33. Destroying the Natural World

A conversation with Aaron Taylor. Aaron has appeared on two previous episodes. To listen to those, check out episodes 11 and 24. In this episode, we discuss: Aaron’s thoughts on his previous two episodes, marijuana use and abuse, updates in Aaron’s life since the last time he was on, the line between keeping conversation friendly and pushing back against bad ideas, environmentalism and ecosystem collapse, solar and wind power, peak oil and nuclear energy, methane and carbon sinks, asteroid mining and long-term sustainability, the loss of the natural world, population decline and women’s rights, Aaron’s newfound religiosity/spirituality, and Aaron’s parting advice. World War 1 lasted for four years. I don’t think what I said about oil companies being some of the biggest leaders in renewable energy is true. I do think it’s true that they’re investing into it in order to be profitable in a post-oil world, but not that they’re “some of the biggest” leaders or investors in the industry. I think for the most part they’re still trying to beat the dead horse of oil until it stops spitting out money. At around 59:00 I’m not sure what I said about nuclear waste is correct. I said something like “nuclear waste isn’t a thing anymore, we’ve found a way to use it” and I think the more accurate statement would be “nuclear waste is still a thing, however the risk it poses it significantly smaller than ever due to advances in nuclear waste management.” Basically, there still is nuclear waste, but the concerns about it are inflated. At 1:06:05 I said “whereas if you have a rainforest, that’s emitting carbon for as long as the rainforest exists…” here I meant to say "sequestering" carbon rather than "emitting". Books to read: Ishmael by Daniel Quinn Beyond Civilization by Daniel Quinn Endgame by Derrick Jensen Silent Spring by Rachel Carson The End of Oil by Paul Roberts