Topic: Money

[ Episode #19 // Crash Course ]

The debt crisis engulfing American political discourse is just the realization of a financial and economic reality that has been playing out for several years resulting from decades of economic policy. Now that the unsustainable nature of our national economy can no longer be ignored how will ordinary people in the United States handle such an awakening? Does this divergence from consumption, saving for retirement and planning to buy a house present a unique chance for our generation to have a new definition of what constitutes a meaningful life? Even if the US avoids default in the next few months, are we just postponing a larger crisis down the road?

In Extraenvironmentalist #19 we speak with Chris Martenson about The Crash Course, his video series that introduces the economic, energy and environmental challenges of the near future. Chris has also just released The Crash Course as a book that comprehensively details the core issues facing our planet and modern industrial economies. We talk with Chris about his transition from medical researcher and corporate executive into sustainability advocate and economic journalist. Our discussion covers his predictions for the currently unfolding debt crisis in Washington, DC that threatens to bring America to default and the ability for our generation to take advantage of the numerous opportunities we'll be presented with in the tumultuous times ahead. All while Seth enjoys a delicious garden fresh tomato.

 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Gramatik - Moar Jive via The Music Ninja
John Denver - Country Roads (Pretty Lights Remix) via Sunset in the Rear View
Note: we think it's so nice we used it twice; as it's also in #18
Widowspeak - Wicked Game (Chris Isaak Cover) via IndieShuffle

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[ Episode #17 // Economics of Sustainability ]

The interplay between energy and money will be the underlying factor behind the biggest stories of the next decade. While easily accessible energy has created a massive financial bubble on the way up Hubbert's curve, the primary agent on the way down will be unraveling financial complexities built up over the last 60 years. Surviving in this new world will require a radically different idea about how money can operate in localized units of economic exchange. Can ideas like liquidity networks help us survive in this new age of emergency?

In Extraenvironmentalist #17 we speak with Richard Douthwaite about the collection of essays he co-edited on the coming financial storm, Fleeing Vesuvius. Richard is an author of many books on the fallacies of economic growth, co-founder of the Foundation for the Economics of Sustainability (FEASTA) and a Fellow of the Post Carbon Institute.  Richard explains how his educational background in economics stifled his worldview for a many years and the effect The Limits to Growth had on changing his mind about the ways in which modern economics are practiced.  We discuss why entrepreneurs are worshiped by economic leaders, the promise of liquidity networks for reforming currency dynamics, the ability for energy bonds to revolutionize community energy projects and the effect of introducing new technologies into an economic system.

Also in XE #17 we respond to listener feedback, play a fantastic voicemail from a dedicated listener on ethanol subsidies and throw our endorsement behind an upcoming film about youth fighting for climate justice: you can support Just Do It via their IndieGoGo project.

 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Mr. Little Jeans - The Suburbs (Arcade Fire Cover) via The Music Ninja
ceo - Halo (Beyonce Cover) viaPretty Much Amazing
Daytona Beach - Loud Valley via Zen Tapes
Toro y Moi - New Beat (Fare Soldi "Canatu" Remix) via Harder Blogger Faster
inc - Swear
viaGorilla vs. Bear

Corrections //

Justin incorrectly refers to Richard Blume, he means David Blume's alcohol economy

Original post on July 1st had the wrong audio file

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[ Episode #13 // Debt-Dollar Discipline ]

Does our currency drive participation in a disciplinary system that conditions a consumer society? Surplus goods created by industrial production require an acceptable set of behaviors, reinforced by a financial establishment of rewards and punishments. Though the people reliant on disciplinary institutions are used to playing by the rules, what happens when the game changes suddenly?

In Extraenvironmentalist #13 we speak with Ashvin Pandurangi, writer for The Automatic Earth on his series of articles that describe the Debt-Dollar Discipline, the global system of currencies backed by the U.S. Dollar that define the choice sets available to us. We ask about how finance, currency, education and our institutions create a rigid disciplinary guideline. Ash, Seth and Justin ponder the question of whether a global system that slowly empties its gas tank can handle a rapid disintegration and a population in developed nations accustomed to discipline.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO: Mr. Thomas Bevan for his magical performance in singing about the Titanic.

BEFORE APRIL 14th: Vote for Justin's video in the OECD's 50th Anniversary Challenge to redefine economic progress

 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Daughter - Run via The Music Ninja
Malvina Reynolds - Little Boxes via Dangerous Minds #18
Lanu - Beautiful Trash (feat. Megan Washington) via SoundCloud
Anomie Bell - How Can I Be Sure via IndieShuffle

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[ Episode #9 // Economics of Happiness ]

Converging crises of the environment, energy and our personal psychology threaten to destabilize the economic systems we depend on for subsistence. Globalization has provided tremendous financial benefits and convenience for specific groups but has degraded communities while spreading the emotional and spiritual depravity of materialism. By developing a local resilient economy can we counteract the shadow of globalization while addressing the predicaments of energy depletion, resource scarcity and desolate communities?

In Extraenvironmentalist #9 we speak with Helena Norberg-Hodge, director of The Economics of Happiness, a documentary film about the worldwide movement for local economic development. Our discussion covers Helena's experiences in the Ladakh region of India which inspired her to recognize the problems with the standard model for economic development, inspiring her book and film Ancient Futures: Learning from Ladakh. We also spoke with Helena about the numerous benefits of decentralized local economies in addressing our converging crises and the specifics of the psychological impacts of advertising and media on society in its push for expanded economic activity.

We're also thinking of starting an Extraenvironmentalist book club. Are you interested in perhaps doing a monthly group call to discuss a book on Extraenvironmentalist topics? If so, let us know through voicemail or email and we'll choose a book, set a timeline and record a discussion.

 

//Supplemental Links
Website | Economics of Happiness
Facebook | Facebook Page for Economics of Happiness
// Music (in order of appearance)
Pepper Rabbit - Older Brother via The Music Ninja
The Kopecky Family Band - Our Remedy via The Music Slut
Mr. Little Jeans - Rescue Song (RAC Remix) via Et Musique Pour Tous
Sunday Girl - Time to Pretend (MGMT Cover) via AudioPorn Central

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[ Episode #8 // Back to the Garden ]

As a response to the dire situation facing modern industrial civilization it can be tempting to seek a simpler life away from the complexity and out in nature. Quite a few from the previous generation have already made such a choice and recognizing this we can learn from their trials and successes.

In Extraenvironmentalist #8 we speak with Kevin Tomlinson, director of Back to the Garden about his film's story as he follows a group of people through their decision to live off the land and outside the mainstream from 1988 into today. All while Seth and I ask about the skills these new pioneers needed along with the value of road-trips.

 

//Supplemental Links
Website | Back to the Garden
Facebook | Facebook Page for Back to the Garden
News | Tom Foreman - You Say You Want a Revolution

// Music (in order of appearance)
Strange Talk - Eskimo Boy via IndieShuffle
Corey Chisel and the Wandering Sons - Born Again via IndieShuffle
El Ten Eleven - Cease and Persist via Soundcloud
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - This Land is Your Land via Panic Manual
Matt and Kim - Going For Great via The Music Ninja

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[ Episode #5 // Phantom Wealth ]

Now is the season of spirits. Together we face the most horrifying of all poltergeists: the ghost of phantom wealth.

Numbers representing the money in our bank account are very different from real wealth. While the focus is on gaining and creating money, this very process sublimates a methodology of destruction and wealth extraction from communities, nature and humanity. Society has confused money for wealth and in doing so transmutes the use of potentially valuable financial instruments into implements of degradation.

In Extraenvironmentalist #5 we share a talk on the economy and money Justin recorded at University of British Columbia by David Korten based on his recent book, Agenda for a New Economy. The story of money is mystified by design and so on rare occasions like this we can explore the relationship between our physical world and the financial world with clear elucidation. David uses his background as a Stanford Business School professor and an international economist to develop philosophies for a new economy serving humans instead of accountants.

 

// Media Links
News | Mitsubishi plans to profit from Bluefin Tuna
Poem | Keeping Things Whole by Mark Strand via Arthur Magazine
Youtube | Economic Hitmen ft. John Perkins

// Music (in order of appearance)
Fools Gold - Nadine via IndieShuffle
Zero 7 - Futures (ft. Jose Gonzalez) via IndieShuffle
Syl Johnson - I'm Talkin' About Freedom via Earmilk
Bedouin Soundclash - Brutal Hearts (ft. Coeur de Pirate) via The Music Ninja

// Corrections and Blunders

- Please do call or email us with corrections if you find something we've said to be factually inaccurate -

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[ Episode #2 // Powerful Plastic ]

We are surrounded by a media maelstrom on a daily basis and every so often that tornado of music and language coalesces into something that inflicts a bewildering inspiration.

This podcast is about enlightened entertainment and that's what The Extraenvironmentalist #2 delivers. Sure, it might be a little all over the place, but isn't everyone?

As the plastic bag journeys to it's natural habitat, we discuss America's class system and read from Tim-Wallace Murphy's book on the history of the western esoteric tradition on ways in which alternative viewpoints on Christianity were extinguished in the Dark Ages.

So while in the future we'll focus in on particular topics a little more, this week's theme is: stuff we found interesting.

 

// Media Links
Youtube | The Majestic Plastic Bag
Podcast | CBC Ideas - The Charming Mr. Luttwak
Blog | Understanding America's Class System by Joe Bageant
TV | BBC Unreported World - Third World America | here's a good review of it
Podcast | School Sucks #4 - Politics is Force
Podcast | Gnostic Media #88 - Silver and Gold ft. Stephen Zarlenga
Book | Hidden Wisdom by Tim-Wallace Murphy
Youtube | Sarah Silverman - Sell the Vatican Save the World
Podcast | C-Realm Podcast #220 - Red State Blues ft. Daniel Krotz
Podcast | Common Sense with Dan Carlin #164 - The People's Snitch
Podcast | Diet Soap #71 - Dolls Eyes In the Supercenter ft. Jason Rizos

// Music (in order of appearance)
Blue Hawaii - Blue Gowns via Et Musique Pour Tous
Florence and the Machines - Cosmic Love (Short Club Remix) via Et Musique Pour Tous
Ting Tings - Hands (Retro/Grade Remix) via Audioporn Central
Freelance Whales - Generator Second Floor via HearYa
The Temper Trap - Fader (The Knocks Remix ft. Samuel) via Wongie's Music World
OMD - If Yout Want It Villa Nah Remix via Audioporn Central

// Corrections (let us know if you find the Easter eggs in every episode!)

(we haven't discovered any yet)

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