What's lost when we hand over skills or experiences to technology ?

We sat down with localisation pioneer Helena Norberg-Hodge to learn more about the waves of radical economic and social changes she has experienced first hand.

In 1975, as a student of linguistics amongst the glacial melt of the Himalayas, Helena witnessed the rapid erosion of traditional culture that followed the introduction of Western ideas and economics to the isolated territory of Ladakh, or "Little Tibet."

As an economist, linguist and filmmaker, Helena has worked to popularise an economics of happiness for more than 30 years.

Our first episode with Helena aired back in April 2020. Her organisation Local Futures offers practical solutions for changing the systems that aren't serving us best; for coping and deepening connection – what they see as key to unlocking healthier futures for people and planet.

We wanted to have Helena back on to address a topic that’s been coming up a lot in our house – about technology and whether mechanistic tech is always the best or healthiest solution.

More specifically – what's lost when tech takes over our skills or experiences ?

We also hear from two listeners on the topic of tech: Surfers for Climate board member Courtney Miller and Nick Hounsfield, founder of The Wave wavepark in the UK.

We’d love to hear from your lived experience on this topic, too.

If you’d like the chance to be featured in a forthcoming episode – please email over a voice memo to waterpeoplepodcast@gmail.com .

Send us a text

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Listen with Lauren L. Hill & Dave Rastovich

Sound + Video Engineer: Ben J Alexander

Theme song: Shannon Sol Carroll

Additional music by Kai Mcgilvray + Ben J Alexander

Join the conversation: @Waterpeoplepodcast

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With a Song in My Heart - Leon Greenman | Introduction - Prof Li Wei