The Outside Context

• Change, Capitalism & Cracks in the System: The Shift to Citizen Agency

  Episode Summary In this conversation, Carne Ross discusses his journey from being a British diplomat to advocating for self-governance and participatory democracy. He highlights the current challenges facing democracy, including economic inequality and the influence of wealth on political systems. Ross emphasises the importance of technology in enabling democratic participation while also warning of its potential for surveillance and control. He explores the future of governance, suggesting that change must come from the bottom up, and imagines alternative societal models that prioritise human connection and agency.Key Topics CoveredCarne Ross' transition from a belief in state governance to anarchism.The significant challenges facing democracy, including declining public confidence.How economic inequality contributes to the disenfranchisement of citizens.How real agency in democracy requires more than just voting every few years.Why change must come from grassroots movements and individual actions.Why technology can empower participatory democracy but also poses risks of surveillance.The challenge of wealth concentration leading to disproportionate political influence.How the current political system often only offers an illusion of choice.Historical examples show that self-governance is possible and has existed before.Why future societies may need to prioritise human connection over consumerism.Notable Quotes"Nothing about us without us.""Democracy is in great trouble.""People are denied economic agency.""Change comes from the bottom up.""Money is power.""Capitalism is a very clever system."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Carne Ross and His Journey02:29 The State of Democracy and Its Challenges06:56 The Role of Technology in Democracy10:55 The Influence of Wealth and Power16:43 The Future of Governance and Political Change21:34 Imagining Future Societies and Governance ModelsConnect with Us:Follow The Outside Context on SpotifyFollow Elise Soucie Watts and Jannah Patchay for more insights into the future of technology and financeJoin the Conversation: What do you think the future of governance and consumerism will look like? Drop us a message on social media or leave a comment!Thanks for listening to Outside Context! If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, and subscribe!Message us and tell us what you think of this episode, or share your ideas for future episodes - we’d love to hear from you! Sponsored by Unblocked & Markets Evolution© 2024 The Outside Context. All rights reserved.

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• Code & Connectivity: Creating the Future Infrastructure for Smart Cities

  The Future of Smart Cities, Data, and Trust with Richard BakerEpisode Summary: In this thought-provoking episode, co-hosts Elise Soucie Watts and Jannah Patchay sit down with Richard Baker, a technologist and futurist with a background in telecommunications and financial services. Richard shares his journey from engineering to finance and discusses the rapid evolution of technology and its impact on society. Together, they explore smart cities, digital identity, the future of data ownership and the integration of a native money system into the internet.Key Topics Covered:Richard’s career journey from telecommunications to financeThe rapid adoption of new technologies and the implications for societySmart cities: What they are and how they’re evolvingThe role of AI, sensors, and data networks in modern urban environmentsChallenges around data privacy, identity and trust in the digital ageThe potential of self-sovereign identity and Web3 technologiesThe intersection of digital sustainable finance and smart infrastructureThe future of money and how the internet will integrate financial systemsA look ahead: What Richard hopes to see in his lifetime (and beyond!)Notable Quotes:"We are already living in smart cities; the infrastructure is here, we just don’t always see it.""We have an unbelievable nexus moment happening with the convergence of AI, financial technology, and trust-based systems.""A truly embedded money system into the internet will change everything—it will create new economic models and job opportunities.""We need to think differently about data ownership; our identities should belong to us, not corporations."Connect with Us:Follow The Outside Context on SpotifyConnect with Richard Baker on LinkedInFollow Elise Soucie Watts and Jannah Patchay for more insights into the future of technology and financeJoin the Conversation: What excites or concerns you most about the future of smart cities and digital identity? Drop us a message on social media or leave a comment!Thanks for listening to Outside Context! If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, and subscribe!Message us and tell us what you think of this episode, or share your ideas for future episodes - we’d love to hear from you! Sponsored by Unblocked & Markets Evolution© 2024 The Outside Context. All rights reserved.

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• Houston, We Have a Moonshot: Perspectives on Private Spaceflight from the Astronaut Entrepreneur

  The Outside Context – Episode 6Episode SummaryIn this episode, our co-hosts Elise Soucie Watts and Jannah Patchay sit down with Per Wimmer—global financier, entrepreneur, adventurer, and astronaut-in-training—to discuss the future of private space travel, space entrepreneurship and humanity’s long-term potential beyond Earth.Per shares his personal journey, from setting a world record by skydiving over Mount Everest to becoming one of the first private astronauts with Virgin Galactic. He discusses the economic impact of private space investment, technological innovations driven by space exploration and the role of space in inspiring future generations.Key Topics Covered:Per Wimmer’s journey as an adventurer, entrepreneur and astronaut-in-trainingThe rise of private space travel and why it’s fueling the next era of innovationHow space exploration impacts finance, biotech, and global communicationsThe overview effect and how space can change our perspective on EarthThe shift from government-led space programs to commercial space entrepreneurshipHow international collaboration in space can teach us lessons for diplomacyThe challenges of making human life multi-planetary and why Mars may not be the answerWhat it takes to train as an astronaut – centrifuge training, zero-gravity flights, and G-force survivalPer’s upcoming 2026 spaceflight with Virgin GalacticMemorable Quotes “Space is the ultimate adventure. But beyond the thrill, private space travel fuels innovation that will benefit all of humanity.” – Per Wimmer “Astronauts see the bigger picture—we need to protect Earth, because it is truly unique.” “One of the most important things space exploration does is inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and dreamers.” “Governments used to lead space exploration for military advantage. Now, private investment is driving new opportunities that benefit everyone.”Connect with Us Follow Per Wimmer on Twitter/X and LinkedIn Stay updated with The Outside Context on Twitter/X Subscribe for more episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast appEnjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to rate, review, and share!Message us and tell us what you think of this episode, or share your ideas for future episodes - we’d love to hear from you! Sponsored by Unblocked & Markets Evolution© 2024 The Outside Context. All rights reserved.

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• Space Invaders: The Ethics of Multiplanetary Exploration & Expansion

  The Outside Context Podcast – Episode 5Episode SummaryIn this episode, we welcome astrophysicist, space ethicist, and author Erika Nesvold to discuss the ethical questions surrounding space exploration and settlement. Inspired by her book Off Earth, this conversation delves into the challenges of governance, labour rights, environmental protection, and the role of private industry in space.Key Topics DiscussedErika’s Journey – From astrophysics to space ethics and video game development.Ethical Considerations in Space Settlement – Lessons from Earth’s colonial past and how they apply to space.Labour Rights & Exploitation Risks – How historical labour abuses in industries like mining could repeat in space.Private vs. Public Space Exploration – The shift from government-led initiatives to private-sector dominance.Space Governance & Regulation – The challenges of creating fair and sustainable policies for interplanetary civilisation.Environmental Ethics in Space – The importance of protecting space environments before irreversible damage occurs.Sci-Fi & Space Ethics – How works like The Expanse and Star Trek explore these topics.Notable Quotes“If we can’t solve ethical issues in low Earth orbit, that doesn’t bode well for environmental justice farther out in space.” – Erika Nesvold“History has shown us what happens when labor rights are ignored—space won’t be any different unless we plan for it.”Recommended Sci-Fi Reads from Erika NesvoldThe Expanse – Explores space politics, labour rights, and resource conflicts.Parable of the Sower – A near-future look at climate change and the drive for space expansion.Further Reading & ResourcesOff Earth: Ethical Questions and Quandaries for Living in Outer Space by Erika NesvoldThe JustSpace Alliance (Erika’s nonprofit on space ethics)Previous podcast episode on Space Security & Geopolitics (Episode 2 of The Outside Context with Juliana Suess) Listen Now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast platformMessage us and tell us what you think of this episode, or share your ideas for future episodes - we’d love to hear from you! Sponsored by Unblocked & Markets Evolution© 2024 The Outside Context. All rights reserved.

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• March of the Machines: AI, the Machine Economy, and the Future of Investing

  The Outside Context – Episode 4Episode SummaryIn this episode, hosts Elise Soucie Watts and Jannah Patchay sit down with Lex Sokolin, co-founder of Generative Ventures, to explore the convergence of crypto, artificial intelligence, and financial technology. Lex shares his journey from early fintech ventures to leading DeFi initiatives at ConsenSys and launching a venture fund focused on the evolving machine economy.The conversation touches on the rise of AI agents, the future of Web3, financial engineering, and the broader societal impact of automation and tokenized economies. Lex provides a forward-looking perspective on how AI-driven finance is reshaping economic structures and why the next wave of digital transformation is already here.Key Topics CoveredLex Sokolin’s background in fintech, crypto, and AI investing; The vision behind Generative Ventures and why AI + crypto is the future; The evolution of DeFi and its intersection with artificial intelligence; The machine economy: AI agents, digital ownership, and on-chain finance; Reflections on the collapse of FTX and lessons learned for Web3; How regulation and policy might shape the next decade of fintech innovation; The ethical and societal implications of AI-driven financial markets; and A realistic look at whether we are heading toward a dystopia—or simply an unfamiliar new world.Resources & Mentions Generative Ventures – Lex Sokolin’s investment fund Books discussed: Accelerando (Charles Stross), The Technium (Kevin Kelly), Neuromancer (William Gibson) AI & Web3 projects: Peaq (Layer 1 for AI-powered DePIN networks), Moemate (entertainment AI agents)Connect with UsFollow Lex Sokolin on X and LinkedIn Stay updated with The Outside Context on X. Subscribe for more episodes on Spotify or your favorite podcast app Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to rate, review, and share!Message us and tell us what you think of this episode, or share your ideas for future episodes - we’d love to hear from you! Sponsored by Unblocked & Markets Evolution© 2024 The Outside Context. All rights reserved.

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