Cosmo-Local: What's Next for Civilization | Ep 92

Michel Bauwens—founder of the P2P Foundation—joins Mickelle Weber for a wide-angle, grounded conversation on what happens when the systems we inherited (market vs. state) stop matching the world we’re living in. Michel argues we’re in a civilizational transition accelerated by the internet’s ability to enable “translocal self-organization”: people coordinating, building, and sharing value across borders—without waiting for institutions to catch up.Together, they explore how the rise of commons-based, peer-to-peer networks changes our definitions of value, work, and belonging. Mickelle connects Michel’s “cosmo-local” lens to the lived reality of expatriates and globally mobile people: life happens locally—visas, families, health, community—but knowledge and coordination can (and should) flow globally. The heart of the episode lands on a human truth: technology without relational infrastructure isn’t enough. If we want a life worth living, we need new containers for solidarity, contribution, and care.Michel closes with a nuanced view of AI: not as a savior, but as a powerful synthesizing tool—and potentially an interface that helps humans understand the needs of the more-than-human world. The invitation is clear: build networks that are rooted, regenerative, and real.In this episode:Why “market vs. state” is an outdated debate—and what a third path could beContributory value, DAOs, and how commons can reshape economicsCosmo-local: keep what’s heavy local; share what’s light globallyThe loneliness/atomization problem—and why belonging is infrastructureDominator models, difference, and what “generative” could actually meanAI as a synthesis engine—and an interface with ecologyFind Michel’s work and every link mentioned for this episode at: https://www.houseofperegrine.com/podcast/ep-092House of Peregrine is the network for International life, made by and for people living abroad.  Get started with a FREE account today to unlock exclusive content, connections, and opportunities:houseofperegrine.com/auth/signupJoin a global circle of thinkers, creators, and doers. We host events, build products, publish guides, run a podcast, offer rewards and curated products — all within a vibrant ecosystem of experts and businesses to support your life abroad.Subscribe: houseofperegrine.com/subscribeJoin our WhatsApp Group: HOP CommunityExplore Memberships: houseofperegrine.com/membershipsInstall the App: houseofperegrine.com/installFollow us for daily inspiration and updates:Instagram: @houseofperegrinemediaYouTube: @HouseofPeregrineofficialLinkedIn:@company/house-of-peregrineTikTok: @houseofperegrinepodcast