It's an interesting conversation and topic. One suggestion for the future might be to better frame a context around this. I completely agree with the idea that not all tech is good, not all economic growth or tech growth makes the world a better world, and it's valuable to reflect on these questions. However, I'm totally against using the tools of government to pick winners and losers among development programs. Government ought to get out of the business of economic and technology development entirely. Let the communities and marketplaces decide what people want. And you can try to influence what people think, but when it turns into coercion (what the WEF and the Democratic Party are fond of), that's where I immediately say no thank you and please go away.
When government put technology development to use for the public good, there was no problem. Governor DeWitt Clinton busted heads and almost destroyed his own career and personal life to get the Erie Canal constructed, and its completion transformed the American economy and the development of the entire continent. Its never too late for positive development -- but Charles & Jim dismantled the sort of technological development that suppresses progress, such as social media, whose ghettoization & addictive qualities harm the public instead of uplift it. This is the anti-progress, in the sort of Greek sense, where its not the enemy of something but across from something, like an outcome that was not desired.
FASCINATING, informative, insightful, and extremely interesting podcast!
ALOT packed in there, much to ponder, chiefly is there a way to reverse the doom loop we seem to have set up for ourselves by surrendering our independence to Big Tech and Big government.
I believe one the most tragic consequences of such a surrender has been the suffocation of true artistic and scientific ingenuity in individuals. People have become dependent upon something or someone else to do everything for them, and become terrified at the thought of those security blankets being stripped away.
As a result, We’ve become a weak, cowardly, lazy, and generally demoralized people, living and working in ugly buildings, with little to no imagination or originality that merely represent what we have become to ourselves. Empty and soulless.
I’m hoping and praying for a rebirth of the American spirit of independence and ingenuity but it will be a long hard labor to give birth to, if it’s at all possible.
And all this money printing is not making the lives of those of us who are retired and on a fixed income any easier. I make a fair amount of money, but I've been priced out of my own neighborhood in San Diego. I never bought, because I've spent most of my life traveling the world and working in various places and now it's coming back to hunt me. I might have to f****** move to Barstow! That's a spiritual death, absolutely!
One of the reasons that kitchen appliances don't last as long as the older models is "energy efficient" motors. These motors are simply lighter duty types of motors. They do use less energy, but they have shorter life expectencies. You don't get something for nothing.
The energy companies have essentially externalized some of their infrastructure costs onto the consumers. Instead of investing dollars in increased energy generation capacity, they have convinced consumers to spend their own money on more frequent appliance replacement.
A better approach, given limitations on energy generation, would be to encourage consumers to only purchase and use those appliances that they really need, instead of encouraging the endless expansion of the use of electricity using gadgets.
Are you referring to REAL Korean products for Korean consumers? In Stuttgart Germany is the Mercedes Benz factory. One side produces Mercedes for the American consumer. They are pieces of garbage, easily the least reliable models on the road. The other side of the factory produces Mercedes for German consumers. These are the cars that still last 400,000 miles.
Great discussion--but I would add that the economic factor is really the Beast here. We are ruled by the "Profit Motive." We do not seem to be able to ask the question "What is the good?" as a question related to ethics or philosophy without having to kowtow to the economic factor. How do we overcome the slavery of economics? Isn't that an important question?
You have to consider that it's not just a always profit motive for everybody. I was a missionary for many years, full time with zero pay, with needs supplied by contributors and appre v native folks led to Jesus or other helps. Treasure is laid up in heaven. Consider Jesus' parable about the man who filled his.barns but lost it all innocent night, fed his body but starved his soul and left this life with nothing
Interesting kast! Can you expand on this in a future kast on the angle of: why do we allow CORPORATIONS to exist in perpetuity now? Do we as stakeholders in society have the tools needed to reign in malign actors operating as corporations? What should that control look like? What were the historical trends of regulating corporations in the 1800s early 1900s that we could bring back to tame the greed and corruption of the corporation-fedgov incestuous relationship?
It's an interesting conversation and topic. One suggestion for the future might be to better frame a context around this. I completely agree with the idea that not all tech is good, not all economic growth or tech growth makes the world a better world, and it's valuable to reflect on these questions. However, I'm totally against using the tools of government to pick winners and losers among development programs. Government ought to get out of the business of economic and technology development entirely. Let the communities and marketplaces decide what people want. And you can try to influence what people think, but when it turns into coercion (what the WEF and the Democratic Party are fond of), that's where I immediately say no thank you and please go away.
When government put technology development to use for the public good, there was no problem. Governor DeWitt Clinton busted heads and almost destroyed his own career and personal life to get the Erie Canal constructed, and its completion transformed the American economy and the development of the entire continent. Its never too late for positive development -- but Charles & Jim dismantled the sort of technological development that suppresses progress, such as social media, whose ghettoization & addictive qualities harm the public instead of uplift it. This is the anti-progress, in the sort of Greek sense, where its not the enemy of something but across from something, like an outcome that was not desired.
FASCINATING, informative, insightful, and extremely interesting podcast!
ALOT packed in there, much to ponder, chiefly is there a way to reverse the doom loop we seem to have set up for ourselves by surrendering our independence to Big Tech and Big government.
I believe one the most tragic consequences of such a surrender has been the suffocation of true artistic and scientific ingenuity in individuals. People have become dependent upon something or someone else to do everything for them, and become terrified at the thought of those security blankets being stripped away.
As a result, We’ve become a weak, cowardly, lazy, and generally demoralized people, living and working in ugly buildings, with little to no imagination or originality that merely represent what we have become to ourselves. Empty and soulless.
I’m hoping and praying for a rebirth of the American spirit of independence and ingenuity but it will be a long hard labor to give birth to, if it’s at all possible.
That's a little brutal, but it makes sense.
I'll soon be 75 and on limited income, but have bought a lot of your best books (JHK), so please forgive me if I don't upgrade to paying ?
And all this money printing is not making the lives of those of us who are retired and on a fixed income any easier. I make a fair amount of money, but I've been priced out of my own neighborhood in San Diego. I never bought, because I've spent most of my life traveling the world and working in various places and now it's coming back to hunt me. I might have to f****** move to Barstow! That's a spiritual death, absolutely!
One of the reasons that kitchen appliances don't last as long as the older models is "energy efficient" motors. These motors are simply lighter duty types of motors. They do use less energy, but they have shorter life expectencies. You don't get something for nothing.
The energy companies have essentially externalized some of their infrastructure costs onto the consumers. Instead of investing dollars in increased energy generation capacity, they have convinced consumers to spend their own money on more frequent appliance replacement.
A better approach, given limitations on energy generation, would be to encourage consumers to only purchase and use those appliances that they really need, instead of encouraging the endless expansion of the use of electricity using gadgets.
Buy South Korean. You can't kill their products with a sledgehammer.
But I am probably a little biased, as I lived there for several years...
Are you referring to REAL Korean products for Korean consumers? In Stuttgart Germany is the Mercedes Benz factory. One side produces Mercedes for the American consumer. They are pieces of garbage, easily the least reliable models on the road. The other side of the factory produces Mercedes for German consumers. These are the cars that still last 400,000 miles.
I've followed C.H. Smith since the early 2000's - a great mind! Looking forward to this podcast.
Two of my favorite bloggers in one place ! Interesting to see two different viewpoints coming to similar conclusions.
the culture of America is corruption
Sure seems like it.
Just curious — prior to watching the interview — does Charles Hugh Smith acknowledge the importance of understanding The Technocracy? Does JHK?
Thanks for another great interview.
Who's the fiddle music from in your intro? I'm digging it.
Fast hour. Too fast! But that's what happens when my daily go-to's, CHS & JHK, come together and sort out big ideas.
Outstanding discussion.
Great discussion--but I would add that the economic factor is really the Beast here. We are ruled by the "Profit Motive." We do not seem to be able to ask the question "What is the good?" as a question related to ethics or philosophy without having to kowtow to the economic factor. How do we overcome the slavery of economics? Isn't that an important question?
You have to consider that it's not just a always profit motive for everybody. I was a missionary for many years, full time with zero pay, with needs supplied by contributors and appre v native folks led to Jesus or other helps. Treasure is laid up in heaven. Consider Jesus' parable about the man who filled his.barns but lost it all innocent night, fed his body but starved his soul and left this life with nothing
Of course--not for everybody.
Oh hey, I know Charles from way back when we were both writing about the housing bubble.
Jim you need to update your intro on Vaulted. The election has come and gone.
Not the song. That song is classic.
No I'm talking about his verbal comment
I didn't want to mention his pronunciation of "Numismatists" but since we're on the subject of an ad that needs to go...
Interesting kast! Can you expand on this in a future kast on the angle of: why do we allow CORPORATIONS to exist in perpetuity now? Do we as stakeholders in society have the tools needed to reign in malign actors operating as corporations? What should that control look like? What were the historical trends of regulating corporations in the 1800s early 1900s that we could bring back to tame the greed and corruption of the corporation-fedgov incestuous relationship?