Laura Flanders & Friends | Debt, Democracy & Disarray: Astra Taylor on “The Age of Insecurity” @LauraFlandersAndFriends | Uploaded December 2023 | Updated October 2024, 58 minutes ago.
Stay informed and engaged! Don't miss out on our captivating weekly episodes that dive deep into the heart of our economy, culture, and politics. SUBSCRIBE HERE youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lg?sub_confirmation=1
Consumer debt stands at $17.29 trillion, with the average American household owing over $100 thousand. Medical bills and student debt are weighing us down. The climate crisis, threats to democracy, and global wars add more worry to our already stressful lives. But what if there was another way to use this “existential insecurity" and “ethic of insecurity” to re-envision our society as one that cares for each other and works collectively?
In this episode, we sound the alarm on the links between insecurity and our economic system. In her new book out from House of Anansi Press, “The Age of Insecurity: Coming Together as Things Fall Apart”, writer, filmmaker, organizer, and the 2023 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Massey Lecturer, Astra Taylor uses mythology, psychology and the history of capitalism to break down the different kinds of insecurities we face, and explore how our insecurities help capitalism flourish.
Our right to security is undermined by an economy rooted in control through debt and dispossession. Taylor takes us from the enclosure movements of the UK to today's student debt problem, urging us to see the human rights crisis caused by capitalism. "Insecurity is not just an unfortunate byproduct of our economic system, but actually central to it," Taylor says.
In her years of work as Co-Founder of the Debt Collective, which emerged from Occupy Wall Street, Taylor has used debt as a tool for bringing people together and organizing. She is the author of The Age of Insecurity: Coming Together as Things Fall Apart, Democracy May Not Exist But We'll Miss It When It is Gone, and The People's Platform (winner of the American Book Award), and the director of What Is Democracy?, among other books and films.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Astra Taylor and Laura Flanders discuss the history of capitalism, the rights of debtors, and what we can do to lessen insecurity and expand security both as individuals and as a society. All that, plus a commentary from Laura.
“There is a debate here about motivation and what motivates us, and we are constantly being told that if people are too secure, that society's going to collapse and that we can't afford to invest in other folks. And I really want to challenge that idea.” - Astra Taylor
“. . . When you start talking about [debt] with others, you realize you're actually in the same boat and you start coming together to demand change, to demand debt cancellation, to demand the provision of these public goods. Debt actually can become a source of power.” - Astra Taylor
Guest:
Astra Taylor: Co-Founder of the Debt Collective & Author, The Age of Insecurity
👁🗨 Engage & Learn
Drop a comment below sharing your thoughts on this week’s conversation on capitalism, debt and economic inequality.
🎧 PODCAST: Subscribe for new episodes: lauraflanders.simplecast.com/episodes/debt-democracy-disarray-astra-taylor-on-the-age-of-insecurity
✏️ SHOW NOTES: Visit our Patreon for Show Notes: patreon.com/posts/94734782
📚 Check out our Book of the Week on BOOKSHOP*: “The Age of Insecurity: Coming Together as Things Fall Apart” by Astra Taylor: bookshop.org/a/22992/9781487011932
(*Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. The LF Show is an affiliate and will receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase.)
The Laura Flanders Show is non-commercial independent media that relies on the contributions of viewers and listeners.
DONATE at lauraflanders.org/donate or become a PATREON partner at patreon.com/thelfshow
🔔 Subscribe to get weekly episodes that prompt you to think critically about the world around you. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit the 'Like' button and share it with your network.
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Credits:
Executive Producer: Laura Flanders
Supervising Producer: Sabrina Artel
Consulting Producer: Rory O’Connor
Development Director: Sarah Miller
Senior Video Editor: David Neumann
Creative Designer & Video Editor: Nat Needham
Audio Director: Jeannie Hopper
Communications Director: Janet Hernandez
Photo by Nye Taylor
00:00 – Intro
02:35 – “The Age of Insecurity”, Era of Enclosure
09:54 – Universal Declaration of Human Rights and John Humphrey
14:14 – Debt Shame, Intergenerational Wealth, “The Debt Collective”
17:58 – Biden-Harris debt forgiveness plan
20:53 – “Coming Together as Things Fall Apart”, Debt and Labor Organizing
24:00 – Laura’s Commentary
Stay informed and engaged! Don't miss out on our captivating weekly episodes that dive deep into the heart of our economy, culture, and politics. SUBSCRIBE HERE youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lg?sub_confirmation=1
Consumer debt stands at $17.29 trillion, with the average American household owing over $100 thousand. Medical bills and student debt are weighing us down. The climate crisis, threats to democracy, and global wars add more worry to our already stressful lives. But what if there was another way to use this “existential insecurity" and “ethic of insecurity” to re-envision our society as one that cares for each other and works collectively?
In this episode, we sound the alarm on the links between insecurity and our economic system. In her new book out from House of Anansi Press, “The Age of Insecurity: Coming Together as Things Fall Apart”, writer, filmmaker, organizer, and the 2023 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Massey Lecturer, Astra Taylor uses mythology, psychology and the history of capitalism to break down the different kinds of insecurities we face, and explore how our insecurities help capitalism flourish.
Our right to security is undermined by an economy rooted in control through debt and dispossession. Taylor takes us from the enclosure movements of the UK to today's student debt problem, urging us to see the human rights crisis caused by capitalism. "Insecurity is not just an unfortunate byproduct of our economic system, but actually central to it," Taylor says.
In her years of work as Co-Founder of the Debt Collective, which emerged from Occupy Wall Street, Taylor has used debt as a tool for bringing people together and organizing. She is the author of The Age of Insecurity: Coming Together as Things Fall Apart, Democracy May Not Exist But We'll Miss It When It is Gone, and The People's Platform (winner of the American Book Award), and the director of What Is Democracy?, among other books and films.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Astra Taylor and Laura Flanders discuss the history of capitalism, the rights of debtors, and what we can do to lessen insecurity and expand security both as individuals and as a society. All that, plus a commentary from Laura.
“There is a debate here about motivation and what motivates us, and we are constantly being told that if people are too secure, that society's going to collapse and that we can't afford to invest in other folks. And I really want to challenge that idea.” - Astra Taylor
“. . . When you start talking about [debt] with others, you realize you're actually in the same boat and you start coming together to demand change, to demand debt cancellation, to demand the provision of these public goods. Debt actually can become a source of power.” - Astra Taylor
Guest:
Astra Taylor: Co-Founder of the Debt Collective & Author, The Age of Insecurity
👁🗨 Engage & Learn
Drop a comment below sharing your thoughts on this week’s conversation on capitalism, debt and economic inequality.
🎧 PODCAST: Subscribe for new episodes: lauraflanders.simplecast.com/episodes/debt-democracy-disarray-astra-taylor-on-the-age-of-insecurity
✏️ SHOW NOTES: Visit our Patreon for Show Notes: patreon.com/posts/94734782
📚 Check out our Book of the Week on BOOKSHOP*: “The Age of Insecurity: Coming Together as Things Fall Apart” by Astra Taylor: bookshop.org/a/22992/9781487011932
(*Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. The LF Show is an affiliate and will receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase.)
The Laura Flanders Show is non-commercial independent media that relies on the contributions of viewers and listeners.
DONATE at lauraflanders.org/donate or become a PATREON partner at patreon.com/thelfshow
🔔 Subscribe to get weekly episodes that prompt you to think critically about the world around you. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit the 'Like' button and share it with your network.
📩 Newsletter: For more in-depth analysis, subscribe to our free newsletter at lauraflanders.org.
🎧 LOOKING FOR UNCUT INTERVIEWS? Patreon subscribers help us make our full, uncut conversations and audio extras free and available to everyone! patreon.com/thelfshow
Credits:
Executive Producer: Laura Flanders
Supervising Producer: Sabrina Artel
Consulting Producer: Rory O’Connor
Development Director: Sarah Miller
Senior Video Editor: David Neumann
Creative Designer & Video Editor: Nat Needham
Audio Director: Jeannie Hopper
Communications Director: Janet Hernandez
Photo by Nye Taylor
00:00 – Intro
02:35 – “The Age of Insecurity”, Era of Enclosure
09:54 – Universal Declaration of Human Rights and John Humphrey
14:14 – Debt Shame, Intergenerational Wealth, “The Debt Collective”
17:58 – Biden-Harris debt forgiveness plan
20:53 – “Coming Together as Things Fall Apart”, Debt and Labor Organizing
24:00 – Laura’s Commentary
![Hip Hop History, Explained: A Story of Fighting Injustice [50th Anniversary of Hip Hop]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/S4U6Gh25tbI/hqdefault.jpg "Hip Hop History, Explained: A Story of Fighting Injustice [50th Anniversary of Hip Hop]
This year in hip hop history, many are celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip hop. This milestone has sparked numerous celebrations, critiques, and discussions about hip hop music and its role today. From the beats of Straight Outta Compton by Dr. Dre to the powerful lyrics of Tupac, hip hop has always been a reflection of societys struggles and triumphs. The genre, which originated in the Bronx in the early 1970s, has grown into a global music phenomenon, with icons like Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. leaving an indelible mark on hip hop history.
Today, some argue that rap music has lost its essence, while others point to the multibillion-dollar global music market as evidence of its enduring success. Amidst this hip hop madness, our two guests have been pivotal figures in shaping music history. Rosa Clemente, a Bronx-born Black-Puerto Rican, has not only been a voice in hip hop culture but also an award-winning organizer, independent journalist, and scholar-activist. In 2008, she made history by becoming the first Afro-Latina to run for vice president of the United States on the Green Party ticket alongside Cynthia McKinney. Beyond politics, Clemente has delved into hip-hop feminism and recently associate produced the 2021 Oscar-winning film, Judas and the Black Messiah.
On the other hand, Chuck D, co-founder of the legendary group Public Enemy, has been a beacon in rap and hip hop culture. With albums that rank among Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest of all time and a lifetime achievement award from the Grammys, his influence is undeniable. Hes about to introduce a new app, Bring the Noise, and has penned the PBS series Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World. Chuck D once described hip hop as “the Black CNN,” highlighting its role in addressing social injustices.
As we explore hip hop history and its influence, from Grandmaster Cazs pioneering days to todays hip hop madness, we must ask: In this era of social crises, what reimagining is hip hop undergoing? Discover the true history of hip hop in this exciting episode.
“‘How [Hip Hop] changed the world?’ Thats the tunnels and the roads that came out of the art form. How it got filled with the content to be able to make somebody think differently is the story of the execution and the elocution of rappers, DJs, break dancers, graffiti artists and activists.” - Chuck D
“Women continue to be erased, trans people continue [to be erased], LGBTQ people continue to be erased . . . Hip hop is critiqued solely as the place where these things happen. No, theyre happening from the White House all over the world.” - Rosa Clemente
**Visit our website to read more about the links between the CIA and the explosion of drugs in the U.S. during the 1980s: https://lauraflanders.org/2023/04/chuck-d-rosa-clemente-hiphop-anniversary/
GUESTS:
Rosa Clemente: Independent Journalist & 2008 Green Party VP Candidate
Chuck D: Hip Hop Pioneer, Activist & Co-Founder, Public Enemy
🎧 PODCAST:
Prefer to listen? Hear this weeks episode on your favorite podcast platform: https://lauraflanders.simplecast.com/episodes/celebrating-50-years-of-hip-hop-its-impact-and-legacy-with-rosa-clemente-and-chuck-d
✏️ SHOW NOTES:
Visit our Patreon for more information on this weeks episode, including related articles, books and more: https://www.patreon.com/posts/81740747
📺 RELATED EPISODES:
Armed with Art: Taking Down the Wall of Whiteness: https://youtu.be/k3PDgwxnUg4
Black, Latinx Media: Cause for Celebration & Critique: https://youtu.be/_lmy6xH2Kqc
Your Neighborhood in Your Hands: A Model from the South Bronx: https://youtu.be/JaLUUZMWNrA
CONTENT:
00:00 Hip Hop History
00:45 Hip Hops 50th Anniversary
01:52 Hip Hops Birth in The Bronx
03:00 Hip Hops Global Influence
03:50 Rosa Clemente Introduction
04:16 Chuck D Introduction
05:00 Hip Hops Lessons
06:06 Rosas Bronx Memories
07:55 DJ Kool Hercs Innovation
08:55 Rosas Activism & Hip Hop
The Laura Flanders Show is non-commercial independent media that relies on the contributions of viewers and listeners.
DONATE TODAY at lauraflanders.org/donate or consider becoming a PATREON partner at https://www.patreon.com/thelfshow
📩 SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter: lauraflanders.org
🎧 SUBSCRIBE to our podcast: lauraflanders.org/listen
🎧 LOOKING FOR UNCUT INTERVIEWS? Patreon subscribers get early access to our full, uncut conversations and audio extras! Join our growing family today! patreon.com/thelfshow
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ACCESSIBILITY
This episode is closed captioned.")
