Doomer Optimism

In this episode, Ashley asks her two closest collaborators on Doomer Optimism – Jason on the podcast, and James on events – to think through what drew them to the project, lessons from what we’ve done so far, and where we could go from here.

Monopoly Power, New Deal Legacies, and the Fight for Real Economic DemocracyJames and Basel unpack the legacy of the New Deal, the tangled history of regulation, and the roots of today’s anti-monopoly movement. From egg prices and avian flu to Big Tech and corporate control of agriculture, they explore how concentrated power distorts markets, erodes democracy, and shapes both domestic and foreign policy. Grounded in history but focused on the future, the episode explores what real economic democracy might look like—and the role everyday people can play in achieving it.

Paul Kingsnorth and Leighton Woodhouse in conversation for the Third Annual Doomer Optimism Campout at The Wagon Box.

Ashley, Donald, and James cover a lot of ground in this episode. They kick things off with the story of Leslie Peltier, a self-taught stargazer from Ohio, before diving into a deeper conversation about environmentalism. Donald raises concerns about how today’s climate discourse can feel paralyzing, especially for young people, and argues that instead of backing away from nature, we need to find ways to work with it.The conversation broadens into bigger questions about collapse — not dramatic doomsday stuff, but a slower kind of breakdown where complex systems just can’t hold themselves together anymore. That idea leads them into American history, particularly the legacy of Jacksonian democracy and the ongoing tug-of-war between centralized power and local control.They touch on everything from the role of tradition to the limits of liberalism, and explore what it might take to build a coherent moral framework in a fractured time. It’s a thoughtful, wide-ranging discussion about how we got here — and where we might be headed.

DO 269 – Engineering, education, empathy, and mimetic warfare? Dr. Chuck Pezeshki & JoshDr. Chuck is an engineering professor at Washington State University. He runs an engineering design studio for student projects and blogs on an exorbitantly wide range of topics at https://empathy.guru.Dr. Chuck is hard to characterize other than “someone Doomer Optimists ought to be paying attention to.”

Can Humanity Keep Pace with the Technologies It Creates?Matthew Pirkowski joins Ashley Fitzgerald to unpack the complicated relationship between technology and humanity. They dive into the worlds of AI and cryptocurrency, exploring how these tools work—and how they shape our minds, societies, and futures.Drawing from his background in evolutionary psychology, Matthew reflects on how our instincts and behaviors interact with fast-moving technologies. He and Ashley wrestle with big questions: How does AI influence our decisions? What risks do we face when innovation outpaces understanding? And how do we walk the fine line between exploring new digital frontiers and exploiting them?The conversation also touches on a tech-driven world's psychological and political consequences—from polarization and power concentration to the importance of real, embodied experiences like parenting. They explore the need for communities to rethink how we live and govern together in a time of rapid change.Matthew and Ashley share a cautious hope for the future—one rooted in curiosity, responsibility, and a commitment to keeping human values at the center of technological progress.

Dr. Chris Ellis hosts Graham Summers and Matt, discussing various economic topics including market dynamics, investment strategies, and the role of metals in the current financial landscape. They explore the implications of monetary policy, the significance of gold and silver, and the potential for a monetary reset amidst inflationary pressures. The conversation covers the complexities of the global economy, the impact of tariffs, and the challenges of understanding value in a fluctuating market. Chris, Graham, and Matt discuss the historical context of currency debasement, the role of the Federal Reserve in monetizing debt, and the impact of COVID-19 on financial systems. They explore the growing economic inequality and the importance of preparing for future uncertainties. The discussion also touches on alternative education approaches for young adults, emphasizing the need for practical skills and financial literacy.

Chris Smaje and Jason Snyder make their triumphant return to DO to join Ashley to explore the concepts of 'strong gods' and 'weak gods' as articulated by NS Lyons, examining the historical context, implications of nationalism's resurgence, critiques of the strong gods argument, and the importance of localism and community in navigating societal changes. The discussion also dives into the need for a moral framework in a diverse society and the role of community in fostering resilience against global challenges. They discuss the need for a living tradition that is not ossified, the search for meaning in a secular world, and the role of religion in civic life. The conversation covers the complexities of community engagement, the duality of political figures, and the future of local politics and livelihoods. Throughout, they emphasize the importance of grounding spiritual practices in local contexts and the challenges of navigating tradition in a rapidly changing world.

Transition Engineering with Susan Krumdieck and Josh Susan Krumdieck (PhD, mechanical engineering) is a Professor at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland and is the foremost global proponent of the emergent discipline of Transition Engineering. Susan figured out “Doomer Optimism” before it was a thing and asked herself, “What can I do as an engineer?” The answer was to elaborate a novel approach to tackling wicked challenges, dismantling the unsustainable systems that modernity depends on, and replacing them with systems that can serve people and ecosystems for the long term. She formed the Global Association for Transition Engineering to work at the grassroots and with academics, businesses, municipalities, and regional governments to advance Transition Engineering projects. Her seminal textbook on Transition Engineering can be downloaded for free from the publisher.

Ashley and Robert bounce through a wide range of topics — everything from the tug-of-war between natural law and man-made law to how postmodernism has shaped (and maybe warped) the way we see truth and art. They look at how Western values were shaped, especially through Christianity, and wonder what gets lost when those foundations are ignored. There’s also a back-and-forth on the psychological strain of modern life — what some might call derangement syndrome — and how media and politics often feed into that.In another part of the conversation, they get into how media companies profit off fear, and how political discourse has become almost theatrical. There's talk about how people treat politicians like celebrities or even religious figures, and how social media makes that worse. They also unpack how stories and myths, old and new, shape our ideas about the world.They shift gears again to explore environmental issues, the changing role of art (video games come up as a new kind of art form), and how we use — and misuse — stats and data in the name of truth or democracy. There’s some reflection on good and evil, and how people navigate identity and meaning through different subcultures. Robert shares his thoughts on moving from strict rationalism toward something more faith-based, especially with AI and tech changing things so fast.Later, they get personal, talking about what makes relationships work, how to live with purpose, and how success often comes down to practicing small virtues every day. There's even a bit about what Christian ethics might say about becoming a multi-planetary species. They touch on regenerative farming, sacrifice, family, and what leadership looks like when it’s rooted in love and respect, especially in how we talk about gender and power.