Topic: Imagination

[ Episode #83 // Degrowth 2014 // Part B ]

The degrowth movement seeks to decolonize a cultural imaginary that is currently directed to expand the scale and scope of a materially extractive economy. Through adopting strategies like voluntary simplicity and convivial activities, degrowth advocates aim to create an economic system that is compatible with the biosphere. Are the ideas and concepts of degrowth ready for a wider debate?

In Extraenvironmentalist #83 we publish a much belated podcast to wrap-up our two part series on the 2014 International Degrowth Conference where The Extraenvironmentalist team was livestreaming and recording sessions. We first hear from post-growth researcher André Reichel about whether solutions for climate change are cheap and easy. Then, we speak with three of the Degrowth 2014 organizers, Christopher Laumanns, Jonas Streicher and Malo Vidal about the state of the conversation on growth in Germany. Next, we hear a recap from our chief blog editor and EU correspondent Louisa Clarence-Smith as she interviews Federico Demaria about how he balances academic work on degrowth with living those concepts on an organic olive oil cooperative. To close out 2015 for the XE podcast, Seth and Justin discuss views on whether the Global North should degrow so the Global South can grow, as highlighted by the viewpoints of Sunita Narain and Giorgos Kallis.

 

// Links and News Items

Paul Krugman: Could fighting global warming be cheap and free
Paul Krugman on whether energy is a limit to growth
New Climate Economy Report

// Books

Degrowth: A Vocabulary for a New Era by by Giacomo D'Alisa, Federico Demaria & Giorgios Kallis

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Breaks]

Conversations with degrowth conference attendees as recorded by Louisa Clarence-Smith

[End]

Nate Hagens on Degrowth vs. Limits to Growth?

// Music (in order of appearance)

Caribou - Back Home (umami edit)
The Avener - Fade Out Lines (Synapson Remix)
Indiana - Only The Lonely (Fred Falke Remix)
Ed Sheeran - I See Fire (Kalev Remix)
Son Little - The River (DGTO Remix)

// Production Credits and Notes

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

Episode #83 was supported by donations from the following generous listeners:

Ian in Australia
Dave in British Columbia
Joseph in Missouri
Linda from Canada

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[ Episode #82 // Degrowth 2014 // Part A ]

The degrowth movement seeks to redefine a cultural imagination focused on expanding the scale and scope of a materially extractive economy. Through adopting strategies like voluntary simplicity and convivial activities, degrowth advocates aim to create an economic system that is compatible with the biosphere. Are the ideas and concepts of degrowth ready for a wider debate?

In Extraenvironmentalist #82 we look at Part A of a two part series on the 2014 International Degrowth Conference where The Extraenvironmentalist team was livestreaming and recording sessions. We first hear from Hartmut Rosa on ideas for subverting the motivations in our own lives which replicate the logic of unsustainable growth. Then, we talk to Geoff Garver, one of the lead organizers of the 2012 Montreal Degrowth conference, about the ideas of degrowth and the general assemblies that worked on moving the developing the concept further.

// Links and News Items

Grist.org article on Degrowth
Transcript of interview with Gail Tverberg by Nathan
Paul Krugman on climate change and degrowth

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 31m

What is Degrowth? for Grist.org edited by Sam Bliss

[End]

Naomi Klein @ the Degrowth 2014 Opening Session

// Music (in order of appearance)

Cloud Castle Lake - Sync
Pablo Paolo Kilian
Susie Suh x Robot Koch - Here With (Bearson Remix) via IndieShuffle
Carole King - I Feel The Earth Move (Senior Citizens Remix)

// Production Credits and Notes

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

Thomas Victor for the photograph used as the cover image on this episode

Sam Bliss
for the edited break made from our videos at the 2014 Degrowth Conference

Episode #82 was supported by donations from the following generous listeners:

Gordon in British Columbia
Jay in Maryland
Dana from the noosphere
Carla in Quebec
David in Michigan

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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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