Topic: Society

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[ Episode #10 // Brilliant ]

Jan 26 2011

How has access to artificial light allowed us to transform our human lives? Did it give us access to new reaches of the day or has it disconnected us from nature? The development of inexpensive and accessible light has brought about social change with its many forms: from animal fat candles to whale blubber, oil to electrified carbon filaments. Each varying source brings with it not only light but the dark side of fuel consumption.

In Extraenvironmentalist #10 we speak with Jane Brox, author of many books including most recently Brilliant: The Evolution of Artificial Light which Time magazine rated as one of the best non-fiction books of last year, Seth and I concur. Brilliant speaks not only to the technology behind artificial light but also to the class structures which filtered the technology down to the masses along with the consequences and the advantages of having a more luminous world.

Justin accidentally leaves his microphone on in the background so you get to hear an exclusive behind the scenes exploration into what exactly occurs as an interview takes place. Fortunately it is not too distracting as he behaved himself quite well and Seth did a great job dampening the impact. However the problem caused by the behavior of the mute button in Skype is solved and it won't happen again, we are only ten episodes in after all.

Even though it has been a while since you've last seen The Extraenvironmentalist, in this episode we return to kick off a stellar year of examining humanity in 2011 with interviews and more. Thanks for listening!

// Music (in order of appearance)
Star Slinger - Elizabeth Fraser (Cocteau Twins Rework) via The Music Ninja
Palpitation - In Five Years (Niva Remix) via Klubb Ace
Braids - Lemonade (Green Go Remix) via The DaDaDa
Diamond Messages - Liquid Summer via The Music Ninja
Marina and the Diamonds - Me and the Moon (Clock Opera Remix) via Et Musique Pour Tous
Paddling Song via WFMU's Beware of the Blog

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[ Episode #9 // Economics of Happiness ]

Jan 3 2011

Mini Episode

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 ]

Dec 13 2010

Mini Episode

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 ]

Nov 1 2010

Mini Episode

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 #4 // Technological Inefficiency ]

Oct 14 2010

Mini Episode

Oil is more efficient than coal; coal is more efficient than wood. We've been using more efficient energy sources throughout the timeline of modern industrial society yet our ecological footprint has continued to grow. If our technology has been making us more efficient all along, why do we continue to grow our ecological footprint? Could changes to the way humans make decisions within an economic system do more good for degraded ecosystems than shiny new technologies? What if we just all participated in the extractive economy less?

In Extraenvironmentalist #4 Justin talks with Conrad Schmidt who is among many other things, founder of the British Columbia Work Less Party and author of Alternatives to Growth: Efficiency Shifting. We talk about ways some macroeconomic level solutions could improve the economic situation, some alternative explanations to why the economic collapse of 2008 began and how an SUV might be more ecological beneficial than a bike. We've interspersed clips of Conrad's documentary films in with the interview so be sure to visit Conrad's website for his videos and books!

Also in this episode, we get our first voicemail (and what a good one it is!)

Join us on this fortuitous journey into the realm of a little considered alternative to economic growth!

// Media Links
Video | Conrad Schmidt via Workers of the World Relax: The Jevons Paradox
Audio | A diatribe on green via Mad Decent Radio #62
Video | Conrad Schmidt via Workers of the World Relax: The World Wide Financial Crisis

// Music (in order of appearance)
The Naked and the Famous - Young Blood via IndieShuffle
Sea Oleena - Little Army via The Music Ninja
Ima Robot - Ruthless via IndieShuffle
Sea Wolf - Wicked Blood via The Music Ninja
Gauntlet Hair - I Was Thinking via IndieShuffle

// 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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