Are we headed for a total white-collar wipeout, or is generative AI just a "stochastic parrot" prone to producing unreliable slop? Drawing on systematic data from 2022 to 2026—including job postings, software uploads to GitHub and iOS Apps launched, and a dramatic rise in AI-generated legal filings in US courts —this episode explores why the predicted mass unemployment hasn't arrived, but a profound white-collar transformation has. Tune in to discover why the real revolution isn't about the jobs we're losing, but how the work we do is being fundamentally redefined.

This is Prof. Patrick Kuhn's final episode as producer and host of the podcast, as he is leaving Durham. Dr. Chenchen Zhang is taking over the production. To learn more about Chenchen and her research, visit her website at https://chenchenzhang.net/.

Music: The Good News by SHANTI from https://tunetank.com/track/263-the-good-news/

In today’s world, our wallets are often our loudest megaphones, but when we choose to boycott a brand or a global event, what are we actually doing? Whether you are passionate about consumer activism or skeptical of "virtue signaling," this episode offers a deep, philosophical look at the challenges and opportunities of boycotts. Joining this episode to navigate the complex moral landscape of boycotting—from its historical roots in 1780s Ireland to modern-day protests against the Eurovision Song Contest and the FIFA World Cup - is Dr. Brian Carey, an Associate Professor in Political Theory at Durham University’s School of Government and International Affairs. His research explores the intersections of political hypocrisy, collective action, and civil disobedience. Together, we tackle the difficult questions: Must a boycott have a "reasonable prospect of success" to be ethically justified? Is it possible to be an effective activist while still being labeled a "hypocrite" for shopping at Amazon? And when, exactly, is it time to stop?

To learn more about Dr. Carey and his research, visit his website: https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/brian-carey/

Bibliography:

Carey, Brian 2024. Hypocrisy and Epistemic Injustice. Ethical Theory and Moral Practice 27, 353–370

Collins, Stephanie 2019. Group Duties: Their Existence and Their Implications for Individuals. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Music: The Good News by SHANTI from https://tunetank.com/track/263-the-good-news/

On February 28th, 2026, Israel and the U.S. launched Operation Epic Fury. While the headlines are filled with news of airstrikes on Tehran and the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the true trajectory of this war will be decided far from the front lines. In this episode, we peek through the "fog of war" to offer a watchlist for the coming weeks. We dive into why the Strait of Hormuz has become a primary battlefield of financial warfare and what implications the war has for China and Russia. We explore the precarious position of Arab Gulf states, the high-stakes leadership vacuum in Tehran, and the domestic political cracks forming in both Israel and the United States—including the rift within the MAGA movement. If you want to understand the news before it happens, this is the guide you need.

Music: The Good News by SHANTI from https://tunetank.com/track/263-the-good-news/