Audio Activism » Podcast-Local Activists

Discover, Report, Share

Brian R. — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 19:34:45 +0000

Discover, Report, Share is a mantra for grassroots media makers. (aka citizen journalists, grassroots journalists, etc.) This podcast is a recording of my talk at the International Symposium on Local e-Democracy on July 26, 2005. I felt like I should re-podcast it for people to hear. Check out my tutorials page for more info on how to make your own media.

MP3 7m 53s 3.7MB 64kbps

My Panel Speech at Local E-Dem Symposium

Brian R. — Wed, 27 Jul 2005 04:10:50 +0000

I had the pleasure today to be on a panel at the International Symposium on Local e-Democracy and speak a bit. Bellow is a podcast mp3 of my talk. The best part was being able to speak on the same panel as two serious activists. One was R.T. Rybak the Mayor of the City of Minneapolis. His vision of a participatory democracy augmented with technology is revolutionary and quite advanced. (For American standards) I was genuinly impressed at how an elected official could be himself in a room so effectivly. He gave a very honnest sounding speech. I told him I wish he’d come to Chapel Hill and share his wisdom. I hope to bug him about it in the future. The other amazing panelist was Chuck Olsen of Minneapolis Stories and blogumentary.typepad.com. He’s a video blogger who’s work is a very good example of democratized media. I felt a serious kinship with Chuck though we didn’t get to talk enough. It’s obvious he cares about what he does and is excited about sharing it with others. Two qualities that I strive to have. All in all an amazing day. Look for more blog posts and podcasts about this in the next day or so.

MP3 7m 53s 3.7MB 64kbps

One Man Protests Racism at Walmart

Brian R. — Sun, 29 May 2005 20:21:45 +0000

This weeks podcast is a short interview with a African American man with his own message. He was standing outside a Durham, NC shopping center with a sign that said, “Walmart some staff have the disease of racism. To support it is evil and demonic.” The other side of the sign said, “Racism by some staff is common. Responsible managers act.” He shares his experiences with racism at Walmart perpetrated by staff and ignored by local and regional managers. Thankfully this mans story has begun to be told. How many more stores like this are there?

MP3 3m 55s 1.8MB 64kbps

Blogging and Podcasting Presentation

Brian R. — Sat, 21 May 2005 17:37:34 +0000

On Friday, May 20, 2005 Ruby and I gave a presentation at the RTPnet Conference about Blogging and Podcasting. (It’s an anual event about how non-profits can use technology more effectivly.) Our breakout session was from 2:15 to 3:45pm. We really enjoyed meeting everyone and learning from others. Here are the materials from the event.

PDF of our PowerPoint presentation
MP3 of my Podasting interveiw Demo, 31s 1.2MB 320kbps

I used the Olympus DS-2 to record the interview demo during our presentation.
Here is the DS-2 manufacture’s page, O’reilly has a review of the Olympus DS-2, and Froogle has a list of DS-2s for sale on several websites.

Update: Here is what some people are saying about our presentation. Jim Buie live blogged it. Calvin graciously let me record him for the above MP3. Beth read the pdf of our slides and linked to the non-profit blog examples Ruby gave. Smart! I wish we had recorded our session too. Ah technical problems.

Interview with Ethan Clauset at the Carrboro Book Fair

Brian R. — Sat, 14 May 2005 15:52:02 +0000

Here you have a short interview with Ethan Clauset the main organizer of the Carrboro Book Fair in Carrboro, NC. The event was last Saturday May 7, 2005 and was sponsored by Internationalist Books and Community Center. I asked Ethan why he created the first annual Carrboro Book Fair and what his influences where. This was a grassroots lefty book event for small presses and authors to sell their work. They even had several readings and teach-ins on stuff like how to layout your own newspaper without a computer. AK Press, Crimethinc, Garrett County Press, Parcell Press, Stan Goff, Jon Eliston, and The Peoples Channel (a localpublic access tv station) were all there. Plus many many more. While I was at the book fair I bought a essay in book form called ‘On Bullshit‘ by Harry G. Frankfurt.

MP3 8m 20s 3.82MB 64kbps

Interview with Brian Russell

Brian R. — Sun, 06 Feb 2005 14:57:56 +0000

Yep…it’s an interview with me by Roch Smith of greensboro101.com. After the interview/discussion Roch and I had last week he “turned the tables” and asked some direct questions about AudioActivism and where I’m coming from.

MP3 30m 8s 14.4MB 64kbps
OGG 30m 8s 14.1MB 64kbps

A view of the UNC-G campus from one of the library’s towers.
Photo by Roch Smith, Jr.

Call and leave a voice mail comment about this show by calling (206) 666-3541.

Credit for Creative Commons Liscensed music used in this show:

Sample from the song Wadidyusay? by Zap Mama.
Sample from the song What U Sittin’ On? by Danger Mouse & Jemini.
Bit of instrumental tunes from the song Relaxation Spa Treatment by Dan The Automator.

Local Activists 11/29/04

Brian R. — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 21:19:05 +0000

Friday, November, 26, the day after Thanksgiving in the US, is Buy Nothing Day. I went to the Internationalist Bookstore and Community Center to abstain from buying shit. People all over the world join in.

MP3 24m 22s 11.1MB 64kbps
OGG 24m 22s 10.8MB 64kbps

Personally, Buy Nothing Day is a multistep program to push me away from consumer addiction. One more step towards a balance we all need for the planet to survive rampant greed. Hell I know we ain’t going to perfect shit tomorrow or even next year but ya GOT TO START SOMEWHERE!

Buy Nothing Day links around the world:
International Site
Finland
Germany
Italy
Japan
Netherlands
Denmark
Norway
Sweden
United Kingdom
Israel
Portugal
New Zealand

Creative Commons music used for this show:
“DC 3000″ by Thievery Corporation
“No Means No” by Chuck D and the Fine Arts Militia

(Both of these songs are on The Wired CD and were intended to be ripped, sampled, mashed, and shared. Go get download the tunes and have at it!)

Local Activists 11/21/04

Brian R. — Sun, 21 Nov 2004 22:12:42 +0000

This week’s show is an interview with Betsy Greer of crativism.com. She combines crafts, like knitting, with a socially engaged conscious. One example of her Craftivism is making clothing for people in need. (Also known as crafting for charitable causes.)

MP3 33m 45s 15.4MB 64kbps
OGG 33m 45s 15.6MB 64kbps

We discuss her influences, how she combined activism and crafts, why knitting for a cause can be more effective and fulfilling than marching for a cause, and other purposes of Craftivism like skill sharing.

Recently Betsy had some of her writings published in the new book Hip Home Ec: The Get Graft Book! from getcrafty.com and Jean Rallia. Also she has something in a “secret” upcoming publication by the women at pdxsupercrafty.com.

Here are few sites that help explain the world of Crafts and Activism.
Hip Home Ec: The Get Graft Book!
pdxsupercrafty.com
Church of Craft

The group afgans for Afgans is a humanitarian and educational people-to-people project that sends hand-knit and crocheted blankets and garments to the beleaguered people of Afghanistan.

Local Activists 11/14/04 Pt.2

Brian R. — Wed, 17 Nov 2004 23:26:04 +0000

Here is the second half of the interview with Matt Robinson. He’s a local activist here in Chapel Hill, NC, a writer, and social worker.

Entire 11/14 pt.2 show – MP3 40m 12s 18.5MB 64kbps
Entire 11/14 pt.2 show – OGG 40m 12s 18.2MB 64kbps

The second part with Matt contrasts online activism with physical activism. The power of Technology and how it can bring about unintended consequences to humanity is analyzed. I wanted to hear Matt perspective which is very different from mine and grok something allot of us geeks don’t think about unless we’re watching The Matrix. I ask how these logical and factual points can provide technologists and people with good perspective.

# Geek translation
# By studying the dark side of the force Anakin Skywalker learned *allot* about life.
# This *doesn’t* mean you have to become Darth Vader…

Show Note:
These shows are part of a new category here at AudioActivism.org called Podcasting–Local Activists. More shows in the future will be interviews with people in my local community and discussion of their involvement in activism. I might even start calling my weekly show Local Activists. Maybe I’ll go back and forth, like I’m doing now, from 3URLs to other subjects. Listen as this place evolves into what it becomes.

Local Activists 11/14/04 Pt.1

Brian R. — Sun, 14 Nov 2004 23:09:44 +0000

This week’s show is in two parts and is an interview with Matt Robinson. He’s a local activist here in Chapel Hill, NC, a writer, and social worker. (Part two will be released soon

Entire 11/14 show – MP3 25m 29s 18.4MB 64kbps
Entire 11/14 show – OGG 25m 29s 24MB 64kbps

During the first part Matt told us about a creative project he’s part of called Seven Windows, Seven Doors. It’s a large collaborative stencil art installation at the closed Chapel Hill Bus Station on 311 W. Franklin Street. We also discussed the recent presidential election, it’s effects on the local and national progressive community, and how folks are coping. Allot of excellent thoughts and ideas were thrown around about communication and understanding.