Topic: History

[ Episode #95 // Economy of Things ]

Though we often think the modern culture of consumerism is an export from United States and a product of capitalism, people long before today’s era were enjoying the benefit of soft shoes, beautiful cloth and exceptional goods. Acquisition has been an important part of community and identity, essential to societies even though only recently so many people have been part of a middle class, capable of affording the mass consumption of today's world. What insights can we glean from the history of consumption and economic thought for what it means to be human?

In Extraenvironmentalist #95 we first speak with Professor Frank Trentmann about his new book Empire of Things: How We Became a World of Consumers, from the Fifteenth Century to the Twenty-First. We hear from Frank about how we've come to live with so much stuff. Then, we talk to Professor Laurence Malone about his work and teaching on Adam Smith and in editing the Essential Adam Smith. Dr. Malone helps us understand the real meaning of the invisible hand.

 

//Books

Empire of Things: How We Became a World of Consumers, from the Fifteenth Century to the Twenty-First by Frank Trentmann
The Essential Adam Smith edited by Robert Heilbroner and Laurence Malone.

// Music (in order of appearance)

Jose Gonzalez - This is How We Walk on the Moon (Thomas Jack Remix) via Et Musique Pour Tous
Mozambo & Basic Tape – Bright Side (ft. Julia Church)[RYI Remix] via Et Musique Pour Tous
Card on Spokes - Faded Pictures via RTFKT
Peter Doran - Every Little Thing via Soundcloud

// Production Credits and Notes

Our editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

Episode #95 was supported by donations from the following generous listeners:

Scott in Ontario
Brian in Oregon

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[ Episode #76 // Energy Slaves ]

Our command of energy resources has created amazing technologies and social systems at a grand scale, but at what cost? Where past societies shackled human muscle with force and subjugation to create an energy surplus, beginning in the late 19th century we have used coal, oil & gas to create an unprecedented energy abundance. As the era of surplus energy comes to an end, how will our systems reliant on energy slaves for mechanical and cognitive work adapt? How is the energy transition moving forward?

In Extraenvironmentalist #76 we discuss our global energy systems with Andrew Nikiforuk as we discuss his new book, The Energy of Slaves: Oil and the New Servitude. Andrew discusses ways of understanding our use and abuse of cheap energy. Then, Chris Nelder joins us to talk about the ongoing energy transition and how it is reaching a tipping point through the recognition of a financial carbon bubble, the German Energiewende and the decline of the traditional oil majors.

As Terence McKenna once said, "Reason, and science, and the practice of unbridled capitalism, have not delivered us into an angelic realm. Quite the contrary: they’ve delivered 3% of us into an angelic realm, completely overshadowed by guilt about what’s happening to the other 97% of us who are eating it!"

// Books

The Energy of Slaves: Oil and the New Servitudeby Andrew Nikiforuk

// Links and News Items

News Item #1. NPR: US Commuters Ditch Cars For Public Transit In Record Numbers

News Item #2. Fukushima’s “crisis of manpower”: Unskilled and destitute workers have taken over the cleanup process

Stephen Kopits Presentation on Energy Supply Forecasting

[jwplayer mediaid="3532"]

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[First Break] - 35m

Shell energy scenarios to 2050
RT: Running on Empty
"Peak Oil Debunked"
Canadian Tar Sands Ad

[Second Break] - 85m

Earth 2050 - How Much Energy Will We Need
Stephen Kopits on Energy Forecasting

[End]

From the XE Youtube Channel: Richard Heinberg on Snake Oil: How Fracking's False Promise of Plenty Imperils Our Future

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Henry Green - Electric Feel (Kygo Remix)
Camera2 - Appetite via KCRW Today's Top Tune
Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine (Rare Monk Cover)
Glen Campbell - Wichita Lineman (Paddy McAloon Cover)
No Nukes - Power
Porter Robinson - Sea of Voices (RAC Remix)
Great Good Fine Ok - Not Going Home

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel
Mr. Nelder for music suggestions

Episode #76 was supported by donations from the following generous listeners:

Derek in CA
Jay in WA
Linus in Sweden
Simon in Norway
Kim in Quebec City

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[ Episode #75 // Positive Money ]

Critics of quantitative easing highlight the absurdity of creating money from nothing to paper over terrible investment decisions. Yet, what about all of the money created by banks before 2008? Incorrect narratives of money have misdirected and befuddled our thinking on finance and currency, limiting our responses to the global financial crisis. Can we learn about the internal dynamics of financial and monetary regimes in enough time to develop a positive response to the next financial crisis?

In Extraenvironmentalist #75 we discuss our global systems of money and finance with Ben Dyson of Positive Money UK and the themes in his new book Modernizing Money: Why Our Monetary System is Broken and How it Can be Fixed. Ben tells us why journalists, academics, economists and citizens have so much difficulty talking in an intelligent way about our money system. Then, Brett Scott joins us to describe the ways he was able to apply an anthropologist's approach to work as a derivatives trader. Brett discusses his book, The  Heretic's Guide to Global Finance: Hacking the Future of Money as he describes leverage points where activists can disrupt global financial flows to support ecological and social initiatives.

// Books

Modernizing Money: Why Our Monetary System is Broken and How it Can be Fixed by Andrew Jackson & Ben Dyson
Where Does Money Come From by Positive Money UK
The Heretic's Guide to Global Finance: Hacking the Future of Money by Brett Scott

// Links and News Items

News Item #1. "Global riot epidemic due to demise of cheap fossil fuels" http://bit.ly/NgG4qD  /via @NafeezAhmed

News Item #2. India's economic growth set to reach near decade-low

News Item #3: Chinese cities outstripping whole countries in infrastructure debt

#4. Richard Heinberg video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIAFRzaHnb4&list=UUTcsCH5wXNwGKTM_tLG8zrQ&feature=share

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 23m

George Magnus - The Next Financial Crisis Has Already Begun
Argentina Inflation
China's Suntech Default
China's LDK Solar Default
Debt and Overcapacity in China
Jim Rogers on RT
Venezuelans Struggle with Inflation

[End]

Documentary:How China Fooled the World

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Why don't you do right - Cab Canavaral feat. Nina K Lucas (Skeewiff Remix)
DEFKLINE & RED POLO VS DANCEFLOOR - Spinning Wheels
JUNGLE. - Busy Earnin' via Stereogum
Colvin Quarmby - Men in the Grey Flanneled Suit via Russell Hill's Country Music Show
Sam Smith - Money on My Mind (Chris Montana Edit)
Bugseed - Puzzlement (en tokyo - four)

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

Episode #75 was supported by donations from the following generous listeners:

Deric in WA
Freddie in MA
Natalie in BC
Nancy in CO

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[ Episode #71 // Supply Shock ]

When the profession of economics began to think that land and capital were equivalent and interchangeable, the roots of real estate speculation and environmental crisis were established. Because the origins of neoclassical economics became deeply influenced by the interests of early 20th century land barons, a new economic paradigm will have to challenge the assumptions of powerful landowners.  Will a world in search of economic growth embrace a steady state that properly analyzes the role of land in economic life? Can the rampant real estate speculation across the planet be tamed with an overhaul of our tax system?

In Extraenvironmentalist #71 we discuss implications of the steady-state economy with Brian Czech along with his new book Supply Shock: Economic Growth at the Crossroads and the Steady State Solution. Brian explains how the economics profession was corrupted in the early 20th century by the interests of land barons and how this distorts analysis of ecological issues. Then, Karl Fitzgerald of the Renegade Economists joins us to talk about Henry George, land bubbles and real estate speculation. We ask Karl about rental backed securities and the outrageous housing prices of Australia. At the end of the show, we recap 2013 with a short clip collage and thank our listeners for an incredible year.

// Books

Supply Shock: Economic Growth at the Crossroads and the Steady State Solution by Brian Czech
The Corruption of Economics by Mason Gaffney and Fred Harrison

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[First Break] - 25m

Jeffrey Sachs on Economic Growth
Has the US Economy Entered a Permanent Slump?
Krugman's Idea to Spur Economic Growth
Bernanke: Hoping Economic Growth Will Continue
Obama Weekly Address: Working With Both Parties to Keep the Economy Moving Forward
Founder of Adbusters on CNN

[Second Break] - 1h40m

Real Estate 4 Ransom
Jimmy Macmillan on The Extraenvironmentalist

[End]

Charles Eisenstein - A Pattern to the Maze

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Kaligraph E - Milkyears
Bart & Baker Feat Philou - Baby Dont You Cry (Skeewiff Remix)
Ayer - Circle Down (Keljet Remix) via Indieshuffle
Lincoln Jesser - Tops via The Burning Ear
Snowmine - Columbus via Lower Frequencies

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

This show was supported by donations from our generous listeners:

Anders in Sweden
Wayne in Washington
Christian in Germany
Bill in NY
Bruce
Dana

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[ Episode #70 // Downloading Responsibility ]

An ongoing economic crash that feels like the onset of a deep freeze is far more exhausting than a rapid implosion. As bubbles are reflated and debts accumulate yet again, the system lurches towards its next financial accident. While the global operating system fails, can the exchange of critical goods and services detach from failing currencies? Does the international financial system retain any value if people no longer need it?

In Extraenvironmentalist #70 we catch up with Nicole Foss and Laurence Boomert on their tour across North America as they speak with communities about preparing for hard times. Nicole and Laurence highlight community initiatives that can help people meet basic needs, even as monetary institutions pursue desperation measures. Then, John Michael Greer joins us [88m] to answer a few listener questions and to highlight the lack of whole systems thinking in internet visionaries after Seth and Justin discuss the money illusion.

// Books

Local Dollars, Local Sense by Michael Shuman
Inquiries Into the Nature of Slow Money by Woody Tasch
The Money Illusion by Irving Fisher

// News and Other Items Discussed

Freicoin - the demurrage based cryptocurrency

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 35m

Consum-oholic zombies fed big debt transfusion
Living Debt: Rising costs in UK force millions to borrow
Bartering to survive in Spain
I'm broke, let's barter - Greece's new alternative economy

[End]

Alan Watts

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Dorothy Morrison - Rain (Bobby Busnach Make it Rain Remix)

Skeewiff - Man of Constant Sorrow
Ed Sheeran - I See Fire (Kygo Remix) via Earmilk
ZZ Ward - 365 Days (Jerry Folk Remix) via Jaqui
Fredico Aubele - Somewhere Else

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

Kevin in CA for the Filter Bubble Wrap at the end

Episode art: Wall Street in 1929, one week before the Black Friday crash. People gather due to high volume of trading.

This show was supported by donations from our generous listeners:

Danny in New Orleans
Patrick in Oregon
Eric in DC

// Send us a BTC tip for #70

Even .0001 BTC goes a long way!

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[ Episode #69 // Carbon Democracy ]

The ideas we have about our government systems have been dramatically shaped by the energy sources that power them. If the physical characteristics of coal and oil have developed the expectations of our 20th century politics, how they also invent 'the economy'? Will it be possible to sabotage a system that has an entirely different energy profile than the one that gave birth to organized labor?

In Extraenvironmentalist #69 we speak with Timothy Mitchell about our political systems and his book Carbon Democracy: Political Power in the Age of Oil. We discuss the ways coal and oil have transformed collective labor demands, revolutionized our money systems and contributed to our global conflicts. Then, Richard Heinberg updates us on the shale oil bubble and the implications of peak oil as we discuss Snake Oil: How Fracking's False Promise of Plenty Imperils Our Future. Richard reflects on the timing of peak oil predictions and what they may indicate for the upcoming decade.

// Books

Carbon Democracy by Timothy Mitchell
Snake Oil by Richard Heinberg

// News and Other Items Discussed

Krugman Goes Splat sent in by Josh
US Median Wage Stagnation
CNN Money: What I Saw at the Doomsday Prepper Convention
USA Today: Could the Fracking Boom Peter Out Sooner than the DOE Expects?

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 29m

Robert Newman - A Short History of Oil
Who Killed the Electric Streetcar

[End]

Democracy Now - Scientists: We Have to Consume Less sent in by James

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Hobo Jack Adkins - Thirty Inch Coal
Michael Jackson - Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (Louis La Roche Remix) via Earmilk
Phantogram - Celebrating Nothing via The Music Ninja
Smokey Joe & The Kid - Put the Blame on Pete via Speakeasy Electroswing
Will Lamb - This Old Rig
Smallpools - Mason Jar (Monsieur Adi Remix) via Dancing Astronaut
Classix - All You're Waiting For via Gorilla vs Bear

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

This show was supported by donations from our generous listeners:

Aaron in Queensland
Martine in Maryland
Kevin in California
Zach in Illinois
Nancy in Colorado

// Send us a BTC tip for #69

Even .0001 BTC goes a long way!

Donate Bitcoins

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[ Episode #67 // Bubble and Beyond ]

A massive pile of accumulated debts and a global credit bubble are tearing apart our politics and societies. As illusory wealth continues to evaporate, a battle ensues between creditors that lent too much and a rapidly growing class of debt serfs. With the ability for reform appearing increasingly futile, a systemic crisis has created paralysis on the edge of an abyss. What do the examples of previous indebted empires tell us? Can we create an alternative to a neoliberal philosophy that ends in neofeudalism?

In Extraenvironmentalist #67 we discuss the implications of the bursting global credit bubble with economist and historian Michael Hudson. Our conversation covers many of the themes in Hudson's new book, The Bubble and Beyond which covers the process of quantitative easing, neofeudalism and more. Then we speak with Nate Hagens, the former lead editor of the Oil Drum and an expert on global resource depletion. Nate describes why the relationship between energy and debt will increasingly lead to defaults as slowing growth means debts won't be serviced.

// Books

The Bubble and Beyond by Michael Hudson

// News and Other Items Discussed

Michael Hudson's website
Collapse and the Changing Face of Suicide submitted by Robin
Iceland running out of cash to pay foreign debts
IMF's Hilarious forecasts for a return to growth

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 30m

Countrywide commercial
Bernanke was wrong
Alan Greenspan on Irrational Exhuberance
Alan Greenspan - "There is no chance of default."
Days away from collapse - US default could bring global chaos
Greg Palast on Max Keiser about Obama
Countdown to US Government Default
Obama - "US Pays Its Bills."

[End]

Clarke and Dawe - Same Special Subject as Everyone Else

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Jump the Curb - Forever Blowing Bubbles via Jump the Curb
Shania Twain - Ka Ching! (The Simon and Diamond Bhangra Mix)
Monster Rally - Palm Village via Bandcamp
Notorious B.I.G. - Mo Money Mo Problems (Woody's Produce Remix) via Youtube
Imagine Dragons - On Top of the World (RAC Mix) via Oh So Fresh
Bee Gees - Tragedy (Forever Kid Remix) via This Song is Sick

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

This show was supported by donations from our generous listeners:

Ronald in Texas
Sally in Australia (Happy birthday to Maxence!)
Mr. Smith in Massachusetts
Carla in the Quebec

(more…)

[ Episode #61 // Cure for Capitalism? ]

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

(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

(more…)

[ 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 #38 // Hard Times ]

Debt is placing a stranglehold on the global economy, restricting the ability for growth to occur at a rate fast enough to prevent the monetary system from unraveling. To delay a massive deleveraging, governments are turning on the central bank taps to fill the system with liquidity. With severe structural issues that continue to avoid inclusion in the political discourse, can ordinary people prepare to maintain control over their assets to ensure success of future decentralization initiatives? How is preparing for this world different for our generation than for our parents?

In Extraenvironmentalist #38 we talk about living in hard times with Nicole Foss of The Automatic Earth. Nicole tells us about the Canadian housing bubble and why the initial collapse might just be faster than the one America experienced in 2005. Seth and I ask about what life was like in the Great Depression and how the process of labor exploitation may continue into the near future. We ask Nicole if misunderstandings about economic collapse could have us preparing for the wrong thing.

Also, we get to meet our blog editor Louisa Clarence-Smith who tells us about WWOOFing and her experiences working on farms in Scotland and Italy.

For more from The Automatic Earth, check out our interview with TAE writer Ashvin Pandurangi back in XE #13.


 

// Music (in order of appearance)
St. Lucia - All Eyes on You via Soundcloud
Cody ChestnuTT - Under the Spell of the Handout via Indieshuffle
Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight (Cosmo Black Remix)  via Hard Candy
Alpine - Hands (Goldroom Remix) via Fader
ANDREYA TRIANA – Lost Where I Belong (Banks Remix) via Aerial Noise

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
[First Break]
Sunshine and Eclipse
Rioting Across America During the Great Depression
Stories From the Great Depression
[Second Break]
Making a Difference: Rebuilding From a Tornado
Bill McKibben: Rebuilding Community
[End]
Jiddu Krishnamurti - Fear

(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 #32 // Apocalypse Never ]

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
Gruff 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?

(more…)

[ Episode #14 // Discovering Dirt ]

Though we call it dirt, the soil beneath is the skin of our planet and the breadbasket of our species. Is there a connection between the lifespan of a civilization and the rate at which its topsoil erodes? The agricultural practices of past societies can serve as a stern warning against highly erosive farming and point the way towards a revolution in the way we produce the sustenance needed for survival and prosperity. What does it mean that rapidly increasing food prices are causing riots around the world while a dump-truck load of soil enters the Mississippi Delta every second?

In Extraenvironmentalist #14 we speak with Dave Montgomery, author of Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations. In his book, Dr. Montgomery covers historical evidence from Rome, Greece, China and other societies to trace a link between population dynamics and erosion. Even though the land of North America has only experienced heavy agricultural erosion for a much shorter span, we've already mined the fertility of the U.S. Southeast to churn out tobacco, driving populations towards the Pacific in search of more productive land. We discuss some key historical examples and talk about how modern trends point to serious concerns for the present as soil productivity declines at a rapid rate. Can a crisis in global agriculture be avoided when our society is heavily dependent on the temporary agricultural output boosted by petroleum dependent chemicals?

 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Conner Youngblood - Summer Song via The Music Ninja
Bibio - K is for Kelson via Et Musique Pour Tous
Mount Moriah - Lament via The New Music Collaborative
Daughter - Landfill via Earplugs Not Included
Daughter - Candles via Earplugs Not Included

(more…)