Join us for an enlightening conversation with Karl Sharro, a multifaceted architect, satirist, blogger, and commentator renowned for his sharp wit and insightful observations on the Middle East. In this discussion, Karl delves into his diverse body of work, from co-authoring "Manifesto: Towards a New Humanism in Architecture" to penning the satirical gems "And Then God Created the Middle East and Said ‘Let There Be Breaking News’" and "Style: In Defence of Islamic Architecture."

0:00 Introduction to Karl Sharro
1:11 Discovering a Passion for Architecture
2:31 Urban Studies and City Life Fascination
4:46 Envisioning the Future of Arab Cities
8:00 Advocating for Humanism in Architecture
9:52 Conceptualizing "The 1000-mile City"
14:51 Influences Shaping Karl's Early Life
18:00 Understanding Karl's Diverse Audience
19:45 Humor's Role in Karl's Upbringing
21:35 The Evolution of Karl's Satirical Style
23:07 Twitter's Impact on Karl's Satirical Voice
26:00 Exploring Varied Subjects Through Satire
27:26 The Intersection of Stand-up Comedy and Satire
29:29 Unpacking Karl's Creative Process
31:18 Interactive Quick Q&A with Karl
36:06 The Role of Private Architectural Firms in Data Utilization
38:50 Adapting Urban Spaces to Post-COVID Social Change
42:15 Imagining Twitter as a Physical Realm
43:53 Anticipation for a Sequel to Karl’s Books
45:35 Karl’s Definition of Success
47:53 Pandemic's Influence on Karl's Humor
49:53 The Power of Satire in Enacting Change
52:03 Karl's Recommendations for Future afikra Guests

Karl Sharro is an architect, satirist, and cultural commentator whose work spans various mediums, offering critical and humorous insights into contemporary Middle Eastern issues. His publications, including a manifesto on architecture and satirical books on Middle Eastern politics, showcase his unique blend of architectural knowledge and satirical prowess. Karl's engagement with a wide audience through social media and public speaking highlights his role as a pivotal voice in discussions on architecture, urbanism, and Middle Eastern identity.

Connect with Karl 👉 https://twitter.com/KarlreMarks

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hosted by:
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/

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THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
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ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
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