Topic: Activism

[ Episode #73B // Regarding Revolutions ]

Extraenvironmentalist #73 is a two part episode. This is the post for SIDE B on Egypt's revolution and education with David Blacker. The link for SIDE A featuring our interview on a contractionary revolution with Frank Rotering is here.

The mainstream environmental movement has been unable to stop the ongoing ecological crisis. Are environmentalists willing to acknowledge the deep contradictions between the logic of capitalism and environmental health? Will revolutions like those in Egypt lead to a true alternative or merely perpetuate the failed dynamics of the past?

In Extraenvironmentalist #73 we talk about the prospect for a series of revolutions that establish a post-capitalist world with Frank Rotering. We discuss Frank's newest book Contractionary Revolution and cover the reformist solutions put forward by an environmental movement unwilling to face practical notions of society's power relationships which block effective attempts at a sustainable civilization. Then, we hear from David Blacker on his recent experience in post-revolutionary Egypt and the ideas in his new book The Falling Rate of Learning.

// Books

Contractionary Revolution by Frank Rotering
The Falling Rate of Learning by David Blacker

// Links and News Items

#1 - Do What You Love - Bad For Work? via our listener Jason on the XE Facebook page

#2 - Why the Rich Are Freaking Out

#3 - Financial World Deaths

Link to event video for Richard Heinberg event on February 25th

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Part A Break] - 44m

Paxman Interviews Brand on Revolution
Max Keiser on Revolution
American Revolution Has Begun

[Part B Break] - 34m

Clinton on Education
Bush on Education
Obama on Education
Clips from Waiting for Superman

[End]
Terence McKenna on Revolution

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Tracy Chapman - Talkin Bout a Revolution (Kiddcat Edit)
Cut Copy - Blink and You'll Miss the Revolution (remakereverb electro remix)
Beatles - Revolution (Cover)
Bangles - Walk Like an Egyptian (Seeley Sketch Remix)
Lovelife - Dying to Start Again via Lower Frequencies
Bombay Bicycle Club - Home By Now via Consequence of Sound
Tobtok - Savannah via Tracasseur

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

Episode #73 was supported by donations from the following generous listeners:

Clive in Georgia
Jeff in Colorado
Matt in British Columbia

// Send us a BTC tip for #73

Even .0001 BTC goes a long way!

Donate Bitcoins

(more…)

[ Episode #73A // Regarding Revolutions ]

Extraenvironmentalist #73 is a two part episode. This is the post for SIDE A - featuring our interview on a contractionary revolution with Frank Rotering. The link for SIDE B on Egypt's revolution and education with David Blacker is here.

The mainstream environmental movement has been unable to stop the ongoing ecological crisis. Are environmentalists willing to acknowledge the deep contradictions between the logic of capitalism and environmental health? Will revolutions like those in Egypt lead to a true alternative or merely perpetuate the failed dynamics of the past?

In Extraenvironmentalist #73 we talk about the prospect for a series of revolutions that establish a post-capitalist world with Frank Rotering. We discuss Frank's newest book Contractionary Revolution and cover the reformist solutions put forward by an environmental movement unwilling to face practical notions of society's power relationships which block effective attempts at a sustainable civilization. Then, we hear from David Blacker on his recent experience in post-revolutionary Egypt and the ideas in his new book The Falling Rate of Learning.

// Books

Contractionary Revolution by Frank Rotering
The Falling Rate of Learning by David Blacker

// Links and News Items

#1 - Do What You Love - Bad For Work? via our listener Jason on the XE Facebook page

#2 - Why the Rich Are Freaking Out

#3 - Financial World Deaths

Link to event video for Richard Heinberg event on February 25th

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Part A Break] - 44m

Paxman Interviews Brand on Revolution
Max Keiser on Revolution
American Revolution Has Begun

[Part B Break] - 34m

Clinton on Education
Bush on Education
Obama on Education
Clips from Waiting for Superman

[End]
Terence McKenna on Revolution

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Tracy Chapman - Talkin Bout a Revolution (Kiddcat Edit)
Cut Copy - Blink and You'll Miss the Revolution (remakereverb electro remix)
Beatles - Revolution (Cover)
Bangles - Walk Like an Egyptian (Seeley Sketch Remix)
Lovelife - Dying to Start Again via Lower Frequencies
Bombay Bicycle Club - Home By Now via Consequence of Sound
Tobtok - Savannah via Tracasseur

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

Episode #73 was supported by donations from the following generous listeners:

Clive in Georgia
Jeff in Colorado
Matt in British Columbia

// Send us a BTC tip for #73

Even .0001 BTC goes a long way!

Donate Bitcoins

(more…)

[ Episode #66 // Changing Reactions ]

The catastrophe at Fukushima presents the opportunity to re-evaluate basic assumptions about energy and technology but the temptation to double down on business as usual becomes incredibly strong. Will our species obtain a paradigm shift in the face of an energy emergency? Could we create new models for business that regenerate ecological functions rather than destroy the planet?

In Extraenvironmentalist #66 we speak with Michael Stone and Ian MacKenzie about their new film Reactor which covers their recent trip to Japan. Is the social fallout from Fukushima a template for social change elsewhere? Then we speak with Willem Ferwerda of the Ecosystem Return Foundation about scaling up the ecosystem restoration techniques we discussed on XE #65 with John Liu. We talk about the potential for regenerating ecological functions through new models for business and investing. Can we develop a process for launching permaculture businesses around the world?

// Other Items Discussed

Centre of Gravity
Reactor - the Film
Natural Resilience Initiative
The Planet Fund - Crowdfunding Ecosystem Restoration
(though we didn't talk about this in the show it is definitely related)

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 35m

Alan Watts on the Limits of Language
Terence McKenna from the Psychedelic Salon

[End]

Louis CK on Smartphones

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Juparo - Broke for Free via Soundcloud
Ludovico Einaudi - Walk (Phaeleh Remix) via Getting Deeper
Foreigner - Urgent (LUXXURY edit) via AudioPorn Central
C A T H E D R A L S - Unbound via Soundcloud
Say Lou Lou - Feels Like We Only Go Backwards (Tame Impala Cover) via Soundcloud

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel
Production Assistance via Simon JM

This show was supported by donations from our generous listeners:

Peter in the Noosphere
Erica in Oregon
Michael in Arizona
Sune, Andreas, Mads and other colleagues in Denmark
Gaby in the Noosphere

(more…)

[ Episode #52 // Market Monsters ]

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

(more…)

[ Episode #46 // Recovering Environmentalists ]

Success for the environmental movement has meant many of its members adopted mainstream values in attempts to sustain the unsustainable. Is sustainability a farce when associated with a way of life that is out of touch with reality? Global droughts, weather catastrophes and heatwaves are demonstrating the rapidly increasing impact of atmospheric greenhouse gases. With decades of inaction on climate change, are we all climate denialists? Could there be an environmental movement that works to exit the collapsing global system?

In Extraenvironmentalist #46 we speak first with Paul Kingsnorth on why he's withdrawn from the mainstream environmental movement and its discussions of sustainability. Paul tells us about developing the Dark Mountain Project to help us tell creative stories that embody the new narrative evolving from the end of industrial society. Then, Michael M'Gonigle [55m] joins us to talk about the importance of creating an exit-environmentalism that allows us to leave a global system which is falling apart. Michael describes why liberal environmentalism is no longer useful in creating laws to protect our environment in the extended version of an interview that originally aired on Radio Ecoshock. Finally, John Michael Greer [1h 56m] takes root in a new recurring and irregular segment to talk about denial and his take on the environmental movement. All that and more as our latest episode proves there aren't limits to growth for XE podcast episode runtimes.


// Music (in order of appearance)
GRiZ - The Future is Now via Fist in the Air
Adele - Rolling in the Deep (Blackbird Blackbird Rework) via Sound Is Style
Jeremy Fisher - Built to Last via Ride the Tempo
Elle Goulding - Hanging On (Syvable & PRFFTT Bootleg) via Earmilk
Marvin Gaye - Real Thing (Pillow Talk Rework) via Ecosalon
Stevie Wonder - Superstition (Monolith Remix) via The Music Ninja

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
[1st Break] - 28'27"
Shaking Spain - Expect Violence
Marc Faber - Markets to Crash in 12 Months
Euro-Doomsday Scenario
How close are we to a new great depression

[2nd Break] - 83'27"
Record Drought Has Cascading Consequences
Heat Wave
Americans Scramble to Safety
George Will: "It's Just Summer, Get Over It"

[End]
Alan Watts - Man in Nature

// Production Credits
Production Assistance by Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

(more…)

[ Episode #43 // Occupy With Aloha ]

The people of Hawaii have lived an incredible story of cultural assimilation. Numerous external influences on the island have driven a process of creation and destruction, resulting in innovative musical styles. Now, Hawaii faces difficult challenges with food security and genetically modified seeds as it survives the dying values of a corporate culture. Can we learn from the adaptability of the Hawaiian people to facilitate a process of cultural change in Western society?

In Extraenvironmentalist #43 we speak with Makana about his mastery of the slack-key guitar and the lessons Hawaiian culture has to teach us at this tumultuous time. Makana tells us about GMOs in Hawaii, the importance for food security and the story of his experience in singing truth to power at an APEC dinner in Honolulu hosted by President Obama. We ask him for a brief summary of how his aquaponics system works. Next, we speak with Darren Drrda [at the 1h12m mark] about the themes in his book The Four Global Truths and how we can take the first steps towards living an interconnected life that embodies the new story we're creating about our species.


 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Telepopmusik - Brighton Beach (Freddie Joachim Remix) via The Music Ninja
Makana - Napo'o Ka La via Makana
Makana - We Are the Many via Makana
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros - Man on Fire (Little Daylight Remix) via Soundcloud
Sunday Girl - Self Control (Young Empires Remix) via IndieShuffle

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
[1st Break] - 25m
Hawaii GMOs - Islands at Risk
What is aquaponics

[2nd Break] - 52m
Makana on CNN

[End]
Bill Rees speaking at the Montreal Degrowth Conference

// Production Credits
Production Assistance  | Kevin at the Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

(more…)

[ Episode #42 // Green Illusions ]

We've imagined for several decades that in an ideal energy future we'll have solar panels on every building and wind turbines accompanying the corn on rural farmland. Yet, is our energy context ready for photovoltaic modules and wind generated electricity? Who doesn't love the idea of harvesting solar energy that would just hit the planet whether we use it or not? Will renewable energy technologies replace our oil infrastructure or will environmentalists need to tackle many other issues before we should even start talking about renewable energy?

In Extraenvironmentalist #42 we hear from Ozzie Zehner about his new book Green Illusions which discusses the ecological impacts of manufacturing a renewable energy future. Ozzie tells us about his research into the stories of renewable energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics and wind turbines. Are solar panels on a rapidly decreasing cost curve? Do wind turbines reduce carbon emissions of electricity generation? We also ask Ozzie what environmentalists should advocate for if they aren't pushing for renewable energy.


 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Princeton - Grand Rapids (RAC Remix)  via RAC Soundcloud Page
Elliot Yamin - Let's Get to What's Real via ThatEricAlper Soundcloud Page
Joe Bataan - Es Tu Costa (It's Your Thing) via Funky16Corners
Bodies of Water - Like a Stranger via Icarus & Occident
Dolly Parton - House of The Rising Sun (Apollo Zero's Dolly House of Remix) via Apollo Zero

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
[1st Break] - 34m
Obama on Renewable Energy
Rep. Inslee floor statement on American optimism and renewable energy jobs
Mark Jacobson - Renewable Energy is Now
Alan Grais on Renewable Energy from the Montreal Degrowth Conference on an upcoming Vimeo video
Windfall Trailer
T. Boone Pickens
Obama on Winning the Future - Renewable Energy

[2nd Break] - 1h05m
Juliet Schor on working less from the Montreal Degrowth Conference

[End]
Jiddu Krishnamurti on Technology

//Production Credits
Production Assistance  | Kevin at the Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

(more…)

[ Episode #40 // Corporate Influence ]

The logic of neoliberalism behind our economic model is fading as its fundamental conclusions about human nature are reaching an extreme. As global economies continue to reveal numbers indicating a spiraling trend of contraction in manufacturing and economic growth, corporations maintain enough power over our societies to stay afloat. Though we are influenced by the corporate mindset from the moment we enter the school system as children, can we find alternatives to corporate control of our education, media and health?

In Extraenvironmentalist #40 we speak with Joel Bakan about how the dystopian possibilities imagined by his film The Corporation have become a reality. Joel describes the reasons why neoliberalism can be appealing to us even though it is based on a limited understanding of human potential. We ask Joel about his recent book Childhood Under Siege, where he describes corporate influence on children through education and the modern medical system. Next, we talk with Laurette Lynn of Unplugged Mom Radio [a the 67' mark] about how the best option for educating our children may be for parents to take their kids out of the school system entirely to learn critical thinking skills. Then, we talk to The PPL [at the 102' mark] about how they are taking media out of the hand of major corporations for the 2012 Democratic National Convention so that citizen journalists who understand the magnitude of today's challenges can ask tough questions. Last of all, Seth and I discuss our upcoming coverage of the Montreal Degrowth Conference.

If you are interested in hearing more about our thoughts on education and society give our interview a listen on the Unplugged Mom show with Laurette Lynn.


 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Bibio - Lovers' Carvings (Bruno Be & Eddie M Remix) via The Music Ninja
Bonobo - All In Forms (Letherette Remix) via This is Real Music
Beach Boys - Wouldn't It Be Nice (St Etienne Cover) via Soundcloud
Arcade Fire - Neighborhood #1 (Ane Brun Cover) via It's a Trap
Kings of Leon - Use Somebody (RAC Remix) via Soundcloud
Foxes - Youth (Adventure Club Remix) via Skeetbeatz

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
[First Break] - 15'
A Selection of Clips from The Corporation Film
Pink Slime + BP Corexit
[Second Break] - 45'
Montreal Student Protests
Global Youth Unemployment
Italy Youth Unemployment Reaches Over 30%
Clip from upcoming XE interview with University of Victoria professor Michael M'Gonigle
[End]
J. Krishnamurti Speaks on Education

(more…)

[ Episode #36 // Art Into Action ]

With an educational system that trains artists to develop their talents into commercial skills, our culture is missing out on the ability for art to disrupt normalcy. Why should we hope for systemic reform when the vast majority of water cooler conversations turn to American Idol and the fashion at awards shows? Will concerted efforts from artists allow us to breach difficult topics and address the economic elephant in the room? Can we use art to support behavior change, moving deeper than simply building awareness?

In Extraenvironmentalist #36 we discuss art and activism with Steve Lambert. Steve describes how his work as an artist has allowed him to create temporary utopias that prompt people to question the fundamental assumptions of society. We ask Steve how his varied work experience has helped him understand our education system and barriers to reform. What if the people around us aren't lazy and are just optimizing where their agency can have an effect?

Give Steve a follow on Twitter to keep track of his thoughts... and jokes.


 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Active Child - Johnny Belinda (White Arrows Remix) via Tell All Your Friends
Django Django - Storm via Music That Isn't Bad
Talking Heads - Road to Nowhere (Rosebuds Cover)  via The Rosebuds Bandcamp
Ra Ra Riot - Oh, La (Submarines Remix) via The Burning Ear
Bonobo - The Keeper (Banks Remix) via The Music Ninja

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
[First Break]
Cuts and Chaos - Desperation Drives Greek Clashes
Occupy the Dream - From Wall Street to Congress
US Economic Collapse - Dmitry Orlov + Max Keiser
[Second Break]
The Secret World of Shoplifting
Bill Moyers Interview with David Stockman
[End]
Meeting an awakened person - Thomas Hübl

(more…)

[ Episode #30 // Austerity + Hope ]

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

(more…)