Topic: Youth

Latest

[ Episode #25 // Saving Money ]

Oct 5 2011

Is it more practical to learn permaculture than to earn a business degree? As financial markets sell off around the globe and world leaders scramble to prevent national defaults from collapsing the global economy, today's youth are certain to live through a massive shift in the monetary paradigm. An education system that prepared us to receive jobs in a consumer economy injured our ability to truly learn and now we face the insult of entering a bleak job market. Is money real or is it based on societal myths? Can a monetary system built on collaboration rather than competition create a society that amplifies the positive aspects of human nature? As Mike Ruppert says: until we change the way money works, we change nothing.

In Extraenvironmentalist #25 we speak with Charles Eisenstein about his new book Sacred Economics which explains how to save the concept of money from being subject to our outdated understanding of human nature and simplistic mechanistic models of the physical world around us. While the social unrest sweeping from Cairo to Athens to Barcelona to New York is disrupting monetary dynamics can it also create an applicable positive vision? Charles explains how a negative interest currency and an economic model that integrates equity and ecology can end what we perceive to be the human nature emphasized by our current currency. Can we accept that the failure of money isn't the end of the world but that it is an opportunity to reorganize?

// Music (in order of appearance)
Zeds Dead - Coffee Break via The Music Ninja
MGMT - All We Ever Wanted (Bauhaus Cover) via Stereogum
Michita - November via Earmilk
HEALTH - Goth Star (Pictureplane Cover) via Gorilla vs. Bear
Beatles - Eleanor Rigby (Butch Clancy Remix) via Dubtunes

// Extended Clips
Fiat Money via Renegade Economist
Trader Interview on BBC
Occupy Boston

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[ Episode #19 // Crash Course ]

Jul 27 2011

Mini Episode

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 #13 // Debt-Dollar Discipline ]

Apr 8 2011

Mini Episode

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 #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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