If I Ruled the World by Gillian Burke

Give us your feedback and tell us what you would do if you ruled the world!If you don’t know what ‘Artivism’ means and why it matters, you’re about to! Today, we explore the intricate melodies of change through the perspective of Sam Lee, a Mercury Prize-nominated musician and passionate nature activist. Sam shares his unique journey from the bustling streets of London to the tranquil wilderness, harmonising folk traditions with urgent environmental advocacy. Hear how Sam is advocating for systemic change and a deeper connection to our natural roots.Episode Highlights:Musical Innovation Meets Nature: Sam Lee discusses how his music, interwoven with the sounds of nature, invites listeners to reconnect with the environment in profound ways.The Role of Folklore in Environmental Activism: Sam emphasises the importance of folklore and traditional songs in shaping cultural identity and environmental consciousness.Advocating for the Right to Roam: Sam details his efforts to expand public access to private lands in England, promoting a deeper engagement with the natural world.Vision for a Sustainable Future: From intensive farming reforms to educational transformations, Sam outlines his vision for integrating nature more deeply into our lives and policies.Follow the show:You can follow ‘If I Ruled the World’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred platform of choice.Connect with our guest:Sam LeeFollow GillianInstagramWebsiteMentions & ResourcesRight to Roam - Advocacy group promoting public access to private land.Earth Percent - An initiative by Brian Eno aiming to address climate change through the music industry.Julia's Bicycle - A charity focusing on environmental sustainability in the arts.Doughnut Economics - A revolutionary approach to economics that balances human needs and ecological sustainability.Caroline Lucas - British politician known for her environmental campaigning.What would you do if you ruled the world?If you have any insights or feedback on today’s episode or you have an idea for...

Give us your feedback and tell us what you would do if you ruled the world!Brace yourselves! In this episode, we delve into the dynamics behind runaway consumption and throwaway culture with Cory Doctorow, writer, journalist, and a fervent advocate for digital rights and freedoms. From examining monopolies in the tech industry to exploring the mechanisms of corporate influence over our digital lives, Cory shares his insights on how we might rebalance power and stop everything getting worse for the greater good of societyEpisode HighlightsMonopolies and Corporate Power: Cory discusses the pervasive nature of monopolies in the tech industry and their impact on innovation and consumer freedom.Antitrust and Regulation: Analysis of the current state of antitrust laws and the urgent need for robust regulatory frameworks to dismantle corporate monopolies.The Concept of "Enshittification": Cory introduces and explains the term "enshittification," which he coined to describe the degradation of services and erosion of user rights in monopolistic ecosystems.The Fight for Digital Rights: The conversation shifts to the necessity for a collective push towards preserving digital rights and privacy in an increasingly surveilled and controlled digital landscape.Empowering Technological Alternatives: Discussing potential systemic changes that could support sustainable and ethical technological development.A final thank you to our wonderful sponsors Triodos Bank UK for making this podcast happen.Follow the show:You can follow ‘If I Ruled the World’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred platform of choice.Connect with our guest:Cory DoctorowFollow GillianInstagramWebsiteMentions & ResourcesWhat 'Orwellian' Really Means - Noah TavlinCory Doctorow’s BlogElectronic Frontier FoundationBook: "How to Destroy Surveillance...

Give us your feedback and tell us what you would do if you ruled the world!In this episode, we delve into the seemingly shiny world of digital technology, only to discover that it may just be a facade on top of a more troubling reality. Tom Greenwood, co-founder of Wholegrain Digital, shares his insights on digital sustainability—a critical aspect of our modern life that's often overlooked. From his early disillusionment with eco-design to spearheading innovations in digital impact assessment, Tom's journey is not just about technological advancement but also a moral quest to reshape the digital landscape.Episode HighlightsUnveiling Digital Impact: Tom discusses the lack of awareness in the digital industry about its environmental impact, comparable to the aviation industry, and the journey that led him to pioneer the first carbon calculator for websites.Infrastructure Behind the Internet: The real structure of the internet is explained, breaking down the physical infrastructure from data centers to undersea cables that power our everyday digital interactions.Challenges of Digital Poverty: Discussion shifts to digital poverty, addressing access issues, and the social and economic barriers that affect people globally, from the infrastructure to the skills necessary to navigate the digital world.Myths of Digital Transactions: Tom tackles the myths and realities of digital transactions and their environmental impact compared to traditional methods, like physical cash versus digital currencies.Systemic Changes for Sustainable Tech: The conversation turns to systemic changes needed within the digital and global economic framework to ensure technology serves humanity sustainably and ethically.A final thank you to our wonderful sponsors Triodos Bank UK for making this podcast happen.Mentions and ResourcesWholegrain DigitalAbout B CorpDigital Poverty.Website Carbon CalculatorApple TV AdFollow the show:You can follow ‘If I Ruled the World’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred platform of choice.Connect with our guest:Tom GreenwoodFollow Gillian

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