From Alpha To Omega

Colette O'Neill, the creative genius behind the Bealtaine Cottage permaculture small-holding in the west of Ireland and the 'A Life In The Country' blog, is this weeks guest. We chat about her love of permaculture, how she decided to give up her career as a teacher in London and return to Ireland to turn an old bachelors cottage and 3-acres of poor land in the wilds of County Roscommon into an oasis of abundance. We hear of forest gardens, stylish wooden verandas, her pantry, ancient burial sites, fairy rings, living outside the monetary system, the cuckoo, and space travel. You can check out her blog here: http://permaculturecottage.wordpress.com/ If her blog makes you jealous, then her youtube channel might tip you over the edge: http://www.youtube.com/user/BealtaineCottage/videos Go raibh míle maith agat....

I popped over to the PositiveMoney.org HQ this week, to talk to Ben Dyson about their monetary reform campaign. They are seeking to wrest the power of money creation away from the banks, and put it under democratic control - no more of that debt based money please! We talk about the origins of our current monetary system, the pathetic understanding of money by mainstream economists, and the benefits to the common people of monetary and banking reform. We also discuss the heterodox economics of Modern Monetary Theory(MMT), and I rant a little on this topic at the end of the show. You can check out more about positive money here: http://www.positivemoney.org.uk/ And you can buy their book explaining how the monetary system in the UK works here: http://www.positivemoney.org.uk/where-does-money-come-from-book/ Ben also features in the new feature length documentary about the issue called '97% Owned'(well worth watching): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcGh1Dex4Yo I have also managed to get the show loaded to the iTunes store, so people can download it from there. Here is link: http://snipurl.com/fromalpha2omega For those of you interested in finding out more about Modern Monetary Theory(MMT), you should check out this blog, where you can find articles by leading experts in the field like Randy Wray, and Warren Mosler: http://neweconomicperspectives.org/ Laters...

I popped over to the PositiveMoney.org HQ this week, to talk to Ben Dyson about their monetary reform campaign. They are seeking to wrest the power of money creation away from the banks, and put it under democratic control - no more of that debt based money please! We talk about the origins of our current monetary system, the pathetic understanding of money by mainstream economists, and the benefits to the common people of monetary and banking reform. We also discuss the heterodox economics of Modern Monetary Theory(MMT), and I rant a little on this topic at the end of the show. You can check out more about positive money here: http://www.positivemoney.org.uk/ And you can buy their book explaining how the monetary system in the UK works here: http://www.positivemoney.org.uk/where-does-money-come-from-book/ Ben also features in the new feature length documentary about the issue called '97% Owned'(well worth watching): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcGh1Dex4Yo I have also managed to get the show loaded to the iTunes store, so people can download it from there. Here is link: http://snipurl.com/fromalpha2omega For those of you interested in finding out more about Modern Monetary Theory(MMT), you should check out this blog, where you can find articles by leading experts in the field like Randy Wray, and Warren Mosler: http://neweconomicperspectives.org/ Laters...

This week, we see a return to the topic of economic, environmental, and political collapse. We are delighted to welcome the Russian-American author, blogger extraordinaire, and all-round expert in collapse that is Dmitry Orlov. Dmitry grew up in Russian, and moved to America with his family in the 1970's. He returned to Russian a number of times during the collapse of the Soviet system and sees striking parallels with the western economic system of today. We talk of his 'Comparative Theory of Superpower Collapse', his model of the five stages of collapse, Noam Chomsky's Propaganda model, and his latest opus 'Absolutely Positive', an e-book of 30 of his most popular essays. You should check out his brilliant blog at: www.cluborlov.com His latest ebook 'Absolutely Positive' can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/Absolutely-Positive-ebook/dp/B008047OTS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337383267&sr=8-1 His earlier book, 'Reinventing Collapse: The Soviet Experience and American Prospects' is a must read, for anybody interested in these topics: http://www.amazon.com/Reinventing-Collapse-Experience-American-Prospects/dp/0865716854/ref=la_B001JSB23G_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337383390&sr=1-1 Enjoy!

This week, we see a return to the topic of economic, environmental, and political collapse. We are delighted to welcome the Russian-American author, blogger extraordinaire, and all-round expert in collapse that is Dmitry Orlov. Dmitry grew up in Russian, and moved to America with his family in the 1970's. He returned to Russian a number of times during the collapse of the Soviet system and sees striking parallels with the western economic system of today. We talk of his 'Comparative Theory of Superpower Collapse', his model of the five stages of collapse, Noam Chomsky's Propaganda model, and his latest opus 'Absolutely Positive', an e-book of 30 of his most popular essays. You should check out his brilliant blog at: www.cluborlov.com His latest ebook 'Absolutely Positive' can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/Absolutely-Positive-ebook/dp/B008047OTS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337383267&sr=8-1 His earlier book, 'Reinventing Collapse: The Soviet Experience and American Prospects' is a must read, for anybody interested in these topics: http://www.amazon.com/Reinventing-Collapse-Experience-American-Prospects/dp/0865716854/ref=la_B001JSB23G_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337383390&sr=1-1 Enjoy!

This weeks episode sees a much needed change in focus - be gone all that talk of capitalist exploitation and systemic failure! Today we talk with world renowned mathematician, computer scientist, and philosopher Professor Gregory Chaitin about his latest work. Prof. Chaitin has spent the last number of years trying to come up with a mathematical proof of the power of evolution - how evolutionary randomness is practically as good as divine creation! Amazing stuff, indeed. During this work, he came to the realisation that the standard theory of evolutionary genetics is probably completely wrong, and discusses the latest revolutionary thoughts in the field of biology. We also discuss Gödel's seminal 'incompleteness' theorem, it's far reaching implications for philosophy, spirituality, and epistemology. Von Neumann's Theory of Cellular Automata and Turing's work on the computer also get a mention, and we finish with Professor Chaitin's hope for a mathematical theory of consciousness. Quite a heady mix. Please don't be scared off by the talk of theorems - you will likely miss an interview with one of the true intellectual giants of our time. You can buy Professor Chaitins new work here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Proving-Darwin-Biology-Mathematical-ebook/dp/B006E512HU And here is the full back catalogue of the Professors writings: (much recommended) http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Gregory%20J.%20Chaitin&search-alias=books-uk Enjoy!

This weeks episode sees a much needed change in focus - be gone all that talk of capitalist exploitation and systemic failure! Today we talk with world renowned mathematician, computer scientist, and philosopher Professor Gregory Chaitin about his latest work. Prof. Chaitin has spent the last number of years trying to come up with a mathematical proof of the power of evolution - how evolutionary randomness is practically as good as divine creation! Amazing stuff, indeed. During this work, he came to the realisation that the standard theory of evolutionary genetics is probably completely wrong, and discusses the latest revolutionary thoughts in the field of biology. We also discuss Gödel's seminal 'incompleteness' theorem, it's far reaching implications for philosophy, spirituality, and epistemology. Von Neumann's Theory of Cellular Automata and Turing's work on the computer also get a mention, and we finish with Professor Chaitin's hope for a mathematical theory of consciousness. Quite a heady mix. Please don't be scared off by the talk of theorems - you will likely miss an interview with one of the true intellectual giants of our time. You can buy Professor Chaitins new work here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Proving-Darwin-Biology-Mathematical-ebook/dp/B006E512HU And here is the full back catalogue of the Professors writings: (much recommended) http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Gregory%20J.%20Chaitin&search-alias=books-uk Enjoy!

This week we are joined by Professor Michael Perelman of the California State University, Chico. He is an economist and economic historian of the Marxian bent, a prolific author, and the writer of the award-wining blog 'Unsettling Economics'. We start off with a discussion of his upcoming book: 'Sex, Lies, & Economics', which tells the story of the zany, dishonest, violent, and hugely prolific lives of the early great economists. We also talk about Cromwell, the Scottish Highland clearances, duelling with butchers axes in darkened basements, the potato, Gulliver's Travels, the East-Asian tiger economies, the end of Empire, and how to use cucumbers as an energy source. Make sure to check out the Professor's blog at: http://michaelperelman.wordpress.com/ And while your at it, why not buy one of his books as well: http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Perelman/e/B001ITVL14/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1335443472&sr=8-1 The show also features the music of 'w@rd', a listener and anti-authoritarian, folk-punk, protest musician. You can find more of his music here: http://www.reverbnation.com/wardnc Over and Out.

This week we are joined by Professor Michael Perelman of the California State University, Chico. He is an economist and economic historian of the Marxian bent, a prolific author, and the writer of the award-wining blog 'Unsettling Economics'. We start off with a discussion of his upcoming book: 'Sex, Lies, & Economics', which tells the story of the zany, dishonest, violent, and hugely prolific lives of the early great economists. We also talk about Cromwell, the Scottish Highland clearances, duelling with butchers axes in darkened basements, the potato, Gulliver's Travels, the East-Asian tiger economies, the end of Empire, and how to use cucumbers as an energy source. Make sure to check out the Professor's blog at: http://michaelperelman.wordpress.com/ And while your at it, why not buy one of his books as well: http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Perelman/e/B001ITVL14/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1335443472&sr=8-1 The show also features the music of 'w@rd', a listener and anti-authoritarian, folk-punk, protest musician. You can find more of his music here: http://www.reverbnation.com/wardnc Over and Out.

This weeks guest is David Korowicz, physicist and human systems ecologist. He is the author of Tipping Point: Near-Term Systemic Implications of a Peak in Global Oil Production, and a contributor to the excellent 'Fleeing Vesuvius' - available in all good bookshops and Amazon! In this episode he gives us the low-down on the likelihood of a systemic economic collapse, and what to expect in the coming years. When he is not helping out with Feasta, the Foundation for Economic Stability, and Comhar, Ireland's Sustainable Development Council, David is writing a new piece of research entitled 'Trade Off', about the effects of a seizure in the global finance markets on trade. David really has a birds eye view of the totality of our economic and environmental systems, and the outlook ain't pretty! So kick back and enjoy.... http://www.amazon.com/Fleeing-Vesuvius-Overcoming-Economic-Environmental/dp/0865716994/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334771476&sr=1-1 http://www.feasta.org/ http://www.comharsdc.ie/

This weeks guest is David Korowicz, physicist and human systems ecologist. He is the author of Tipping Point: Near-Term Systemic Implications of a Peak in Global Oil Production, and a contributor to the excellent 'Fleeing Vesuvius' - available in all good bookshops and Amazon! In this episode he gives us the low-down on the likelihood of a systemic economic collapse, and what to expect in the coming years. When he is not helping out with Feasta, the Foundation for Economic Stability, and Comhar, Ireland's Sustainable Development Council, David is writing a new piece of research entitled 'Trade Off', about the effects of a seizure in the global finance markets on trade. David really has a birds eye view of the totality of our economic and environmental systems, and the outlook ain't pretty! So kick back and enjoy.... http://www.amazon.com/Fleeing-Vesuvius-Overcoming-Economic-Environmental/dp/0865716994/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334771476&sr=1-1 http://www.feasta.org/ http://www.comharsdc.ie/

In this, the first episode of From Alpha To Omega, I interview Dr. Charles A.S. Hall co-author of the new book 'Energy & The Wealth Of Nations - Understanding the Biophysical Economy'. We talk about the origins of wealth, empire, the intellectual horror-scape that is neo-classical economics, peak-oil, and the limits to growth. I also give a brief outline on the philosophy of the podcast, with a nod to the wise sage that is Noam Chomsky. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_A_S_Hall http://www.amazon.com/Energy-Wealth-Nations-Understanding-Biophysical/dp/1441993975/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334771619&sr=8-1

In this, the first episode of From Alpha To Omega, I interview Dr. Charles A.S. Hall co-author of the new book 'Energy & The Wealth Of Nations - Understanding the Biophysical Economy'. We talk about the origins of wealth, empire, the intellectual horror-scape that is neo-classical economics, peak-oil, and the limits to growth. I also give a brief outline on the philosophy of the podcast, with a nod to the wise sage that is Noam Chomsky. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_A_S_Hall http://www.amazon.com/Energy-Wealth-Nations-Understanding-Biophysical/dp/1441993975/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334771619&sr=8-1