Topic: Finance Economy

[ Episode #92 // Decrypting Cryptocurrency ]

Digital communication technologies hold the possibility of re-orienting the way we exchange value and think about money. Do digital currencies like Bitcoin have the ability to change the global economic order? Can machine learning, automation, and cryptocurrencies unleash exponential innovations that unseat the financial institutions at the top of the monetary pyramid?

In Extraenvironmentalist #92 we first speak with Paul Vigna about his new book The Age of Cryptocurrency: How Bitcoin and the Blockchain Are Challenging the Global Economic Order to discuss how the Bitcoin currency and the blockchain distributed ledger system are laying the groundwork for alternatives to today's monetary system. Then, we talk about the potential influence of exponential technologies on education, learning and other areas of the economy with Jim Jubelirer.

// Books

The Age of Cryptocurrency: How Bitcoin and the Blockchain Are Challenging the Global Economic Order by Paul Vigna and Michael J. Casey

//Clips (in order of appearance)

Full Story: on Bitcoin
Bitcoin vs. Banks
This Money's so Safe, You'll Never Touch It

// Music (in order of appearance)

Postiljonen - Supreme (Niva Remix) via Soundcloud
Future Elevators - Modern World via The Planet of Sound
Rodriguez - Hate Street Dialogue (GingerAle Remix) via IndieShuffle

// Production Credits and Notes

Our editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

Episode #92 was supported by donations from the following generous listeners:

Kathryn in Washington
Erin in Vermont
Robert in Kansas
Lee in Arizona

(more…)

[ Episode #91 // Age of Stagnation? ]

The common political conversation about our shared economic future focuses on achieving an escape velocity where the post-war growth boom can return as usual. While years of lackluster economic performance mount, a rapidly growing global economy is still discussed like it is readily just over the horizon. Can the factors creating a slower growth world find open discussion in time to avoid severe social strife? Is the drive for passive income in an age of stagnation placing the global economy in permanent peril and creating a context for social strife?

In Extraenvironmentalist #91 we first speak with Satyajit Das about his new book The Age of Stagnation: Why Perpetual Growth is Unattainable and the Global Economy is in Peril which questions the assumption that never ending economic growth is possible, or desirable. Das questions the ability of political leaders to enact the tough structural changes needed to avoid social chaos in a low growth world. Then, in the second half of our show we speak with Michael Hudson about his book Killing the Host: How Financial Parasites and Debt Bondage Destroy the Global Economy. Hudson describes how debt deflation is imposing austerity on the U.S. and European economies, siphoning wealth and income upward to the financial sector while impoverishing the middle class.

Note: Partial transcripts of our interviews in this episode are forthcoming in the next few weeks

 

// Books

The Age of Stagnation: Why Perpetual Growth is Unattainable and the Global Economy is in Peril by Satyajit Das

Killing the Host: How Financial Parasites and Debt Bondage Destroy the Global Economy by Michael Hudson

//Clips (in order of appearance)

Fourth Industrial Revolution tsunami warning in Davos - economy
Highlights: The Dawn of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Looking to 2060: A Global Vision of Long-term Growth
The Future of Economic Growth
Post-World War II Economy Booms with Soldiers Return to U.S.

// Music (in order of appearance)

Nifty Earth - Intertwine (Ft. Akhila Eechampati) via Indieshuffle
Rebeka - Davos - erfect Man via Earmilk
Vaults - Midnight River via Beautiful Buzz

// Production Credits and Notes

Our editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

Episode #91 was supported by donations from the following generous listeners:

Paul in California
Eric in Washington, DC
David in Colorado
Luke in British Columbia

(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…)