Midwest Real
A podcast & blog with an unquenchable lust for rabbit holes, novelty and open-minded inquiry. Join us as we dig beyond the status quo! Hosted by Michael Phillip EST. 12/21/2012 in Milwaukee.

We have absolutely no idea what the future will hold, but we’re definitely on the cusp of something huge.

Are we headed for an unprecedented utopian neo renaissance? Will technological and medical breakthroughs enable us to live practically forever so we’re free to pursue our passions all day long? Or are we on the verge of something darker? Some sort of Huxlian, Orwellian dystopia steeped in thought control, murderous AI and oligarch overlords who'll invade our minds in an effort to milk us for money and energy as we jump willingly into ultra-plush matrix pods of their design? 

Who knows?

Our guest this week, Zoltan Istvan is the author of the Transhumanist Wager. He writes for practically every major technology website (Gizmodo, Huffington Post, Motherboard Wired etc.) He’s the founder of a transhumanist political party, which aims to draw attention and dollars to science and tech. He’s also traveled around the world on a god damned sailboat. 

Head to midwestreal.net for links and the full write-up and more!

Direct download: ZOLTAN_-_12815_11.11_PM.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 12:55am EDT

Although more and more of the analog world is seeping into the digital realm, the almighty dollar has managed to resist the pixel-y tide. Currency creation remains an esoteric, behind-the-scenes process controlled by a few privileged, monocle-clad, suit- wearers -- why is that? Are we meant to believe money is great the way it is, or sacred? I'm not (pun intended) buying it, nor are the thousands of people using Bitcoin.

Will Pangman is a Bitcoin evangelist, works for a Bitcoin start up and is a regular on The Bitcoin Group podcast.

Head to midwestreal.net for a full write-up.  

Direct download: WillPangman_-_12015_8.58_PM.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 10:41pm EDT

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