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[personal profile] ecosophia
I suspect a good many of my readers will recall last year's lively conversation, hosted by the Center for Progressive Urban Politics, featuring me, James Howard Kunstler, Chris Martenson, Frank Morris, and Dmitry Orlov. Kevin Lynn, the host and organizer of that event, recently had me as a guest on his podcast for a very wide-ranging discussion. It's now available for listening and download. Enjoy! 

Soso, Hm. 170MB...

Date: 2018-01-21 12:00 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
A link to the audio file which is 170 megs big - and could be done with 31.
The mp3 encoder lame with the preset voice and you've got absolutely the same perceived quality. But "Unlimited storage and bandwidth" means nobody cares about how many disks are used...

Re: Soso, Hm. 170MB...

Date: 2018-01-21 10:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ferngladefarm.blogspot.com
Mate,

Did you ever consider for even one brief moment to say 'thanks for letting us know about this podcast', before getting on your little whine and moan routine?

I'm not saying that your social skills leave much to be desired, but it sure looks that way to me!

Chris

Re: Soso, Hm. 170MB...

Date: 2018-01-23 04:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] https://openid-provider.appspot.com/bryanlallen
The content of the podcast is so far (still going through it) excellent. But I must point out that Marshall McLuhan said oh so many decades ago “The Medium is The Message” and in this particular case to listen to the podcast I had to download an oddball podcast player which then did a poor job of doing what podcast players have been doing for more than a decade: facilitating listening to an audio recording. Certainly not of your doing, respected Archdruid, but the God of Progress in this case (“hey, let’s come up with a Kewl New podcast playrrr!!!”) certainly obstructed my attempt to Just Listen.

I wrote a scathing one-star review (was challenging to avoid foul language, but I did so) of the podcast player and submitted it, then noticed it has a 4.7 rating with over 1400 reviews. Hah, what do I know about anything... :-)

Immigration

Date: 2018-01-21 09:34 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
Listened to the podcast, and of course have been exposed to the blather about immigration on the news. It occurred to me that each party has their pretended position on the subject--while I agree with you that the real object is an exploitable workforce.

The Republicans are prating about a desire for quality immigrants. They pretend to want the kind of people who will found new industries and become the next class of millionaires. Mind you, the Democrats pretend that each of the immigrants they want to welcome will have an equal chance to be one of those successful entrepreneurs. And there are just enough successful entrepreneurs in any given group to fuel that fantasy: peddle hand made widgets and become a master of the widget trade, start a taco truck and end up owning an international taco franchise chain, etc. I think it is pretty clear that "successful" is Republican code for "won't need public assistance."

The Democrats promote the idea of America as sanctuary, ready to take in the huddled masses. Hence the emphasis on DACA, political refugees, etc. But they ignore the real problems that occur when you drop a few hundred utterly foreign workers into the middle of Iowa or Kansas. But a growing chorus of "we need to take care of our own" does not mean that Americans have suddenly turned xenophobic. I am currently reading an article in the New Yorker about Central American gangs in Long Island. Many of the gang members are the unaccompanied minors that are supposed to move us to pity. None of this is new: waves of immigration have always brought members of the criminal class along with the hard working families. Irish gangs, Italian gangs, Asian gangs: every group has a certain number who prey on their cohorts but branch out to cause problems for the larger society. But you can't mention this in certain circles without being denounced as a racist.

(no subject)

Date: 2018-01-22 10:29 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
Great to hear you recorded on a real mic versus the usual stuffy over-the-phone connection. Only wish the interview was longer.

Podcast

Date: 2018-01-22 08:37 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
JMG,
Thanks for posting this. I’ve always found your interviews to be worth listening to and this was no exception.
If there is a way for me to get an email when you post something on this “mini” blog that would be great. I’m trained to check out ecosophia.net at latest Thursday morning but have been late to most of your posts on dreamwidth.
I’m a mid boomer member of the salaried class but not a member of the salaried class that is protected by one of the government sponsored racquets (as JHK would put it). As an engineer, I’ve have been out of work and have been self-employed so had to contend with the cost of health care etc. So, I do understand your points about the wage class and think they are valid. My two children are graduating College and High School this year and I see what they will have to contend with. The obvious path would be to steer them toward employment in one of the racquets but that would only give the illusion of safety since the racquets will fail too at some point in the future.
I found it interesting that you made many of the same point about the fading of American empire as were made on a financial podcast that I listen to. The podcast is put out by Erik Townsend, who I learned of through Chris Martenson as I did you. They did a five part series on the end game for the US dollar which was a panel discussion between Erik and 3 money managers. You or some of your readers might find it worthwhile:
https://www.macrovoices.com/
Thanks,
Bob
http://www.investingwithnature.com

China

Date: 2018-01-23 02:42 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
This is off topic, but there is an article on China's move for international status in Jan 8, _New Yorker_. First page tells of a Chinese film, _Wolf Warrior II_ which features a retired special forces guy who rescues Chinese nationals and natives from a Western sponsored rebellion in an unspecified African nation . It is as silly as most action films, from all appearances. But according to the article the film ends with the idea that if you are a Chinese national the motherland has your back. There is a trailer and description online--but obviously my first thought was "shades of _Twilight's Last Gleaming_!

Rita Rippetoe

The bus comment hits the spot

Date: 2018-01-23 08:37 pm (UTC)
From: [personal profile] tiagoantao
Having moved to the US (Montana) a few years ago (Missoula, quite liberal), I was appalled by the general comments about bus users from my colleagues (I work in higher-ed). At some point I had to justify myself on using Greyhound ("its for the experience"). It was compared to cutting ones arm.

Also, the local buses (which are free) have a very distinct crowd of less well-off people (and students).

Class is indeed the unspoken (and unspeakable) issue here.

Interestingly, it is quite clear that part of the professional classes are getting worse conditions day-by-day but all this "smart", "educated" people cannot fathom the idea that one day they might be on the other side of the professional-wage divide.

good discussions

Date: 2018-01-25 03:52 pm (UTC)
druidtides: (Default)
From: [personal profile] druidtides
I went back and watched all of last years conversation as well as listened to the podcast. Its a holistic approach which makes a lot of sense which of course is why no one wants to hear it...

On a local side, I am working through the first few lectures of CGD ,... not trying to rush like I did with OBAD. Also about finished my short story for the Old Solar System competition (also a first for me).

Great interview

Date: 2018-01-26 10:39 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
There's a certain comfort I get from listening to your interviews. It's like listening to a sane person succinctly describe our situation. I'm a Canadian, so you can only imagine the diatribes that get pulled out on a daily basis if Trump so much as sneezes. Of course, I cannot mention this among friends and family. My compromise is to quietly point out that Trump is a symptom of a much bigger problem whenever he's blamed for the problem du jour.

Wonderful interview, thanks for sharing!

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ecosophia: (Default)John Michael Greer

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