Ashes Ashes

Episode 107 - "Face Off" We're back with more discussions about facial recognition and the draconian world we're quickly building. Updating our previous discussion with new information out Clearview AI, the 2020 protests, coronavirus and our new masked world, and much more. We're thrilled too have a special interview with fashion designer, activist, and technologist Kate Bertash to discuss the implications of facial surveillance and how we can start to fight back. A lot to unpack so sit back and hit play. Chapters 04:47 - Intro stats 06:23 - What is facial recognition? 09:14 - Why should we care? 20:20 - Faults in the system 35:16 - Clearview AI 45:48 - Consumer facial recognition 49:40 - Benefits of Facial Recognition? 54:37 - Fear 56:21 - Facial tracking in the home 58:58 - Interview with Kate Bertash 01:22:29 - Over-surveillance of communities of color 01:29:08 - THOSE WHO RESIST: Artists, Technologists, Legislators A full transcript will be available as well as detailed links and sources (plus credits a

Episode 106 - "Human Nature" This week we get back to the basics with an episode about climate change and the many people waking up to it. Join us as we explore everything from a new European report on need for renewable energy to fuel economic growth to the work archaeologists are doing on how humans have always had an impact on the earth. A dive into humans, nature, and our place in the world. Chapters 02:48 - Progress on 20 Global Sustainability Goals 14:39 - Failure to respond 19:13 - MEDEAS Report in Europe 25:37 - Faith in science restored? 31:29 - Short term gains, long term pains 39:32 - What's coming: migration, heat, crop loss, and more 53:40 - Brazil mayors cut trees for election 59:48 - Money is the root of all evil 1:01:11 - Debt jubilee 1:04:18 - Economic theory disproves climate change 1:13:03 - Deep Anthropocene 1:33:34 - What to Do A full transcript will be available soon and detailed links and sources (plus credits and more) are on our website ashesashes.org. Find more information along wi

Episode 105 - "School's Out" Friend of the podcast Moriah sits down with us to discuss life as a grad student during the pandemic. Then, we dive into Wendell Berry, a brief history of the start of some universities, the school-to-sports pipeline, competition in the workforce, and we ask what is the purpose of education anyway? Join us on a meandering walk down the hallway of another broken system (don't worry, we'll be back on this soon for deeper dives). Chapters 03:44 Moriah Catches Up 23:47 Degrees for Cops 27:16 Profits Over Education 30:50 Sports 47:24 Packers 51:33 What Are People For? 01:12:21 Land Grant Universities 01:48:42 What is the Purpose? Detailed links and sources (plus credits and more) are available on our website ashesashes.org. Find more information along with relevant news and links on your favorite social network @ashesashescast. CC BY-SA 4.0

Episode 104 - "This Land Is My Land" You might be surprised how much our cities and streets are designed to keep people out. From spikes on sidewalks, baby shark music in our parks, to gates, buzzers, bouncers, water, deeds, and a whole bunch of clowns, and more! Why are our places designed to be so hostile to common enjoyment and peace? Why is it so important for white people to wall themselves off from the rest of the world? What does it mean to live in places designed like prisons on the eve of historic climate calamities? These and other questions are all explored as we contemplate and reflect on the crazy world that's driving us all nuts! Chapters 01:12 Some things that make cities terrible 18:58 Exclusion connected to racism 35:31 Origins of "Family Values" 40:47 Whiteness is self-destruction 46:42 Real estate market exclusion 1:01:59 Clown Town 1:05:01 Clown Music 1:13:34 Anti-Cruisin' USA and more examples 1:26:57 Gated communities, escapism, and climate change Detailed links and sources (plus credi

Episode 103 - "Minimum Justice" Mandatory minimums, three strike rules, and other similar laws were created to strengthen the "justice" system and make us safer - but have they done the opposite? This week we interview newly minted activists working to free a man caught up in this system and explore in detail the how's and why's of this tragedy of justice. Chapters 04:18 Disparities in Sentencing 13:26 Justice for Willie Simmons 29:10 Interview Takeaway 31:01 The ones who get away with it 42:05 Mandatory Sentencing and Unintended Consequences 01:09:08 We live in a bullshit society 01:18:21 Why do prisons exist? Reading from Ruth Wilson Gilmore 01:30:21 "Justice" versus Justice: What can we do A full transcript will soon be available as well as detailed links and sources (plus credits and more) on our website ashesashes.org. Find more information along with relevant news and links on your favorite social network @ashesashescast or follow our live shows at twitch.tv/ashesashescast. CC BY-SA 4.0

Episode 102 - "The Then, The Now, and The Next" We've been away for a while and this episode exists to fill in the gap. Catch up with us as we discuss what we've been up to, a small state of the world, and the big question of where do we go from here? We hope you've been healthy, happy, and working towards a better future because we've certainly been (well - maybe we haven't been totally happy). Chapters 01:07 Patreon 03:01 Where ya been 10:41 Organizing 20:47 Daniel and the Land 24:17 Quarantine 30:33 Work and Connections 36:26 What next? Detailed links and sources (plus credits and more) on our website ashesashes.org. Find more information along with relevant news and links on your favorite social network @ashesashescast. CC BY-SA 4.0

Episode 101 - "We Didn't Start the Fire" Jack from Uni Students for Climate Justice joins us to discuss the bushfires in Australia, some of the resulting political and economic fallout and ways to respond. Then, with fire and ashes on our mind, we turn our attention to the unfolding catastrophes catalyzed by COVID-19, how we are each responding as individuals, and ways to move forward in our communities. Chapters 03:38 Bushfires in AU 00:59 Bushfire political fallout 13:02 Bushfire perspectives as an environmental student 30:17 Anxiety and Agency 42:06 Foundations of Power Questioned 46:10 NYC 51:31 What are our socially responsible options? 59:04 Two divergent opportunities presented in crisis 01:01:55 What can we do, economic fallout, and more A full transcript is available as well as detailed links and sources (plus credits and more) on our website ashesashes.org. Find more information along with relevant news and links on your favorite social network @ashesashescast. CC BY-SA 4.0

Episode 100 - "One Hundred Years of Ashes" We're incredibly lucky to spend this week celebrating our 100th episode with all of you. Looking back at all the episodes we've recorded, the many systemic threats, issues, and problems explored, we thought it would be a nice change to look forward instead. This week we discuss one hundred years of the future, imagining what that might look like, good and bad, in some of the key areas of this show. What lessons have we learned? What obstacles will we face? Can we really build a better world? In this time of great uncertainty, it's important to look inside and imagine the future we want for the world so we know how to go ahead and start building it. Join us for Ashes Ashes #100 and to imagine a better future for all. Chapters 05:53 100 Years of Surveillance and Fashion 29:40 Social Media 34:59 The Commons and Land 40:32 Georgism 47:36 Mad Mac and the World of Copyright 53:21 Economic Collapse 59:32 Climate change 01:09:01 Hope in Disaster A full transcript is a

Episode 99 - "Collapse Chat: Border Patrol Catch COVID-19" It's time for another chat show as David and Daniel review more bad news // from the border involving a recent Supreme Court decision // which reminds us to reflect on the real gun control debate not being had // recent labor struggles in education // indigenous activists fighting big gas // COVID-19 aka coronavirus and what we might expect economically, politically, and medically Chapters 00:57 STRIKE! 04:07 RESIST! 06:03 Border Patrol (again) 18:35 COVID-19 43:19 Pandemic Economy 01:03:39 Healthcare Sucks A full transcript is available as well as detailed links and sources (plus credits and more) on our website ashesashes.org. Find more information along with relevant news and links on your favorite social network @ashesashescast. CC BY-SA 4.0

Episode 98 - "Water World (Spoiler: Not So Good)" The latest IPCC report details observed effects of climate change on the ocean and cryosphere (really really cold places), which are altering the environment from the highest mountain peaks to the lowest depths of the ocean. The implications for our world are significant. The ocean, which has been absorbing 90% of the excess heat we produce, is giving way to critical levels of acidity and hypoxia threatening the foundation of all marine life. Sea level rise caused by melting ice and thermal expansion threatens to transform once-in-a-century sea level events into regularly occurring annual events by 2050. As if that were not enough, arctic sea ice is decreasing, marine heatwaves are accelerating, permafrost is melting, and planet-scale ocean currents are slowing. If you want to learn more, you've come to the wrong place. You'll find nothing here but rants and nonsensical metaphors. Chapters [10:07] Melting Ice [22:16] Rising Seas [32:39] Warming Oceans, Aci

Episode 97 - "Collapse Chat: Borders, Fires, Viruses, and Cannibalism" We've published our big border show and now take a chance to reflect on the production (and why it took so long) as we ease back into weekly episodes. A lot happened over the past few months and we briefly address new border developments, the Australian Fires, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Daniel chats about business, Christopher Columbus, and cannibalism and you don't want to miss it. Chapters [00:31] We're back, what happened? [14:29] Border news updates [23:55] Quick note on bushfires, viruses and coping [31:31] Daniel rambles incoherently on business management and cannibalism A full transcript is coming soon and you can find detailed links and sources (plus credits and more) on our website ashesashes.org. Find more information along with relevant news and links on your favorite social network @ashesashescast. CC BY-SA 4.0

Episode 96 - "Walls That Divide U.S." There is a crisis at the border between the U.S. and Mexico. Global forces of climate change, development and war conspire in a deadly feedback loop of human suffering. At the heart of this crisis is the most sprawling system of detention and surveillance the world has ever seen, relying on unjust criminalization for the benefit of a few sources of power. What does it all mean, how did we get here, and what can we do about it? Learn more at https://borders.ashesashes.org Chapters (00:00) PART I: The Border Crisis (02:31) 1.1: Humane Borders and Desert Aid Work (15:47) 1.2: Guest intros and Crisis Summary (34:28) 1.2.1: Fake University, Real Arrests (38:55) 1.3: History of US Border Patrol (1:16:10) 1.4: Criminalization of Status and Public Safety vs National Security (1:33:13) 1.5: What Does it Take to Become a Refugee? (1:52:20) 1.6: The Wall and Climate Change (2:17:00) 1.7: Child Separation and the History of Concentration Camps (3:02:50) PART II: How We Got He

Episode 95 - "Collapse Chat: Silviculturists, Entrepreneurs and Social Science" A real silviculturist provides inputs on last week's show // David provides first-hand knowledge of essential bathroom upgrades // The big business of promoting entrepreneurship abroad // Co-opting social scientists // Future show updates Chapters 01:01 Will the real silviculturists please stand up 05:01 Promoting Entrepreneurship 10:55 Invading Communities from the Inside 23:47 How to Change Your Diet 27:19 Social Science and Industry 35:32 Wake Up and Smell the Gas(lighting) 44:09 Ashes Ashes Updates A full transcript is available as well as detailed links and sources (plus credits and more) on our website ashesashes.org. Find more information along with relevant news and links on your favorite social network @ashesashescast. CC BY-SA 4.0

Episode 94 - "If a Tree Falls" We're missing the forest and the trees. Not only has logging exploded in recent years, but it is has done so often in the explicit name of sustainability and green energy. We examine the authenticity of these practices as well as look at some of the long-term destructive consequences that forest disturbances can wreak, in some cases (e.g. extinction debt) reverberating a century in the future. Additionally, the same economic forces that destroy pristine and critical ecosystems are the same that seek to divide and conquer indigenous people by pitting them against one another and against the health of the very land they depend on. Chapters 00:38 "The Industrial 'One-Night Stand'" 08:22 Logging 101 11:32 Good or Bad? 19:52 Sustainable Logging 32:45 Problems 34:23 Biomass Woes 45:09 Logging and Climate 53:42 Dangerous Jobs 58:08 Land Tenure 1:12:18 What's this all for? A full transcript is available as well as detailed links and sources (plus credits and more) on our websit

Episode 93 - "Collapse Chat: Birds, Vindictive Climate, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch" You asked for topic updates so we deliver. Bird populations are not doing well in North America and researchers are shocked at how effective it is to connect the dots. Tropical storms in Texas remind us of the economic paradoxes we've placed ourselves in. In addition, we reflect on Friday's climate strike from New York and Boston and start tackling the looming question in all of our minds over the climate crisis, "What now?" Chapters 2:06 Birdemic 13:48 Tropical Storm Catch-22 23:47 Responsibility 27:29 Climate Strike 43:24 A Better World A full transcript is available as well as detailed links and sources (plus credits and more) on our website ashesashes.org. Find more information along with relevant news and links on your favorite social network @ashesashescast. CC BY-SA 4.0

Episode 92 - "Good Heavens" In 1967 the world witnessed the signing of the Outer Space Treaty, and now over 100 countries have joined the international agreement to declare space as "the province of all mankind," to be used "exclusively for peaceful purposes", and kept free of weapons and military installations. This idealism is a far cry from current reality, with US officials espousing values of domination and exclusive advantages to be maintained in space, while other countries are blowing satellites out of the sky with missiles to prove themselves mighty "space powers." Will we ever reclaim space as the peaceful province of all mankind, or will the road to Donald J. Kessler's infamous scenario be paved with neutral particle beams, lasers, nano-satellite swarms, machine-gun mounted satellites, and giant tungsten rods? Chapters 03:46 Space Opera 08:05 Beams, Bombs, and Rods from God 15:35 Two Visions for Space 24:33 Space Force and the Drive to Dominate 27:55 Neighbors and Rockets 40:22 Satellite-Killer

Episode 91 - "Collapse Chat: Name and Shame, Community, and Re-Imaginings" It's another chat episode as we take a break between deep dives and this week we explore in more depth some of the experiences Daniel has had in the organizing for his new work. It turns out there are important lessons to be learned for not just Daniel, but all of us even in his first few days on the job. David also shares his latest organizing work and explores some trends in the world around us. Reflections on naming and shaming, community work, food justice and agricultural sustainability, the tipping point of a global future, community radio, rants, and more - this week we've got it all! Chapters 04:49 A Language Note 10:05 Two Projects 24:10 Tipping Points 36:16 World David 43:02 I've got Mine 51:39 Imagination A full transcript is available as well as detailed links and sources (plus credits and more) on our website ashesashes.org. Find more information along with relevant news and links on your favorite social network

Episode 90 - "A Grave Situation" Over 100 billion people have died on this planet and been laid to rest through countless burial traditions and customs, and while a majority of these passings simply re-entered natural ecological cycles, many popular burial traditions of today require exorbitant additions of resources that cause dramatic natural disturbances guaranteed to have a lasting environmental impact. But beyond this, it appears that the way we live in society carries over to the ways we die. The same alienation, segregation, and disconnection from our land and ourselves that we experience in life can all be found in our cultural habits surrounding death. Can we imagine a better way? Or will this grave situation only deepen? Chapters 03:49 Post-Life Carbon Footprint 17:50 Embalming History 28:42 Land and Space Challenges 48:10 Segregation in Life and Death 1:00:01 Body Brokers: Bodies and Profit A full transcript is available as well as detailed links and sources (plus credits and more) on our web

Episode 89 - "Collapse Chat: Banality, Good, and Evil" Another week, another collapse chat! This week we explore bullshit jobs through a listener email, dive into the upcoming Earth Strike event through interviews with activists and organizers, and take a look at the playbook of the forces who want to stop activism at all stages. There's a lot to learn as we jump through all these different topics so settle in and enjoy the ride! Our most sincere apologies for the sound quality in some of these interviews, sometimes you just have to roll with what you're given. Chapters 00:34 Lawrence's BS Job 15:38 Earth Strike 21:41 Earth Strike NYC 39:03 Earth Strike UK 47:25 Corporate Wars and Activists Recommended Reading The origin comment of Earth Strike The Duchin Formula (warning, Facebook link) Links from Jacob UPROSE Outlive Them Network Bronx Climate Justice North Rise and Resist AFT Links from Cosmo By 2020 We Rise Up International Rebellion Oct 7th Earth Strike Extinction Rebellion Global Climat

Episode 88 - "This Land is Our Land" The IPCC released their special report "Climate Change and Land" to examine how human-led land use change is contributing to global warming irrespective of our direct GHG emissions, and how this might impact our future resilience in the face of desertification, land degradation, and food insecurity. This episode features a ton of facts: surface air temperature is warming twice as fast above land compared to the global average; land change alone accounts for a whopping 1/4 of all anthropological based warming; agriculture is responsible for 70% of global freshwater use; and industrial agricultural methods along with nitrogen fertilizer use have exploded so rapidly over the past several decades that top soil is being lost at rates 100 times faster than the earth's ability to replenish it. But more importantly, these facts are just the tip of the rapidly melting iceberg and give way to plenty of endless rants on all of the usual failures of the IPCC's failures and omissions.