A Sense of Rebellion https://www.sense-of-rebellion.com/ en © Post-Utopia A Podcast Series by Evgeny Morozov. Forget the military or Silicon Valley: we owe our smart technologies - from toothbrushes to beds - to a band of eccentric 1960s hippies. Hidden away in a secretive, privately funded lab on Boston’s waterfront, these visionaries developed intimate, personal technologies a decade before Steve Jobs. But their rebellion was fraught with obstacles: the military-industrial complex, corporate resistance, and the founders’ larger-than-life personalities. As Silicon Valley adopted their ideas, the lab's vision for more humane and diverse technologies was twisted into something entirely different. A decade in the making, this podcast unravels their captivating and often tragic tale. It's all here: Cold War psychiatry, Maoism, LSD, the Rockefellers, Scientology, CIA’s forays into extrasensory perception, and even the advent of tech libertarianism. A Podcast Series by Evgeny Morozov.


Forget the military or Silicon Valley: we owe our smart technologies - from toothbrushes to beds - to a band of eccentric 1960s hippies. Hidden away in a secretive, privately funded lab on Boston’s waterfront, these visionaries developed intimate, personal technologies a decade before Steve Jobs.


But their rebellion was fraught with obstacles: the military-industrial complex, corporate resistance, and the founders’ larger-than-life personalities. As Silicon Valley adopted their ideas, the lab's vision for more humane and diverse technologies was twisted into something entirely different.


A decade in the making, this podcast unravels their captivating and often tragic tale. It's all here: Cold War psychiatry, Maoism, LSD, the Rockefellers, Scientology, CIA’s forays into extrasensory perception, and even the advent of tech libertarianism.

]]> Evgeny Morozov A Podcast Series by Evgeny Morozov. Forget the military or Silicon Valley: we owe our smart technologies - from toothbrushes to beds - to a band of eccentric 1960s hippies. Hidden away in a secretive, privately funded lab on Boston’s waterfront, these visionaries developed intimate, personal technologies a decade before Steve Jobs. But their rebellion was fraught with obstacles: the military-industrial complex, corporate resistance, and the founders’ larger-than-life personalities. As Silicon Valley adopted their ideas, the lab's vision for more humane and diverse technologies was twisted into something entirely different. A decade in the making, this podcast unravels their captivating and often tragic tale. It's all here: Cold War psychiatry, Maoism, LSD, the Rockefellers, Scientology, CIA’s forays into extrasensory perception, and even the advent of tech libertarianism. These mavericks crave responsive tech. And a more humane AI. But are they humane & responsive enough to deliver? Evgeny Morozov marco@infra-imagination.org serial false Bonus Episode 3: Playfulness In this final bonus episode, Evgeny discusses the importance of play and playfulness to the Brodey-Johnson agenda. In this final bonus episode, Evgeny discusses the importance of play and playfulness to the Brodey-Johnson agenda.

]]> In this final bonus episode, Evgeny discusses the importance of play and playfulness to the Brodey-Johnson agenda. Fri, 26 Jul 2024 12:13:18 -0000 Evgeny Morozov https://www.sense-of-rebellion.com/ 1886 bonus false c58374d2-4b24-11ef-94c5-d7e88b5f2d43 Bonus Episode 2: Technology In this penultimate bonus episode, Evgeny delivers a mini-lecture on what made Brodey and Johnson's approach to technology so unique. Their original perspective is still surprisingly relevant. In this penultimate bonus episode, Evgeny delivers a mini-lecture on what made Brodey and Johnson's approach to technology so unique. Their original perspective is still surprisingly relevant.

]]> In this penultimate bonus episode, Evgeny delivers a mini-lecture on what made Brodey and Johnson's approach to technology so unique. Their original perspective is still surprisingly relevant. Fri, 19 Jul 2024 08:42:26 -0000 Evgeny Morozov https://www.sense-of-rebellion.com/ 1591 bonus false 0d1182c0-45a9-11ef-87ce-130bd520db0b Bonus Episode 1: The Family Verdict In this bonus episode, Evgeny meets Warren Brodey, his children, and his partner Karene on the day of Warren's 100th birthday. A lively discussion follows: this podcast's last attempt to decipher Warren's strange arc. Watch the video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/fl_uyH9slOU In this bonus episode, Evgeny meets Warren Brodey, his children, and his partner Karene on the day of Warren's 100th birthday. A lively discussion follows: this podcast's last attempt to decipher Warren's strange arc.

Watch the video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/fl_uyH9slOU

]]> In this bonus episode, Evgeny meets Warren Brodey, his children, and his partner Karene on the day of Warren's 100th birthday. A lively discussion follows: this podcast's last attempt to decipher Warren's strange arc. Watch the video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/fl_uyH9slOU Mon, 08 Jul 2024 11:47:00 -0000 Evgeny Morozov https://www.sense-of-rebellion.com/ 4246 bonus false 8930d87e-3d02-11ef-93d0-a3bf39e27253 Episode 10: Out of Jail Out of Jail GUARDEA, ITALY, 2024: Evgeny joins Warren Brodey's 100th birthday celebration at his daughter Lisa's home in Umbria. We uncover the final days of the lab, the fates of Peter Oser and Avery Johnson, Warren's numerous defense mechanisms, and how he has—and hasn't—changed since the lab's demise. GUARDEA, ITALY, 2024: Evgeny joins Warren Brodey's 100th birthday celebration at his daughter Lisa's home in Umbria. We uncover the final days of the lab, the fates of Peter Oser and Avery Johnson, Warren's numerous defense mechanisms, and how he has—and hasn't—changed since the lab's demise.

]]> GUARDEA, ITALY, 2024: Evgeny joins Warren Brodey's 100th birthday celebration at his daughter Lisa's home in Umbria. We uncover the final days of the lab, the fates of Peter Oser and Avery Johnson, Warren's numerous defense mechanisms, and how he has—and hasn't—changed since the lab's demise. Fri, 14 Jun 2024 04:45:00 -0000 Evgeny Morozov https://www.sense-of-rebellion.com/ 7054 full 10 false cfaa5dd8-24f3-11ef-a36c-b77cbefb13a5 Episode 9: Free the Slaves Free the Slaves BOSTON, 1969: We revisit the lab on Lewis Wharf for a final glimpse into the early tech start-up scene. The project begins with utopian optimism, but soon faces problems and conflicts. As the team readies for the final presentation, Peter Oser questions the enterprise's viability BOSTON, 1969: We revisit the lab on Lewis Wharf for a final glimpse into the early tech start-up scene. The project begins with utopian optimism, but soon faces problems and conflicts. As the team readies for the final presentation, Peter Oser questions the enterprise's viability

]]> BOSTON, 1969: We revisit the lab on Lewis Wharf for a final glimpse into the early tech start-up scene. The project begins with utopian optimism, but soon faces problems and conflicts. As the team readies for the final presentation, Peter Oser questions the enterprise's viability Fri, 14 Jun 2024 04:40:00 -0000 Evgeny Morozov https://www.sense-of-rebellion.com/ 4042 full 9 false a4a31486-24f3-11ef-a325-ff28ba8b1bc4 Episode 8: Disruption or Sabotage Disruption or Sabotage WASHINGTON, 1964: We travel to Georgetown of the early 1960s, where the Brodeys mingle with the country's elite, including the Kennedys. Brodey's fascination with computers and responsive environments begins, influenced by his psychiatric practice. LSD also makes an appearance. Discover why he abandons psychiatry for MIT and the challenges he encounters there. Could the Environmental Ecology Lab be his solution? WASHINGTON, 1964: We travel to Georgetown of the early 1960s, where the Brodeys mingle with the country's elite, including the Kennedys. Brodey's fascination with computers and responsive environments begins, influenced by his psychiatric practice. LSD also makes an appearance. Discover why he abandons psychiatry for MIT and the challenges he encounters there. Could the Environmental Ecology Lab be his solution?

]]> WASHINGTON, 1964: We travel to Georgetown of the early 1960s, where the Brodeys mingle with the country's elite, including the Kennedys. Brodey's fascination with computers and responsive environments begins, influenced by his psychiatric practice. LSD also makes an appearance. Discover why he abandons psychiatry for MIT and the challenges he encounters there. Could the Environmental Ecology Lab be his solution? Fri, 14 Jun 2024 04:35:00 -0000 Evgeny Morozov https://www.sense-of-rebellion.com/ 3741 full 8 false 5d109378-24f3-11ef-bb4c-674d43c43a18 Episode 7: Family Issues Family Issues BOSTON, 1968: Evgeny examines an alternative, non-military hypothesis about the origins of the Environmental Ecology Lab. As personal struggles of Avery Johnson and Peter Oser, key collaborators of Warren Brodey, come to light, unsettling questions arise. Is the lab's true mission to enable Brodey, a gifted psychiatrist, to mend the fractures in their lives? BOSTON, 1968: Evgeny examines an alternative, non-military hypothesis about the origins of the Environmental Ecology Lab. As personal struggles of Avery Johnson and Peter Oser, key collaborators of Warren Brodey, come to light, unsettling questions arise. Is the lab's true mission to enable Brodey, a gifted psychiatrist, to mend the fractures in their lives?

]]> BOSTON, 1968: Evgeny examines an alternative, non-military hypothesis about the origins of the Environmental Ecology Lab. As personal struggles of Avery Johnson and Peter Oser, key collaborators of Warren Brodey, come to light, unsettling questions arise. Is the lab's true mission to enable Brodey, a gifted psychiatrist, to mend the fractures in their lives? Fri, 14 Jun 2024 04:30:00 -0000 Evgeny Morozov https://www.sense-of-rebellion.com/ 3527 full 7 false 0130c3b6-24f3-11ef-8475-57f5d522ae84 Episode 6: Ice Cream, Whiskey, and the CIA Ice Cream, Whiskey, and the CIA GENEVA, 2023: Evgeny makes one last push in his quest to uncover the truth behind the Environmental Ecology Lab's mysterious ties to the military and the CIA. As he follows the trail, startling revelations come to light, hinting at a shadowy connection between Peter Oser and the US military. Evgeny also exposes the hidden influence of the lab's intellectual godfather, himself an insider of the national security state. GENEVA, 2023: Evgeny makes one last push in his quest to uncover the truth behind the Environmental Ecology Lab's mysterious ties to the military and the CIA. As he follows the trail, startling revelations come to light, hinting at a shadowy connection between Peter Oser and the US military. Evgeny also exposes the hidden influence of the lab's intellectual godfather, himself an insider of the national security state.

]]> GENEVA, 2023: Evgeny makes one last push in his quest to uncover the truth behind the Environmental Ecology Lab's mysterious ties to the military and the CIA. As he follows the trail, startling revelations come to light, hinting at a shadowy connection between Peter Oser and the US military. Evgeny also exposes the hidden influence of the lab's intellectual godfather, himself an insider of the national security state. Fri, 14 Jun 2024 04:25:00 -0000 Evgeny Morozov https://www.sense-of-rebellion.com/ 3922 full 6 false d91e67de-24f2-11ef-9151-4f78befda4ac Episode 5: The Other Lab The Other Lab LONDON, 2023: Evgeny finally meets Nicholas Negroponte, one of the most famous prophets of the digital age and a key figure inspired by Brodey and Johnson. As their conversation unfolds, questions arise: Has Negroponte remained true to their pioneering concepts, or has he ventured into realms they would disapprove of? And what about the MIT Media Lab—does it extend the legacy of the Environmental Ecology Lab, or has it charted its own course? LONDON, 2023: Evgeny finally meets Nicholas Negroponte, one of the most famous prophets of the digital age and a key figure inspired by Brodey and Johnson. As their conversation unfolds, questions arise: Has Negroponte remained true to their pioneering concepts, or has he ventured into realms they would disapprove of? And what about the MIT Media Lab—does it extend the legacy of the Environmental Ecology Lab, or has it charted its own course?

]]> LONDON, 2023: Evgeny finally meets Nicholas Negroponte, one of the most famous prophets of the digital age and a key figure inspired by Brodey and Johnson. As their conversation unfolds, questions arise: Has Negroponte remained true to their pioneering concepts, or has he ventured into realms they would disapprove of? And what about the MIT Media Lab—does it extend the legacy of the Environmental Ecology Lab, or has it charted its own course? Fri, 14 Jun 2024 04:20:00 -0000 Evgeny Morozov https://www.sense-of-rebellion.com/ 4338 full 5 false 3dfb7530-24f2-11ef-9302-87603259d890 Episode 4: Rebellion Against Rebellion Rebellion Against Rebellion OSLO, 1978: Evgeny is determined to uncover the truth behind Warren Brodey's sudden departure from America and his reappearance as a fervent Maoist at a Norwegian iron foundry. Locals whisper he might be a CIA agent, but is there any truth to these suspicions? As Evgeny digs deeper, he unravels Warren's strange political journey and the impact of his past on those he left behind in the US. Meanwhile, Avery Johnson's drastic shift to the opposite political direction adds another layer of complexity to this mysterious tale. OSLO, 1978: Evgeny is determined to uncover the truth behind Warren Brodey's sudden departure from America and his reappearance as a fervent Maoist at a Norwegian iron foundry. Locals whisper he might be a CIA agent, but is there any truth to these suspicions? As Evgeny digs deeper, he unravels Warren's strange political journey and the impact of his past on those he left behind in the US. Meanwhile, Avery Johnson's drastic shift to the opposite political direction adds another layer of complexity to this mysterious tale.

]]> OSLO, 1978: Evgeny is determined to uncover the truth behind Warren Brodey's sudden departure from America and his reappearance as a fervent Maoist at a Norwegian iron foundry. Locals whisper he might be a CIA agent, but is there any truth to these suspicions? As Evgeny digs deeper, he unravels Warren's strange political journey and the impact of his past on those he left behind in the US. Meanwhile, Avery Johnson's drastic shift to the opposite political direction adds another layer of complexity to this mysterious tale. Fri, 14 Jun 2024 04:15:00 -0000 Evgeny Morozov https://www.sense-of-rebellion.com/ 4115 full 4 false 6675fba4-24f0-11ef-b5ba-fbba0cce7b6b Episode 3: The Hope Market The Hope Market MILFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 1971: As the '60s end, the Environmental Ecology Lab finds new purpose at Avery Johnson's secluded woodland quarry. Here, Ecology, Tool & Toy emerges—a cybernetic commune blending hippie ideals with cutting-edge tech. Warren Brodey seems driven by an enigmatic quest, but what is he truly seeking? MILFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 1971: As the '60s end, the Environmental Ecology Lab finds new purpose at Avery Johnson's secluded woodland quarry. Here, Ecology, Tool & Toy emerges—a cybernetic commune blending hippie ideals with cutting-edge tech. Warren Brodey seems driven by an enigmatic quest, but what is he truly seeking?

]]> MILFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 1971: As the '60s end, the Environmental Ecology Lab finds new purpose at Avery Johnson's secluded woodland quarry. Here, Ecology, Tool & Toy emerges—a cybernetic commune blending hippie ideals with cutting-edge tech. Warren Brodey seems driven by an enigmatic quest, but what is he truly seeking? Fri, 14 Jun 2024 04:10:00 -0000 Evgeny Morozov https://www.sense-of-rebellion.com/ 3959 full 3 false c1efd6ae-24ef-11ef-851e-d3373c96e850 Episode 2: 33 Lewis Wharf 33 Lewis Wharf BOSTON, 1968: Evgeny digs deeper into the enigmatic Environmental Ecology Lab, a high-tech operation shrouded in mystery on Boston's waterfront. Funded by a Rockefeller and featuring an eclectic team alongside two colossal, costly computers, the lab's activities evoke the air of a covert CIA operation. Was this simply an avant-garde experiment, or a crazy mission to infiltrate the counterculture movement? BOSTON, 1968: Evgeny digs deeper into the enigmatic Environmental Ecology Lab, a high-tech operation shrouded in mystery on Boston's waterfront. Funded by a Rockefeller and featuring an eclectic team alongside two colossal, costly computers, the lab's activities evoke the air of a covert CIA operation. Was this simply an avant-garde experiment, or a crazy mission to infiltrate the counterculture movement?

]]> BOSTON, 1968: Evgeny digs deeper into the enigmatic Environmental Ecology Lab, a high-tech operation shrouded in mystery on Boston's waterfront. Funded by a Rockefeller and featuring an eclectic team alongside two colossal, costly computers, the lab's activities evoke the air of a covert CIA operation. Was this simply an avant-garde experiment, or a crazy mission to infiltrate the counterculture movement? Fri, 14 Jun 2024 04:05:00 -0000 Evgeny Morozov https://www.sense-of-rebellion.com/ 3361 full 2 false b88d7e46-24ee-11ef-9a02-e34269a0470a Episode 1: A Bookstore in Paris A Bookstore in Paris PARIS, 2014: A serendipitous visit to a quaint Parisian bookstore sends renowned tech critic Evgeny Morozov down an unexpected rabbit hole. He stumbles upon the mystifying legacy of Warren Brodey, a 1960s psychiatrist whose path intertwines with shadowy CIA operations and radical Maoist movements. Is Brodey a visionary tech pioneer lost to history, a modern-day shaman, or a cunning charlatan? PARIS, 2014: A serendipitous visit to a quaint Parisian bookstore sends renowned tech critic Evgeny Morozov down an unexpected rabbit hole. He stumbles upon the mystifying legacy of Warren Brodey, a 1960s psychiatrist whose path intertwines with shadowy CIA operations and radical Maoist movements. Is Brodey a visionary tech pioneer lost to history, a modern-day shaman, or a cunning charlatan?

]]> PARIS, 2014: A serendipitous visit to a quaint Parisian bookstore sends renowned tech critic Evgeny Morozov down an unexpected rabbit hole. He stumbles upon the mystifying legacy of Warren Brodey, a 1960s psychiatrist whose path intertwines with shadowy CIA operations and radical Maoist movements. Is Brodey a visionary tech pioneer lost to history, a modern-day shaman, or a cunning charlatan? Fri, 14 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0000 Evgeny Morozov https://www.sense-of-rebellion.com/ 3568 full 1 false f2d4658e-24ed-11ef-9de2-af0abaa75b14 Trailer: A Sense of Rebellion Trailer: A Sense of Rebellion A Podcast Series by Evgeny Morozov. Forget the military or Silicon Valley: we owe our smart technologies - from toothbrushes to beds - to a band of eccentric 1960s hippies. Hidden away in a secretive, privately funded lab on Boston’s waterfront, these visionaries developed intimate, personal technologies a decade before Steve Jobs. But their rebellion was fraught with obstacles: the military-industrial complex, corporate resistance, and the founders’ larger-than-life personalities. As Silicon Valley adopted their ideas, the lab's vision for more humane and diverse technologies was twisted into something entirely different. A decade in the making, this podcast unravels their captivating and often tragic tale. It's all here: Cold War psychiatry, Maoism, LSD, the Rockefellers, Scientology, CIA’s forays into extrasensory perception, and even the advent of tech libertarianism. A Podcast Series by Evgeny Morozov.


Forget the military or Silicon Valley: we owe our smart technologies - from toothbrushes to beds - to a band of eccentric 1960s hippies. Hidden away in a secretive, privately funded lab on Boston’s waterfront, these visionaries developed intimate, personal technologies a decade before Steve Jobs.


But their rebellion was fraught with obstacles: the military-industrial complex, corporate resistance, and the founders’ larger-than-life personalities. As Silicon Valley adopted their ideas, the lab's vision for more humane and diverse technologies was twisted into something entirely different.


A decade in the making, this podcast unravels their captivating and often tragic tale. It's all here: Cold War psychiatry, Maoism, LSD, the Rockefellers, Scientology, CIA’s forays into extrasensory perception, and even the advent of tech libertarianism.

]]> A Podcast Series by Evgeny Morozov. Forget the military or Silicon Valley: we owe our smart technologies - from toothbrushes to beds - to a band of eccentric 1960s hippies. Hidden away in a secretive, privately funded lab on Boston’s waterfront, these visionaries developed intimate, personal technologies a decade before Steve Jobs. But their rebellion was fraught with obstacles: the military-industrial complex, corporate resistance, and the founders’ larger-than-life personalities. As Silicon Valley adopted their ideas, the lab's vision for more humane and diverse technologies was twisted into something entirely different. A decade in the making, this podcast unravels their captivating and often tragic tale. It's all here: Cold War psychiatry, Maoism, LSD, the Rockefellers, Scientology, CIA’s forays into extrasensory perception, and even the advent of tech libertarianism. Fri, 07 Jun 2024 16:02:00 -0000 Evgeny Morozov https://www.sense-of-rebellion.com/ 179 trailer false 81373430-21c1-11ef-8d5c-2b237fad1f42