Reality Studies

Reality Studies

Urgent Futures with Jesse Damiani

Welcome to the Urgent Futures Podcast, the show that finds signal in the noise. Each episode, I sit down with leading thinkers for dialogues that clarify the chaos, from culture to the cosmos.
1:44:15
Empathy is Hard Work—But It Can Save Us - Katie Bogen & Hani Chaabo (Super Humanizer) | #60
On the Super Humanizer podcast, these two have hosted some of the toughest, most illuminating conversations about Gaza & Zionism—with an abiding…
 • Jesse Damiani
58:50
"Democracy is No Longer Expanding Agency"—Reimagining Governance, the Human, & Intelligence in the Machine Age - Indy Johar | #59
In which polymathic Dark Matter Labs Co-Founder discusses human intelligence, resisting perfectionism, presence engineering, planetary civics, partial…
 • Jesse Damiani and Indy Johar
1:45:36
Rewilding Reality in the Age of Deepfakes, AI, & Epistemic Collapse - Michael Garfield | Rapid Response #16
Michael Garfield has been analyzing the impact of AI on truth and reality since the mid-2010s. ChatGPT may have just turned 3, but this rabbit hole goes…
 • Jesse Damiani and Michael Garfield
2:00:45
"Almost Everybody's Incompetent"—Why Fossil Fuels & Fascism Dominate - David Roberts | #58
Even though they are both actually unpopular! A rollicking ride of a conversation with veteran climate journalist, podcaster, and 'Volts' creator David…
 • Jesse Damiani and David Roberts
1:02:34
Unpacking ‘Fascist Fitness’ & Reclaiming Gym Culture from the Far Right - Colin Davis | Rapid Response #15
Gym bros and the "manosphere" have found a home in right-wing politics—but it doesn't have to be that way. Colin Davis explains.
 • Jesse Damiani and Colin
Welcome to Quantum Fascism: American Authoritarianism Under Donald Trump
Mark Twain famously said that "History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes"—that's a guiding principle for the emerging political philosophy in…
 • Jesse Damiani
1:59:25
Can Media Depict Reality in the Age of AI? Did It Ever, Really? Discussing the Interplay of Fact & Fiction in ‘Reality Frictions’ - Steve…
In which we discuss truth, digital commons, materiality, documentary consciousness, & so much more. Plus: a glimpse of 'Reality Fictions,' Steve's…
 • Jesse Damiani
Instagram is Killing Off Meme Accounts
For years, Instagram has been an ideal platform for meme creators to build community. But new policies are destroying that capacity. Here's why I think…
 • Jesse Damiani
1:10:03
Understanding Wet-Bulb Temperature, Climate Extremes, & Systemic Risk—& How We Build Resilience - Colin Raymond | #56
The unfortunate reality is we're going to be learning about WBTs the hard way more and more—so let's dig into what they are & what we can do to stay…
 • Jesse Damiani
Reality Studies
Reality Studies
Clarifying the chaos, from culture to the cosmos. Fresh perspectives on art, media, technology, philosophy, and the future—and where they intersect.
Recommendations
View all 18
User's avatar
Ellie Anderson
Ellie Anderson
User's avatar
Better Future w/ Michael Mezz
Better Future w/ Michael Mezz
I Digress
I Digress
J. Timothy Damiani, MD
Volts
Volts
David Roberts
The Wayfinder
The Wayfinder
Nina Jankowicz

Subscribe

Clarifying the chaos, from culture to the cosmos. Fresh perspectives on art, media, technology, philosophy, and the future—and where they intersect.
AboutArchiveRecommendationsSitemap
Reality Studies
© 2025 Jesse Damiani · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture