Creating Utopia The Podcast

A Canadian Perspective on the Gun Debate, A Response to Colion Noir

There are people advocating for 0 tolerance of guns, no guns whatsoever, who are exceptional human beings – who make sense, even if their goals are more Utopian than I would strive for today. There are also people who advocate the absolute freedom to bear arms, who are exceptional human beings – they also make sense, and from my perspective their view of reality is more Dystopian than I would be willing to concede. But what's important to see, is that there are people, on both sides of this debate, who want the best for themselves, their country, their families, communities and the world. They just have very different starting places, and/or finish lines, in terms of how we actually make things better. We need to recognize we have allies on the other side of the aisle, and work with them to find a solution that will solve the root issues affecting our society today.

The Alex Jones Ban

I don't support Alex Jones, but I support his right to speak. I don't think YouTube made the best decision for themselves and for everyone really – but I support their right to make it – whichever way they see fit. I also support whatever platform that picks Alex Jones up – and support whatever wave of dislike that follows – because that's what freedom is. YouTube can ban or reject anyone, just as any other entity can include and broadcast anyone they see fit. Freedom and fairness can be hard to adopt in every real world situation, especially those on the margins. But freedom is the goal, and fairness tends to be one of, if not the best rule to play by, if you want anyone to win, in any meaningful way.

The Intellectual Dark Web

What we have in Podcasts and YouTube is a medium through which we can share information in ways that the world has never seen before. It's similar to the radio, the printing press, television, in that the repercussions of the ability to share information on a massive scale have always been disruptive and transformative. We happen to have stumbled into creating the greatest tool known to our species, the Internet, allowing us to research the entirety of human knowledge, as well as share our findings and ideas with millions of people around the world in many different, new exciting, formats. The IDW, is a collection of free thinkers in one way shape or form, and my goal in this podcast is to give you a thought or two regarding The Intellectual Dark Web that has yet to be espoused – something you haven't heard before. 

1984 in 2018

One of the beautiful aspects about living in one of the moderately free societies in 2018, is that we have the ability to do and to create almost anything we want if it is positive or beneficial. The digital revolution is spawning tools and avenues for us to shape our communities in transformative, environmentally friendly ways that also happen to be more cost effective than the traditional means of organizing life. The 1984 weapon of surveillance, the cameras and microphones in our cell phones that we carry with us at all times, are not being used against us, and hold the tools to capitalize on humanities shared history of information, as well as the emerging sharing economy – Airbnb, Carshares, Craigslist, Stubhub, etc. these marketplaces that allow for a bit more even distribution of entrepreneurship. In this episode I explore areas of 1984 that have come to fruition, and areas that have not. The year 2018 is not a dystopian depiction of the future, and we need to continue to work to keep it that way.

Socialism - Why Not Be Honest? (A Response to Jordan Peterson)

Socialism is not a bad word, it's an imperfect solution and a response to a problem with the inequalities that the market system produces. It's extreme, it's flawed, and almost the exact opposite of the market system, but consider, how intelligent could Marx have possibly been regarding global economic affairs in the year 2018? This episode is an attempt to have the conversation regarding Socialism that I've been waiting to hear from intelligent, thoughtful individuals I revere. 

It's interesting that Jordan Peterson continues to conflate the only well known alternative to our certainly flawed but - not as bad as many on the left - would say, current economic paradigm, with guaranteed totalitarian regimes followed by millions of deaths. The same thing used to happen to Christopher Hitchens when he would discuss atheism – the opposition would often use the same names, Mao, Stalin, Lenin, as some sort of exemplar of an atheist. It's perhaps reactionary or precautionary logic at work, but it's incomplete and dangerous to paint someone like Christopher Hitchens – an atheist socialist – as a mass murderer waiting to happen.

Mental Wellness Pt.1

Mental Illness, Mental Health, Mental Wellness, however you refer to it – we're in the midst of a storm. I can't help but think one of the major barriers in itself, is that when we first begin to consider if someone we love is experiencing depression – we start to think of them as quote “ill”. This podcast is intended to share a different perspective, to try to encourage us to look at mental states, not as illnesses, but as experiences that are different, unorthodox, not understood, and challenging. We have the ability to make a big difference in the lives of those around us if we start to see their thoughts as thoughts, and not a sickness or an illness. The content in this episode might be challenging for some, I tackle thoughts of life and death, but I encourage you to listen to the end, because I would love to hear your thoughts, whatever they may be.

Desalination: Water For the World

Change can be scary, but I can't help but see as the world has changed, and connection and communication with strangers all over the planet is now possible – that the power to steer values and ethics and societal structure is in the hands of the people en mass. We have the ability, by sharing ideas that will benefit our entire species, to create a world we all want to be a part of. Desalination is a technology that has existed for decades, but only now that it is becoming necessary in wealthy nations is there real movement toward building Desalination plants across the globe. This podcast looks at life supporting technologies from a different perspective; clean drinking water for the entire planet, we need to ask ourselves how that possibly, can be too expensive.

Universal Basic Income & Social Currency

What excites me so much about this idea, is that for those who otherwise just were not in a position to participate actively in the progression of society, this would empower them, give them ability to participate in an integral way, be rewarded, and never have to leave their home if they're unable.

At this point, we have the tools at a community level to shape and develop society in functional, economical, mutually beneficial ways, we just need a structure and a token of transaction to enable engagement. This is where Social Currency comes in to play. Leveraging the Sharing Economy, Basic Income and Digital Currency - enabling the gamification of life, or a “game B”, where everyone can participate in positive ways, and create the future we want to be a part of.

 

Solar Energy: How To Empower The Planet

As of 2016, there were 60 solar panel farms in operation worldwide. It would take 10 solar farms to power every home in California, 142,000 to power the entire world. Remember, when the automobile was introduced, not everyone immediately transitioned, they still rode their horses and buggies for quite a while. It takes time, but in the next 5 years I have no doubt that solar technology will be recognized as the most viable energy source available. It is and will be a main source of power and empowerment to the nearly 8 billion humans who inhabit this planet.

 

Vertical Farming: The Future of Agriculture

Today, we have the ability to grow organic fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. No more seasons, no region exclusive foods, no pesticides or fertilizer, no need to transport crops across the globe. We can start having conversations about constructing the future in ways we haven't been able to talk about before, because we didn't have access to the relevant information. If you're interested in the basics behind vertical farming, you'll enjoy this episode. It's only a matter of time before good ideas prevail, but I'm tired of waiting.. aren't you?