Adam Van Buskirk (@Empty_America) - The strange 21st century

This is the first half of our conversation. Substack offers the full episode and the complete archive of Subversive episodes, including exclusive episodes and my writing. You can also subscribe to the podcast sans writing on Patreon for a bit less. This is how the show is financed and grows, so I appreciate every contribution!

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⁠https://www.patreon.com/aksubversive/ I speak with Adam about the concept of collapse and the various theories surrounding it, the likelihood of nuclear war as a primary cause of collapse, and the adaptability of complex systems. We also touch on the desire for revolution and the disconnect between online narratives and the real world. The conversation delves into the yearning for a different way of life and the challenges of escaping modernity, the impact of urbanization, immigration, and comparative advantage in different countries, the complexities of development, and the interconnectedness of the world. Our conversation also explores the crisis of competence in modern society and the decline of certain industries and professions, the perception that young people are checked out and not interested in high-status jobs, as well as the potential lack of competence in certain skilled trades. Adam Van Buskirk is a writer and knife craftsman who has written for Palladium https://www.palladiummag.com/author/adam-van-buskirk/ and on Twitter https://twitter.com/AHVanBuskirk and https://twitter.com/Empty_America Chapters for the full episode 00:00 Exploring the Concept of Collapse and Theories Surrounding It 09:17 The Likelihood of Nuclear War as a Primary Cause of Collapse 14:04 The Durability and Adaptability of Complex Systems 24:28 The Yearning for a Different Way of Life and the Challenges of Escaping Modernity 30:44 The Impact of Urbanization, Immigration, and Comparative Advantage 37:15 The Complexities of Development and the Interconnectedness of the World 45:09 The Crisis of Competence and the Decline of Industries 52:13 The Modern Caesar: Power and Dominance over Global Elites 01:04:34 The Decline of Adult Nightlife and the Retreat Indoors 01:10:39 The Pacification of Society: Increased Sensitivity and Decreased Tolerance 01:22:34 Reassessing the Ideas of Past Thinkers