Posts – Page 2 – Extraenvironmentalist

[ Episode #68 // Better Than Normal ]

Oct 30 2013

Society dramatically underestimates human potential, placing our imagination within a limited range of possibilities. What are the psychological limits of our species? Is there reliable scientific evidence of supernormal human capabilities? What areas of scientific study could replace the failing aims of a materialist scientific paradigm? Would compelling evidence for special abilities change our beliefs and institutions?

In Extraenvironmentalist #68 we speak with Dean Radin about his new book Supernormal and his decades of research into telepathy, precognition, clairvoyance for our 2013 Halloween Special. We ask Dr. Radin if the stories of ancient yogis were exaggerated superstitions or if they may have some basis in reality. Dean describes his process for studying controversial phenomena and how he is working to build a reliable non-materialist scientific process.

// Books

Supernormal by Dean Radin

// News and Other Items Discussed

Only 1 in 8 global workers psychologically committed to their job
Financial workers fall sick due to stress

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 30m

Alan Watts - What is Yoga
Alan Watts - Intellectual Yoga
Terence McKenna on Telepathy

[End]

Terence McKenna - Imagination in the Light of Nature

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

One of the many x-files remixes on the internet
Free n Losh - What We'll See
Free n Losh - Things You Don't Understand
Free n Losh - Open Your Eyes

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

This show was supported by donations from our generous listeners:

Quasi in North Carolina
Kurt in Washington
Christopher in Massachusetts
Pat in Oregon

[ Episode #64 // Straw Into Gold ]

Jul 29 2013

By thinking of the world as a machine our species has created an economic and political system that is dangling over an abyss. Many are optimistic for business as usual with an ideological belief in the power of positive thinking. Can we develop a practical spiritual philosophy that sorts through all the garbage? Have our systems and institutions become so dependent on the idea of a machine world that we need to collapse to develop an alternative economic system?

In Extraenvironmentalist #64 we speak with Morris Berman about his new book Spinning Straw Into Gold: Straight Talk for Troubled Times which takes on the idea that reality is created by thought. We ask Morris about the validity of claims made by the scientific worldview. Berman announces the launch of the new MoveOverGeorge.com campaign to bring the US dollar into 21st century reality. Then we hear from biologist Rupert Sheldrake on his new book The Science Delusion from a recent talk in Vancouver, BC about the fundamental beliefs of scientific materialism.

// Books Discussed

Morris Berman // Spinning Straw Into Gold: Straight Talk for Trouble Times
Morris Berman // The Reenchantment of the World
Rupert Sheldrake // The Science Delusion (Marketed as Science Set Free in the US)
Ursula le Guin // The Telling
Barbara Ehrenreich // Bright Sided: How Positive Thinking is Undermining America
Joel Magnuson // The Approaching Great Transformation: Toward a Livable Post Carbon Economy

// News and Other Items Discussed

MoveOverGeorge.com

Full talk by Rupert Sheldrake on The Science Delusion in Vancouver, BC

Greece Disconnects 30,000 electricity customers per month
Detroit clones popping up all around China
Rapid Urbanization has created 12 new Chinese Ghost Cities
Falling TVs send a child to the ER every 30 minutes in the United States

Our video interview with Jimmy McMillan of the Rent is Too Damn High Party in NYC
Extraenvironmentalist livestream coverage of the New Economics Institute reRoute Convergence

Interview with KMO on the C-Realm Podcast episode #372
Link to the NYT story on our coming food crisis via Robin

Link to Bill Rees talking about the Endarkenment
Link to Morris Berman's talk about Japan's economic stagnation

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 35m

European Car Sales Fall to 17 year low
Newly unemployed struggle to remain optimistic
Obama: reasons to be optimistic about America
Pessimism grows among unemployed
On being optimistic on the economy

[End]

Terence McKenna speaking about Science's one free miracle

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Sister Rosetta Sharpe - Jericho (C2C Remix)via Soundcloud
Sarah Vaughn - Please Mr. Brown (Pontus Winnberg Remix)
Keep Shelly in Athens - Recollection via Turntable Kitchen
Kratos Himself - Lucid via Bandcamp
London Grammar - Hey Now (Hanami Bootleg) via Soundcloud
Eros and the Eschaton - The Future is Ours to See via Soundcloud

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

This show was supported by donations from our generous listeners:

Tomas in Findland
Brendan in Canada

[ Episode #63 // Next US Revolution ]

Jul 18 2013

With a media ecosystem focused almost entirely the corporate system, burgeoning elements of a new economy revolution escape the mainstream eye. As our political systems stagnate in the face of ecological, energy and social crises, can an alternative to capitalism develop over the next few decades? Do ongoing experiments in money, society and energy have the ability to coalesce into a broader cultural shift?

In Extraenvironmentalist #63 we talk about the growing network of institutions and businesses that are forming the new economic revolution in the United States with historian and political economist Gar Alperovitz. Gar describes the ideas in his new book, What Then Must We Do: Straight Talk About the Next American Revolution. Then we hear from two of Italy's leading economists Stefano and Vera Zamagni about the civil society model of a market economy.

// Books

Gar Alperovitz // What Then Must We Do: Straight Talk About the Next American Revolution

// News and Other Items Discussed

Greek Salaries Cut Another 10%
Mafia launders dirty money in clean energy

New Economics Institute ReRoute Summit - July 19th-21st

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 31m

New Era Windows Cooperative is Now Open for Business
Cooperatives Cash in on Austerity
Spanish Cooperative Mondragon Weathers the Financial Storm
Make a Job - Don't Take a Job

[End]

Terence McKenna speaking about the historic crisis

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Ta-ku - Higher (Flume Remix)via Salacious Sound
Foals - Late Night (Solomun Remix) via The Beat Mill
Ernie Hines - Our Generation (Straightened Out Mix) via Soundcloud
Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker - Fire and Fortune (Pete Flood Remix) via Folk Radio UK
CSS - Hangover (RAC Remix) via Pigeons and Planes
iET - Control It (Kratos Himself Remix) via Kratos Himself

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

[ Episode #62 // Land Grabs ]

Jun 30 2013

A financial sector built on a foundation of continuous material expansion is seeking returns in a slowing global economy. Will investments in global farmland be able to provide the returns expected by pension funds, endowments and future financial claims? Why are investors suddenly emphasizing the same data and charts that environmentalists have been pointing towards for decades?

In Extraenvironmentalist #62 we discuss the global race for farmland with Fred Pearce as detailed in his recent book: The Land Grabbers. We hear about his journey around the world to uncover the secret deals being signed by governments at the expense of their people. Then we speak with Gregor Macdonald about the global energy trends driving this search for innovative returns. Gregor describes why the age of nuclear power is ending as complexity overwhelms large systems and how the global economy has changed dramatically since conventional oil reached its plateau.

// Books

Fred Pearce // The Land Grabbers
Gregor Macdonald // Solar's Rise, Nuclear's Demise - June Issue of Terrajoule

// News and Other Items Discussed

One year away from global riots (from 9 months ago)
6.2% Food Inflation in Saudi Arabia
With electricity and water in short supply, Egyptians grow tense

XE Video with Dennis McKenna
XE Video with Nate Hagens

New Economics Institute ReRoute Summit - July 19th-21st

Beatboxin' Rick Wolff

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 23m

Michael Hudson from an upcoming episode of the Extraenvironmentalist
Glen Gary & Ross - A Film About Land Grabs
Jack Alpert from Extraenvironmentalist #11
Brazil - Protests of Discontent

[End]

A clip from our recent video with Nate Hagens

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Bugseed - Thinking of You via Soundcloud
Shine 2009 - Eurozone (CFCF Remix) via Gorilla vs. Bear
Cosmo Sheldrake - Rich ft. Ana Roo via Pigeons and Planes
Daft Punk - Get Lucky (Beats Antique Cover)
Blackstreet - No Diggity (Bondax Remix) via The Music Ninja

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

Episode #62 was supported by donations from one of our generous listeners: Beccy in Australia

[ Episode #61 // Cure for Capitalism? ]

Jun 12 2013

Can we link the decline in our democratic institutions to the nature of the workplaces that occupy so much of our time? Is there reason to believe that we can transition to an alternative economic system while our current economy crashes? Can we learn from the collapse of feudalism and the formation of capitalism to prepare for the next economic system?

In Extraenvironmentalist #61 we talk about historical economic transitions with professor, economist and author Rick Wolff and his recent book Democracy at Work: A Cure for Capitalism. Professor Wolff describes how our future economic system will likely build from alternative arrangements of workplaces through worker self-directed enterprises and cooperative businesses. We ask why changing the way our workplaces operate would change our economic system and how policy ideas from other countries could serve as a framework.

// Books

Rick Wolff // Democracy at Work: A Cure for Capitalism

// News and Other Items Discussed

Two sold bikes for every car sold in Europe
Japanese Banishment Rooms
Greece Considers Debtors Prisons for Poor Taxpayers

Firefly Skills Convergence 2013 - Asheville, NC - June 20th-23rd
Urban Permaculture Workshop with Toby Hemenway - Vancouver, BC - July 27th-28th

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 47m

Zizek - Don't Act, Think
Geoffrey Bloom - Why the Whole Banking System is a Scam
David Stockman on Crony Capitalism
Max Keiser: That's not capitalism, that's fraud
Bill Clinton on why we should help the world

[End]

A skit written and performed by Kevin in Los Angeles

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Victor Déme - Djon Maya (Synapson Remix) via Et Musique Pour Tous
Thabo and The Real Deal - Revolution
Bob Marley - Waiting in Vain (Jim James Remix)via Earmilk
Phaleah - Here Comes the Sun feat. Soundmouse

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

This show was supported by donations from our generous listeners:

Kevin in Sweden
Nathan in Ontario
Sandra in New York
Michael in Ontario
Isaac in West Virginia
Dana in The Noosphere

[ Episode #60 // Days of Destruction ]

May 20 2013

While the cultural foundations of the United States are unraveling the unconscious programs of American society lay outside of public dialogue. Where there was once an American Dream, a spiritual void remains. As the framework of consumer society breaks down, will an economic system of inverted totalitarianism reverse become explicit? Why do our elites seem incapable of formulating a rational response to this crisis of civilization?

In Extraenvironmentalist #60 we discuss the current condition of American culture with Chris Hedges and Morris Berman. Chris describes the process of breakdown he's witnessed in other countries as elites withdraw when they feel their system of control crumbling. Morris reflects the current crisis of capitalism against the breakdown of the feudal system hundreds of years ago to describe a broader historical process. Then, we speak with Dmitry Orlov about his new book: The Five Stages of Collapse. Dmitry talks about the psychological damage created by access to large amounts of money and explains how to think practically about a failing global economic system.

// Books

Chris Hedges // Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt
Morris Berman // Why America Failed // also see XE #34
Dmitry Orlov // The Five Stages of Collapse // also see XE #49

// News Items Discussed

Poll: 29% of Americans think 'armed revolution' coming soon via Chris H.
27% of Spaniards are out of work. Yet in one town everyone has a job via Jim

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 24m

President Bush Addresses Nation on Economic Crisis
AP Monitoring Raises Fears of Government Overreach
Web Press Grills Obama on Drones
Bush: We Can Overcome Economic Crisis
Bill Clinton on why we should help the world

[End]

Chris Hedges speaking with Rick Wolff on Economic Update

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
dcup - I'm Corrupt via IndieShuffle
Free n Losh - Where do They Go? via Earmilk
YACHT - Second Summer (RAC Remix) via Soundcloud
Moby - Natural Blues (TYR Remix) via The Music Ninja

// Production Credits

Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

[ Episode #59 // Financialized Education ]

May 7 2013

The amount of college debt is skyrocketing in the United States while job opportunities sought by graduates are dwindling. Costly undergrad and graduate degrees used to be the passport to a middle class lifestyle but are now leading to a growing number of indebted youth who are bitter about their time in higher ed. Have modern ideas of higher education been so deeply shaped by the logic of the financial sector that we won't find an alternative? What methods of self-learning can we use to gain skills while avoiding the debt burden of a university education?

In Extraenvironmentalist #59 we speak with critical theorist Max Haiven about the financialization of higher education and how it has limited our imagination. Max discusses the Edufactory Collective and how we can't separate the university from the transformations underway in global capitalism. Then, we talk to Kio Stark about her recent book Don't Go Back to School: A Handbook for Learning Anything to discuss how successful self-learners were able to master skills without going through institutions of higher education.

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 32m20s

Michael M'Gonigle - Montreal Degrowth Conference
Generation Jobless: Spain's Disenchanted Youth
Charles Eisenstein on Higher Ed as interviewed in Vancouver

[End]

Bill Hicks on the University of Houston

// Music (in Order of Appearance)
Beat Connection - Saola (ODESZA Remix) via Soundcloud
MSMR - Fantasy (NICITA Remix) via The Orange Press
Steel Train - You Are Dangerous (RAC Remix) via Caveman Sound
Jeff Spec ft. NaRai - Stop via Bandcamp
Airbird & Napolian - In the Zone via Gorilla vs. Bear
Travelling Day - Smoking Dog via Soundcloud

// Production Credits

Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

[ Bonus Content #1 ]

Apr 20 2013

Because we get so many amazing emails, we wanted to start discussing a few of them that didn't fit into a recent episode. Every few months, we're going to post a bonus episode to Soundcloud with response to listener feedback. Here's #1!

[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/83154501" params="auto_play=false&show_artwork=true&color=9f2bff" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]

[ Episode #58 // Permaculture Possibilities ]

Apr 17 2013

Even though our global environmental challenges have become dramatically more severe over the last several decades, our understanding of ecological processes have significantly deepened. Permaculture approaches offer a unique toolkit to address problems of desertification, poisoned landcapes, impure water supplies and more. Yet will low-tech solutions that work with nature be able to capture a public imagination expecting technological progress to look like business as usual?

In Extraenvironmentalist #58 our correspondent Kevin joins us to cover permaculture approaches to our global challenges. We hear segments from Pacific Northwest Permaculture Convergence sessions on innovative landscape management practices, biochar for carbon sequestration, mycological approaches to cleaning up our pollution and more. We also hear a few extended interviews from the Pacific Northwest Permaculture Convergence to wrap up our coverage of the largest permaculture summit in North America.

// Additional Links

Extraenvironmentalist Youtube Channel for New Economy Summit Coverage
Coursera MOOC on Climate Change Literacy
Allan Savory's TED Talk on Greening Deserts

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[End]

The Overview Effect

// Music (in Order of Appearance)
NONONO - Pumping Blood via Pigeons and Planes
Formidable Vegetable - Small and Slow via Soundcloud
The Garden Song via Youtube
The Embassy - Everything I Ever Wanted (Kisses Remix) via Soundcloud
Formidable Vegtable - Oil via Soundcloud
James Blake - Retrograde (Finn Filly Edit) via Et Musique Pour Tous
Haim - Falling (Duke Dumont Remix) via Hard Candy

// Speakers in Order of Appearance

3:06 - Maurice Robinette via www.managingchangenorthwest.com
13:40 - Francesco Tortorici
15:52 - Chuck Estin via www.biosdesign.us
16:30 - Francesco Tortorici
22:49 - Peter McCoy via www.radicalmycology.com
37:28 - Forest Shomer via www.insidepassageseeds.com
41:00 - Andrew Millison via www.beaverstatepermaculture.com
52:19 - Judith Alexander via l2020.org
55:42 - Paul Cienfuegos via PaulCienfuegos.com
1:04:55 - Mark Robinowitz via www.peakchoice.org
1:25:26 - Josho Somine
1:41:00 - Nancy Chase via www.shambalafarm.com

// Production Credits

Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

[ Episode #57 // Permaculture Convergence ]

Mar 19 2013

Despite the massive destruction our species has wrought on the earth, we've also learned a tremendous amount about ecological systems in the process. As our old narrative of domination crumbles, an understanding of how to work with nature is emerging. Can we apply the ideas of permaculture to society when facing energy depletion, climate change and social breakdown? Will our future society be able to regenerate the planet?

In Extraenvironmentalist #57 we hear from the many speakers at the 2012 Northwest Permaculture Convergence as recorded by our editor Kevin. We hear segments from the dozens of conference session sessions themed around permaculture approaches to global challenges, the social aspects of permaculture and ideas on the built environment. Kevin explains some of what he learned about permaculture from attending the conference and we briefly discuss a few signs that our economic reality is quickly changing.

Note: On our next episode we'll be bringing you a bit more coverage from the Pacific NW Permaculture Convergence.

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 1h10m

Max Keiser - Soviet era of empty shelves dawns
Michael Hudson via Renegade Economists on 3cr
Bailout terms shock Cypriots

[End]

John Liu - Green Gold

// Music (in order of Appearance)

Bibio - A tout a l'heure via Tell All Your Friends
Formidable Vegetable - Yield via Soundcloud
Formidable Vegtable - No Such Thing as Waste via Soundcloud
Led Zeppelin - Babe I'm Gonna Leave You (Free n Losh Remix) via Salacious Sound

Learn more about the speakers along with full time-coded show notes here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_8WqD40M5Z0kbMWeIS8dlLsoRLSP__Jkdd-S88X3168/edit?usp=sharing

// Speakers in Order of Appearance

Learn more about the speakers along with full time-coded show notes here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_8WqD40M5Z0kbMWeIS8dlLsoRLSP__Jkdd-S88X3168/edit?usp=sharing

[Permaculture Approach to Challenges] - 3m46s

Mark Robinowitz
Mike Maki
Jan Spencer
Andrew Millison
Sharon Ferguson
Marisha Auerbach
Jenny Pell
Maurice Robinette
Rick Valley
Michael Pilarski
Pat Rasmussen
Forest Shomer

[Social Aspects of Permaculture] - 45m55s

Willie-the-Wind
Judith Alexander
Maurice Robinette
Sharon Ferguson
Jenny Pell
Mighk Simpson
Mark Lakeman
Forest Shomer
Mike Maki
Afia Menke
Marisha Auerbach
Melanie Rios
Jan Spencer
Mark Robinowitz

[Permaculture Approaches to the Built Environment] - 1h20m05s

Afia Menke (reading from an unsourced book)
Mark Lakeman
Andrew Millison
Joel Lee
Marisha Auerbach
Jan Spencer
Rick Valley
Mark Robinowitz
Sharon Ferguson

// Production Credits

Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

[ Episode #56 // So Much Magic ]

Feb 12 2013

// Duncan's Photos From His Canalers Adventures
[nggallery id=2 width=400]

Maintaining the complexity of our civilization requires a consistent input of net energy and a stable climate. We've already experienced the first few years of a long emergency through economic stagnation and contraction, financial fraud and a lack of meaningful political momentum. Can we expect advances in technology to make a useful contribution to solving modern challenges or are we headed for a technological time out? Are we approaching a magic moment when those oppressed by debt refuse to pay?

In Extraenvironmentalist #56 we speak with James Howard Kunstler about his recent book, Too Much Magic: Wishful Thinking, Technology and the Fate of the Nation. Jim talks about how the magnitude of corruption in our financial system revealed since 2008 has been even greater than he could have imagined. We ask Jim about his views on the rapidly changing landscape of higher education and how to think about its future. Then, Duncan Crary tells us about his years of podcasting on the Kunstlercast and his new podcast A Small American City. Duncan tells us about life on the inland waterways of New York and about pioneering a new American way of life in the small towns abandoned over the second half of the 20th century.

// Music (in order of appearance)

Aretha Franklin - One Step Ahead (DiscoTech Edit) via The Burning Ear
Django Django - Default (Mr Mitsuhirato Edit) via Soundisstyle
Harry Belafonte - Jump In The Line (John Bourke's Bmore Remix) via Et Musique Pour Tous
The Killers - Runaway (RAC Mix) via Soundcloud
Spin Doctors - Two Princes (G Templeton & Branded James Remix) via Youtube

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 40m
Paul Krugman: We Are on The Brink of a Technology Revolution That Will Transform Our Economy
The Superbowl Blackout
US Hides Real Debt, In Worse Shape than Greece

[Additional Resources]

A Small American City Podcast
Canalers
New Economy Summit at The University of British Columbia, April 5th and 6th

// Production Credits

Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

[ Episode #54 // Love + Marriage ]

Dec 10 2012

Our cultural institutions face such immense challenges from economic and environmental factors that even our assumptions about love and marriage on the table. What does recent research into early human sexuality say about our ideas of love as practiced by our early ancestors? In hard times, did our predecessors practice fierce egalitarianism to ensure group survival?

In Extraenvironmentalist #54 Chris Ryan joins us to talk about evidence of prehistoric sexuality in the book Sex at Dawn: The Prehistoric Origins of Modern Sexuality co-written with Cacilda Jetha. Chris discusses his research into why so many marriages fail. We try to develop a conversation about sex and love between all guys without turning it into a boys club. Is that even possible? Examples are given of rituals from ancient societies that bypassed jealousy to defeat feelings of scarcity amongst hunter-gatherer bands.

// Music (in order of appearance)

Frank Sinatra - Love and Marriage (Remix)via Youtube
Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing (Ohdahl Remix) via Tracasseur
Mariah Carey - We Belong Together (Siik Remix) via Soundcloud
Porter Robinson and Matt Zo - Easy (Extended Remix) via The Music Ninja
Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On (Leonard Destroy Remix) via The Blunted Library

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 39m

Alan Watts on why Christianity is afraid of sex

[End]

Jiddhu Krishnamurti on Sex and Love

[Additional Resources]

Secrets of the Tribe
XE on C-Realm Podcast #334
XE on the Ecohypen Podcast via Ecohyphen

// Production Credits

Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

[ Episode #53 // Without Growth ]

Nov 22 2012

The global economy is searching for growth and choosing austerity when it can't be found. Is it possible to manage an economy, obtain full employment, and provide social equity without economic growth? Can we develop a dialogue about our economy that recognizes the human enterprise as a subset of biophysical processes?

In Extraenvironmentalist #53 we speak with Peter Victor about his book Managing Without Growth: Slower by Design, Not Disaster which describes why our obsession with GDP isn't necessary. Peter describes the field of Ecological Economics and how it differs from other disciplines of economic thought. We ask if there are some first steps we could take to start building a society that doesn't need GDP expansion. Then, we speak with Dave Gardner [85m] about how he's built a dialogue on the diminishing returns of economic growth with his film Growthbusters. Dave tells us about his run for city council in Colorado Springs, CO.

// Music (in order of appearance)

Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill (Louis La Roche Remix) via Soundcloud
Talking Heads - This Must Be The Place (Psychemagic Remix) via Youtube
Broke for Free - The Gold Lining via The Music Ninja
Isley Brothers - Prize Posession (Follow Me Remix) via Et Musique Pour Tous
Chaundon - El Mariachi (Instrumental) via Mixcloud

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 35m

Gar Alperovitz - Green Party Keynote via Democracy Now

[Second Break] - 107m

Glenn Beck, yes, we actually used a clip from Glenn Beck, I know, I'm shocked too.

[End]

Uruguay's President

// Production Credits

Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

[ Episode #52 // Market Monsters ]

Oct 28 2012

The monstrosity of capitalism gains new strength as political leaders fight for a return to growth by dissecting society. Though many nations are rising up against the monetary elite, most North Americans are still zombified. Could some of our monster stories describe the feeling of living in a capitalist system? Will the failure of capitalism lead to a zombie apocalypse or a zombie uprising?

In Extraenvironmentalist #52 David McNally joins us for our 2012 Halloween Special to talk about his recent book, Monsters of the Market. David describes how Frankenstein's Monster, vampires and zombies might be metaphors for the monstrosity of the system that has become more apparent since the 2008 Global Financial Crisis started. Is capital itself a vampire? Then, KMO joins us to further detail the zombie narrative and to recommend some films for this Halloween season. Last of all, we make a big announcement.

You can find our previous interview with David McNally in XE #30 and KMO in XE #3.

Also, You can find David's recent article on the zombie apocalypse in Jacobin.

// Music (in order of appearance)

Michael Jackson - Thriller (DJ Ottobot Remix) via Soundcloud
Dead Man's Bones - My Body's a Zombie for You via Soundcloud
Kay Starr - Headless Horseman via Covering the Mouse
Kirby Krackle - Zombie Apocalypse via Youtube
Andrew Gold - Thank You For Being a Friend (Teenager Cover) via Soundcloud
The Rolling Stones - Sympathy for the Devil (Allure Remix) via Earmilk

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 36m
Clips from Frankenstein (1931)
Cops petrol bombed as Greeks fume at new €10 bln cuts call
'Germany enforces same austerity that paved way to Third Reich'
EU Facing Complete Collapse
Taming the Vampire Squid

[ Episode #51 // Culture of Dying ]

Oct 15 2012

The globally dominant culture is suffering from an economic, ecological and social crisis that has deeper roots than failing budgets and environmental degradation. Do we have a role to play if our culture is headed towards its eventual death? Though our economic system has trained us to be needy, can we approach these challenges as if we were needed?

In Extraenvironmentalist #51 we speak with Stephen Jenkinson about our cultural difficulty with death. Stephen draws on lessons learned from decades of working with death to describe how we can frame our civilization's trajectory. We ask how to find sanity in a time of alienation and if we can be a human in difficult circumstances. Stephen describes the distinct jobs given to us as our family members die. Also, John Michael Greer joins us briefly to talk about the death of Western culture.

You can stream Griefwalker, the film made about Stephen's work.

// Music (in order of appearance)

Van She - Don't Fear the Reaper via The Fader
Kaki King - Bowen Island via KCRW
Trails and Ways - Animal (Miike Snow Cover) via IndieShuffle
Elle Goulding - Anything Could Happen (Blood Diamonds Remix) via Salacious Sound
Crystal Fighters - At Home (Passion Pit Remix) via Fist In the Air

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 40m
John Michael Greer speaks on death

// Production Credits
Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

[ Episode #50 // Markets By Other Means ]

Oct 1 2012

Developed nations find themselves stuck in economic quicksand as the status quo is maintained through debts on sovereign balance sheets. Over the last few decades of rapid economic expansion, each country bet on the continued story of globalization that narrates Tom Friedman's dreams each night. As the developing world sees our folly, will they choose a different path? Do their informal markets signal a true alternative to centrally planned economies? Or is the System D economy a symptom of complexity collapse in a world where seven billion humans are fighting for basic necessities?

In Extraenvironmentalist #50, Robert Neuwirth tells us how supply meets demand in the informal markets employing as many as 2/3 of the world's population. Does this System D economy provide the blueprint for an economic system that could exist in developed nations as governments breakdown from debt overhangs and peak complexity? Robert tells us about his journeys through the global trade networks of System D as he wrote the Stealth of Nations in Paraguay, Nigeria, China and more. Then, international business man of mystery Simon Black [1h 11m] joins us to talk about his travels to as many as 60 nations each year. He updates us on the breakdown of Europe and the United States while describing the economic optimism he's seeing in Africa, Southeast Asia and South America. Last of all, John Michael Greer [2h 03m] takes a break from his hiatus on The Archdruid Report to answer your questions.

You can follow Robert's writings online @robertneuwirth and his blogs on Squatter Cities and the System D economy.

// Music (in order of appearance)

Civil Twilight - River (Ra Ra Riot Remix) via The Music Ninja
Bob Seger - Night Moves (Niko Pusch Bootleg Remix) via Soundcloud
Michael Jackson - We're Almost There (DJ Spinna Remix) via Et Musique Pour Tous
Elle Goulding - Anything Could Happen (Blood Diamonds Remix) via Salacious Sound
Van She - Idea of Happiness (Robotaki Remix) via Too Many Sebastians

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 30m
Robert Neuwirth reads fromThe Stealth of Nations

// Production Credits
Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel
Chris Hehn // Graphics Work

[ Episode #49 // Developing Breakdown ]

Sep 14 2012

Central banks are undertaking unprecedented actions to keep the monetary system from unraveling. Despite unlimited Quantitative Easing and wealth transfers between Europe's economies, growth has yet to return and debt is demanding to be serviced. This process is stretching the banking system to its limit. What happens when the pretense is dropped and money loses its full faith and credit? As the global economy continues its slowdown, are there people preparing for life after the global credit system falls apart?

In Extraenvironmentalist #49 we speak with Dmitry Orlov about the developing systemic breakdown threatening to destroy the global credit system. Dmitry describes his view of the mortal blow to globalized trading and discusses ideas of how society would transform after it evaporates. We ask Dmitry about those who may be best prepared for the financial system to go broke. To find out more about people prepared for a world without money, we speak with photographer Lucas Foglia [1h 19m] who tells us what it was like to capture the lives of those dropping out of society for his book A Natural Order. After we hear from the people in Lucas' work, we play a discussion from CNBC with Marc Faber [1h 52m] where he echoes the sentiments of Dmitry and those living off the grid.

And remember: Listening to XE #49 is the perfect way to celebrate the launch of QE ∞

// Music (in order of appearance)
The Kooks - Runaway (Lonsdale Boys Club Remix) via Golden Scissors
Richard House and the Five Fellows - You Can Do a Lot of Living on a Credit Card via WFMU
Imagine Dragons - Radioactive via The Music Ninja
POP ETC - Everything is Gone via Et Musique Pour Tous
Corb Lund - Down on the Mountain via Corb Lund
Muse - Unsustainable via Soundcloud

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 25m
Andy Zaltzmann on the Global Economy

[End]
Frank as recorded by Lucas Foglia

// Production Credits

Josh Balik // Production Assistance
Chris Hehn // Graphics Work

[ Episode #48 // Urban Minds ]

Aug 26 2012

Human populations have lived a rural lifestyle through most of history, depending on agriculture or hunting and gathering. As abundant oil reserves fueled the rise of modern civilization, urban life grew along with it. In 1800 only 3% of the world's population lived in cities, in 1900 that number reached 14% which increased to 30% in 1950. The majority of our species became urban in 2008 as more than half of humans are now living in cities. Because of petroleum powered agriculture we've supplanted increasingly more humans from food production into other activities. With the exhaustion of our biosphere and the end of cheap oil can we draw on examples from cities of the past to shape the human population centers of the future? Will lessons before economic growth provide a context for life after growth?

In Extraenvironmentalist #48 we speak with archaeologist Paul Sinclair about the Urban Mind project. Paul discusses a new field of archaeological research that is discovering the role of urban gardening throughout history and during wartime in ancient cities. We ask Paul about the role of cities in shaping the way humans think and he tells us how he survived a food crisis in Mozambique. After discussing a world before economic growth, Donnie Maclurcan of the Post Growth Institute tells us how we can start building a post-growth world [1h 14m]. Donnie describes the benefits of asset mapping your community and why you should participate in Free Money Day on September 15th. Last of all, John Michael Greer joins us [1h 58m] to answer listener questions and to talk about David Korowicz's FEASTA study, Trade Off: A Study in Global Systemic Collapse which details how a cascading collapse could lead to rapid end for the global supply chain.

// Music (in order of appearance)
Agnes Obel - Katie Cruel (Feltman & Badutski Remix) via Et Musique Pour Tous
Stevie Wonder - Living for the City (Reflex Stems Revision) via Bandcamp
The Vaccines - The Winner Takes It All (Abba Cover) via The Pop Sucker
Visitor - Coming Home (Lifelike Remix) via Harder Blogger Faster
Abba - Money, Money (Sebastian Sas Remode) via Soundcloud
Neil Young - Old Man (Sound Remedy Remix) via Et Musique Pour Tous

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
[Break] - 32m
Bill Rees speaking at the Vancouver Urban Forum
Ed Glaeser speaking at the Vancouver Urban Forum

[End]
Peter Victor at the Montreal Degrowth Conference

// Production Credits
Kevin M. via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

[ Episode #44 // Evolving Innovation ]

Jul 1 2012

Our understanding of innovation has been shaped by decades of growth in the rate by which we can extract environmental resources. Now that conventional oil reserves are no longer flowing as readily, what does this do to how our modern civilization thinks about innovation? Do the innovations of the future involve faster processors and further advances is silicon materials or will it encompass something entirely different? Can we achieve sustainability through innovating?

In Extraenvironmentalist #44 we discuss the archeology of innovation with Sander van der Leeuw to learn how our complex societies have shifted short-term risks to long-term risks through the application of technologies. Sander explains how our complex societies developed and describes why our previous models of innovation may not address issues of sustainability. We ask if the genius factor can have a role in developing the breakthroughs necessary to preserve our species or if we'll need to look for other models of development. Then, we travel to Salt Spring Island, BC to meet Amy and Larry who innovated in low-energy models of living by living off the grid for fourteen years in California.

// Music (in order of appearance)
C2C - Mack the Knife (Tribute to Louis Armstrong) via Soundcloud
The Mynabirds - Body of Work via Stereogum
Santigold - The Keepers via Pretty Much Amazing
Hacienda - Don't Turn Out the Lights via The Eargazm
I Am Oak - On Trees and Birds and Fire via Soundcloud
Clams Casino - Swervin (Remix) via Stereogum
Phaeleh - Orchid via Soundcloud
Arcade Fire - Sprawl II (Damian Taylor Remix) via Soundcloud
C2C - Down the Road via Soundcloud

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
[Break]
Sander van der Leeuw

[End]
Nipun Metha - Designing for Generosity

// Production Credits
Production Assistance | Kevin at the Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel
Cover art via creative commons license

[ Episode #41 // Surviving Progress ]

May 27 2012

The complexity of modern civilization has obscured an ecological crisis through a finely crafted system of markets and trade. Local environmental problems can be exported across the world with modern technologies while placing the global economic ladder on ever shakier ground. Is our species capable of sparking a widespread and intelligent discussion of our trajectory as a species before the problems of social inequity and ecological collapse take civilization down?

In Extraenvironmentalist #41 we speak with Ronald Wright about his book A Short History of Progress which chronicles the idea of progress through human history and has been adapted into a new film, Surviving Progress. Then we hear from Mathieu Roy and Harold Crooks who directed and wrote Surviving Progress. We ask them about the challenges of adapting the story of our complex civilization into a succinct and slick film. Last of all, we report back from Montreal about the Maple Spring uprising and our interviews with numerous ecological economists at the Montreal Degrowth conference as our civilization attempts to redefine our economic priorities.

Be sure to view the Surviving Progress trailer.

// Music (in order of appearance)
Passion Pit - Take a Walk via Consequence of Sound
Penguin Prison - Fair Warning (Robotaki Remix) via Robotaki
Gossip - Perfect World (RAC Remix) via Idolator
Killer Mike - Ronald Reagan via our listener David, who also left a voicemail
Passion Pit - Take a Walk (Peking Duk Remix) via The Music Ninja

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
[Break] - 39'50
Jim Cramer on Bank Runs
Disaster Looms for Greece
Michael Hudson from Surviving Progress

[End]
Montreal Degrowth - Mary Evelyn Tucker

[ Episode #37 // Techno-Fix ]

Mar 4 2012

Are you optimistic about technology? Let's talk about why. Could the majority of our proposed technological solutions be doing little more than kicking the can down the road towards ecological collapse? Politicians and economists speak of the ability for technological innovation to boost and grow economies, yet where does their techno optimism come from? Do technologies hold intrinsic values or are they neutral tools that are misused by a species with the wrong intentions?

In Extraenvironmentalist #37 we discuss technological optimism with Dr. Michael Huesemann. Michael explains his fifteen year study into environmental science and philosophies of technology as outlined in his recent book Techno-Fix, co-written with his wife Joyce Huesemann. Is there an inherent reason that the United States is the most technologically optimistic culture in the world? We ask if he has advice for students who are thinking about careers in advanced science and about the value systems embedded in technological systems.

Be sure to visit the Techno-Fix website and to pick up a copy of Techno-Fix if you want to learn more about the limitations of technology in addressing our global problems.

// Music (in order of appearance)
Dusty Springfield - Spooky via IndieShuffle
St. Lucia - We Got It Wrong via Consequence of Sound
CHLLNGR - Change via Soundcloud
Santigold - Disparate Youth via Skeetbeatz
Summer Camp - Losing My Mind via All Things Go Music

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
[First Break]
Jason Silva - Techno-Optimism
Bush on Google
Ray Kurzweil Explains the Coming Singularity
Michio Kaku - Are We Ready for the Coming Age of Abundance
[Second Break]
MPR: America's Crumbling Infrastructure
Activists Publicly Pray For Lower Gas Prices
[End]
Alan Watts - A Conversation With Myself

[ Extra // Sacred Economics Film Premiere Q+A ]

Mar 4 2012

After you watch the new Sacred Economics film, tune in for our discussion with filmmaker Ian McKenzie and Charles Eisenstein.

In this special Extraenvironmentalist we speak with Ian McKenzie and Charles Eisenstein about their new short film based on Charles' book Sacred Economics. If you've been thinking about discussing Extraenvironmentalist topics with a family member or close friend, we highly recommend sending them this succinct and moving video summary of the ideas Charles presents in his recent book. We hosted this discussion on our Livestream page and would love to take more suggestions for live events.

Follow Ian McKenzie on Twitter and stay tuned to his work as he moves forward with his next feature documentary project Occupy Love.

You can find our past episodes with Charles Eisenstein at #25 and #33.

[ Episode #33 // Year of Jubilee ]

Jan 5 2012

Expectations for the year 2012 A.D. have grown from tales of Mayan calendrical cycles and timewaves. Were there truly ancient prophecies describing catastrophes in the coming year? Is a change in human consciousness imminent as human novelty reaches its concresence? What if the global consciousness shift we've all been asking for is barreling towards us as a complete transformation in the way we think about our economy?

In Extraenvironmentalist #33 we move through all the themes for the next 365 days: from Mayans to timewaves to economic collapse and debt retribution. Our journey begins with Patricia McAnany to learn the truth about the connection between the Mayan Calendar and 2012. Next, we speak with Dennis McKenna about his brother's legacy as we enter the year Terence popularized as a potential date for the eschaton and the cultural singularity. Then, Mike Ruppert articulates the trends converging as an economic collapse, threatening to disrupt the commercial goods we rely on. Lastly, Charles Eisenstein describes the necessity for a debt jubilee to relieve the burden crushing our national economies.

// Interviews

7'35" | Patricia McAnany on Mayan 2012 Prophecy
34'30" | Dennis McKenna on Terence McKenna and the Timewave
55'08" | Mike Ruppert on Collapse
88'25" | Charles Eisenstein on Debt Jubilee

// Music (in order of appearance)
Birdy - Young Blood (Naked and the Famous Cover) via Blahblahblahblahscience
Adam and the Amethysts - Prophecy via The Music Ninja
Counting Crows - Colorblind (Oliver Schories Edit) via The Music Ninja
Sophie Trilby - Guardian (2012)
Memoryhouse - This Will Be Our Year (The Zombies Cover) via Pretty Much Amazing

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
Alan Watts on the Great Depression
Zizek on The Silent Voice of a New Beginning

[ Episode #32 // Apocalypse Never ]

Dec 24 2011

Even though we live in an age of economic decline and collapse, do our expectations for the future act similarly to the thought patterns of religious faiths expecting the end of the world? For the last 3,000 years, our species has used the meme of apocalypse to create the expectation for a utopia that never arose. Beginning with the Zoroastrian religion, the monotheistic faiths have contained the notion of an end to the world. Our historical record contains many events where a date was set and nothing happened. How did it feel to be one of those that had sacrificed everything to be swept away by a deity that never arrived?

In Extraenvironmentalist #32 we speak with John Michael Greer about his latest book, Apocalypse Not: Everything You Know About 2012, Nostradamus and the Rapture are Wrong. We ask John about the historical context of monotheistic religions, where the apocalypse meme began and its implications in our expectations for the future. We ask if the world is going to end in 2012 and JMG explains how David Icke's evil space lizards are involved. Did Seth really see George W.Bush metamorph into a lizard? If he didn't, what happens when we reach the end of the current Mayan calendar long count?

// Music (in order of appearance)
Feist - How Come You Never Go There via Pretty Much Amazing
Jagwar Ma - Come and Save Me via Pigeons and Planes
G ruff Rhys - Post Apocalypse Christmas via Some Kind of Awesome
Nadastrom vs. Echo - Church via Chorus+Echo
Coldplay - The Scientist (Demitri Vangelis and Wyman need Howie's thin mint cookies remix) via Mufasas Revenge

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
Alex Jones: David Icke is the turd in a punchbowl
Austerity hits the Dead and Santa Alike
A Recession Christmas
Is China's Economy Collapsing?

[ Episode #31 // Simplifying Complexity ]

Dec 15 2011

Is our species capable of looking ahead to prepare for the potentially disastrous results of larger trends? While daily existence has always presented challenges, modern civilization uses advanced technologies to address problems. Yet, is our ability to problem solve the very problem itself? What if the technology we're developing is increasing our reliance on a strategy yielding rapidly diminishing returns? Though a general understanding of complexity eludes us, are there ways of feeling it in our day-to-day life?

In Extraenvironmentalist #31 we speak with Dr. Joseph Tainter about collapse, complexity and energy. Dr. Tainter recently co-authored Drilling Down which explains why the BP Gulf Oil spill occurred in terms of the complexity that supports supports our society. We discuss concepts of complexity, energy and a meaningful definition of sustainability. In our conversation, Dr. Tainter covers the dynamics of the Roman Empire as it moved further down the road of collapse; debasing its currency and unraveling due the expenses of foreign wars. Seth and I ask if energy alternatives exist that can support civilization, such as solar photovoltaics or wind power. If they can't, are we trapped in a complexity spiral with no way out?

// Music (in order of appearance)
Sinnitus Tempo - C'est La Vie via Elbo.ws
Penguin Prison - Multimillionaire (Shook Remix) via Et Musique Pour Tous
Miike Snow - Devil's Work via Pretty Much Amazing
DJ Shadow - Scale It Back ft. Little Dragon (Robotaki Remix) via The Music Ninja
Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek (ENiGMA Remix) via The Music Ninja

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
Shopping Seizes Minds, Leaves No Room for News
Bill Rees - How to Convince People to Face Reality
Richard Heinberg on Transition
Thomas Homer-Dixon on Civilization Far From Equalibrium

// Additional Links
Jamie of Steppin' Off the Edge interviews KMO and Justin about collapse

[ Episode #30 // Austerity + Hope ]

Dec 2 2011

Through the transfer of private debt to balance sheets of governments around the world, we've entered an age of austerity where citizens are experiencing drastic cuts to basic necessities. Civil unrest has resulted from people demanding that corporate greed should be punished instead of individuals. As the Occupy movement reaches a transition point, have we witnessed the spark of global anti-captialist movement or has it just been a brief glimpse of the anger developed from decades of economic injustice? Are there true reasons for hope with an increasing number of youth facing diminished opportunities for participating in the promises that capitalist markets once offered? Is this truly a turning point in history? If so, what does it mean to live in the midst of a global revolution?

In Extraenvironmentalist #30 we speak with David McNally about themes from his book Global Slump: The Economics and Politics of Crisis and Resistance, that draw on examples of successful populist uprisings around the world to demonstrate that in the Western world we too have options for resisting the tyranny of an age of austerity. We discuss the natural evolution of the Occupy movement and the potential to ensure that the movement grows while keeping food on the table and meaningful work available for the unemployed. Have elites secretly been preparing for unrest as they use taxpayers to bail out an unsustainable industry built on the pipe dream of perpetual growth? Are youth willing to accept their role as movement builders instead of iPhone owners?

// Music (in order of appearance)
Pretty Lights - Finally Moving via Et Musique Pour Tous
Hezekiah Jenkins - The Panic is On via Ghostcapital
Makana - We Are The Many
Connor Youngblood - Will You Be There (Michael Jackson Cover) via Pigeons and Planes
Aarab Muzik - Let it Go via SkeetBeatz

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
America's New Poor Fending for Food Stamps
Doug Stanhope - Fear in the US News Media
Steve Keen on BBC Hardtalk
WBEZ on Oligarchy: How the Super Rich Defend Their Wealth
Public Sector Workers Strike in the UK

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