The People have Spoken
Filmmaker Astra Taylor asks “What is Democracy?” and YouTube creates the most disliked video in the history of the platform. Chapter one in the new ToE Failure miniseries.
Befriended by Democracy
Astra Taylor’s new film, What Is Democracy? is a philosophical quest into the meaning of a system that is in crisis. She takes us to Athens to explore the origins of democracy and see it’s failure today. Wendy Brown argues that democracy needs bounds while Cornel West insists it has to be global.
Astra’s quest also takes her to Sienna, the birthplace of capitalism. She takes a look at a fresco from 1338 called The Allegory of Good and Bad Government with the philosopher Silvia Federici who shows us what is missing from democracy today.
What is Democracy? opens in New York at IFC on January 16th check the website for other cities
Disliked by YouTube
Meanwhile on YouTube, Louis CK’s leaked tape suggests he’s serious about making a comeback: because the quickest way to the top is over the bodies of your vanquished politically correct enemies
and your host gets lost in Free Speech YouTube and discovers a straw man and a spectre that is haunting technology companies
3 comments on The People Have Spoken
There’s actually a pretty sizable community dedicated to opposing “intellectual dark web” content. Contrapoints is my favorite of these channels for not only her impeccable aesthetic, but the deeply intellectual nature of her content as well.
I love this series!! Even though I may disagree with the thoughts and ideas from some of your interviewees (it took me two listens to get through the last episode with Meghan Daum) I know this challenge to my viewpoint is important in helping me grow. And were it not for this episode, I never would have researched more about Astra Taylor and discovered she’s a fellow Winnipegger (I swear we’re the biggest small town city haha). Keep up the great work Benjamin and crew!
*Benjamen…oops!