Doomer Optimism

On this episode, returning hosts Joe Norman (@normonics) and Josh Heling (@jrheling) have an in-depth discussion with the philosopher and Game B theorist, Jordan Hall (@jgreenhall). About Jordan Hall Jordan is the Co-founder and Executive Chairman of the Neurohacker Collective. He is now in his 19th year of building disruptive technology companies. Jordan’s interests in comics, science fiction, computers, and way too much TV led to a deep dive into contemporary philosophy (particularly the works of Gilles Deleuze and Manuel DeLanda), artificial intelligence and complex systems science, and then, as the Internet was exploding into the world, a few years at Harvard Law School where he spent time with Larry Lessig, Jonathan Zittrain and Cornel West examining the coevolution of human civilization and technology. About Joe Norman Joe is a complex systems scientist researching risk in large-scale systems, pattern formation in biological systems, physiological patterns for improving human health, and military strategy for international and global security. About Josh Heling Josh Heling and his family run Hidden Savanna Farm, a permaculture-inspired small farm in the countryside outside of Madison, WI whose mission is to contribute to its local food economy while connecting people to each other and the natural environment. He's spent the last eight years starting the process of converting 10 acres of overgrown woodland to a perennial food system supporting the farm's pastured poultry and sheep operations. Hidden Savanna also acts as a hands-on learning lab for a variety of educational enrichment programs for elementary and middle-school aged kids.

Season 0 ends with Dr. Ashley Colby (@RizomaSchool), Dr. Jason Snyder (@cognazor), and 1/2 Dr. Tres Crow (@DogEatCrow) chatting about what went wrong, what went right, and what's ahead for the Doomer Optimism podcast and movement (?). About Dr. Jason Snyder Metamodern localist | homesteading, permaculture, bioregional regeneration | meditation, self inquiry, embodied cognition | PhD from Michigan State University, faculty Appalachian State University. About Dr. Ashley Colby Ashley is an Environmental Sociologist who studied at Washington State University, the department that founded the subdiscipline. She's interested in and passionate about the myriad creative ways in which people are forming new social worlds in resistance to the failures of late capitalism and resultant climate disasters. I am a qualitative researcher so I tend to focus on the informal spaces of innovation. She's the founder of Rizoma Field School and Rizoma Foundation. About Tres Crow Tres is making the world a greener place one urban space at a time with my friends Roots Down. He's a storyteller and marketing dude. He loves natural urbanism and climate justice.

On this episode of Doomer Optimism, repeat host Anarcho-Contrarian (@AnarContrarian) is joined by Julie Fredrickson (@AlmostMedia) and Ben Hunt (@EpsilonTheory). The cover a wide range of economic and political topics, deflation versus inflation, and how the heck someone can navigate the coming insanity. About Ben Hunt Ben Hunt is the creator of Epsilon Theory and inspiration behind Second Foundation Partners, which he co-founded with Rusty Guinn in June 2018. Epsilon Theory, Second Foundation’s principal publishing brand, is a newsletter and website that examines markets through the lenses of game theory and history. Over 100,000 professional investors and allocators across 180 countries read Epsilon Theory for its fresh perspective and novel insights into market dynamics. As Chief Investment Officer, Ben bears primary responsibility for determining the Company’s investment views and positioning of model portfolios. He is also the primary author of materials distributed through Epsilon Theory. Ben taught political science for 10 years: at New York University from 1991 until 1997 and (with tenure) at Southern Methodist University from 1997 until 2000. He also wrote two academic books: Getting to War (Univ. of Michigan Press, 1997) and Policy and Party Competition (Routledge, 1992), which he co-authored with Michael Laver. Ben is the founder of two technology companies and the co-founder of SmartEquip, Inc., a software company for the construction equipment industry that provides intelligent schematics and parts diagrams to facilitate e-commerce in spare parts. He began his investment career in 2003, first in venture capital and subsequently on two long/short equity hedge funds. He worked at Iridian Asset Management from 2006 until 2011 and TIG Advisors from 2012 until 2013. He joined Rusty at Salient in 2013, where he combined his background as a portfolio manager, risk manager, and entrepreneur with academic experience in game theory and econometrics to work with Salient’s own portfolio managers and its financial advisor clients to improve client outcomes. Ben is a graduate of Vanderbilt University (1986) and earned his Ph.D. in Government from Harvard University in 1991. He lives in the wilds of Redding, CT on Little River Farm, where he personifies the dilettante farmer that has been a stock comedic character since Cicero's day. Luckily his wife, Jennifer, and four daughters, Harper, Hannah, Haven and Halle, are always there to save the day. Ben's hobbies include comic books, Alabama football, beekeeping, and humoring Rusty in trivia "competitions". About Anarcho-Contrarian They're anonymous so honestly not that much to share here. But here's their Twitter bio: Scale-Reductionism, Localism, Agrarianism, New Village-ism, Distributism... i.e. Redundant, Nostalgic & Politically Homeless. About Julie Fredrickson Julie is a serial entrepreneur and investor.

On this episode of Doomer Optimism, Dr. Ashley Colby (@RizomaSchool) has an audio-only chat with a couple of anonymous friends of the podcast, Anarcho-Contrarian (@AnarContrarian) and William Wheelwright (@ploughmansfolly). Topics include: spirituality, culture rot, and fiding God in the land. About William Wheelwright They're anonymous, soooo.... About Anarcho-Contrarian Also anonymous. About Dr. Ashley Colby Ashley is an Environmental Sociologist who studied at Washington State University, the department that founded the subdiscipline. She's interested in and passionate about the myriad creative ways in which people are forming new social worlds in resistance to the failures of late capitalism and resultant climate disasters. I am a qualitative researcher so I tend to focus on the informal spaces of innovation. She's the founder of Rizoma Field School and Rizoma Foundation.

On this episode of Doomer Optimism, Dr. Ashley Colby (@RizomaSchool) and Tres Crow (@dogeatcrow) have a sprawling convo about what it's like to parent at the end of the world with Tom Ruby (@bgcts) and Jeremy Spingath. Some topics covered: anti-natalism versus babytown, multi-generational households, and building something with your family. About Tom Ruby Strategic Planning; Executive Coaching; Advanced Analysis; PhD, U of Kentucky; Ret AF Colonel Mentor  Traveler Reader Writer Peasant villager  Husband/Dad/Deda. Find him at Bluegrass Critical Thinking Solutions. About Jeremy Spingath Jeremy is a husband and father of 3 (12, 9, and 1). He lives in Colorado, homeschools, and works from home doing web and app design for work. He and his family are definitely new to the localism idea, but they're wanting to explore how to encourage building up of our communities, especially local food, becoming self-reliant even in the suburbs, and moving to a more local mindset.  About Dr. Ashley Colby Ashley is an Environmental Sociologist who studied at Washington State University, the department that founded the subdiscipline. She's interested in and passionate about the myriad creative ways in which people are forming new social worlds in resistance to the failures of late capitalism and resultant climate disasters. I am a qualitative researcher so I tend to focus on the informal spaces of innovation. She's the founder of Rizoma Field School and Rizoma Foundation. About Tres Crow Tres is making the world a greener place one urban space at a time with his friends Roots Down. He's a storyteller and marketing dude. He loves natural urbanism and climate justice.

On this episode of Doomer Optimism, Dr. Ashley Colby (@RizomaSchool) has a beautiful chat with Maggie and Mark Samborski, and Steven Morris (@lifesmyth) about the emerging trends in locally-oriented farming and trade. About Maggie Samborski Creating a World-wide Agricultural Revolution. Urban Agriculture Activist & Community Farm Steward, Green Goddesss Sanctuary, Village of Oakview, MO About Steven Morris Steven Morris started his journey into Doomer Optimism in 2011 when during the time of a divorce he stumbled upon 3 of the many early doomer optimist voices: Chris Martenson's Crash Course, John Michael Greer's  blog The Archdruid Report, and KMO's C-Realm podcast. These 3 identified the many issues of decline in the world that he could sense but didn't have words for. At the same time they all provided positive possibilities for the future. Steven considers himself an amateur Renaissance Man and Polymath of sorts with a wide variety of interests including, appropriate use of technology, regenerative systems, explorations in consciousness, alternative (sometimes called complementary) currency systems, computer technology, and complex systems.  He has worked on multiple award winning independent films, managed warehouse logistics for a small business, run a college radio station and lead ecstatic dance workshops. He is a trained Host for Nora Bateson's People Need People gatherings. He currently generates income from running the audio visual technology behind corporate events and is working with the Commons Engine as the video editor for their upcoming Currency Design for Change Agents master class to be launched this spring. About Dr. Ashley Colby Ashley is an Environmental Sociologist who studied at Washington State University, the department that founded the subdiscipline. She's interested in and passionate about the myriad creative ways in which people are forming new social worlds in resistance to the failures of late capitalism and resultant climate disasters. I am a qualitative researcher so I tend to focus on the informal spaces of innovation. She's the founder of Rizoma Field School and Rizoma Foundation.

On this episode of Doomer Optimism, Dr. Ashley Colby (@rizomaschool) and Dr. Jason Snyder (@cognazor) have a wide-ranging convo with Eli Whipple (@whippleeli) and James Risberg (@jimmyris) that touches on DAO's, decentralized industry, and industrial eco-villages. About Eli Whipple Eli is an innovator and systems thinker designing business and production solutions at the intersection of automation, regenerative environmental stewardship, and meaningful opportunities for community contribution. As the founder of both New Power Industry and Ethanol Revolution, he leverages his background in business, toolmaking, and renewable energy to develop innovative technologies designed to bridge gaps in distributed manufacturing, incentivize local production, and drive beneficial outcomes for both the local economy and environment alike. About James Risberg James is a breather. About Dr. Jason Snyder Metamodern localist | homesteading, permaculture, bioregional regeneration | meditation, self inquiry, embodied cognition | PhD from Michigan State University, faculty Appalachian State University. About Dr. Ashley Colby Ashley is an Environmental Sociologist who studied at Washington State University, the department that founded the subdiscipline. She's interested in and passionate about the myriad creative ways in which people are forming new social worlds in resistance to the failures of late capitalism and resultant climate disasters. I am a qualitative researcher so I tend to focus on the informal spaces of innovation. She's the founder of Rizoma Field School and Rizoma Foundation.

On this episode of Doomer Optimism, hosts Dr. Ashley Colby (@rizomaschool) and Dr. Jason Snyder (@cognazor) interview the inestimable Tao Orion (@tao_orion) and get deeeeep into the weeds on the ecology of a homestead. This one is up there with episode 6 with Ben Falk of Whole Systems Design as one of the more practical episodes we've run this season. If you're interested in the ins and outs of maintaining your own ecological system, this is the episode for you. About Tao Orion Tao graduated from UC Santa Cruz after majoring in Environmental Studies with a focus on Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture. She participated in the 2001 Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture at the UC Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, and received a Certificate in Ecological Horticulture. She received her PDC from Max Lindegger at Crystal Waters Permaculture Village in Australia in 2002. Tao holds a MSc in Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security at the National University of Ireland. Tao is the author of Beyond the War on Invasive Species: A Permaculture Perspective on Ecosystem Restoration (Chelsea Green Publishing, 2015), and also “People as Purposeful and Conscientious Resource Stewards: Human Agency in A World Gone Wild” (Routledge Press, 2020). She is passionate about linking restoration with thoughtful design of human and non-human habitat. Tao currently serves on the Lane County Climate Action Planning Committee, as well as on the Planning Commission for the City of Cottage Grove, OR. About Dr. Jason Synder Metamodern localist | homesteading, permaculture, bioregional regeneration | meditation, self inquiry, embodied cognition | PhD from Michigan State University, faculty Appalachian State University. About Dr. Ashley Colby Ashley is an Environmental Sociologist who studied at Washington State University, the department that founded the subdiscipline. She's interested in and passionate about the myriad creative ways in which people are forming new social worlds in resistance to the failures of late capitalism and resultant climate disasters. I am a qualitative researcher so I tend to focus on the informal spaces of innovation. She's the founder of Rizoma Field School and Rizoma Foundation.

On this episode of Doomer Optimism Dr. Jason Snyder (@cognazor) has a virtual sit-down with his long-time friend Speaker John Ash (@speakerjohnash). A few of the topics covered are: performance art, the Cognicist Manifesto, systems change, and living in our ridiculously uncertain times. About Speaker John Ash From Twitter Bio: All acts of memetic criminality should be considered poetry. Performance arting my way into systems change. Qualia Engineer. Identifies as uncertain. About Dr. Jason Snyder Metamodern localist | homesteading, permaculture, bioregional regeneration | meditation, self inquiry, embodied cognition | PhD from Michigan State University, faculty Appalachian State University.

On this episode of Doomer Optimism, hosts Dr. Jason Snyder (@cognazor) and Tres Crow (@dogeatcrow) chat with Dostoyevsky addict and burgeoning Doomer Optimist, Ethan Charles Holmes (otherwise known as Posts from the Underground @the_posts) about the doomer to bloomer pipeline and the OG Doomer Optimist, Fyodor Dostoevsky. About Ethan Charles Holmes Ethan Charles Holmes is a writer at Sputnik Newswire and a student of Russian literature. His writing on complexity, altruism, liberty, and localism can be found at his blog. About Dr. Jason Snyder Metamodern localist | homesteading, permaculture, bioregional regeneration | meditation, self inquiry, embodied cognition | PhD from Michigan State University, faculty Appalachian State University. About Tres Crow Tres is making the world a greener place one urban space at a time with my friends Roots Down. He's a storyteller and marketing dude. He loves natural urbanism and climate justice.