Perhaps someday I will look back on my Substack with retrospective coherence. Perhaps not. For now, I will hold that lightly as a possibility.
I continue to appreciate what Peter Limberg shares.
Now, this summer, I’m serving as the philosopher-in-residence for The AI Collective, the largest AI group in the world. This is a group with significant reach and potential influence on the broader AI conversation. Once again, I’m writing a manifesto with one of the founders, Chappy Asel.
I scrolled through the archive of The AI Collective and hope to find some time to read some articles.
After my turn back towards Canada earlier this year, I subscribed to Adbusters which is now on Substack. Years ago when I lived in Calgary, I would occasionally pick up their magazine from a newsstand. A while ago I read MANIFESTO FOR WORLD REVOLUTION by Kalle Lasn but I have not found the time to write a book report.
Zen and Punk: A Path to Authentic Revolution
In an era where the Left seems dead and traditional forms of resistance seem ineffective, combining Zen's ancient wisdom with punk's revolutionary spirit could create a more sustainable and powerful movement for social change. This fusion offers a way to maintain punk's core values while developing the inner strength and clarity needed for effective resistance.
I agree that the Left seems dead and resistance seems ineffective, specifically resistance to Trump. And from my perspective, powerful movements for change have not emerged. The social change landscape feels very fragmented to me.
More inspiring to me than the rebellious attitude of Adbusters is the work of young people like Gabrielle Feather.
Is there a place for purpose in a post-growth world?
Is there a place for purpose in a post-growth world – and if so, what does that purpose look like when we no longer measure success in scale, speed, or visibility?
In a post-growth world, we would likely see many more small, community-oriented businesses rather than a few giant corporations. Think of cooperative farms, local repair shops, or ethical studios that deliberately stay human-scaled. Their goals are providing good livelihoods and useful goods or services while regenerating their community and environment. Success would be defined by well-being and resilience – say, enriching the local ecosystem or providing stable jobs – rather than how fast they can multiply into new markets.
I have been following peth for several years and he updates his interesting story. For me, he is a window into a world of which I have very little understanding yet seems significant. For reasons unknown, I find him trustworthy.
Just some guy from a small town, middle-class family in a middle-class country. No good in school, would‘ve been labeled w/ ADHD. While my friends were packing for uni, I was already installing plumbing.
Nihilistic & depressed little bastard, I went deep into conspiracy theories. What stuck were the fundamentals: fiat money, fractional reserve banking, how corporations maximize profits while societies pay the cost, etc.
Made me obsessed with alternatives. Self-sustainable living, eco-villages, different ways of coordinating. Anything that could replace current systems we rely on.
I much like the work that the MeidasTouch Network does but some things annoy me.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE from MeidasTouch Founder
Now, back to my prior thought. I’ve said it earlier this week, and I sense it even stronger now: I feel a vibe shift taking hold in this country. Can you feel it? Trump and MAGA are in chaos. Trump’s cover-up of the Epstein list and Epstein files has caused many in his base to feel betrayed. Added to that is the disastrous budget bill, the awful handling of the Texas flash floods, the ICE raids against hardworking non-criminals, the failed trade war and letters Trump is sending to countries, and his day-to-day chaos.
I am unconvinced of the vibe shift. The narrative is shifting and perhaps a small crack has opened for a bit of light to get in. But for a dose of reality I turn to Nate Silver.
Updated July 12, 2025
As of today, 44.7 percent of Americans approve of the job he’s doing and 51.4 percent disapprove.
Sadly, shockingly, the numbers do not seem to be moving very much. MAGA can be viewed as a cult. From long personal experience I know how difficult it is to leave a cult.
