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© Donald Harvey Marks
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The Easy Existentialist podcast - home to engaging readings of contemporary political thought, short explainers of Shakespeare and poetry, excerpts from my works of medical fiction, my thoughts on the Meaning of Time, Vaccinating Against Hate, and more. The existential theme is preserved throughout. Visit my personal blog www.DHMarks.blogspot.com to learn even more, including the text of all my writings. And on Substack.
Follow my reading of books on @Goodreads @DHMarks
Follow my reading of books on @Goodreads @DHMarks
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I examine the widespread issue of planned obsolescence, specifically focusing on Microsoft's decision to end Windows 10 support in October 2025. This transition forced a massive hardware turnover because many existing computers lack the TPM 2.0 chips and specific CPU requirements necessary to officially run Windows 11. Experts warn this policy could lead to hundreds of millions of functional devices becoming e-waste, while also creating significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities for those who cannot afford to upgrade. To combat these issues, users are exploring alternatives such as Linux distributions, specialized IoT Enterprise editions, and third-party tools like Rufus to bypass installation restrictions. Simultaneously, international advocacy groups like Euroconsumers are pushing for right-to-repair legislation and mandatory software update durations to protect consumers from artificial product lifespans. Ultimately, the texts highlight a growing tension between corporate security standards and the environmental and economic impact of forced technological aging.
This conversation draws on my analysis covering general questions regarding major economic and societal challenges. Common themes include the analysis of wealth and income inequality, lack of affordability, critiques of prevailing economic systems, and the disruptive impact of technological change, particularly concerning Universal Basic Income in a post-labor economy, its application to vulnerable populations like the unemployed and the homeless, A.I., and the sustainability of crucial social systems like US Healthcare. I add general reflections on the negative effects upon social stability. LMK your reaction.
Review by Donald Harvey Marks concerning Viktor Shvets' fantastic recent book: The Twilight Before the Storm. I analyze the book's central arguments, which posit that the world is in a dangerous transitional period marked by the decline of neoliberalism - an ideology rooted in free-market capitalism that sounds reasonable, but went astray. A core concept in the book is the "Fujiwara Effect," describing how advanced technology combined with financialization is reshaping the global economy and creating abundance. Shvets draws historical parallels to the 1930s to illustrate today's social and political fractures, warning of potential conflict unless we can reach a new societal consensus.
The United States healthcare system faces a dual crisis of unsustainable spending and suboptimal outcomes. Despite spending nearly one-fifth of its GDPâapproximately $4.8 trillion in 2023âon healthcare, the U.S. ranks last among ten high-income nations in health equity, access, and outcomes. I propose a cogent, six-point reform strategy designed to restore systemic health by mandating universal participation, lowering the age of federal coverage, expanding the provider network, and drastically reducing administrative complexity. Discussed ACA, affordability crisis, drug prices, pharma benefit managers, expensive insurance options and needing to go without.
The United States healthcare system faces a dual crisis of unsustainable spending and suboptimal outcomes. Despite spending nearly one-fifth of its GDPâapproximately $4.8 trillion in 2023âon healthcare, the U.S. ranks last among ten high-income nations in health equity, access, and outcomes. I propose a cogent, six-point reform strategy designed to restore systemic health by mandating universal participation, lowering the age of federal coverage, expanding the provider network, and drastically reducing administrative complexity.
Elitists, Neoconservatives, Neoliberals, and Globalists are all political ideologies that hold distinct beliefs and values. Knowing the differences is essential to starting a thoughtful discussion. It really helps, having been a child progeny. LMK your reactions
I examine various contemporary and historical issues through the lens of social, political, and moral critique. I cover the history of antisemitism at UCLA, distinguishing between legitimate criticism of Israeli policy and anti-Zionism that devolves into antisemitic tropes, and note that modern antisemitism often originates from liberal or leftist political spheres. I give an ethical and rhetorical analysis of conservative figure Charlie Kirk's controversial statements regarding LGBTQ+ and especially transgender individuals, comparing his language to that used by some conservative Muslim clerics, and concluding that while his speech is highly problematic and can lead to harm, it does not justify violence against him. Two of my related podcasts argue that the pro-Palestinianâantisemitic alliance is often rationalized through a leftist anti-capitalist ideology, which falsely casts Israel as a capitalist-colonial oppressor. I refer to another of my podcasts, which analyzes the historical context of Shylock from Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice to understand the centuries-old stereotype of the Jewish money lender and the theme of revenge in antisemitic persecution.
How neuroimaging techniques, like functional MRI, can be used to interpret thoughts.
Donald Harvey Marks asks: Are we really in a Financial meltdown? It sure seems like it to me, an educated non-economist. And at this very moment, I believe we are in what can best be called a âfalse lullâ or deceptive calm before a major financial setback, either a recession or possibly a full depression. The full economic consequences of current policies â especially tariffs, debt expansion, and monetary tightening/loosening swings â are still building like storm clouds. It is IMO not an "if," but a "when and how bad." Most people knowledgeable in this area seem to think that there are fundamental structural weaknesses accumulating under the surface. Collapse may not happen tomorrow, but the conditions are ripening. What are the causes? See his related articles on Spotify, and on his personal blog www.DHMarks.blogspot.com
Donald Harvey Marks asks: With all the uncertainty and turmoil in our lives, many have wondered whether there is meaning to the world, and whether, as Einstein said, God Truly Does Play Dice With The Universe. In many ways, Einstein and his findings of Relativity can help us answer this important question. What are the causes? See my related articles on Spotify, and on my personal blog www.DHMarks.blogspot.com
Donald Harvey Marks examines various contemporary and historical issues through the lens of social, political, and moral critique. One of his writings on Substack and on his personal blog www.DHMarks.blogspsot.com scrutinizes the history of antisemitism at UCLA, distinguishing between legitimate criticism of Israeli policy and anti-Zionism that devolves into antisemitic tropes, and notes that modern antisemitism often originates from liberal or leftist political spheres. Another of his writings conducts an ethical and rhetorical analysis of conservative figure Charlie Kirk's controversial statements regarding LGBTQ+ and especially transgender individuals, comparing his language to that used by some conservative Muslim clerics, and concluding that while his speech is highly problematic and can lead to harm, it does not justify violence against him. Two related pieces argue that the pro-Palestinianâantisemitic alliance is often rationalized through a leftist anti-capitalist ideology, which falsely casts Israel as a capitalist-colonial oppressor. A final writing analyzes the historical context of Shylock from Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice to understand the centuries-old stereotype of the Jewish moneylender and the theme of revenge against antisemitic persecution. What are the causes? See his related articles on Spotify, and on his personal blog www.DHMarks.blogspot.com
A short discussion of what are deepfakes, how are they made, what dangers do they pose to our freedom? Full text and references at https://bit.ly/3GZJdXhÂ
A discussion of the term Woke, what it means to be Woke, the history of Wokeness, and why I am not. This written episode along with references is found at https://bit.ly/3Fd7fPyÂ
Short but essential discussion of what and who are the Elitists, the Neocons, The Neolibs and The Globalists. My personal and ever-evolving detailed lists of each group are found at https://bit.ly/3Fa4wqbÂ
Existential poetry from the collection: Transit States, by Donald Marks, available on Amazon and Kindle
Do I have the flu or COVID-19? How to tell the difference and what to do
The public has a right and a need to know the results of all clinical data. Particularly in this time of COVID-19, with many therapeutic and vaccine clinical trials going forward, the public must know the results of clinical studies, whether there are Adverse Events from Therapeutics in order to make informed decisions. The public must know that vaccines have been adequately tested for safety and efficacy, otherwise the public will not accept vaccines and Therapeutics when they are offered even during a pandemic, This topic was most recently discussed in the Annals of Internal Medicine issue of May 7th 2019. I thank the American College of Physicians, of which I am an Emeritus Fellow, for their courage in Publishing this article
One of a series of podcasts presented on Henry Kissinger, conflicted Jew and former Secretary of State and National Security advisor. Was he an agent for good or an evil war criminal? The greatest Secretary of State of our time? Only time will tell but I offer a number of different perspectives on this subject. In addition to Kissinger, other people discussed include Mao, Secretary of Defense James Schlesinger, presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford,
Personal reflections on the meaning of time, mortality, immortality, influencing the present and the future, and many other things that are dear to me. What I have not told my family about my shrinking amount of available time, with a sprinkling of poetry, segments from the movie Groundhog Day, and a Star Trek Voyager episode. Read by Donald H. Marks. Personal blog page: https://bit.ly/3bJinSR I hope you will LMK if you enjoy it and if this gives a special meaning for you
Reflections on how best to achieve childhood health, the overall role of vaccines, social justice, and the legacy of Dr Jonas Salk and pandemics.
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