Topic: Education

[ Episode #87 // Permaculture Paradigm ]

Usually we think of permaculture as a system for land and food, where humans work with the flows and systems of nature. Can we also apply permaculture to societies? To our justice or education systems? Can we reorganize our civilization to live on yield rather than the principle before depleting our most important stocks?

In Extraenvironmentalist #87 we talk about the ideas permaculture offers to our societies. First, we hear from a series of interviews and discussions at North American permaculture conferences and convergences. Then, we have several segments with Toby Hemenway as he highlights basic design principles of permaculture, the paradigm shift they entail and the ways to restructure our civilization from agriculture toward horticulture.

 

// Speakers in Order of Apperance

Chuck Marsh - www.livingsystemsdesign.net
Rennie Davis - betribe.org
Andrew Millison – PDC Online
Don Tipping - www.sevenseedsfarm.com
Mark Robinowitz – www.peakchoice.org
Jude Hobbs - cascadiapermaculture.com
Pandora Thomas - www.pandorathomas.com
Scott Pittman - www.permaculture.org
Jenny Pell – www.communitybydesignllc.org
Claudia Joseph - permaculture-exchange.org
Kelda Lorax – www.divinearthgp.com
Rick Valley – earthkeeperlandscaping.com
Charlotte Anthony – handsonpermaculture1.org
Penny Livingston - regenerativedesign.org
Toby Hemenway - patternliteracy.com
Joel Salatin - www.polyfacefarms.com
Larry Santoyo - www.permacultureacademy.com
Jacki Saorsail - www.gaiauniversity.org
Peter Bane - http://www.permacultureactivist.net

// Books

Gaia's Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture by Toby Hemenway
The Permaculture City: Regenerative Design for Urban, Suburban, and Town Resilience by Toby Hemenway
The Permaculture Handbook: Garden Farming for Town and Country by Peter Bane

// Music (in order of appearance)

Problems - Titles via OneandThree
Lapa - Roadwalk via Loci Records
Emancipator - Diamonds via Loci Records
Nym - Lesser Known Good via Loci Records
Misun - Nobody Knows via Et Musique Pour Tous
Timbre - Song of the Sun via Earmilk

// Production Credits and Notes

Our editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

Episode #87 was supported by donations from the following generous listeners:

Nathan in Ontario
Benny in the noosphere
Armand in New York
Gavin in Virgina

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[ Episode #78 // Open Knowledge Society ]

With emerging and innovative methods for distributing information and the means of education, we're still embedded in the relationships created in the 20th century. Can our societies distribute knowledge to enable healthy forms of production and consumption as a template for a decentralized and equitable post-growth economy?

On Extraenvironmentalist #78 we discuss the FLOK Society Project with Michel Bauwens of the P2P FoundationJohn Restakis, author of Humanizing the Economy: Co-operatives in the Age of Capital. Michel and John talk about the concept of the partner state and the creation of a new knowledge commons as the basis of society. We talk about how Ecuador is seeking to transition to this decentralized economic model in preparation for the 21st century. Then, we jump back to the late 1950s to hear from Erich Fromm and Aldous Huxley on The Mike Wallace Interview as they discuss similar ideas nearly six decades earlier.

// Books

Humanizing the Economy: Co-operatives in the age of capital by John Restakis

// Links and News Items

NPR: Finding Power for the Cloud

Some 50% of Japan municipalities may disappear

The Japan News: Stemming the fall in population

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 33m

Open Source Philosophy
Practical Post-Scarcity

[ Wrap-up ]

Erich Fromm
Aldous Huxley

[End]

Terence McKenna

// Music (in order of appearance)

Cosmonaut Grechko - Anytime
DJ Curb - Accentuate the Positive
Gabriel Rios - Gold (Thomas Jack Remix)
Cocoon - Cathedral (Dinnerdate Remix)
Purrple - Tide (Feat. Term K)

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel
Our listener Stacco for helping in the production process
Radialistas for their assistance in recording this interview

Episode #78 was supported by donations from the following generous listeners:

Patrick in North Carolina
David in Sweden

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[ Episode #74 // Addiction Thinking ]

Creating a society around the idea of access to leisure time has resulted in the unintended consequence of rampant addictive behaviors. Nearly ubiquitous access to mobile high resolution screens and instantaneous information is an experiment on a massive scale. Will our sensory inputs be able to overcome the addictive tendencies of the human species? Can we examine our addictions to the harmful narratives at the foundation of our institutions and cultures?

In Extraenvironmentalist #74 we talk about the dynamics of addiction in modern civilization with one of the field's pioneers, Stanton Peele, as he discusses his decades of work and the ideas in his new book Recover!: Stop Thinking Like an Addict and Reclaim Your Life with the PERFECT Program. Stanton explains how people have recovered from addictions throughout history without the use of pharmaceutical aids and how we can be empowered to overcome addictive behaviors. Then, Charles Eisenstein returns to our show to discuss our addictions to the stories at the basis of our civilization and how to respond as they continue to unravel. We talk about Charles' new book, The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible.

// Books

Recover!: Stop Thinking Like an Addict and Reclaim Your Life with the PERFECT Program by Stanton Peele
Love and Addiction by Stanton Peele
The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible by Charles Eisenstein

// Links and News Items

#1. CNBC: can you be addicted to wealth

#2. Dubai: The World's Tallest Building May Soon Be Without Elevator Service

#3. China real estate

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 37m

Gabor Mate on What is Addiction

[End]

Krishnamurti - Breaking the Pattern

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Pixies - Where is My Mind (Young Edits Balearic Anxiety Mix)
Japanese Wallpaper - Breathe In (Hanami Remix) via Adam Not Eve
Du Tonic - I'm On Fire (Bruce Springsteen Cover) via Harder Blogger Faster
Shujo - Owls on Her Pajamas

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

Episode #74 was supported by donations from the following generous listeners:

David in CO
Henrik in Sweden
Patrick in OR

// Send us a BTC tip for #74

Even .0001 BTC goes a long way!

Donate Bitcoins

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[ 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 #60 // Days of Destruction ]

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

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[ Episode #59 // Financialized Education ]

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

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[ Episode #55 // Degrowth ]

Decades of material growth have left us with a limited imagination for alternatives. Now that we've hit the point of diminishing returns for additional economic growth, can we decolonize our mind? In the developed world, is it possible to improve our quality of life while decreasing our standard of living? Could it be possible to degrow our economies in a way that creates a happier and healthier society while creating a true alternative for the undeveloped world?

In this epic length episode #55 of The Extraenvironmentalist we cover the Montreal Degrowth Conference from May 2013. We hear from a number of degrowth academics and activists about the ideas in the movement. Through more than twelve interviews we speak with Peter Brown, Michael M'Gonigle, Josh Farley, David Suzuki, Bill Rees, Mary Evelyn Tucker, Janice Harvey, Charles Hall, Gail Tverberg, Juliet Schor, Joan Martinez-Alier and Erik Assadourian. Then, we recap 2012 by hearing from Gregor MacDonald about the IEA's headline grabbing scenario for a United States that produces more oil than Saudi Arabia and Jeremy Grantham's recent eyebrow raising report on resource scarcity. We close out with a preview of our 2013 interviews.

// Index

Peter Brown on degrowth - 6m
Michael M'Gonigle on education - 17m
Josh Farley on money and alternatives to GDP  - 26m
David Suzuki on localism - 43m
Bill Rees on denial - 53m
Mary Evelyn Tucker on a new narrative - 1h06m
Janice Harvey on culture change  - 1h12m
Charlie Hall on energy return - 1h27m
Gail Tverberg on peak oil  - 1h43m
Juliet Schor on working less  - 1h5om
Joan Martinez-Alier on ecological economics - 2h6m
Erik Assadourian on degrowth - 2h15m
Gregor Macdonald on the IEA, claims about US oil production and Jeremy Grantham - 2h38m

You can find the individual degrowth interviews on our video page at http://vimeo.com/extraenvironmentalist

// Music (in order of appearance)

Tor - Glass and Stonevia Earmilk
Electric Guest - Awake (Dennis Rivera Remix) via Soundisstyle
Marvin Gaye vs. Pryda - Too Busy Thinking About Leja via Soundcloud
Marvin Gaye - Anger (Jeremy Sole edit) via Soundcloud
American Authors - Believer via Youtube
Adele - Skyfall (Dorsh Remix) via Indieshuffle
Plastic Plates - Things I didn't Know I loved (Bufi Remix) via Et Musique Pour Tous
Young-Wonder - To You via The Music Ninja
Emancipator - Minor Cause via Earmilk

 

Special thanks to Nathan at Southern Energy and Resilience for transcribing this episode!

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[ Episode #51 // Culture of Dying ]

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

(more…)

[ Episode #44 // Evolving Innovation ]

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

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[ 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 #39 // Debunking Economics ]

Roughly 90% of the world's economics professionals failed to see the current economic crisis forming on the horizon of the early 21st century. Many of them are now striving for stability through policies of refinancing and quantitative easing. While this class of economic thinkers have driven the planet's policies for decades, their faulty logic is being exposed by structurally high unemployment and failing banks. Ben Bernanke and Mario Draghi are using central bank policies to prop up a system that's imploding due to heavy debt burdens by using national deficits for attempts to accelerate private debt accumulation once again. Could one of the few economists that predicted the current financial crash outline a path forward for educating the next round of economists while providing an alternative to austerity?

In Extraenvironmentalist #39 we speak with Steve Keen about how neoclassical economics controls the ways our governments think. Steve draws on themes from the second edition of his book that exposes neoclassical economics and its faulty logic, Debunking Economics. In the first half of the interview, we draw on a technical understanding of where neoclassical economics has gone wrong and where the economies of the Eurozone are headed through following the path of austerity. In the second half, we talk about modern debt jubilees and retooling economics education. After which, Jennifer Baichwal joins us at the 95' mark to talk about her newest film, Payback, based on Margaret Atwood's book about debt and debtor relationships. Last of all, Seth and I recall our recent gig at Jackson Hole.


 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Vacationer - Good as New via The Swill Merchants
Niia - Mad World via The Music Ninja
Mark Foster, Kimbra, A-Trak - Warrior via Hard Candy
Dragonette - Let It Go (The Knocks Remix) via KickKickSnare
Ibrahim Ferrer - Ay Candela (Henry Krinkle Remix) via International Beat Forum

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
[First Break] - 35'40"
Austerity Suicides
Greeks in Despair
This is War: Italy Burns Paintings to Protest Austerity
Greek Town Develops Alternative Currency
[Second Break] - 67'40"
Bernanke Impresses Students at GWU
Steve Keen on Ponzi Schemes
Krugman Knocked Out of Neoclassical Orbit by Steve Keen
[End]
Michael Hudson - INET Talk on the Politics and Economics of Restructuring

(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 #34 // Why America Failed ]

Twilight is on the horizon for American culture. After spreading an ideology of endless economic growth around the world, the definition of modernity has been defined by the United States. American values are now written into the cultural textbook for nations across the globe. Now that America is failing, what does it feel like to look back and what did we achieve? Was the collapse written in the opening chapters? What if our technological legacy comes with a terrible dark side?

In Extraenvironmentalist #34 we speak with author and historian Morris Berman about his recent look back at the history of American values as chronicled in the book Why America Failed. We ask Morris why American culture has dominated the globe despite so many dark aspects within its technology and values. Our discussion covers the ways in which people can seek meaningful lives as part of a counterculture and why our ideologies of technology and infinite growth were born on the landscape of an endless frontier. Is there a way to avoid the culture of hustling by channeling the alternative values that have arisen from those discontented by capitalism? Is it best just to become an expat?

Check out the new Extraenvironmentalist blog edited by Louisa, the newest member of our team.


 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Marvin Gaye - Sunny (Mercury II Edit) via Pigeons and Planes
FM Belfast - American  via Iceland Music Maffia
Electric Guest - This Head I Hold via Blahblahblahblahscience
Cheerleader - Do What You Want via Turntable Kitchen
Buddy Holly - Slippin' and Slidin' (Jacques Renault Remix) via RCRDLBL

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
Chris Hedges - Brace Yourself for America's Collapse
Detroit Savaged by Economic Problems
America's New Poor
Judge Napolitano
Frank Zappa on Schools
Ray Kurzweil on Technology
Kevin Kelly on Technology
Terence McKenna on Western Civilization
Jiddhu Krishnamurti - Why Do We Live With Stress

(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…)

[ Episode #29 // Creating Wealth ]

Occupy Wall Street has directed our attention to the extreme concentration of wealth resulting from decades of policy designed to trickle down prosperity. Through using a single type of bank debt currency, we allocate our labor and resources to benefit a global elite instead of our communities. Can we engage our local leaders and municipal governments to break this currency monoculture? Can global examples of currency ecology provide a map for improving educational experiences, enhancing the arts and building resilience to the fragility of central bank finance mechanisms?

In Extraenvironmentalist #29 we speak with Gwendolyn Hallsmith and Bernard Lietaer about Creating Wealth: Growing Local Economies with Local Currencies, their recent book on how to implement complimentary currency systems while creating intentional cities with money ecosystems. We cover examples of complimentary currencies in Brazil (saber), the United States (time banking), Switzerland (WIR), Belgium, Lithuania and Uruguay (C3) to demonstrate how alternative forms of money can help to enhance our education, business and sense of community. Could the WIR be the reason for Switzerland's stability? Are there ways to retool education funding that could help us realize our dreams?

Note: Justin's poor understanding of French led to him mis-speaking Bernard's last name, it should be said Liet-ya instead of Liet-air


 

// Music (in order of appearance)
John Lee Hooker - (Money) That's What I Want
The J's - The Sound of Money via WFMU's Beware of the Blog
Sharon Jones - Money via This is Real Music
The Drums - Money (Chad Valley Remix) via Niteversions
Mr. Little Jeans - The Suburbs (Cry Wolf Remix) via The Music Ninja

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
Debt Diets and Riots: Euro Lose Lose via RT
Greeks Abandon Cash Resort to Bartering via RT
Annie Leonard - Story of Broke
Enslaved to banks US students drawn to join Occupy
Chris Hedges Speaking at OWS

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[ Episode #27 // Fringeology ]

Can challenging your belief system trigger a fight or flight response? Our species is often terrified by thoughts we can't wrap our heads around because of a basic biological response. This has separated a discussion of paranormal topics into camps of believers and skeptics that are every bit as entrenched as our political reality. Does this stratification stifle the ability to generate creative solutions? Is the scariest thing this Halloween our inability to consider new ideas?

In this special Halloween edition of Extraenvironmentalist #27 we speak with Steve Volk about his recent book Fringeology: How I Tried to Explain Away the Unexplainable And Couldn't which explores the edge phenomena that has always been confounding our species yet making life more interesting. Steve tells us about flash mobs in Philadelphia and talks about what it is like to have our belief systems challenged. We discuss the overview effect of space travel and its ability to give us an expanded view of our existence. Seth and I ask if  lucid dreaming could be used as a potential technology or by our politicians. Is questioning someone's belief in UFOs similar to challenging the mainstream economic narrative?

Thanks to Richard Heinberg, Gwendollyn Hallsmith, Bernard Leitaer, Conrad Schmidt and John Michael Greer for making guest appearances to tell us about our scary economic and ecological reality.


 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Figure - Beetlejuice via Digi10ve
Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put a Spell on You (Splatinum Remix)
Figure - This is Halloween via The Music Ninja

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[ Episode #25 // Saving Money ]

Is it more practical to learn permaculture than to earn a business degree? As financial markets sell off around the globe and world leaders scramble to prevent national defaults from collapsing the global economy, today's youth are certain to live through a massive shift in the monetary paradigm. An education system that prepared us to receive jobs in a consumer economy injured our ability to truly learn and now we face the insult of entering a bleak job market. Is money real or is it based on societal myths? Can a monetary system built on collaboration rather than competition create a society that amplifies the positive aspects of human nature? As Mike Ruppert says: until we change the way money works, we change nothing.

In Extraenvironmentalist #25 we speak with Charles Eisenstein about his new book Sacred Economics which explains how to save the concept of money from being subject to our outdated understanding of human nature and simplistic mechanistic models of the physical world around us. While the social unrest sweeping from Cairo to Athens to Barcelona to New York is disrupting monetary dynamics can it also create an applicable positive vision? Charles explains how a negative interest currency and an economic model that integrates equity and ecology can end what we perceive to be the human nature emphasized by our current currency. Can we accept that the failure of money isn't the end of the world but that it is an opportunity to reorganize?


 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Zeds Dead - Coffee Break via The Music Ninja
MGMT - All We Ever Wanted (Bauhaus Cover) via Stereogum
Michita - November via Earmilk
HEALTH - Goth Star (Pictureplane Cover) via Gorilla vs. Bear
Beatles - Eleanor Rigby (Butch Clancy Remix) via Dubtunes

// Extended Clips
Fiat Money via Renegade Economist
Trader Interview on BBC
Occupy Boston

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[ Episode #20 // Debt Unmasked ]

Rapidly rising and falling global markets are throwing the world into turmoil. The instability our societies were supposed to control has risen to the forefront. Will the incredible debt piles sitting underneath the flags of Western economies rip social fabrics into fits of unrest like the current riots in London? Before the first major financial shock of the Great Contraction in 2007, the US Government ran an annual budget deficit of only $200 billion per year. During the economic stagnation of years since that deficit is now at $1.4 trillion and quickly rising with more economic decline on the way. What happens when interest payments on this debt overtake federal income in the next few years? Are we all satisfied with sacrificing for an economic system that merely reinforces the status quo of power and greed?

In Extraenvironmentalist #20 we speak with economist Manfred Max-Neef about his career in economics during which he created development models based on fundamental human needs as opposed to power and greed. Manfred recently published Economics Unmasked: From Power and Greed to Compassion and the Common Good which leads us to discuss how universities are failing in their ability distribute a model of the world that can provide for human needs during and after the failure of capitalism. We discuss Manfred's concern that the US is sitting on a ticking time bomb of civil unrest as economic circumstances become rapidly more dire for its inhabitants. How can the American public recognize the possibilities of a debt collapse the rest of the world is actively discussing if our media is steering the collective conversation towards trivia? After we decide to put off a bank run for now, machines end up declaring their intention for the American Presidency in 2012, though with a terrible record of job creation.


 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Gauntlet Hair - Top Bunk via The Music Ninja
Yin Yang Twins - Shake (Celebration Mash Up) via Youtube
M83 - Midnight City (Christian Strobe Remix) via Too Many Sebastians
Vacationer - Trip via Everybody Taste
Aloe Blacc - I Need A Dollar (Cee-Roo Mix) via SoundCloud
Star Wars - Imperial March (TA Dubstep Mix) via Youtube

// Extended Clips
Who Killed Economic Growth? via @postcarbon

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[ Episode #11 // Temporal Blindness ]

Our education system creates the models we use to interpret information. A faulty model can lead to significant blind spots, especially in thinking about nonlinear problems. Do the cognitive models that you've developed allow you to understand the severe problems threatening our global civilization? How accurately can you recognize how trends will impact your society and your life? What is a reasonable response to dealing with 7 billion homo sapiens sapiens?

In Extraenvironmentalist #11 we speak with Jack Alpert of the Stanford Knowledge Integration Lab about the role that our cognitive models play in recognizing the severity of our global predicament. Seth and I discuss Jack's writings and his Nonlinearity and the Elephant Problem video. After talking about how to deal with scarce resources on a finite planet, we dive into how to deal with overpopulation, including Jack's approach for building public of rapid population decline through convincing grandmothers that fewer babies need to be born.

As always, let us know what you think about the episode through our email or voicemail, we'd love to hear from you! Especially if you think Justin's Alex Jones impression sounds far too constipated.

 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Purity Ring - Ungirthed via The Music Ninja
Mighty Mike - Lonely Yoshimi (The Police v The Flaming Lips) via AudioPorn Central
DJ Lobsterdust - Gotta Fly (Steve Miller Band v Amerie) via DJ Lobsterdust
MillionYoung - Perfect Eyes (Snoretex Mix) via A Heart is a Spade

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