Topic: Science

Latest

[ Episode #64 // Straw Into Gold ]

Jul 29 2013

By thinking of the world as a machine our species has created an economic and political system that is dangling over an abyss. Many are optimistic for business as usual with an ideological belief in the power of positive thinking. Can we develop a practical spiritual philosophy that sorts through all the garbage? Have our systems and institutions become so dependent on the idea of a machine world that we need to collapse to develop an alternative economic system?

In Extraenvironmentalist #64 we speak with Morris Berman about his new book Spinning Straw Into Gold: Straight Talk for Troubled Times which takes on the idea that reality is created by thought. We ask Morris about the validity of claims made by the scientific worldview. Berman announces the launch of the new MoveOverGeorge.com campaign to bring the US dollar into 21st century reality. Then we hear from biologist Rupert Sheldrake on his new book The Science Delusion from a recent talk in Vancouver, BC about the fundamental beliefs of scientific materialism.

// Books Discussed

Morris Berman // Spinning Straw Into Gold: Straight Talk for Trouble Times
Morris Berman // The Reenchantment of the World
Rupert Sheldrake // The Science Delusion (Marketed as Science Set Free in the US)
Ursula le Guin // The Telling
Barbara Ehrenreich // Bright Sided: How Positive Thinking is Undermining America
Joel Magnuson // The Approaching Great Transformation: Toward a Livable Post Carbon Economy

// News and Other Items Discussed

MoveOverGeorge.com

Full talk by Rupert Sheldrake on The Science Delusion in Vancouver, BC

Greece Disconnects 30,000 electricity customers per month
Detroit clones popping up all around China
Rapid Urbanization has created 12 new Chinese Ghost Cities
Falling TVs send a child to the ER every 30 minutes in the United States

Our video interview with Jimmy McMillan of the Rent is Too Damn High Party in NYC
Extraenvironmentalist livestream coverage of the New Economics Institute reRoute Convergence

Interview with KMO on the C-Realm Podcast episode #372
Link to the NYT story on our coming food crisis via Robin

Link to Bill Rees talking about the Endarkenment
Link to Morris Berman's talk about Japan's economic stagnation

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 35m

European Car Sales Fall to 17 year low
Newly unemployed struggle to remain optimistic
Obama: reasons to be optimistic about America
Pessimism grows among unemployed
On being optimistic on the economy

[End]

Terence McKenna speaking about Science's one free miracle

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Sister Rosetta Sharpe - Jericho (C2C Remix)via Soundcloud
Sarah Vaughn - Please Mr. Brown (Pontus Winnberg Remix)
Keep Shelly in Athens - Recollection via Turntable Kitchen
Kratos Himself - Lucid via Bandcamp
London Grammar - Hey Now (Hanami Bootleg) via Soundcloud
Eros and the Eschaton - The Future is Ours to See via Soundcloud

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

This show was supported by donations from our generous listeners:

Tomas in Findland
Brendan in Canada

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[ Episode #44 // Evolving Innovation ]

Jul 1 2012

Mini Episode

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 #37 // Techno-Fix ]

Mar 4 2012

Mini Episode

Are you optimistic about technology? Let's talk about why. Could the majority of our proposed technological solutions be doing little more than kicking the can down the road towards ecological collapse? Politicians and economists speak of the ability for technological innovation to boost and grow economies, yet where does their techno optimism come from? Do technologies hold intrinsic values or are they neutral tools that are misused by a species with the wrong intentions?

In Extraenvironmentalist #37 we discuss technological optimism with Dr. Michael Huesemann. Michael explains his fifteen year study into environmental science and philosophies of technology as outlined in his recent book Techno-Fix, co-written with his wife Joyce Huesemann. Is there an inherent reason that the United States is the most technologically optimistic culture in the world? We ask if he has advice for students who are thinking about careers in advanced science and about the value systems embedded in technological systems.

Be sure to visit the Techno-Fix website and to pick up a copy of Techno-Fix if you want to learn more about the limitations of technology in addressing our global problems.

// Music (in order of appearance)
Dusty Springfield - Spooky via IndieShuffle
St. Lucia - We Got It Wrong via Consequence of Sound
CHLLNGR - Change via Soundcloud
Santigold - Disparate Youth via Skeetbeatz
Summer Camp - Losing My Mind via All Things Go Music

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
[First Break]
Jason Silva - Techno-Optimism
Bush on Google
Ray Kurzweil Explains the Coming Singularity
Michio Kaku - Are We Ready for the Coming Age of Abundance
[Second Break]
MPR: America's Crumbling Infrastructure
Activists Publicly Pray For Lower Gas Prices
[End]
Alan Watts - A Conversation With Myself

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[ Episode #35 // Ecology + Alcohol ]

Feb 1 2012

Mini Episode

You can easily enjoy a beer without knowing about the thousands of years alcohol has modified the senses of our species. We'll go out to a bar to participate in a ritual to help us deal with the tasks of a work day, yet what if a tree does the same? Should alcohol be recognized for its ability change our consciousness in a sacred way? Are other species using the same substances we do in modifying their ability to perceive signals?

In Extraenvironmentalist #35 we speak with Stephen Harrod Buhner about his thoughts on the role of alcohol on humans and nature based around his book, Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers. We ask Stephen about the ecological role of humanity in the environment. Are Homo Sapiens like bees that serve a role much bigger than we'll ever understand? Our conversation covers the ways ancient people experienced the world and alternative approaches to brewing beer. Once your hear Stephen explain the chemistry of plants, you'll never think about that tree outside your window in the same way again.

// Music (in order of appearance)
Labyrinth Ear - Walk on the Moon (Arthur Russel Rework) via The Fader
Mansions on the Moon - Athens via Iceland Music Maffia
Kishi Bashi - Bright Whites viaConsequence of Sound
Polica - Lay Your Cards Out via Life+Times
Parov Stelar - Catgroove via IndieShuffle

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
Alan Watts - Roots of the Ecological Crisis
Bill Rees - The Dangerous Disconnection Between Economics and Ecology
The History of Alcohol
Terence McKenna: On Alcohol, Caffeine, Culture and Extraenvironmentalism

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[ Episode #31 // Simplifying Complexity ]

Dec 15 2011

Mini Episode

Is our species capable of looking ahead to prepare for the potentially disastrous results of larger trends? While daily existence has always presented challenges, modern civilization uses advanced technologies to address problems. Yet, is our ability to problem solve the very problem itself? What if the technology we're developing is increasing our reliance on a strategy yielding rapidly diminishing returns? Though a general understanding of complexity eludes us, are there ways of feeling it in our day-to-day life?

In Extraenvironmentalist #31 we speak with Dr. Joseph Tainter about collapse, complexity and energy. Dr. Tainter recently co-authored Drilling Down which explains why the BP Gulf Oil spill occurred in terms of the complexity that supports supports our society. We discuss concepts of complexity, energy and a meaningful definition of sustainability. In our conversation, Dr. Tainter covers the dynamics of the Roman Empire as it moved further down the road of collapse; debasing its currency and unraveling due the expenses of foreign wars. Seth and I ask if energy alternatives exist that can support civilization, such as solar photovoltaics or wind power. If they can't, are we trapped in a complexity spiral with no way out?

// Music (in order of appearance)
Sinnitus Tempo - C'est La Vie via Elbo.ws
Penguin Prison - Multimillionaire (Shook Remix) via Et Musique Pour Tous
Miike Snow - Devil's Work via Pretty Much Amazing
DJ Shadow - Scale It Back ft. Little Dragon (Robotaki Remix) via The Music Ninja
Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek (ENiGMA Remix) via The Music Ninja

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
Shopping Seizes Minds, Leaves No Room for News
Bill Rees - How to Convince People to Face Reality
Richard Heinberg on Transition
Thomas Homer-Dixon on Civilization Far From Equalibrium

// Additional Links
Jamie of Steppin' Off the Edge interviews KMO and Justin about collapse

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[ Episode #16 // Powering the Dream ]

Jun 11 2011

Mini Episode

Energy drives our civilization: onward towards the limits of human imagination, ever closer to the grave consequences of oil depletion. Technology is often viewed as a mythical force, seemingly bestowing its gifts on an often misguided species in a neutral manner; though what if the best technologies don't always win? Are all the energy solutions we're banking on to continue a capitalist consumer lifestyle just an innovation away from mass deployment? Could social choices of technologies be far from rational? What if the most important electric loads were the ones invented by utility companies? Why does America consume so much energy and believe so heavily in the transcendent role of technology?

In Extraenvironmentalist #16 we speak with Alexis Madrigal about his book, Powering the Dream: The History and Promise of Green Technology which discusses the precarious path our species has followed towards a more perfect power. Alexis is a senior editor at The Atlantic where he writes about technology and media while tweeting prolifically from @alexismadrigal. Alexis explains how many of the green technologies, now touted as shiny new innovations, have existed for the greater part of the last century and have been stifled through a combination of poor policies and irrational developments. We wonder about the role of innovation in the future, do we have all the technology we really need or are we on the verge of a renewable energy breakthrough that can revolutionize our world?

At the end of this episode, Dennis McKenna joins us once again (at the 1h37m mark) for an apology to Matthew Watkins who was incorrectly lambasted in the previous episode for his critiques to the Timewave theory.

// Music (in order of appearance)
Metric - Twilight Galaxy (Gladkill Remix) via Ohh So Famous
Milagres - Glowing Mouth viaThe Music Ninja
The Dictator's Speech with Inception's music by Hans Zimmer via Youtube
Foster the People - Houdini (Valida's Step Out Mix) via Earplugs Not Included
Blue Sky Black Death - Sleeping Children Are Still Flying viaPotholes In My Blog
Purity Ring - Lofticries via Gorilla vs. Bear

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