Pomodoro Breaks

Panigrahi Nirma

Making a host of powerful literature in science, technology, humanities, business and management available with the help of advanced technology and generative AI tools.

Play

Open in

56 episodes
daily
Avg 26 min
English

Episodes 56

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

Yesterday · 26 min
Talking about language
Why is English so beautifully chaotic, and is social media truly destroying our speech? Language change is a powerful, invisible force, yet its secrets usually remain hidden behind academic walls. Lyle Campbell unearths these mysteries in a thrilling exploration of word origins and evolutionary puzzles. By debunking persistent myths and unraveling the magic of grammar, he proves that language history isn't just about the past—it’s a captivating detective story unfolding in every single conversation today.
Tuesday · 21 min
The freudian concept of death drive
Why are we wired for self-destruction? This volume explores Freud’s most scandalous concept: the death drive. Moving through ancient tragedy, global conflict, and the machinery of capitalism, it uncovers a primal urge for annihilation lurking within human culture. From revolutionary sacrifice to the ecstatic suffering found in literature, these essays examine how the desire for death ironically fuels our existence. It is a haunting, essential journey into the dark heart of philosophy, theory, and life.
Monday · 9 min
Is AI a free labour ?
Everyone expects AI to steal our jobs, but what if robots replace our bosses too? In Free Robot Labour, Jamie Terence Kelly explores a provocative future where machines become the new titans of industry. By reimagining Karl Marx’s theories for the silicon age, Kelly unveils shocking possibilities: artificial feudalism, robot slaves, and the radical emergence of free robot labourers. This is a thrilling investigation into how AI might trigger the next great global revolution.
Friday · 20 min
Inside the art of negotiation
Negotiators who Changed the World explores how history's most iconic figures used dialogue to reshape nations and end entrenched conflicts. From the ancient wisdom of Confucius and the radical empathy of Jesus to the cold realism of Machiavelli and the grit of Nelson Mandela, this book distills timeless lessons for modern leadership. Discover the strategies that turned adversaries into allies and transformed global crises into opportunities for progress. It is a practical toolkit for anyone.
November 5 · 23 min
Overview of celestial mechanics
Embark on a four-millennium space opera exploring the ultimate mystery: is our solar system stable? From ancient Greek geometry to modern computational chaos, this book unites the genius of Newton and Poincaré with cutting-edge research. Discover the hidden order within the three-body problem and learn how mathematics governs the celestial dance of planets and asteroids. Prepare to unlock the deep secrets of the cosmos and master the methods that keep the universe in motion.
November 4 · 16 min
Transformation economy
You are currently leaving massive value on the table. While the world obsesses over experiences, the next economic frontier is here: transformations. People do not just want memories; they want to become who they are meant to be. This book reveals how businesses stop selling simple means and start selling profound ends. By guiding customers to achieve their aspirations, you shift from a mere provider to an essential life partner. Welcome to the Transformation Economy.
November 3 · 23 min
Revolutions of capitalism
Maurizio Lazzarato's Revolutions of Capitalism reimagines struggle for the age of control. Moving beyond traditional Marxism, Lazzarato argues that politics is an event, a rupture that hurls new possibilities of life against established powers. From the streets of Seattle to the digital capture of our attention, he explores how modern capitalism constructs entire worlds to govern our desires. It is a radical call to embrace the unpredictable and invent this future defined by radical multiplicity.
November 2 · 27 min
Who thinks like an economist
Why do voters support policies that experts warn will wreck their wallets? In Who Thinks Like an Economist?, Beatrice Magistro reveals the answer is not just partisan values. It is about the mental models we use to process reality. Introducing the Economist Mental Model, Magistro explains why some prioritize long term growth while others fall for short term populist traps. From Brexit to AI, this book uncovers the cognitive divide rewriting rules of global politics.
October 30 · 19 min
Return on intelligence
AI isn't a tool -- it's infrastructure. In Return on Intelligence, Dr. Kristin Milchanowski redefines transformation for the era of digital agents. This strategic playbook cuts through hype, providing 43 principles to scale intelligence with empathy. Learn to bridge the gap between boardroom strategy and technical execution, turning experimental pilots into permanent ecosystems. Discover new metrics for success and master an operating system where human judgment and machine capability finally converge. Your journey starts now.
October 29 · 45 min
New theory of organism
Life is not a code, and your cells are not software. In this provocative journey, Giuseppe Longo and Adam Nocek dismantle the dangerous fantasy that organisms are merely biological computers. By weaving together the history of mathematical logic, the unpredictability of physics, and a fierce critique of AI, the authors challenge the technocratic management of modern Science. It is time to reclaim the radical materiality of life through a bold, new theory of the organism.
October 28 · 23 min
Why organisational silence is bad
Behind the polished glass of modern offices lies a world of toxic shadows. Lara Bertola unmasks systemic forces that quietly erode psychological safety. While management books preach innovation, this work exposes the invisible undercurrents of narcissistic leadership, organizational silence, and corporate corruption. It reframes burnout and withdrawal not as personal failings, but as adaptive responses to structural dysfunction. Discover how to name the unspoken and reclaim human dignity within the machinery of modern work.
October 27 · 20 min
The hidden life of algorithms
Could a simple line drawn by a computer ruin your entire day? In The Hidden Lives of Algorithms, Philip Plowright and Silvio Carta reveal that geometry isn't neutral—it is the invisible architect of our social reality. From urban exclusion to the intimacy of your home, algorithms silently script how we move and belong. Discover the hidden power of basic shapes and see how digital codes are rewriting the very fabric of modern everyday human experience.
October 26 · 20 min
The origins of the sin of racism
Step into the controversial world of Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, the man who defined the Caucasian race. Was he a champion of human equality or the architect of scientific racism? This book untangles Blumenbach’s complex legacy, revealing how his 18th-century theories on skulls and human perfection shaped modern hierarchies. From colonial power struggles to Soviet psychology, discover how one scientist’s quest to categorize humanity triggered a lasting battle between scientific progress and racial prejudice.
October 23 · 35 min
Tame 'hype' and grow business
Hype is more than just empty talk—it is the hidden engine driving our digital future. From AI to quantum computing, bold promises are no longer accidental; they are part of a sophisticated, multi-billion-dollar machinery. This book uncovers how an invisible industry of analysts and experts tames wild rumors into economic reality. Step inside the high-stakes battleground where narratives are manufactured, managed, and monetized to decide which technologies win and which ones fail.
October 22 · 20 min
Impact investing
Impact investing promises to revolutionize capitalism by merging profit with purpose. But is it a radical breakthrough or just a clever marketing rebrand? This book unmasks the "grand idea" behind the global label. From London high-finance to rural Ghanaian farms, experts reveal how different cultures translate this fuzzy concept into reality. Discover how power, politics, and "strategic ignorance" shape the future of ethical finance in a world where doing good and making money are blurred.
October 21 · 22 min
Connecting perception with conscience
How do we truly know the world? This book explores the deep, mysterious link between our physical senses and our self-consciousness. Usually treated as separate topics, perception and self-awareness are actually two sides of the same coin. When you see a simple object, you are not just gathering data; you are exercising a sophisticated rational achievement. These groundbreaking essays challenge everything you know about being a conscious, perceiving agent in a material world we inhabit.
October 20 · 23 min
Western asian cities
West Asia is the cradle of civilization and the origin of urban culture. Cities through Time takes you on an immersive journey from mediaeval strongholds to modern capitals. This volume uncovers the hidden social fabrics of legendary cities like Baghdad, Cairo, and Isfahan. Beyond mere architecture, it reveals the dynamic lives of merchants, artisans, and saints. Discover how diverse communities navigated power, faith, and transformation, proving these urban landscapes remain the heart of human history.
October 19 · 27 min
Theories of consciousness
Why does a physical brain produce a private world of vivid experience? Scientific Theories of Consciousness explores the ultimate mystery of existence. From quantum vibrations in cells to global brain broadcasts, this guide navigates the clash of today’s leading ideas. It equips you with the mental tools to evaluate every approach critically. Whether questioning AI awareness or the origins of selfhood, prepare to solve the greatest puzzle of all: exactly how physical matter becomes mind.
October 16 · 54 min
Modern sociology
Unlock the secret blueprints of our modern world with Piotr Sztompka’s illuminating guide to 21st-century social theory. Move beyond dusty textbooks to explore cutting-edge ideas from today’s greatest thinkers. From the hidden mechanisms of global scandals to the emotional energy of everyday encounters, this book reveals the invisible ropes and pulleys shaping our reality. It is a vital toolkit for anyone seeking to understand their place in an increasingly complex and changing society.
October 15 · 20 min
Biosemiotic theory of biology
What if biology isn't just chemicals and genes? Towards a Biosemiotic Theoretical Biology reveals a revolutionary perspective: life is fundamentally about meaning. From single cells to complex ecosystems, every living thing interprets its world through signs and choices. Visionary thinkers prove that organisms aren't just biological machines; they are active agents in a vibrant semiosphere. Discover a future where biology is finally no longer meaning-blind, continuing the historic legacy of Waddington's Bellagio symposia.

Showing 1–20 of 56 episodes