S19: E16: Data Centers & Dead Soil: What Are We Willing to Sacrifice for Progress?

What does progress cost us and how do we decide when the price is too high?In this episode, I’m thinking about the great Wendell Berry, my recent garden and soil struggles, the rise of data centers, and the way we’ve learned to value land. I’m exploring the tension between exploitation and stewardship, progress and preservation, and the important difference between asking whether we can do something and whether we should. Podcast Episode Highlights:Pondering progress these daysThinking about Wendell Berry and his influenceWhat my recent garden woes has made me think more aboutThinking about the value of landExploitation vs. nurtureCycle of life vs. straight lineThinking about contradictions, criticisms, and either/orAsking questions mattersCAN we do something vs. SHOULD we do somethingWhat does progress cost us?Final thoughtsResources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:Learn more about Azure Standard and their non-GMO, wholesome food options (especially bulk food) here: https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=ANnu0O8ySU–> Join Azure Standard for FREE and enjoy 15% off your first order of $100 or more. Simply use promo code OLDFASHIONED15 at checkout.Check out my Substack essays here: https://jillwinger.substack.com/Previous Podcast Episodes & Blog Articles on Deep Thoughts on the Land:When the Problem Becomes the Solution (podcast episode)When the Ground Can No Longer Feed Us (blog article)What I’m Doing Differently on Homestead #2 (podcast episode)Breaking Out of the Ag Echo Chamber (podcast episode)OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD:Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.comJill on Instagram: @jill.wingerJill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomesteadApply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-applicationDid you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!