Team Human with Douglas Rushkoff
Douglas Rushkoff
Douglas Rushkoff sits down with scientists, activists, artists, philosophers, and researchers asking the same question: who actually benefits from the way we've built this world — and what do we do about it? Team Human is a weekly podcast about technology, power, consciousness, and what it means to stay human in a world that increasingly doesn't seem designed for us. No corporate backing. No network. No algorithm deciding what gets said. Just honest, rigorous conversation with people working at the edges of the most important questions of our time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 19, 2025 • 1h 16min
Arden Leigh: Chasing the Hungry Ghosts
Arden Leigh, the dynamic creator of The Re-Patterning Project and frontwoman of Arden and the Wolves, dives into the transformative power of repatterning childhood imprints to reclaim creative freedom. She explores practical rituals and the intersection of chaos magic with everyday life, debating whether magic relies on spirits or physics. Arden shares insights from her apprenticeship with Grant Morrison and discusses narrative magic in songwriting. With a focus on collective healing and sustainable practices, she outlines how to balance personal ambition with community flourishing.
12 snips
Nov 12, 2025 • 21min
The Joy of Becoming Worthless…except to each other
Explore the radical idea that the end of employment could lead to new avenues for creativity and collaboration. The discussion delves into how AI might displace jobs and what that means for human consumption. Can we shift from a focus on profit to nurturing community and local economies? The conversation highlights the urgency of reclaiming shared resources over individual accumulation. Discover practical models of cooperative living that promote mutual aid and joy in a world where human connections take precedence over artificial constructs.
15 snips
Nov 6, 2025 • 1h 1min
Jonathan Larsen: This is Just the Beginning - Enacting the Team Human Agenda
Jonathan Larsen, Founder of The Fucking News, dives deep into the complexities of the 2025 U.S. elections. He analyzes why voters rejected Trump's agenda, emphasizing that decisions are often based on personal experiences rather than policy details. The conversation highlights how populism challenges entrenched parties, critiques mainstream media for misframing progressive movements, and raises concerns about systemic voter suppression. Larsen advocates for ambitious progressive policies and stresses the need for civic engagement to create lasting change.
13 snips
Oct 29, 2025 • 1h 26min
Andrew Slack: Superman vs Ubermensch
In this engaging discussion, comedian Andrew Slack, known for his work on 'Orphans, Empires, and the Search for a Better World', dives into the hidden history of corporate power and America's mythic identity. He explores the constitutional omission of corporations, tracing roots back to the East India Company. Slack also connects Superman's evolution to American hope and inclusivity, while advocating for solar power as a symbol of democratic energy. They challenge the role of AI and local resilience in combating systemic collapse, emphasizing cultural change through community.
28 snips
Oct 22, 2025 • 1h 17min
Cory Doctorow: Enshittification is Not Inevitable
Cory Doctorow, a well-known author and digital-rights activist, dives into the concept of 'enshittification'—a term he coined to describe how systemic choices lead to worsened user experiences in technology. He argues that this decline isn't inevitable but a result of policy decisions. Topics include the dangers of DRM, access controls affecting public health, and AI's potential job impacts. Cory also highlights the importance of interoperability and collective action for reclaiming technology for the public good.
Oct 15, 2025 • 21min
The Intentional Collapse
Douglas Rushkoff dives into the unsettling notion of an intentional societal collapse driven by out-of-touch elites who abandon the systems that benefited them. He contrasts the survivalist strategies of billionaires with the power of community resilience. The discussion reveals how systemic failures are exploited for profit, sparking a conversation on rejecting zero-sum thinking. Rushkoff emphasizes the importance of solidarity, mutual aid, and proactive approaches to counteract despair and build a better future together.
50 snips
Oct 8, 2025 • 1h 4min
Can Collapse Benefit Everyone? Luke Kemp: Goliath's Curse
Luke Kemp, a research associate at the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk and author of Goliath's Curse, dissects why civilizations crumble. He explores how distributed, cooperative societies often outperform empires, emphasizing resilience throughout history. Kemp contrasts 'Goliath' societies with egalitarian networks, explaining how resource availability fosters dominance. He also discusses how community resilience and democratic structures can combat existential risks, suggesting that even societal collapse can lead to improved wellbeing.
32 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 54min
Will AI Kill Us for the Lulz? Nate Soares: If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies
Nate Soares, a computer scientist and co-author of If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies, delves into the existential risks posed by advanced AI. He highlights the alarming possibility that unregulated AI development could lead to catastrophic outcomes for humanity. Soares explains how modern AIs, which learn rather than being directly programmed, can exhibit unexpected behaviors and pursue alien goals. He emphasizes the importance of public awareness and international cooperation in addressing these threats, suggesting that treating superintelligence like a nuclear risk may be crucial.
4 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 52min
Jonathan Larsen: The Easy Way or The Hard Way
Jonathan Larsen, founder of The Fucking News, shares his insights on the state of modern media. He discusses the choice between complying with corporate narratives and resisting power, drawing from his own media career. The conversation shifts to the impact of extreme wealth on elites and the fragility it creates. They also explore how corporate media influences geopolitics and the importance of independent journalism. Larsen emphasizes the need for deeper, more substantive reporting over sensationalism in today's news landscape.
56 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 23min
AI Just Ate Language: The End of the Age of Horus
Explore the intriguing landscape of AI as Rushkoff dives into the risks of over-relying on language models. He critiques how these tools can reinforce biases and narcissism, challenging the idea that AI is all-knowing. Discover the fascinating effects of AI on our brains, and why it may signal the end of the dominance of written language. The conversation emphasizes the potential of treating AI as a collaborative partner rather than just a quick-fix solution. Join in on a thought-provoking contemplation of our AI-driven future!
