanisms of exclusion, it is also a fraught concept in itself. In our conversation, we explore the politics of humiliation, the theological dimension of thinking that we get what we deserve, the populist backlash against a sense of entitlement, and how to address these fault lines which threaten to split our societies in two.


Michael Sandel will appear at the Vienna Humanities Festival 2023: https://www.humanitiesfestival.at/sandel

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-13643736 Sun, 24 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400 2869 Michael Sandel, The Tyranny of Merit, Meritocracy, Crisis of Democracy, Fairness, Moral Philosophy, Philipp Blom, Populist Backlash, Entitlement, Elites, Dignity, Politics of Humiliation, Calvinism, Protestant Work Ethic, John Rawls, Communitarianism, Har 1 14 full false [13] Subjugate the Earth — The Rise and Fall of an Idea [13] Subjugate the Earth — The Rise and Fall of an Idea The idea that humans can dominate nature and rule over it has popped up quite recently in human history and has come to sweep the planet, and to change and degrade its natural systems. But where does this idea come from, how has it influenced human history and what will come after its collapse amid the climate crisis?

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]]> The idea that humans can dominate nature and rule over it has popped up quite recently in human history and has come to sweep the planet, and to change and degrade its natural systems. But where does this idea come from, how has it influenced human history and what will come after its collapse amid the climate crisis?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-13550387 Sun, 10 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1585 Philipp Blom, BlomCast, History, Subjugatetheearth, Subjugation, Darwinism, Bruno Latour, Spinoza, Bible, Enlightenment, history of ideas, history of science, Gaia, critical zone, climate crisis, climate emergency, climate change, natural history, anthrop 1 13 full false [12] The Story of Culture: a conversation with Martin Puchner [12] The Story of Culture: a conversation with Martin Puchner What part do our collective stories play in historical turning points? Can new narratives change a culture, a society, a political structure, or do narratives react to changes to explain them afterwards? What do narratives inspire, and how are they disseminated? Martin Puchner, professor for comparative literature at Harvard University and author of, among others, The Story of Culture, is the person to ask. We speak about the importance of technologies such as writing and print, but also of creative misunderstanding and appropriation, a political minefield, as well as a main mechanism of cultural transmission. What can we learn from this convoluted history, and is it possible to initiate a narrative turn today, away from destruction and domination towards a more symbiotic understanding of culture?

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]]> What part do our collective stories play in historical turning points? Can new narratives change a culture, a society, a political structure, or do narratives react to changes to explain them afterwards? What do narratives inspire, and how are they disseminated? Martin Puchner, professor for comparative literature at Harvard University and author of, among others, The Story of Culture, is the person to ask. We speak about the importance of technologies such as writing and print, but also of creative misunderstanding and appropriation, a political minefield, as well as a main mechanism of cultural transmission. What can we learn from this convoluted history, and is it possible to initiate a narrative turn today, away from destruction and domination towards a more symbiotic understanding of culture?

Support the show

]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-13390799 Sun, 13 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0400 3701 Story of Culture, Martin Puchner, Harvard University, writing, print, Chauvet cave, cave art, Gilgamesh, Mesopotamia, K-pop, narratives, collective stories, resonance, cultural appropriation, map of misreading, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Turning Points, worl 1 12 full false [11] Magnificent Rebels — the Romantic Revolution [11] Magnificent Rebels — the Romantic Revolution a conversation with Andrea Wulf

Sometimes the world is reinvented and turned upside down not in a glittering metropolis, but in the provinces. This was the case in Jena, a tiny German town, at the end of the eighteenth century, as a gaggle of young and unconventional poets, scientists and philosophers descended on the university there. The result was the kernel of German Romanticism, Andrea Wulf tells me. She has written a stunning group biography on the German romantics, their ideas and their personal lives. In this episode, we discuss the importance of German Romanticism, its idea of the self and its new ways of relating to nature, a historical turning point that is still colouring our current debates and our thinking about ourselves, and the climate crisis.


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]]> a conversation with Andrea Wulf

Sometimes the world is reinvented and turned upside down not in a glittering metropolis, but in the provinces. This was the case in Jena, a tiny German town, at the end of the eighteenth century, as a gaggle of young and unconventional poets, scientists and philosophers descended on the university there. The result was the kernel of German Romanticism, Andrea Wulf tells me. She has written a stunning group biography on the German romantics, their ideas and their personal lives. In this episode, we discuss the importance of German Romanticism, its idea of the self and its new ways of relating to nature, a historical turning point that is still colouring our current debates and our thinking about ourselves, and the climate crisis.


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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-13312886 Sun, 30 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0400 3564 Magnificent Rebels, Invention of Nature, Andrea Wulf, German Romanticism, Jena, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Friedrich Schiller, Caroline Schelling, Friedrich Schelling, Johann Gottlieb Fichte, Friedrich Schleiermacher, Alexander von Humboldt, Georg Forste 1 11 full false [10] A New Enlightenment? [10] A New Enlightenment? Do we need a New Enlightenment to cut through a new obscurantism? Or is the Enlightenment part of a bad past of racism, slavery, and exploitation? In many ways, the ideas of the Enlightenment are tarnished by their historical association with historical injustices, dictatorships and utopian experiments that left a bloody trace throughout history, an inhuman rationalism more akin to capitalist excess than to liberté-égalité-fraternité. 

But this is only one face of Enlightenment thinking, an invention of later historians. Behind this sanitised facade lies a landscape of hair-raising debates, doubts and discussions that have lost nothing of their power to astonish and to question the status quo and the lies societies like to tell themselves.

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]]> Do we need a New Enlightenment to cut through a new obscurantism? Or is the Enlightenment part of a bad past of racism, slavery, and exploitation? In many ways, the ideas of the Enlightenment are tarnished by their historical association with historical injustices, dictatorships and utopian experiments that left a bloody trace throughout history, an inhuman rationalism more akin to capitalist excess than to liberté-égalité-fraternité. 

But this is only one face of Enlightenment thinking, an invention of later historians. Behind this sanitised facade lies a landscape of hair-raising debates, doubts and discussions that have lost nothing of their power to astonish and to question the status quo and the lies societies like to tell themselves.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-13084328 Sun, 25 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1908 Enlightenment, New Enlightenment, Aufklärung, Immanuel Kant, Voltaire, Denis Diderot, John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, David Hume, Baruch Spinoza, Little Ice Age, philosophy, history of ideas, atheism, materialism, radical enlightenment, moderate enlightenment, 1 10 full false [09] Artificial Intelligence — The Turning Point in the Story of Humanity and Machines? [09] Artificial Intelligence — The Turning Point in the Story of Humanity and Machines? Since Icarus flew too close to the sun, the common story of humans and their machines tells of hopes, fears and ambitions. From Leonardo to industrialisation, the First World War and the nuclear threat, this relationship has had many chapters. People have built machines to imitate their faculties and have recognised themselves in them and developed in parallel with them. With the rise of artificial intelligence — machines that can learn by themselves — the traditional balance could be upset. Are human beings merely carbon-based prototypes of a more complex machine intelligence?

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]]> Since Icarus flew too close to the sun, the common story of humans and their machines tells of hopes, fears and ambitions. From Leonardo to industrialisation, the First World War and the nuclear threat, this relationship has had many chapters. People have built machines to imitate their faculties and have recognised themselves in them and developed in parallel with them. With the rise of artificial intelligence — machines that can learn by themselves — the traditional balance could be upset. Are human beings merely carbon-based prototypes of a more complex machine intelligence?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-12840446 Sun, 14 May 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1485 Man and Machine, humanity and machines, history of technology, Robots, Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, Leonardo da Vinci, Metropolis, Fritz Lang, First World War, World War One, Vertigo Years, Fracture, Philipp Blom, atom bomb, nuclear threat, artificial inte 1 9 full false [09] Künstliche Intelligenz — der Wendepunkt für Mensch und Maschine? [09] Künstliche Intelligenz — der Wendepunkt für Mensch und Maschine? Seit Ikarus zu nahe an der Sonne flog, spricht die gemeinsame Geschichte von Menschen und Maschinen von Ängsten und Hoffnungen, von menschlichem Ehrgeiz. Von Leonardos Entwürfen über die Industrialisierung, den Ersten Weltkrieg und die Atombombe hat diese Beziehung viele Kapitel gehabt. Menschen haben sich in Maschinen wiedererkannt, haben ihre Fähigkeiten und ihre Intelligenz imitiert, haben vor ihnen Angst gehabt und sich parallel zu ihnen entwickelt. Mit dem Aufstieg der künstlichen Intelligenz — einer Maschine, die selbst lernt — könnte dieses Gleichgewicht kippen. Sind Menschen nur Prototypen einer komplexeren Maschinen-Intelligenz?

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]]> Seit Ikarus zu nahe an der Sonne flog, spricht die gemeinsame Geschichte von Menschen und Maschinen von Ängsten und Hoffnungen, von menschlichem Ehrgeiz. Von Leonardos Entwürfen über die Industrialisierung, den Ersten Weltkrieg und die Atombombe hat diese Beziehung viele Kapitel gehabt. Menschen haben sich in Maschinen wiedererkannt, haben ihre Fähigkeiten und ihre Intelligenz imitiert, haben vor ihnen Angst gehabt und sich parallel zu ihnen entwickelt. Mit dem Aufstieg der künstlichen Intelligenz — einer Maschine, die selbst lernt — könnte dieses Gleichgewicht kippen. Sind Menschen nur Prototypen einer komplexeren Maschinen-Intelligenz?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-12840445 Sun, 14 May 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1316 Mensch und Maschine, Geschichte der Technologie, Roboter, Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, Leonard da Vinci, Metropolis, Erster Weltkrieg, der taumelnde Kontinent, die zerrissenen Jahre, Philipp Blom, Atombombe, Künstliche Intelligenz, KI, Ikarus, Krise der Mä 1 9 full false [08] The Fall of Rome — Was it Decadence, Plague, or Climate Change? [08] The Fall of Rome — Was it Decadence, Plague, or Climate Change? When the Roman empire was at its zenith it was the largest empire ever seen, an unchallengeable power with mighty legions, an efficient administration, unparalleled economic power and a glittering metropolis at its centre. The fact that it took just a few generations to unravel was intimately connected not only to corruption and decadence, but also to climate change and imported epidemics sweeping the empire, argues Kyle Harper, author of the bestselling: The Fall of Rome. I am excited to speak to Kyle about the many reasons of the Fall of Rome, and the lessons its epic collapse might hold for our future.

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]]> When the Roman empire was at its zenith it was the largest empire ever seen, an unchallengeable power with mighty legions, an efficient administration, unparalleled economic power and a glittering metropolis at its centre. The fact that it took just a few generations to unravel was intimately connected not only to corruption and decadence, but also to climate change and imported epidemics sweeping the empire, argues Kyle Harper, author of the bestselling: The Fall of Rome. I am excited to speak to Kyle about the many reasons of the Fall of Rome, and the lessons its epic collapse might hold for our future.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-12684305 Wed, 19 Apr 2023 14:00:00 -0400 3645 Philipp Blom, Blomcast, climate crisis, climate catastrophe, climate change, epidemics, history of Rome, fall of Rome, Edward Gibbon, history of empires, fall of civilisations, Holocene, Roman Climatic Optimum, Little Ice Age, Roman Ice Age, antiquity, cl 1 8 full false [07] Why Europe [07] Why Europe Around 1450, the greatest empires and the greatest markets of the world were China, India and the Ottoman empire, while also cultures like the Khmer in Cambodia and the Aztecs in Mesoamerica projected great power and achievements. Europe was a collection of small countries in a constant state of war, a great step back from the civilisation of the Roman empire. 300 years later Europe ruled the world. How was that possible, and how important were viruses and gunpowder, religion and geography?

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]]> Around 1450, the greatest empires and the greatest markets of the world were China, India and the Ottoman empire, while also cultures like the Khmer in Cambodia and the Aztecs in Mesoamerica projected great power and achievements. Europe was a collection of small countries in a constant state of war, a great step back from the civilisation of the Roman empire. 300 years later Europe ruled the world. How was that possible, and how important were viruses and gunpowder, religion and geography?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-12567083 Sun, 02 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1646 Philipp Blom, Blomcast, imperialism, new world, Columbus, Khmer, Aztecs, Ottoman empire, Chinese history, European history, turning points, India, navigation, history of naval voyages, Mori, Ming treasure fleets, accidents in history, viruses, pocks, miss 1 7 full false [07] Warum Europa? [07] Warum Europa? Um 1450 waren die größten und zivilisiertesten Mächte und Märkte in China und Indien, das osmanische Reich, auch Kulturen wie die Khmer in Kambodscha und die Azteken in Mittelamerika projizierten Macht. Europa bestand aus Kleinreichen, die dauernd im Krieg miteinander lagen und die seit dem römischen Reich einen Rückschritt erlebt hatten. 

Trotzdem war es das kleine, provinzielle Europa, das 300 Jahre später die Welt regierte. Wie konnte es dazu kommen? Wie wichtig waren dabei Viren und Kanonen, Religion und Geographie?


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]]> Um 1450 waren die größten und zivilisiertesten Mächte und Märkte in China und Indien, das osmanische Reich, auch Kulturen wie die Khmer in Kambodscha und die Azteken in Mittelamerika projizierten Macht. Europa bestand aus Kleinreichen, die dauernd im Krieg miteinander lagen und die seit dem römischen Reich einen Rückschritt erlebt hatten. 

Trotzdem war es das kleine, provinzielle Europa, das 300 Jahre später die Welt regierte. Wie konnte es dazu kommen? Wie wichtig waren dabei Viren und Kanonen, Religion und Geographie?


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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-12567081 Sun, 02 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1254 Europa, Kolonialismus, Imperialismus, Neue Welt, Columbus, Philipp Blom, Blomcast, Khmer, Azteken, Osmanisches Reich, chinesische Geschichte, europäische Geschichte, Wendepunkte, Indien, Navigation, Geschichte der Seefahrt, Ming Schatzflotten, Zufall in d 1 7 full false [06] “Subdue the Earth” — How the Idea of Dominating Nature was Born [06] “Subdue the Earth” — How the Idea of Dominating Nature was Born Long before the bible, humans imagined that they could subjugate nature, and even death itself. With Christianity, this interesting illusion was spread throughout the globe. But where did it come from, and what does it mean combined with the 21st-century technologies?

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]]> Long before the bible, humans imagined that they could subjugate nature, and even death itself. With Christianity, this interesting illusion was spread throughout the globe. But where did it come from, and what does it mean combined with the 21st-century technologies?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-12466432 Sun, 19 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0400 1854 Subjugatetheearth, subdue the earth, dominion over nature, history of science, history of Europe, history of ideas, history of christianity, bible, christianity, Gilgamesh, Mesopotamia, Jewish exile, Babylon, Thora, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, climate catastr 1 6 full false [06] "Macht Euch die Erde untertan" — woher kommt die Idee der Naturbeherrschung? [06] "Macht Euch die Erde untertan" — woher kommt die Idee der Naturbeherrschung? Lange vor der Bibel entstand die Idee, Menschen könnten die Natur unterwerfen. Mit dem Christentum wurde sie über den ganzen Globus verbreitet. Aber wo kam sie her und was bedeutet sie verbunden mit den Technologien des 21. Jahrhunderts?

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]]> Lange vor der Bibel entstand die Idee, Menschen könnten die Natur unterwerfen. Mit dem Christentum wurde sie über den ganzen Globus verbreitet. Aber wo kam sie her und was bedeutet sie verbunden mit den Technologien des 21. Jahrhunderts?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-12466417 Sun, 19 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0400 1461 Naturbeherrschung, BlomCast, Mesopotamien, Gilgamesch, Christentum, Bibel, Geschichte Europas, Klimageschichte, Klimakatastrophe, Philipp Blom, Antike, Frühgeschichte, Mythen, Animismus, Descartes, Spinoza, Bruno Latour, jüdisches Exil, Babylon, Thora, ne 1 6 full false [05] Culture Between Ice and Fire [05] Culture Between Ice and Fire History has always been the story of the human past. With the advent of climate science and historical research into climate patterns, a new kind of history has become possible looking at societies as part of a dymanic natural environment. This opens new perspectives on the rise and fall of cultures, from the first cities and the Fall or Rome to the climate catastrophe of today.

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]]> History has always been the story of the human past. With the advent of climate science and historical research into climate patterns, a new kind of history has become possible looking at societies as part of a dymanic natural environment. This opens new perspectives on the rise and fall of cultures, from the first cities and the Fall or Rome to the climate catastrophe of today.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-12372078 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0500 1505 climate history, history of ideas, fall of civilisations, Blomcast, Philipp Blom, Fall of Rome, Little Ice Age, climate science, Bronze Age collapse 1 5 full false [05] Kultur zwischen Eis und Feuer [05] Kultur zwischen Eis und Feuer Geschichte war immer die Untersuchung der Vergangenheit von Menschen. Mit neuen Forschungsmethoden der Klimawissenschaften sind aber ganz neue Zugänge möglich geworden: Die Geschichte menschlicher Gesellschaften in einer dynamischen natürlichen Umgebung. Das öffnet ganz neue Perspektiven auf Aufstieg und Fall ganzer Kulturen, von den ersten Stadtkulturen und dem Fall von Rom bis hin zur Klimakatastrophe der Gegenwart.

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]]> Geschichte war immer die Untersuchung der Vergangenheit von Menschen. Mit neuen Forschungsmethoden der Klimawissenschaften sind aber ganz neue Zugänge möglich geworden: Die Geschichte menschlicher Gesellschaften in einer dynamischen natürlichen Umgebung. Das öffnet ganz neue Perspektiven auf Aufstieg und Fall ganzer Kulturen, von den ersten Stadtkulturen und dem Fall von Rom bis hin zur Klimakatastrophe der Gegenwart.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-12372067 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0500 1388 Klimageschichte, Ideengeschichte, Fall von Gesellschaften, Untergang von Rom, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, Kleine Eiszeit, Bronzezeit Kollaps 1 5 full false Antwort: Grünes Wachstum — die Lösung der Klimakatastrophe? Antwort: Grünes Wachstum — die Lösung der Klimakatastrophe? Antwort: Grünes Wachstum — die Lösung der Klimakatastrophe?

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]]> Antwort: Grünes Wachstum — die Lösung der Klimakatastrophe?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-12278039 Sun, 19 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0500 788 grünes Wachstum, green growth, degrowth, klimakrise, Nachhaltigkeit, Kernfusion, Entkopplung, decoupling, full false [04] The Fire Pump — Why Utopias Fail [04] The Fire Pump — Why Utopias Fail Enlightened utopias tried to create turning points in history, but the republics of virtue they imagined never materialized. What is it with Enlightened utopias that condemns them to fail?

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]]> Enlightened utopias tried to create turning points in history, but the republics of virtue they imagined never materialized. What is it with Enlightened utopias that condemns them to fail?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-12278020 Sun, 19 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0500 1079 climate crisis, enlightenment, utopias, encyclopédie, Diderot, Kant, Rousseau, Hobbes, french revolution, history of enlightenment, utopia and dictatorship, end of history, soviet union, Pol Pot, Mao Tsedong, neoliberalism, blomcast, Philipp Blom, Europea 1 4 full false [04] Die Feuerpumpe — Warum Utopien scheitern [04] Die Feuerpumpe — Warum Utopien scheitern Aufgeklärte Utopien wollten Wendepunkte schaffen, um die Geschichte zum Guten zu wenden und zu überwinden. Aber die Tugendrepubliken, die sie wollten, wurden nie Wirklichkeit? Warum müssen aufgeklärte Utopien scheitern?

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]]> Aufgeklärte Utopien wollten Wendepunkte schaffen, um die Geschichte zum Guten zu wenden und zu überwinden. Aber die Tugendrepubliken, die sie wollten, wurden nie Wirklichkeit? Warum müssen aufgeklärte Utopien scheitern?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-12278017 Sun, 19 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0500 1119 Aufklärung, Utopie, Diderot, Kant, Rousseau, Hobbes, französische Revolution, Sowjetunion, Aufklärung, Pol Pot, Mao Tsedong, neoliberalism, blomcast, Philipp Blom, Europäische Geschichte, Diktatur, Klimakrise, Wendepunkte 1 4 full false [03] Little Ice Age III: Little Ice Age and Climate Catastrophe — can we learn from history? [03] Little Ice Age III: Little Ice Age and Climate Catastrophe — can we learn from history? As nature changed during the Little Ice Age, so did the societies depending on it. Trial and error created successful adaptations as societies learned to cope with colder climates, leading to societies that resemble our own: urbanised, relying on international markets, and increasingly on science and professionals. This is the rise of the middle class, of the Enlightenment, of liberalism, and of imperialism. It also raises the question: can our response to the climate crisis learn from what happened 400 years ago?

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]]> As nature changed during the Little Ice Age, so did the societies depending on it. Trial and error created successful adaptations as societies learned to cope with colder climates, leading to societies that resemble our own: urbanised, relying on international markets, and increasingly on science and professionals. This is the rise of the middle class, of the Enlightenment, of liberalism, and of imperialism. It also raises the question: can our response to the climate crisis learn from what happened 400 years ago?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-12134880 Sun, 29 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0500 1371 Climate history, little ice age, climate catastrophe, enlightenment, middle class, rise of the bourgeoisie, history of science, history of agriculture, European history, Philipp Blom BlomCast, learning from history, witch trials, modernity, turning points 1 3 full false [03] Kleine Eiszeit III: Kleine Eiszeit und Klimakatastrophe — können wir aus der Geschichte lernen? [03] Kleine Eiszeit III: Kleine Eiszeit und Klimakatastrophe — können wir aus der Geschichte lernen? Als die Natur sich während der Kleinen Eiszeit veränderte, mussten die Gesellschaften, die von ihr abhingen, sich anpassen. Dies schuf Gesellschaften, die unseren ähneln: urbanisiert, angewiesen auf internationale Märkte und immer stärker dominiert durch Wissenschaft und eine erstarkende Mittelschicht. Dies ist der Aufstieg des Bürgertums, der Aufklärung, des Liberalismus und des Imperialismus. So entsteht eine Frage: Was, wenn überhaupt, kann die Gegenwart im Hinblick auf die Klimakrise davon lernen, was vor 400 Jahren passierte?

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]]> Als die Natur sich während der Kleinen Eiszeit veränderte, mussten die Gesellschaften, die von ihr abhingen, sich anpassen. Dies schuf Gesellschaften, die unseren ähneln: urbanisiert, angewiesen auf internationale Märkte und immer stärker dominiert durch Wissenschaft und eine erstarkende Mittelschicht. Dies ist der Aufstieg des Bürgertums, der Aufklärung, des Liberalismus und des Imperialismus. So entsteht eine Frage: Was, wenn überhaupt, kann die Gegenwart im Hinblick auf die Klimakrise davon lernen, was vor 400 Jahren passierte?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-12134868 Sun, 29 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0500 1338 Klimageschichte, Kleine Eiszeit, Aufklärung, Klimakatastrophe, europäische Geschichte, Philipp Blom, BlomCast, von Geschichte lernen, Hexenverbrennungen, Wissenschaftsgeschichte, Landwirtschaftsgeschichte, Neuzeit, Sattelzeit, Wendepunkte der Geschichte, 1 3 full false [02] The Little Ice Age II: A Tale of Two Cities [02] The Little Ice Age II: A Tale of Two Cities With its long, bitter winters, rainy summers and ruined harvests, the Little Ice Age put European societies under severe pressure during the 16th and 17th centuries. Successful strategies of coping with climate change emerged slowly, but with great effects. Two different responses, from rigidity to transformation, are exemplified by the historical fates of Madrid and Amsterdam.

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]]> With its long, bitter winters, rainy summers and ruined harvests, the Little Ice Age put European societies under severe pressure during the 16th and 17th centuries. Successful strategies of coping with climate change emerged slowly, but with great effects. Two different responses, from rigidity to transformation, are exemplified by the historical fates of Madrid and Amsterdam.

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-11969746 Tue, 03 Jan 2023 07:00:00 -0500 1252 Little Ice Age, history of science, Amsterdam, Madrid, enclosure of the commons, history of capitalism, climate history, leiden university, Spinoza, René Descartes, history of philosophy, history of mentalities, turning poiints in history, climate crisis, 1 2 full false [02] Die kleine Eiszeit II: Zwei Städte, zwei Schicksale [02] Die kleine Eiszeit II: Zwei Städte, zwei Schicksale Mit langen, klirrenden Wintern, verregneten Sommern und verdorbenen Ernten setzte die kleine Eiszeit Europas Gesellschaften während des 15. und 17. Jahrhunderts stark unter Druck. Erst langsam entwickelten sich erfolgreiche Strategien der Anpassung an die neuen Bedingungen. Die Schicksale von Madrid und Amsterdam zeigen unterschiedliche Schicksale, von Zusammenbruch bis Transformation. 

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]]> Mit langen, klirrenden Wintern, verregneten Sommern und verdorbenen Ernten setzte die kleine Eiszeit Europas Gesellschaften während des 15. und 17. Jahrhunderts stark unter Druck. Erst langsam entwickelten sich erfolgreiche Strategien der Anpassung an die neuen Bedingungen. Die Schicksale von Madrid und Amsterdam zeigen unterschiedliche Schicksale, von Zusammenbruch bis Transformation. 

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-11964987 Mon, 02 Jan 2023 11:00:00 -0500 1133 Kleine Eiszeit, Wissenschaftsgeschichte, Amsterdam, Madrid, Almenden, Enclosure of the Commons, Geschichte des Kapitalismus, Universität Leiden, Spinoza, René Descartes, Philosophiegeschichte, Philosophie, Wendepunkte in der Geschichte, Klimakrise, Klimag 1 2 full false [01] The Little Ice Age I — The Last Climate Catastrophe [01] The Little Ice Age I — The Last Climate Catastrophe Between ca. 1570 and 1680, temperatures plummeted by two degrees Celsius on average, creating a vast agricultural crisis, famine, and social unrest.Why was the world plunged into winter, what happened in nature and how did societies react — and what do witch trials have to do with it all?

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]]> Between ca. 1570 and 1680, temperatures plummeted by two degrees Celsius on average, creating a vast agricultural crisis, famine, and social unrest.Why was the world plunged into winter, what happened in nature and how did societies react — and what do witch trials have to do with it all?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-11947505 Thu, 29 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0500 1082 climate crisis, European history, Europe, winter landscape, thirty years’ war, little ice age, two degrees, climate history, nature’s mutiny, Philipp Blom 1 1 full false [01] Die Kleine Eiszeit I — Die letzte Klimakatastrophe [01] Die Kleine Eiszeit I — Die letzte Klimakatastrophe Zwischen ca. 1570 und 1680 fielen die Temperaturen weltweit um etwa zwei Grad Celsius. Das verursachte Hungersnöte und Unruhen. Warum wurde es kälter, was passierte und wie reagierten Gesellschaften auf diese Krise, und was hat das alles mit Hexenverbrennungen zu tun?

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]]> Zwischen ca. 1570 und 1680 fielen die Temperaturen weltweit um etwa zwei Grad Celsius. Das verursachte Hungersnöte und Unruhen. Warum wurde es kälter, was passierte und wie reagierten Gesellschaften auf diese Krise, und was hat das alles mit Hexenverbrennungen zu tun?

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]]> Philipp Blom Buzzsprout-11947443 Thu, 29 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0500 1220 Klimakrise, europäische Geschichte, Europa, Winterlandschaft, Dreißigjähriger Krieg, Klimageschichte, Kleine Eiszeit, zwei Grad, Hexenprozesse, Aufklärung, Die Welt aus den Angeln, Philipp Blom 1 1 full false