Planet: Critical Folgen

This week I’m joined by David Anderson, a “helper of helpers” who works in the non-profit/alternative currency space. David joined me to discuss one of his main projects, Simbi, an online marketplace which promotes “volunteership, mutual aid, education and community development.”The idea is people can seek or offer aid to other users but, importantly, earn and pay in simbi credits, the non-profit’s own cryptocurrency. The aim is to relieve the pressure of having to use fiat money ($,€,£) for everything because, as David brilliantly articulates, that kind of money is becoming increasingly scarce for many people. I thoroughly enjoyed this discussion. David points out that, contrary to a lot of crypto theory out there, alternative currencies can play a very important role within existing economies. David doesn’t think simbi credits should ever replace the dollar—rather, giving people more options to earn credits for the things they need, in markets built around community, provides immediate relief and resources to populations experiencing increasing precarity. I’m sure you’ll love it. Listen directly here or catch it on Apple or Spotify.Learn more about Simbi and sign up to be a user!Platform is for people who are pissed off with capitalism. Subscribe to get episodes like this delivered to your inbox every week. Get full access to Planet: Critical at www.planetcritical.com/subscribe

You know when you have one of those conversations that manages to crystallise feelings into thoughts and direction?This is one of those.I am so thrilled to present Linda Havenstein as this week’s guest, a phenomenal artist who explores and tests both capitalism and language through her incredible work. We delve deep into the irony of the art market, the profound terror of creating within a capitalism regime, and dispel the long-told myth of the suffering artist.It was a gift to speak with Linda, and I’m honestly humbled to share it with you all today. Listen here or catch it on either Apple or Spotify.Treat yourself to Linda’s work here. She also has an ongoing exhibition at Kiz Windows in Berlin, and simultaneous shows September 17th to 19th at Berlin’s Unblock Fair Art Fair; Stockholm’s Market Art Fair; and Amsterdam’s Unseen Art Fair. Keep your eyes peeled for her solo show at Dorothee Nilsson Gallery in Berlin January 21 to March 5 next year.Platform is for people who are pissed off with capitalism. Subscribe to get episodes like this delivered to your inbox every week. Get full access to Planet: Critical at www.planetcritical.com/subscribe

On this week’s show is Will Evans, co-creator of Ignition Brewery, the UK’s first brewery and taproom bar staffed exclusively by people with learning disabilities. Will explains that his colleagues were typically offered jobs that kept them hidden in back rooms or storage centres—but Ignition Brewery has successfully shown that his colleagues exceed in everything, from public facing roles, to managing the bar and making the beer. This is a wonderful story of community, be sure to check it out. You can also listen on Apple or Spotify.Visit Ignition Brewery in Lewisham or online.Platform is for people who are pissed off with capitalism. Subscribe to get episodes like this delivered to your inbox every week. Get full access to Planet: Critical at www.planetcritical.com/subscribe