Vagobond Media Podcasts

At no point was I sure that I would be able to live the full year in Japan. There were factors that were always out of my control. The Japanese visa system, the house itself, the weather, my own emotional state, living apart from my teenage daughter. Subscribe to my future posts at https://indignified.substack.comOver the course of a year, Satoshi Manor became itself and in some very real sense, I also became myself. This is my home. It will always be my home. It’s funny, until this became true, I always harbored a fantasy about getting enough money to buy my childhood homes - flawed though they were. The home that my parents divorced in and the home that I discovered my love for land and water. That desire has now been laid to rest. My adult home is everything those homes were and more - plus it is a happy place. There has been so much joy here already - just in a year. The friends I’ve hosted - both old friends and new - giving my daughter the chance to finally discover her home. The playing in the garden, tinkering, creating art, writing books, and maybe even finding love - all of these things. These are what a home is for, what it should be. I’m so imprinted on this home and it is so imprinted on me. Challenges still await. I’m not Japanese so I can’t live here full time. The Japanese visa system is still a huge issue but I will be working on creating a decentralized existence with this as my anchor, my home base. Even if it reaches the point where I can only spend three months a year here, it won’t matter. I will make it work and knowing it is here is all that matters as I travel the globe. Home is where you hang your hat. My hat is hung. Home is where the heart is, my heart is here. Home is where you have roots, my roots are planted. Home. It was all I was ever seeking. I wasn’t a vagabond because I didn’t want to settle, I was a vagabond because I needed to settle and find my place. Now that I’ve found it, I don’t have to stop and things are so incredibly different already. My father is gone. The lingering hope that he would somehow fulfill his promises and rescue me from being homeless dies with him. And, funny enough, now I am not homeless. I will never be homeless again. Itinerant - sure. Nomadic - definitely. But not homeless. YOU NEED TO SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEW CHANNEL TO SEE WHAT COMES NEXTThis will be the last post here. You need to go subscribe to my adventures at https://indignified.substack.com . It’s free but if you want to support all the work I’ve done and will continue to do become a premium subscriber. $8 a month is less than having one nice coffee in a thirty day period. I look forward to sharing more with you. ~CD (who is no longer vago) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

Happy Summer Solstice. This post is free but there will only be one more post on this channel. Please be sure to subscribe to https://indignified.substack.com - it’s where I post new content. After one more Satoshi Manor video here - looking back on my first year living in my house in Otaru, Japan - all my future posts will be at Indignified. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

A simple walkthrough of the grounds and manor house with commentary. Just a reminder. If you are interested in any of my content other than the Satoshi Manor chapters then you need to go subscribe to https://indignified.substack.com (there will probably be three more Satoshi Manor chapters here - June, July, and wrap-up)Also - IMPORTANT - if you are a paid subscriber here - THANK YOU!!! There is no longer any reason to be a paid subscriber here though. All content here moving forward will be free content and there will only be a few more chapters before everything I do is moved to Indignified. So, please don’t waste your money. I mean, if you want to keep paying me monthly, go right ahead, but my suggestion is that you pay where you will get exclusive content i.e. 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

I don’t really expect anyone to watch this, but if you do, you’ll get to see what my winter experience in Hokkaido was like. Unfortunately, Youtube has blocked it in a few areas because of my use of music in creation. That’s okay, you can watch it at https://vagobond.substack.com Vagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Music by Rockot from PixabayMusic by Alehandro Vodnik from PixabayMusic by Sergii Pavkin from PixabayMusic by Zen_Man from Pixabay This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

Vagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Musings on why I am here and what it means to be alone versus being anxious… This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

7 months in. Things are getting interesting in more ways than one. Overall, I just feel so grateful to be here, to call this place home. Now I have to go do more shoveling….I’ve largely stopped using Facebook and Instagram at this point. Using billionaire media is a vote of approval as much as voting in elections that have no chance of the best candidates ever getting a fair chance to govern. I’m on both those platforms mainly as a way to communicate with the people I know who are on them and unlikely to leave. I’ll likely share this video to Facebook - but that’s about as much as I’ll do there. Vagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work and my sharing of my life with you, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Music used in the video was either recorded live or downloaded from Pixabay’s Royalty Free Music library. Please support the following creators who shared their work there. Music by Amy from PixabayMusic by Dr. MEK from PixabayMusic by Bittu Singh from PixabayMusic by 9JackJack8 from PixabayMusic by OB-LIX from Pixabay This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

Host: Rionna MorganSpecial Guests: OddWritings and Grace LovartIn the first episode of the year, Rionna is joined by special guests OddWritings, a seasoned Web3 poet, and Grace Lovart, a talented illustrator and author, to kick off 2025 with inspiration for writers. This episode covers:* Why writing goals matter and how they shape your creative journey.* Practical tips for balancing long-term aspirations with achievable short-term objectives.* Tools and strategies, from journaling to goal-setting apps, to help keep you on track.* Unique approaches to finding inspiration and staying motivated.With heartfelt anecdotes and practical advice, the discussion weaves through the challenges and joys of writing life, emphasizing the importance of balancing passion with self-care. Whether you’re looking to draft your first book or explore new creative avenues, this episode offers something for writers at every stage of their journey.Don’t miss this chance to connect with the Web3 Writers community and set yourself up for a successful year of creativity and growth! Take a moment and share your 2025 Writing Goals! Vagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

Winter has some challenges attached to it - that’s for sure. Vagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

The Summit Awaits: A New Vision for CivilizationThe path before us is clear. We cannot wait for salvation from above; we must build it from below. This manifesto is not an end but a beginning—a call to rise, to resist, and to reclaim our lives.We envision a world where community triumphs over competition, where equity replaces exploitation, and where harmony with the earth is not a dream but a daily practice. Imagine villages and cities reborn, their economies rooted in local needs and shared resources. Picture governance that listens, empowers, and includes every voice. See a landscape transformed—not by extraction, but by restoration.This is no utopia. It is a revolution of values, and it begins with us. From history’s struggles, we know the impossible has been achieved before. The movements that broke chains, toppled tyrannies, and rebuilt societies did not wait for permission—they acted. Now it is our turn.Why We Must Act NowThe crises we face—climate collapse, social inequality, and economic instability—demand immediate and bold action. The current system is built on exploitation, extraction, and exclusion. It cannot sustain us. But a new way is within our grasp. The Mountain Manifesto provides not just hope but a roadmap. It lays out principles for fairness, sustainability, and shared prosperity. It challenges us to replace competition with cooperation and greed with generosity.We cannot afford complacency. Every day wasted deepens inequality, widens environmental destruction, and entrenches injustice. The Mountain Manifesto is the call to reverse this course—not with empty promises but with tangible actions rooted in collective power.The Plan for Transformation* Build Local Resilience: Strengthen localized economies that value sustainability and reduce dependency on destructive global systems.* Redefine Leadership: Implement participatory governance that ensures every voice matters and decision-making is shared.* Heal the Earth: Restore ecosystems, embrace regenerative practices, and commit to a future where humanity and nature thrive together.* Embrace Solidarity: Forge alliances that transcend borders, uniting communities in pursuit of justice and equity.Together, We Are UnstoppableWe must take up the tools of change: cooperation, solidarity, and defiance against systems that exploit. We must build cooperatives, defend the rights of the earth, and reimagine what it means to live well—not at the expense of others, but alongside them.The mountain is not a place to hide. It is a vantage point from which we see the world as it is and as it could be. It is a call to action and a sanctuary for renewal.We are not alone. We are many, and together we are unstoppable. The summit awaits. Let us climb.The Mountain ManifestoIntroduction: Everything is Not FineWhy Non-Violence MattersDiscourse on the World’s Power StructureThe Crisis of the Individual in a Broken SystemEscaping Tribalism and Extreme IdeologyThe Harbingers of Dystopia: Inheritance & CorporationsThe Historical Context of ResistanceThe Technology TrapAn Economic Escape PlanSteps Towards the MountainTools of ResistanceConclusion: A New Vision for CivilizationVagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

Tools of Resistance: Forging the Arsenal of FreedomWeapons of the Mind and Hands: The Architecture of DefianceResistance demands more than passion—it demands precision, discipline, and strategy. Against the machinery of domination, we wield tools forged in solidarity and sharpened by purpose. We are not rabble; we are architects of disruption, builders of resilience, and engineers of freedom. This is not rebellion for its own sake—it is rebellion to reclaim what has been stolen.Affinity Groups and Cell Structures: Building the Unbreakable WebThe old world crumbles, but its sentries stand vigilant. Our response must be decentralized and adaptive. Affinity groups—small, autonomous cells bound by trust—become the veins and arteries of a living resistance. These groups operate in shadows, coordinated yet independent, impervious to infiltration.* Flexibility: Cells can pivot in an instant, striking where the system is weakest and disappearing before it retaliates.* Secrecy: Shared purpose and encrypted communication insulate groups from surveillance, ensuring the movement survives even when attacked.* Impact: Coordinated strikes—protests, boycotts, and economic sabotage—deliver blows that cannot be traced to a single source, keeping the system off-balance.Mutual Aid Networks: The Backbone of SurvivalWe will not survive alone. Mutual aid networks transform isolated rebels into a unified force. Food, medicine, shelter, and knowledge flow freely within these networks, sustaining bodies and spirits through hardship.* Solidarity over Charity: We do not give handouts—we lift each other.* Skill-Sharing: Workshops in permaculture, first aid, and defense ensure no one is left unprepared.* Resilience: In times of collapse, these networks become lifelines, proving that we do not need their systems to survive.Culture Jamming: Sabotaging the Mind PrisonThe enemy’s greatest weapon is the lie—the illusion of consent and the mirage of inevitability. We shatter their mirrors and scatter their smoke.* Media Hijacking: Posters, memes, and graffiti infiltrate their pristine narratives with seeds of doubt and rebellion.* Technological Subversion: Decentralized networks amplify the truth, bypassing the algorithmic chains of corporate platforms.* Disinformation as Disruption: Misinformation, like static on a wire, forces the system to expend resources containing chaos, eroding its control.We poison their well of propaganda and force the people to question what they see, what they hear, and what they are told.Breaking the Chains: Radical Tactics for Desperate TimesThe masters of this system have no shame, and we cannot afford to be naïve. Where non-violence ends, disruption begins. Radical action becomes necessary when survival is at stake.* Sabotage: Infrastructure grinds to a halt when its gears are jammed. Supply chains falter when their links are severed.* Bureaucratic Floods: Bureaucracies drown when buried in forms and demands, their mechanisms stalled by their own inefficiency.* Economic Resistance: Tax resistance and strikes siphon power from their coffers, bleeding the beast dry.The Underground Railroad: Sheltering the PersecutedFor those hunted by the system, escape routes must be built. Safe houses, encrypted communications, and clandestine transportation routes become arteries of survival. The mountain is not just a metaphor—it is a destination, and the roads must be paved in secrecy and courage.* Encryption: Privacy tools cloak identities and actions, shielding rebels from prying eyes.* Sanctuary Networks: Shelters provide food, medical care, and rest for those on the run.* False Trails: Decoys and misinformation mislead pursuers, buying time for true escapes.A Warning and a PromiseWe do not advocate violence against people, but we refuse to sanctify the machinery of oppression. The cost of obedience is annihilation; the cost of resistance is freedom. The old world will fight to hold its chains in place, but we will tear them down link by link, strike by strike.History is not written by the watchers—it is written by the movers, the builders, and the rebels. Let every broken lock, every uprooted fence, and every breached firewall stand as testimony: we are coming. The mountain calls, and we will rise.Stand Ready. Strike Hard. Build Relentlessly. The Summit Awaits.Vagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

The Call to Action: Steps to the MountainThe time for hesitation is over. The world burns while sham saviors whisper lies of comfort. The machine devours and demands more—more obedience, more labor, more sacrifice. But we are not powerless. We will rise. We will step off the treadmill of servitude and ascend to freedom. The mountain calls, and the path is clear.Short-Term Actions: The First Steps Toward LiberationDigital Detox: Break the Chains of SurveillanceEvery screen is a window into your soul—a tool of control wielded by corporations and governments. Shut it off. Reclaim your mind. Begin with deliberate disconnection: limit exposure, cut ties with manipulative platforms, and demand encryption as a standard, not a luxury. Each moment spent free of the algorithm’s grip strengthens your autonomy.Conscious Consumption: Starve the BeastYour dollars are bullets in an economic war. Stop arming the enemy. Boycott corporations that thrive on sweatshops, environmental destruction, and greed. Support farmers' markets, worker-owned co-ops, and ethical producers. Every purchase becomes an act of rebellion. Choose wisely—every coin you withhold is a blow to the machine.Local Engagement: Rekindle the Bonds of BrotherhoodAlienation is their weapon. Community is our shield. Attend farmers' markets, neighborhood events, and cultural gatherings. Trade goods and services with neighbors, not faceless corporations. When we know each other’s names, we stand united, and united, we are unbreakable.Mid-Term Actions: Strengthen the Foundations of ResistanceOrganize Locally: Form Networks of Mutual AidHistory is clear—when the system collapses, only community endures. Build mutual aid groups modeled after grassroots responses to crises like the pandemic. Share food, tools, and shelter. When disaster strikes, it will be your neighbor, not the state, who stands beside you.Skill-Sharing Workshops: Arm Yourself with KnowledgePower flows to those who do not need the system. Learn survival skills—gardening, carpentry, medicine. Teach what you know and learn what you don’t. Hold classes in parks, homes, and libraries. Each skill passed on is another brick in the fortress of self-reliance.Community Assemblies: Reclaim Democracy from the Ground UpTrue power belongs to the people—not to corporate boards or distant politicians. Host gatherings where all voices are heard. Make decisions collectively. Replace apathy with action and bureaucracy with purpose. Local governance will light the path forward.Long-Term Vision: Build the Future Worth Fighting ForBuild Resilient Communities: Strongholds of FreedomThe future is local, or it is not a future at all. Create eco-villages, cooperative housing, and intentional communities that break dependence on exploitative systems. Use models like the Transition Network to develop sustainable towns where democracy thrives, resources are shared, and the land is honored. Every seed planted is a declaration of independence.Reclaim Democratic Institutions: Tear Down Corporate ThronesWe cannot simply retreat; we must fight back. Flood the system with reform. Follow leaders who answer to the people, not the profit margins. Demand laws that defend workers, dismantle monopolies, and punish environmental crimes. Democracy can be reclaimed if the people seize it with both hands.Educational Reform: Arm Minds Against ManipulationControl begins in the classroom. Break the cycle of indoctrination. Demand education that teaches critical thinking, ecological responsibility, and cooperation—not obedience and consumption. Support critical thinking, alternative schools, and free libraries. Knowledge is the enemy of tyranny.Impact: The Path Forward Is ClearThis is not fantasy. This is strategy. Every action is a strike against the chains that bind us. From the smallest boycott to the largest eco-village, we build the world we want brick by brick, seed by seed, voice by voice. This is the work of generations, but it begins now—with you.Will you answer the call? Will you climb the mountain? The summit awaits, but the first step is yours to take. Rise.Vagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

The Economics of Escape: Breaking the Chains of Dependency"The time for hesitation is over. The walls of this system were built to trap you, but we are here to tear them down brick by brick. Freedom is not a dream; it is a plan waiting to be executed."The great machine of exploitation wants you to believe that escape is impossible. It whispers in your ear that survival depends on obedience, that the chains on your wrists are all that hold chaos at bay. This is the lie that keeps the factories humming and the markets churning. But we reject this lie. We know that stepping away from the system is not surrender—it is strategy. It is the first blow struck in a war for freedom.The road to liberation does not lead to isolation. It leads to construction—to the building of a new world atop the ruins of the old. Already, the blueprint exists. Already, the seeds of revolution have been sown. The question is no longer "Can it be done?" The question is "How soon will you begin?"Local Self-Sufficiency: Seizing Control of SurvivalWe start by feeding ourselves, because hunger is the system’s oldest weapon. Food co-ops and community gardens are more than survival tools—they are acts of defiance. They starve the corporate overlords while nourishing our people. Every seed planted is a bullet fired into the heart of exploitation.Energy independence is next. Microgrids and renewable energy systems sever the chains that bind us to utility monopolies. Solar panels become shields. Wind turbines become swords. Together, they power our revolution and light the path out of darkness.Land trusts complete the foundation. By reclaiming the earth beneath our feet, we end the reign of landlords and speculators. We transform property into a shared inheritance, a weaponized fortress against eviction and exploitation.Cooperative Economies: Toppling the Pyramids of GreedThe empire runs on hierarchy—pyramids of power where the labor of many props up the wealth of the few. We will flatten these pyramids. Cooperatives will replace corporations. Workers will own their labor. Decentralized markets will replace monopolistic cartels. Wealth will circulate instead of accumulating in vaults guarded by the elite.Exploitation will wither when profits serve the people, not shareholders. We will dismantle the throne rooms and boardrooms and build councils and commons. Democracy will cease to be an illusion; it will become our economy.Reclaiming Time: Breaking the Chains of ConsumerismThe system steals your hours, turns them into wages, and sells them back to you as products you don’t need. But no more. We will reclaim time—time to learn, time to teach, time to build. We will turn consumption into creation.Every dollar not spent on their distractions is a weapon kept out of their hands. Every hour spent planting, crafting, or repairing is another brick in the wall of our independence. Resilience begins the moment we stop feeding the machine.Impact: A World of Builders, Not BuyersTo step away is not to retreat—it is to advance. We are not running; we are building. We are reclaiming what was stolen—our labor, our resources, our lives—and forging a new economy that values humanity over profit. This is not isolation. It is evolution.Let the system crumble. Let its towers fall. We will rise from the rubble with dirt under our nails and sun on our backs, free and ungoverned. The economics of escape are not theory—they are reality. And that reality begins now.The time is now. The tools are here. The path is clear. Break free. Build the future. The mountain awaits.Vagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

Vagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.The Technology Trap: Tools of Liberation or Chains of Control?Technology has always been a double-edged sword—capable of liberating human potential or tightening the grip of control. Today, the tools once celebrated for connecting us and democratizing information have become mechanisms of unprecedented exploitation and surveillance. The very platforms that promised to empower individuals now harvest our most personal information, shape our thoughts, and erode the freedoms they once championed.Data Capitalism: The Harvest of the Human MindAt the heart of this exploitation lies data capitalism, a system where personal data is the new currency. Every click, search, and interaction online is meticulously recorded, analyzed, and monetized. In 2022 alone, the global data market was valued at over $274 billion, much of it driven by companies using invasive practices to extract value from individuals without informed consent. Platforms such as Facebook (now Meta), Google, and TikTok mine users’ behaviors to sell hyper-targeted ads, influencing not just what people buy but how they think and vote.The Cambridge Analytica scandal highlighted the dangers of this system. By leveraging personal data, the company was able to influence elections and sow division, underscoring how data capitalism weaponizes private information for profit and power. Users are not the customers of these platforms—they are the product.Algorithmic Manipulation: The Invisible Hand of ControlBeyond data collection, algorithmic manipulation exerts a subtler yet equally insidious form of control. Algorithms prioritize engagement, often by promoting sensationalism, outrage, and division. Research from the Pew Research Center has shown how these dynamics polarize societies, creating echo chambers that reinforce biases and fuel extremism.These algorithms also shape desires and behavior. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok feed users content designed to trigger dopamine hits, fostering dependency and reducing autonomy. Social media addiction is now recognized as a public health concern, with studies linking excessive use to increased rates of anxiety and depression, particularly among young people.Paths to Liberation: Technology ReimaginedYet, technology need not be a chain—it can still serve as a tool of liberation if we reclaim it. The rise of decentralized platforms, privacy tools, and open-source technologies offers glimpses of a different future. Platforms like Mastodon and Signal challenge the dominance of surveillance-driven giants by prioritizing user privacy and control. Blockchain technologies, while controversial, point to the potential for decentralized systems that are less reliant on exploitative intermediaries.Open-source software like Linux and tools such as the Tor browser empower individuals to operate outside the confines of data capitalism, enabling privacy and autonomy. Grassroots digital movements, like the use of encrypted messaging during protests, show how technology can support collective action and resistance.Call to ActionTo navigate this technology trap, we must become conscious participants in the digital world, not passive subjects. By embracing privacy tools, supporting ethical tech initiatives, and demanding transparency from corporations, we can shift the balance of power. Technology can still be a force for good—but only if we reclaim it as a tool of liberation rather than a mechanism of control. The choice is ours to make. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

The Historical Context of Resistance: Lessons for LiberationHistory is a weapon. It arms us with examples of ordinary people who faced extraordinary tyranny and toppled it without firing a single shot. Across the centuries, the oppressed have proven that unity, courage, and moral conviction are mightier than the chains of exploitation. Today, as the machinery of corporate greed and inherited power tightens its grip, we must reclaim these lessons and wield them as tools for our own liberation.Marching Against Empire: Gandhi’s Salt MarchIn 1930, Mahatma Gandhi shattered the illusion of British invincibility with a single act—he walked. With blistered feet and unyielding resolve, he led thousands to the Arabian Sea to make salt, defying colonial laws that bled India dry. The Salt March was no mere protest; it was an earthquake that rippled across the world. It reminded the oppressed that civil disobedience can unmake empires. And it proved that non-violence does not mean weakness—it means wielding moral power so potent that the oppressor’s weapons become irrelevant.Breaking Chains Without Blood: Mandela and South AfricaNelson Mandela and the anti-apartheid movement turned decades of systemic brutality into a triumph of reconciliation. Through strikes, boycotts, and unshakable persistence, they exposed apartheid as morally bankrupt and economically unsustainable. Mandela’s release from prison was not just a personal victory—it was a signal that non-violent resistance could bend the arc of history toward justice. South Africa’s transformation demonstrated that the fight for dignity cannot be won through vengeance but through rebuilding and restoration.Marching for Freedom: Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil RightsIn the face of tear gas, police dogs, and fire hoses, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. marched. From Montgomery to Washington, he led a movement that refused to meet violence with violence. Instead, King exposed America’s deepest shame and forced it to confront its hypocrisy. The Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act were born not out of armed insurrection, but from sit-ins, boycotts, and marches that turned suffering into strength. King showed us that non-violent resistance is not passive—it is relentless, strategic, and transformative.Revolutions Without Bloodshed: Czechoslovakia and the PhilippinesIn 1989, the Velvet Revolution swept through Czechoslovakia. Thousands filled the streets, chanting for democracy. Factories went silent, students walked out, and the regime crumbled under the weight of its own illegitimacy. Without firing a bullet, the people reclaimed their nation.Three years earlier, in the Philippines, millions took to the streets armed only with prayers and flowers. The People Power Movement faced down tanks and toppled the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. Their victory was a testament to the strength of peaceful defiance and remains a rallying cry for those who dare to stand against corruption and tyranny.The Trap of Violence: Lessons from Failed RevolutionsBut history also warns us. Revolutions that turned to violence—whether in France, Russia, or Cambodia—often replaced one oppressor with another. Blood spilled in the name of freedom has too often watered the seeds of new tyrannies. The guillotine and the firing squad may overthrow kings, but they do not build democracies.Violence is chaos. It breeds cycles of retribution that devour the very people they claim to protect. Non-violence, on the other hand, is creation. It builds solidarity, fosters empathy, and leaves no wounds that cannot heal.Weapons of Peace: What Resistance Looks Like TodayWe do not need guns to dismantle oppression—we need refusal. Refusal to buy from corporations that exploit. Refusal to fuel economies that poison the earth. Refusal to obey laws that strip us of dignity. The power of the oppressor lies in our participation. When we step away, their machines grind to a halt.* General strikes choke profit streams.* Boycotts starve corrupt systems.* Walkouts expose hypocrisy.* Digital disengagement cuts the roots of surveillance capitalism.When millions unplug, withdraw, and refuse, the system unravels.The Call to Action: Inherit the Mantle of ResistanceWe are not the first to face this choice. Gandhi’s salt, Mandela’s resilience, King’s dream, the Velvet Revolution’s chants, and the People Power Movement’s prayers light the path before us. Their struggles whisper to us through time: You can resist. You must resist.Now is the moment to rise—not with weapons, but with conviction. Not to destroy, but to rebuild. Not in hate, but in defiance of fear. History is watching. The question is no longer whether we can resist, but whether we will.Vagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

Harbingers of a Totalitarian Nightmare: Inheritance and Immortal CorporationsIn the grand narrative of human progress, the promise of free markets has been corrupted by systems that perpetuate inequality across generations. Inheritance and immortal corporations are the twin pillars of a new, creeping totalitarianism. Together, they consolidate wealth, power, and opportunity into the hands of a few, strangling the ideal of meritocracy and undermining the dream that every individual can rise through their labor, innovation, and creativity.The Case Against Inheritance: Entrenching PrivilegeInheritance is often portrayed as a benign transfer of wealth, yet its broader implications are deeply corrosive. Studies reveal that inherited wealth is a primary driver of inequality. According to research from the OECD, inherited assets account for over 50% of wealth inequality in advanced economies. This unearned advantage allows descendants of the wealthy to dominate education, politics, and industry, irrespective of merit or effort, creating a class that holds power by birthright rather than capability.The result is a society where opportunity is not distributed based on ability but on ancestry, mirroring feudal systems that democratic ideals sought to dismantle. The American ethos of “rags to riches” becomes a hollow promise when entire swathes of society begin the race with insurmountable head starts.Immortal Corporations: The Machinery of Perpetual PowerIf inheritance chains individuals to dynasties, immortal corporations ensure that wealth and influence remain perpetually concentrated. Legal frameworks in many nations treat corporations as immortal entities, capable of outliving their founders while amassing ever-increasing wealth and control. In 2022, the combined wealth of the 10 largest corporations exceeded the GDP of most nations, giving these entities disproportionate power to influence policy, stifle competition, and shape cultural narratives.Corporations like Amazon, Alphabet, and BlackRock leverage their permanence to dominate markets, lobby governments, and entrench monopolistic practices. Rather than fostering a dynamic and competitive market, this system promotes crony capitalism, where the playing field is tilted in favor of the entrenched and the innovative are crushed before they can rise.The Hypothetical Alternative: Equal Beginnings for AllImagine a world where every individual reaches adulthood with an equal set of opportunities. At the age of majority, each person receives a foundational stake: access to education, healthcare, and a modest sum of capital to begin their journey. Upon death, the wealth accumulated by each individual is redistributed into this collective fund, ensuring that future generations inherit opportunity, not privilege.This system would allow the truly exceptional—the inventors, entrepreneurs, and creators—to thrive and be celebrated. Yet their legacies would serve not as private dynasties but as contributions to a society that continually renews itself.Critics may argue that such a system disincentivizes hard work. But consider this: the motivation to innovate, build, and succeed is not driven solely by the desire to hoard wealth for future generations. Studies in behavioral economics (e.g., Daniel Kahneman’s work) show that intrinsic motivators like creativity, passion, and the desire for recognition often outweigh monetary incentives.Addressing Objections1. “But I want my children to have a better life than I did.”This system does not deny parents the ability to support their children during their lifetimes. Education, values, and guidance remain the most powerful tools a parent can provide. What it seeks to dismantle is the perpetuation of structural inequalities that deny others’ children the same opportunities. By ensuring equal starts, society guarantees that every child has a shot at success, not just the heirs of privilege.2. “Isn’t this just socialism?”Far from stifling free markets, this model restores them. By breaking the chains of inherited advantage and corporate immortality, it fosters true competition where innovation and hard work are rewarded. Crony capitalism is replaced with a dynamic marketplace where everyone has an equal chance to succeed.3. “What about the emotional legacy I want to leave for my descendants?”Legacy is not measured by wealth alone. The impact of one’s work—whether through innovation, philanthropy, or contributions to culture—resonates far beyond the material. In a system that prioritizes equality, a person’s achievements uplift not just their descendants but humanity as a whole, a legacy far greater than any inheritance.The Emotional Appeal: A Better Future for AllImagine the relief of knowing that no child will face hunger, neglect, or lack of opportunity due to the circumstances of their birth. Imagine a society where competition is genuine, where every individual’s success reflects their talent and effort. In such a world, we move closer to fulfilling the true promise of human potential: a global community where freedom, fairness, and opportunity reign supreme.By dismantling the systems of inheritance and corporate immortality, we do not destroy wealth—we liberate it, unleashing its power to uplift and inspire. The legacy we leave behind will not be dynasties or monopolies but a world that honors the dignity and potential of every individual.Vagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

Vagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.The Tribalism Trap: Escaping the Dangers of Extreme IdeologiesIn a world filled with uncertainty and division, extreme ideologies from both the left and the right can appear as seductive answers to society’s ills. Each offer narratives of blame, promising clarity and justice but often delivering new forms of oppression and conflict. Both extremes operate on the same dangerous logic: a belief in absolute certainty, the vilification of “the other,” and the subjugation of dissenting voices. Escaping this tribalism trap is not just a moral imperative—it is essential for fostering a sustainable, pluralistic society.The Dangers of Extreme Ideologies1. Extreme Right-Wing IdeologiesRight-wing extremism often cloaks itself in nationalism, authoritarianism, and rigid hierarchies. These movements exploit fear and resentment, portraying outsiders—whether immigrants, minorities, or opposing political factions—as existential threats. History has repeatedly shown how such ideologies lead to oppression and violence. The rise of fascism in the 20th century, marked by the Holocaust and World War II, serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked far-right extremism.In modern contexts, far-right rhetoric often manifests through conspiracy theories, scapegoating, and the suppression of civil liberties. Studies, such as those by the Southern Poverty Law Center, have highlighted how these movements thrive on dehumanization and fear, fostering environments where violence becomes an acceptable tool for achieving political aims.2. Extreme Left-Wing IdeologiesOn the opposite end, extreme left-wing ideologies can also lead to oppression under the guise of equality and justice. When taken to extremes, they risk suppressing individual freedoms in pursuit of collective goals. History offers numerous examples, such as the authoritarianism of Stalin’s Soviet Union or the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, where the promise of a utopian society devolved into mass suffering and oppression.Extreme left ideologies often justify their means as necessary to dismantle systemic inequalities, but they can also silence dissent, undermine personal liberties, and stifle diversity of thought. Movements that reject dialogue and impose rigid ideological conformity contribute to polarization and alienation, perpetuating the very divisions they claim to combat.Tribalism: The Engine of ExtremismAt their core, both extremes rely on tribalism—the human tendency to divide the world into “us” versus “them.” This instinct is amplified by modern technologies that curate echo chambers, reinforcing biases and magnifying ideological divides. Studies from organizations like the Pew Research Center show that social media platforms play a significant role in fostering polarization by prioritizing engagement over truth, creating fertile ground for tribal thinking.Tribalism narrows perspectives, fostering blind allegiance to one’s “side” while dismissing the humanity and ideas of those who disagree. This creates a feedback loop of polarization, where dialogue becomes impossible, and solutions to shared problems are overshadowed by ideological warfare.Escaping the Tribalism Trap1. Embrace Critical ThinkingCitizens must cultivate critical thinking to resist the seductive simplicity of extreme ideologies. This involves questioning narratives, seeking diverse perspectives, and understanding the complexities of societal issues. Education systems should prioritize media literacy, equipping individuals to discern fact from propaganda.2. Prioritize Dialogue and EmpathyGenuine progress arises from understanding, not division. Engaging in dialogue with those who hold differing views fosters empathy and mutual respect, even in disagreement. Initiatives like Braver Angels in the U.S. demonstrate how structured conversations can bridge divides and restore trust in shared humanity.3. Demand Transparency and AccountabilityBoth extremes exploit secrecy and disinformation to advance their agendas. Citizens must hold governments, corporations, and media organizations accountable for promoting transparency and truth. Open access to information reduces the allure of conspiracy theories and fosters informed decision-making.4. Advocate for Inclusive SolutionsInstead of aligning with polarizing movements, citizens can advocate for inclusive policies that address systemic issues without resorting to scapegoating or authoritarianism. Solutions that respect individual freedoms while promoting social justice are achievable when ideological rigidity is replaced with pragmatism and collaboration.ConclusionThe allure of extreme ideologies is a testament to the human desire for meaning and certainty. But the pursuit of a just and equitable society requires rejecting tribalism and embracing complexity, dialogue, and shared humanity. The tribalism trap is not inevitable—it is a choice. By recognizing its dangers and consciously fostering empathy and critical thinking, individuals can chart a course toward a society that values pluralism, dignity, and hope for all. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

The Crisis of the Individual in a Broken SystemIn the world we inhabit today, many are bound by invisible chains. This is not the physical bondage of the past, but a more insidious form of control—one that erodes the human spirit, isolates individuals, and fragments the bonds that make us whole. It is a system that prioritizes profit over purpose, that demands loyalty to a way of life that leaves the soul hungry and the heart weary.We see the effects all around us. Communities that once stood united crumble under the pressures of individualism. The natural world, which has for centuries offered humanity its wisdom and peace, is stripped and scarred for fleeting material gain. People, in their quest for recognition, are taught to sell not only their labor but their very identities, reducing the beauty of human expression to a commodity.This crisis of disconnection weighs heavily on individuals. Across nations and communities, there is an epidemic of anxiety, despair, and exhaustion. Young and old alike feel adrift in a sea of competing demands, told that their worth is measured by their productivity and their consumption. Yet this suffering is not an indictment of individuals, but of the system that shapes our lives—a system that robs us of our humanity and replaces it with the illusion of prosperity.This moment is one of great moral reckoning. We must reject the idea that our struggles are isolated or that we bear them alone. The despair of the individual is a reflection of the collective suffering of humanity. To heal ourselves, we must also heal the world we live in.The answer lies not in further division, but in unity and solidarity. We must look to the values that have sustained movements for justice throughout history: compassion, courage, and an unwavering belief in the dignity of every person. Together, we can resist the forces that seek to break us. Together, we can rebuild communities rooted in love, purpose, and care for one another.Let us not lose sight of the natural world that gives us life, nor the bonds of humanity that sustain our hope. The system may fragment us, but it cannot break us if we stand together. It is in unity, in reclaiming our purpose, and in seeing each other’s humanity that we will find the strength to forge a new path. This is not a struggle for one, but for all, and we will rise as we have risen before—from despair into light, from division into unity, and from a broken system into a better world.Vagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

The Current Makeup of the World's Power StructureIntroductionOn Non-ViolenceThe economic and technological landscape of 2024 reveals a deepening concentration of power and wealth, with significant consequences for societal equity and stability. Today, the world's richest 1% holds nearly 50% of global wealth, while the bottom 50% possesses only 2% of it. This stark disparity continues to widen, fueled by the accumulation of resources in sectors like technology and finance. In the United States alone, the top 10% of earners capture over half of all income, perpetuating cycles of inequality on an unprecedented scale.Technological corporations, once heralded as forces for democratization and progress, increasingly consolidate power through monopolistic practices, data exploitation, and algorithmic control. These entities often circumvent traditional regulatory oversight, allowing a few executives to wield disproportionate influence over global communications, marketplaces, and political discourse. Meanwhile, automation and artificial intelligence disrupt labor markets, exacerbating job insecurity and undermining workers' ability to advocate for fair treatment.Capitalism, particularly in its American-style iteration, emphasizes shareholder profits above all else, sidelining ethical considerations and societal well-being. This model of relentless growth fosters systemic exploitation, with companies maximizing profits at the expense of workers, local communities, and the environment. The promise of stakeholder capitalism—a system that balances the needs of employees, customers, and society—remains largely unfulfilled, as most firms prioritize short-term financial gains.Globally, tax systems fail to keep pace with the mobility and opacity of corporate wealth. Many corporations and wealthy individuals use legal loopholes to avoid taxes, depriving nations of the resources needed to address pressing issues like healthcare, education, and climate change. This phenomenon not only entrenches inequality but also erodes trust in governmental institutions and democracy itself.As the lines between public and private power blur, and as wealth concentrates in fewer hands, the challenge of addressing these disparities grows ever more urgent. This structure—dominated by those who shape economies to serve their interests—requires a radical reevaluation. Without systemic change, the majority will continue to bear the burdens of a system designed for the enrichment of a select few.The rulers of our age wear no crowns, but their power is absolute.The billionaire class—the so-called titans of industry, tech innovators, and financial wizards—has risen to dominate the globe. They are the architects of modern exploitation, their wealth built not on ingenuity but on the labor, time, and broken dreams of billions. They preach innovation, but they practice extraction. They speak of freedom, but they build systems designed to enslave.At the center of this power web lies the PayPal Mafia.Once heralded as bold visionaries, these tech overlords which we have dubbed The PayPal Mafia have become the vanguard of a new economic tyranny. They style themselves as disruptors, but what they disrupt is human dignity. Under the banner of “progress,” they have transformed human lives into data points to be mined, monitored, and monetized. They gave us the tools of "convenience" while quietly chaining us to their platforms, algorithms, and financial systems.Enter the Technology Gestapo.The tech industry, once a symbol of liberation and innovation, has metastasized into a global surveillance and control apparatus - a gestapo on a scale never seen.. Your smartphone is no longer a tool—it’s a leash. Your data, your thoughts, your movements are harvested, tracked, and sold. The Technology Gestapo enforces the will of the billionaire elite, creating digital prisons disguised as playgrounds. They algorithmically steer your choices, curate your beliefs, and engineer your consent. Freedom, in their world, is an illusion—a hologram projected on the walls of your invisible cage.American-style capitalism: an export of misery.The ultra-rich and their brokers of power have perfected their model of exploitation and spread it like a virus. They sell it as the pinnacle of freedom and opportunity, but its true nature is parasitic. Across the globe, economies are hollowed out, workers are stripped of autonomy, and entire nations are forced to dance to the tune of shareholder profits. Under this system, nothing is sacred—neither human lives nor the planet itself. Everything is a resource to be consumed, a market to be exploited.And what do they offer in return?They promise prosperity, but only for themselves. They promise security, but it is the security of a prison. They promise innovation, but it is the innovation of new ways to exploit, surveil, and control. All the while, they gaslight the masses into believing that this is the best of all possible worlds. "The economy is strong," they say. But for whom? "The future is bright," they claim. But at what cost?The consequences are dire.We are witnessing the disintegration of societies under the weight of this greed. Workers are told to sacrifice everything for corporations that discard them without a second thought. Communities are displaced by gentrification and corporate land grabs. The environment is ravaged in the name of endless growth, while climate catastrophe looms on the horizon.This is not progress. This is collapse dressed in a suit and tie.The billionaire class, the PayPal Mafia, and the Technology Gestapo are not innovators—they are the architects of a system that perpetuates inequality, division, and despair. They have built a machine that devours the world, all while smiling for magazine covers and posting platitudes on social media.To continue supporting this power structure is to aid in our own destruction.To bow to their will is to surrender our autonomy and our future. The time has come to expose the machine for what it is: a system of unchecked power, cloaked in lies, that cannot be reformed from within.We must withdraw. We must turn away. We must head to the mountain.This is not a battle of violence but of refusal. Refuse to play their game, refuse to accept their terms, and refuse to give them the power they so desperately need. Only then can we begin to dismantle the system and create a world where life is more than a commodity to be sold.Vagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

Autumn was beautiful but November was a month I can plan on traveling in the future. My November this year included side-quests to Vietnam, California, and Hawaii. I was fortunate to catch the first snowfall before I left for Vietnam and then to be here in time for the first accumulation now in December. Technically, Winter doesn’t begin until December 21st, but as you can see in the video - it’s winter here already. And though Spring begins March 21st - I believe that Winter will extend until about May. Knowing that, it makes sense why residents here spend most of the summer preparing for Winter. It actually encompasses from about November 1st to May 1st - so half the year. Autumn felt like it was about a month and a half long and I’m guessing Spring will be about the same (May and part of June?) which leaves summer at about three months. The question of my visa and ability to stay here full time/long term is still up in the air but given what I am learning about the seasons, that may not be such an issue - because let’s face it. I like to visit new places even if I don’t much like the travel part itself. Music by Patrizio and Artsiom Bialou from Pixabay This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

The Power of Non-Violence: Turning Away to TransformThey want you to fight them on their terms.The system thrives on conflict. It loves chaos, loves division, loves to paint dissent as dangerous, violent, and unhinged. When you lash out, they tighten their grip. When you rage, they call you unreasonable. Violence only feeds the machine, giving it the justification it craves to crush you harder.But there is another way—a better way.True resistance isn’t about destruction; it’s about creation. It’s about reclaiming your life by stepping away from the game entirely. The machine cannot function without your participation. Your labor, your attention, your belief—it needs these to survive. Deny them, and the system crumbles under its own weight.This is the revolution: Stop feeding the machine.* Turn off the devices that surveil you. Each moment you spend scrolling is fuel for the system that exploits your attention. The algorithms are not your friends—they are the tools of the elite, designed to keep you numb, distracted, and divided. Log out. Disconnect. Reclaim your time and your mind.* Tune out the noise. The news isn’t informing you; it’s manipulating you. It’s a theater of fear and spectacle, designed to keep you reactive, anxious, and obedient. When you tune it out, you tune into the quiet truth within yourself.* Drop out of their civilization. The game is rigged, and the only way to win is not to play. Seek alternatives: cooperative communities, local economies, self-sufficiency. Start small, but start now. Every step away from the system is a step toward freedom.Non-violence is not passive. It is profound.To step away is an act of defiance, a declaration of independence. Non-violence is not submission; it is strategic and deliberate. It denies the system the one thing it cannot survive without: your complicity. Every time you refuse to participate—when you turn off your screen, ignore their propaganda, or choose community over competition—you weaken their grip.This is not isolation. It is connection.Dropping out of the machine doesn’t mean dropping out of life. It means finding new ways to live—ways that honor your humanity and the humanity of others. It means building networks of care and resilience, rediscovering the power of face-to-face conversations, of shared meals, of quiet mornings spent in nature. These small, daily acts of resistance are radical and transformative.The world changes when you do.They want you to believe you’re powerless, that your only option is to comply. But every step you take away from their system is a step toward a better world. Every act of refusal, every moment spent reconnecting with your true self, is a crack in the foundation of their power.Non-violence isn’t giving up—it’s taking back.Turn off their devices. Tune out their lies. Drop out of their game. Head to the mountain, not in anger but in clarity and purpose. The path is steep, but it is yours to walk. And with every step, you reclaim not just your freedom but the future of a world worth living in.The mountain is calling. This is how we rise.Vagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

They told you everything was fine.The economy is booming, they say. Healthcare is "accessible." Education unlocks your future. Housing is plentiful if you just work hard enough. But deep down, you know the truth. You see it in the stressed out eyes of overworked colleagues and friends, in the growing divide between rich and poor, in the dreams you’ve had to abandon just to survive. In the way that nothing works like it is supposed to - but that’s the point. A feature not a bug. The program isn’t for you. It never has been. You are labor. A draft animal to be used and discarded. You power the machine that enslaves you, that is your role. You’ve been lied to.This system, designed by those with power and wealth beyond your imagination, isn’t here to serve you—it’s here to exploit you. It thrives on your labor, your creativity, your willingness to comply. They’ve built a machine that feeds on your dreams and tells you to thank them for the privilege. This is not freedom; it is servitude disguised as opportunity.But is there is another way? There is.It’s time to stop playing their game. Stop propping up a system that crushes you beneath the weight of greed and lies. Stop participating in your own exploitation. Step off the treadmill. Head to the mountain.The mountain. A symbol of liberation and freedom. It’s where truth lives, where you can breathe freely, where the machine cannot reach you. To head to the mountain is not an act of violence—it is an act of courage. It is the refusal to comply with a system that destroys everything it touches.They want you to believe you’re alone. You’re not.Everywhere, people are waking up. Workers, creators, dreamers—they’re withdrawing their consent, choosing connection over competition, purpose over profit. Together, we can build something new: a society based on autonomy, community, and the limitless potential of human creativity.This is not rebellion. This is freedom.To head to the mountain is to claim your power. It’s to say: I will not be a pawn in your game. It’s to take back your life, your dignity, your future. Every step toward the mountain is a step away from the lies that keep you trapped—and a step toward the truth that sets us all free.The time is now. The choice is yours.You can keep believing their lies, keep running their race, keep breaking under their boot. Or you can stand up, step away, and head to the mountain. It’s time to withdraw your consent, reclaim your humanity, and light the way for others.The system only survives because you allow it. Withdraw your consent. Step off the treadmill. Head to the mountain—and watch the machine crumble.Vagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

In a monumental stride for decentralized publishing, PageDAO has unveiled the alpha version of its new minting platform, promising to revolutionize how writers publish and share their work.The release of the alpha version of PageDAO's new minting platform marks a pivotal moment for writers. This platform allows authors to mint their literary works on the blockchain, offering features like privacy, security, and longevity. The alpha phase is open to a select group of users who can create profiles, mint works, and provide feedback to help refine the platform.As technology continues to evolve, the possibilities for writers and readers expand, promising an exciting future for decentralized publishing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

I threw this together pretty quickly in the time before I get picked up from my last hotel in Vietnam. I just wanted to get something out to everyone that touched on some of the deeper things I am feeling. My feelings about tourism were really amplified during this time. While I am glad to have had the tourist experience and definitely benefitted from it, I also saw the down side of it in terms of locals and in terms of the tourists themselves. The economic disparity and inequality issues are huge in a country like Vietnam and a few minutes of monologue isn’t enough to even begin to discuss capitalism, communism, or the up and down sides of either one. Cooperativism and collectivism are really the only viable future, but unfortunately when forced to compete with capitalism end up not doing well. From a pure - expectation, reward, getting what you pay for, having a good experience - I’m going to have to go much deeper into all of that. In listening to this again, I’m afraid that my thoughts come out incredibly muddled. Again, it’s too much to fit in a small space. To clarify: The Vietnamese people are wonderful. Vietnam is beautiful but very very crowded with tourists. Tourism in Vietnam doesn’t always work how you might expect it. There is a stark and very unfair inequality inherent in this kind of tourism. Communism has failed the people. Capitalism has failed the worldVietnam is filled with hope. You should visit, but consider how you do it. Vagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Vagobond Media’s Web3 Writers podcast hosted by Rionna Morgan, writers and creatives gather to discuss their journeys, inspirations, and the evolving landscape of publishing.The conversation featured Rionna Morgan, Indefatigable, Musashi, and Odd Writings, who shared personal stories and insights into how technology and alternative publishing methods are shaping the future for writers.Vagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

It’s only just occurred to me that my entire life - as I’ve dramatically overshared and created non-stop - has actually been nothing so much as it has been one big public art installation. Maybe it’s the revelation of finally having my house and deciding to make it not only a reflection of myself but also one huge art project - but as big an art project as it might be - the art project that is my life dwarfs it. Everyone’s life is an art project when it comes down to it, but for the past twenty-five years, mine has been held out on a platter, asking the world to see it. I hope you see it. From my books to my painting to my films to my photography to my blogging and social media. I’m not unique in doing any of this, but I may be unique in the level of output and the uncomfortable amount of oversharing I’ve done. I hope that someday, someone really sees it, understands what I am doing, and why I am doing it. So far, I don’t think that has happened, but I can’t stop now. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

I seem to have a bright red and bright blue theme going on here in Satoshi Manor. From the Tardis Door to the Cabinet Chronicles, my creativity is being unleashed. The entire manor house is an art installation for me. It’s part book, part gallery, part art piece. Like all art, I’m not sure if it’s good or bad, I guess that’s for those who look at it to decide. I like it, it’s my art - but somehow I don’t think the Japanese government is going to build a dome over it someday, so at least I don’t have to worry about my friend’s prediction that it will be blown up by a Japanese Nationalist in protest. Honestly, it would be really funny if it did end up as a sort of Gaudi house, but let’s be honest, I’m no Gaudi.Music by Roman Senyk from Pixabay This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

My situation is completely different now - and we’ll see how that works out for me. The bottom line is that you have to trust your gut and when you don’t, you usually find yourself in a pickle. Don’t put the plastic bag over your own head, no matter how tempting it may be. My personal red flags were having to do with wages, impact, and connection with students. The red flags that life threw at me were blown out shoes, booking errors, and demanding an untenable reset of priorities. Listen to yourself and you can go wrong, align yourself with the universe and you can only go right - though it may be a painful path. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

I was away from my house for about a week. It was interesting to reflect on my short time of being a foreigner here in Japan and some of the observations I’ve been fortunate to make so far. This chapter has no updates on my house, no photos of my house, and not much in the way of updates on my life - but just a short interlude of some footage I shot and found interesting and some observations that might be worth the sharing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

As Summer turns to Autumn, I offer this short reflection and retrospective on my journey as a home owner (in Japan) so far…Vagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.More to come as we go through the four seasons…I hope. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

Join me as I take a wander through some of the museums of Otaru. This is just the tip of the iceberg, only the city museum’s free gallery and the Otaru Literary Museum. There are literally dozens of museums here, maybe more than dozens. The fascinating history of this town only gets more fascinating as time goes on. Next time, I’ll share some before and after photos, some of the objects and cool things I found in the house and a few of the challenges that await me - and have me more than a little nervous! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

Work on the house has been non-stop, but perhaps it’s not as visually appealing as installing a new toilet or tearing down some old walls. Mostly just cleaning, cutting weeds, trying to figure out where old smells come from, and the process of getting rid of junk and figuring out what is useful to keep instead of getting rid of it. Vagobond Media Community is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the community and my continued efforts on Satoshi Manor, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.I’ve gotten rid of a fair bit and the shed is slightly less crammed than it was previously. I’m figuring out how to sort trash and dispose of it properly - though I’m sure I’m still not doing it 100% right. I’m grateful the house didn’t come completely empty - it had a wide range of stuff that at first- in my rush to get the mold and mildew smell out, I was quick to label as junk - but there was also quite a few interesting or useful things that saved me having to purchase new ones. The sofa - sort of stinky and hard to get rid of, so I’m doing the best I can with it. The table and chairs, very useful. The coffee table - useful if ugly. All of this furniture reminds me of the furniture in the roommate houses I lived in during my twenties. It was rare that anyone knew the origin of a chest of drawers or a sofa or a table - they had just always been there through many roommates. In any event, there is plenty of stuff like that - dishes and pans and buckets and even some useful cleaning products. Also, I’m incredibly grateful that even though the stove, the boiler, and the furnace had to be replaced - the refrigerator, the washing machine, the toilet, and the shower all work. Are they old and need upgrading - you bet - but not yet. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this weeks compilation of some excursions nearby from Satoshi Manor. Perhaps in the next video I will share some of the things I’ve found useful and some of the things I had to buy - from Amazon and other places. As always, if you read this and you come to Hokkaido, look me up. I might even be able to offer you the guest bed but I’ll probably put you to work! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

In the most recent VM GM Web3 Writers podcast hosted by Rionna Morgan, the vibrant community of Web3 writers came together to discuss the latest developments in the literary space. The episode began with updates from notable members like Odd Writings, who explored Uniswap integration with Zora for NFT publishing, and Musashi, who shared insights into his work on PageDAO’s publishing dApp, currently in closed alpha. The podcast also delved into the upcoming Murder Mystery Writers and Readers Event, a unique collaborative project that will involve both readers and writers in shaping the decentralized story over several months.The discussion highlighted the versatility and potential of Web3 technologies for creators, emphasizing how they empower writers by providing tools for minting, securing, and distributing their work independently. Rionna Morgan, alongside other speakers like Indefatigable and Jacob Homanics, explored the possibilities of integrating AI with storytelling, envisioning a future where characters could be interactive, adding a new dimension to reader engagement.Throughout the podcast, the conversation also touched on the importance of community, collaboration, and the ethical foundations of platforms like PageDAO, which prioritize creator rights and ownership. As the episode concluded, participants shared personal strategies for balancing their creative endeavors with everyday life, offering valuable tips on time management and the creative process.The episode encapsulated the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and passion that drives the Web3 writing community, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of literature and digital storytelling. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

A little interlude while I show you the back shed, the garden, the spring, and a bit of the outdoor wonders that exist on my property here. Plus, a surprise! Also - the gashes on the top of my head seem to be healing. No big production values on this one. Even a simple video is taking me forever to upload - my location makes a faster upload impossible, it seems. I’m not going to put a paywall on this one…but you can see where I put some padding on the doorjam to prevent a repeat scalping…lol. Once was enough….To see more of Satoshi Manor, Otaru, and my life in Japan - make sure that you are following me on Instagram and Youtube This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

My house is really undergoing a big transformation. Just moving the stuff that was cluttering it outside and cleaning the inside as best I can is making a big difference. It’s been a week since I moved in and there are certainly challenges. Comfort is one, loneliness is another. Perhaps even bigger than both of those is my lack of understanding exactly how to fit into this neighborhood. These people are kind, I can tell that, but at first glance it doesn’t really seem like we have much in common. Time will tell - as it always does. I’m both resisting the urge to interact too much (opening the door) or too little (closing the door). The door is ajar - cautiously. As for everything else - I’m trying very hard to be in the moment. Producing these videos has been a bit of a challenge with computer and internet issues - but here’s one more to celebrate one week of living in Satoshi Manor. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

The latest episode of the VM GM Web3 Writers Podcast, hosted by Rionna Morgan, marks the first session without our beloved co-host C.D. Damitio, who has recently relocated to Japan. But have no fear—CD hopes to connect with other writers very and begin another edition of VM GM in his timezone! Rionna introduces the show and passes the mic to various contributors, including Odd Writings, Indefatigable, Ani, Musashi, and Tom Leveen. Odd Writings shares his passion for poetry and NFTs, highlighting the power of creativity in the digital sphere. Indefatigable discusses the innovative development of a user-led app for writers and readers, emphasizing community-driven technology at PageDAO. Ani recounts her journey from self-publishing novels to embracing Web3 publishing on the blockchain. Musashi shares his personal story of overcoming authority challenges through writing and exploring the decentralization offered by blockchain technology. Tom discusses the launch of his new Kickstarter campaign for his supernatural urban fantasy novel and the potential of minting on blockchain platforms. The podcast explores the reasons why writers should consider publishing in Web3, including censorship resistance and ownership of intellectual property. The guests weigh in—including long-time friend of VM GM, EZinCrypto.The episode concludes with the traditional Aloha farewell, symbolizing love, connection, and the collective spirit of the Web3 writing community. Join the VM GM Web3 Writers Podcast to explore the dynamic world of digital writing and publishing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

I don’t remember when I was last this exhausted. I’ve been putting in the work of an entire crew but I’m beginning to see some dividends. I can walk barefoot in the house now - most of it anyway. I’ve taken down a wall and repaired some sliding doors. My experience doing estate sales proved valuable as I used the same process here that I would have if I were to run an estate sale in the house of a deceased person. I did this unconsciously and it was only after I looked at the treasures on display that I realized I had gone through the process. 1) Move the junk to one location 2) Start the sort 3) start the cleaning 4) move all the non-sellable/non-useful stuff out of the house. At this point, were this an estate sale - I would start pricing things. This is not an estate sale though. This is my home! The stove, the heater, and the hot water heater all need to be replaced. This begins the process of expenses - but I will need all three to live here. If I were a meme maker - I would make one that said “My friends think I’m doing this” and showing some sort of cool samurai experience. And then “but this is actually what I’m doing” and then show the process of me cleaning mold, washing load after load of laundry in an attempt to save some things from the dump, and moving heavy furniture. Lol. I’m not complaining - all of this work is worth it. Now the question is whether I can upload this video on a T-mobile data connection…. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

For those who don’t know - I bought a house in Otaru, Japan on the island of Hokkaido. I’m going to turn it into my dream home - that’s the plan. There’s a lot of work to do…Follow my adventures here I will also be updating on YouTube and other social media which are all listed at the end of the video. Next video I will describe the process that got me to this point in some detail for those who want to pursue a similar insane venture. Below is the first video in the series. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

This is the place where Web3 and Writing meet on the Blockchain… This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

As always, the gang brings a lively discussion with some updates on various projects plus special guest Crypto Jesus from the Solon project and much more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

And off I go…This is the first look that I had of the house I bought in Japan. So far it’s the only look I’ve had. Next week - that will change as I move there! This is pure madness for sure! (Read some background on all of this here —> https://www.vagobond.com/buying-a-cheap-house-in-japan/Make sure you like, subscribe, and share. Not only does this matter to me - I promise it will be an interesting experience for you too - and you never know, you might want to visit when you come to Japan…so let’s be friends. For those who choose to be paid subscribers, not only are you supporting my work sharing this, but you can expect to see content earlier, have special areas enabled, and also will have premium access for your questions and more. Vagobond Media Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

The gang dives deep into the world of Web3 writing platforms, better social media, and E.R. Donaldson reveals the winners of his Nethraverse writing contest. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

With a special surprise at the end for Robbie Pollock This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

Sometimes it takes a rug to bring a room together - but you will still find some great information here. Hot takes from Rionna, CD, Odd Writings, T. Dylan Daniel, and Musashi. Sometimes people say a clumsy or untalented person is all thumbs, but it’s no better to be all fingers. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

It’s most likely this is going to be a one off test. Apologies to all of those who want to hear more about the day’s news from me while I’m not wearing a shirt. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

This week - more than you can imagine. You’ll have to listen. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

A lively discussion this week on IP and how Web3 can solve creatives problems - not just the money ones. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

If you can sit on a field of battle and write while mythical creatures engage in a life or death struggle…you may be a Web3 Writer. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

This week we got to hear another beautiful song from Jose Cabrera and we also heard from Mike Smart of Meta Builders about the progress on his new (but long time coming) card pack concept on Wax blockchain. Plus updates from partners and friends in the Web3 writing space. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe

This week we got a reading from the new Gutter Cat Gang novel by G.W. - The Last Lab Rat - available now on Amazon. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vagobond.substack.com/subscribe