Update on the Future of the KunstlerCast

Released: August 2, 2012

Duncan and Jim update listeners on the future of the KunstlerCast now that Duncan is stepping back his role. Catch old episodes on our podcast feed or here on our website: http://kunstlercast.com/shows

UPDATE: Visit Kunstler.com for newer episodes

Direct Download:

KunstlerCast_213.mp3

( 7 MB | 8:32 mins.)

JHK and Duncan give the scoop on some of their recent challenges

Released: July 26, 2012

JHK gives listeners an update on his recent health issues. Duncan explains some of the tech problems that have been affecting the Kast.

Direct Download:

KunstlerCast_212.mp3

( 27 MB | 34:33 mins.)

Live Web Event

TOO MUCH MAGIC: Wishful Thinking, Technology, and the Fate of the Nation
A conversation with bestselling author James Howard Kunstler

Tue 7/31 from 9:00pm – 10:00pm EDT

Participation is limited RSVP now.

http://www.shindig.com/event/james-howard-kunstler

Update from the Kunstler Compound

Released: July 19, 2012

JHK gives a walking tour of the grounds of the Kunstler Compound in Washington County, NY and updates listeners on his progress in planting his own edible garden and orchard.

Direct Download:

KunstlerCast_211.mp3

( 17 MB | 21:19 mins.)

Released: July 12, 2012

JHK discusses his newly published nonfiction book Too Much Magic: Wishful Thinking, Technology, and the Fate of the Nation, (Altantic Monthly Press, 2012). Kunstler considers Magic to be an update on his 2005 book “The Long Emergency.” He says it was time to issue a reality testing report from reality central.

Direct Download:

KunstlerCast_210.mp3

( 13 MB | 16:32 mins.)

JHK Reads from Too Much Magic

The author reads his work

Released: June 28, 2012

JHK and Duncan speak to a group of NextGen New Urbanists during the Congress for the New Urbanism held in West Palm Beach, Fla. this May 9-12. NextGen New Urbanists are young professionals participating in the New Urbanist movement. Jim asks the group to tell him what they’re up to and what’s next for New Urbanism. After a quick history of the NextGen movement, topics include: Resettle America, the Braddock PA Initiative, Tactical New Urbanism, Growing Culture and more.

Direct Download:

KunstlerCast_209.mp3

( 26 MB | 35:21 mins.)

Also check out the Congress for the New Urbanism YouTube Channel for videos from the latest congress.

Released: June 22, 2012

James Howard Kunstler walks through City Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. and comments on the pros and cons of this New Urbanist city block of commercial buildings.

Follow our route on Google Maps with the player below, or click here.

View Larger Map

Direct Download:

KunstlerCast_208.mp3

( 34 MB | 44:24 mins.)

The conversation continues…

Also check out the Congress for the New Urbanism YouTube Channel for videos from the latest congress.

Released: May 30, 2012

Leon Krier is one of the best-known – and most provocative – architects and urban theoreticians in the world. Until now, however, his ideas have circulated mostly among a professional audience of architects, city planners, and academics. In this episode we hear some of his concluding remarks made during his Saturday Morning Plenary address to the Congress for the New Urbanism on May 12, 2012 in West Palm Beach, Fla. After fielding a few questions from the audience, JHK and Duncan have an intimate conversation with Krier regarding some of his remarks.

You can listen to Krier’s entire talk and view the images below:

Direct Download:

KunstlerCast_207.mp3

( 35 MB | 42:54 mins.)

JHK & John Norquist talk New Urbanism

Released: May 24, 2012

This episode features a conversation between JHK and CNU President and former Milwaukee Mayor John Norquist and was recorded before a live audience during the Congress for the New Urbanism in West Palm Beach, Fla. this May 9-12. Kunstler and Norquist field questions from audience members on a variety of New Urbanist topics.

[Note: The server that hosts our media files was down yesterday for an extended time and was not accepting file uploads. The problem was resolved at approx. 11:30 p.m. – DC]

Direct Download:

KunstlerCast_206.mp3

( 48 MB | 54:33 mins.)

A CNU Panel on Classic, Current and Critical New Urbanist Writing

Released: May 17, 2012

James Howard Kunstler joins other prominent New Urbanist writers on a recent panel at The Congress for The New Urbanism, held in West Palm Beach, Florida this May 9-12, 2012. The panel, titled: “Why We Write: Prominent New Urbanist Authors Discuss Their Classic NU Books and Current Works, and the Critical Importance of Writing to the Movement,” featured a moderated discussion with the authors of path-breaking, “core” New Urbanist books. Listen to the reconsideration of cornerstone texts that were influential in shaping the movement and how they relate to the authors’ current ideas. Discussion of the critical importance of writing to the movement and gaps in the literature on the theory, practice and relevance of the New Urbanism to contemporary challenges will be addressed. The authors will share their ideas on writing influential texts on walkable, mixed-use communities.

Featuring:

• Chuck Bohl, Professor and Director, School of Architecture, University of Miami
• Peter Katz, Consultant and author of The New Urbanism: Toward an Architecture of Community
• James Howard Kunstler, Author
• Philip Langdon, Senior Editor, Better! Cities & Towns
• Charles Marohn, Jr., P.E., AICP, Executive Director, Strong Towns

Direct Download:

KunstlerCast_205.mp3

( 67 MB | 1:20:06 mins.)

JHK & Duncan Visit the Mall

Released: May 3, 2012

This is an edited, re-released version of an episode first recorded in Sept. 2008: For this program James Howard Kunstler and Duncan Crary visit Colonie Center, a 1.3 million square-foot enclosed two-level regional shopping center located in suburban Albany, N.Y. After more than $12 million in renovations to this shopping center’s exterior and interior, Jim remains as unimpressed with this place as he was in the 1970s when it was first built. Before entering the mall, Jim describes the heroic suburban 6-lane boulevard of commerce upon which Colonie Center is located. Inside, Jim relaxes in one of the lounge areas provided for shoppers and provides a brief history of enclosed shopping areas. He also discusses the price that Americans have paid for trading in real public places for private commercial spaces. He speaks to the clerks at a “sideways hat store.” He also observes the local fauna: land whales.

Direct Download:

KunstlerCast_204.mp3

( 40 MB | 38:36 mins.)

JHK & Duncan at Union College Humanities Seminar

Released: April 26, 2012

James Howard Kunstler and Duncan Crary record a podcast before a live student audience at Union College, in Schenectady, N.Y. As part of a Humanities Super Seminar on liberal arts and activism, the students read The KunstlerCast book. In this segment, students ask questions out the future of the Internet, concentrating poverty and wealth in New York City and how individuals can face the enormous issue of rearranging how we live in our human habitat.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_203.mp3
(32 MB | 31:24 mins.)

Listener Caller Line:
1-(866) 924-9499 toll-free

Sponsor:

“The Heirloom,” by Richard Davies, explores a post peak world where a group of Native Americans comes to terms with a dangerous and chaotic world. Guy McPherson, of Nature Bats Last, says, “Ultimately, The Heirloom is a wide-ranging tale about the human experience. It is about life, love, death, honor, and people struggling to make their way in a world not of their choosing.”

Part one of a trilogy, “The Heirloom” is available through Amazon in both paperback and eBook. The second book in the trilogy will be available late Summer 2012. Visit: http://theheirloom.blogspot.com/

JHK & Duncan at Union College Humanities Seminar

Released: April 19, 2012

James Howard Kunstler and Duncan Crary record a podcast before a live student audience at Union College, in Schenectady, N.Y. As part of a Humanities Super Seminar on liberal arts and activism, the students read The KunstlerCast book. During the podcast Jim and Duncan riff on college architecture and the Union campus before opening up the discussion to questions from the class. Topics include: the value of a liberal arts education in The Long Emergency, monocultures concentrating poverty in the built environment, the prospects for restoring passenger rail in North America and more. Along the way Jim also delivers a call to millennial students to renounce their student loans.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_202.mp3
(32 MB | 50:15 mins.)

Listener Caller Line:
1-(866) 924-9499 toll-free

Sponsor:

“The Heirloom,” by Richard Davies, explores a post peak world where a group of Native Americans comes to terms with a dangerous and chaotic world. Guy McPherson, of Nature Bats Last, says, “Ultimately, The Heirloom is a wide-ranging tale about the human experience. It is about life, love, death, honor, and people struggling to make their way in a world not of their choosing.”

Part one of a trilogy, “The Heirloom” is available through Amazon in both paperback and eBook. The second book in the trilogy will be available late Summer 2012. Visit: http://theheirloom.blogspot.com/

Light Pollution, the Printed Page v. the Screen & More

Released: April 12, 2012

JHK fields listeners calls about the healthcare industry and its future in the Long Emergency, the validity of peak oil, cognitive ability to retain information from a computer screen vs. the printed page, and light pollution.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_201.mp3
(25 MB | 25:36 mins.)

Listener Caller Line:
1-(866) 924-9499 toll-free

Sponsor:

“The Heirloom,” by Richard Davies, explores a post peak world where a group of Native Americans comes to terms with a dangerous and chaotic world. Guy McPherson, of Nature Bats Last, says, “Ultimately, The Heirloom is a wide-ranging tale about the human experience. It is about life, love, death, honor, and people struggling to make their way in a world not of their choosing.”

Part one of a trilogy, “The Heirloom” is available through Amazon in both paperback and eBook. The second book in the trilogy will be available late Summer 2012. Visit: http://theheirloom.blogspot.com/

Listeners Share their Favorite Moments

Released: April 5, 2012

The KunstlerCast celebrates its 200th episode with listener suggested clips of favorite moments from the past four years. Duncan reads a special essay about meeting JHK at the shopping mall before retrieving some retired audio from the archive.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_200.mp3
(32 MB | 31:07 mins.)

Listener Caller Line:
1-(866) 924-9499 toll-free

Sponsor:

“The Heirloom,” by Richard Davies, explores a post peak world where a group of Native Americans comes to terms with a dangerous and chaotic world. Guy McPherson, of Nature Bats Last, says, “Ultimately, The Heirloom is a wide-ranging tale about the human experience. It is about life, love, death, honor, and people struggling to make their way in a world not of their choosing.”

Part one of a trilogy, “The Heirloom” is available through Amazon in both paperback and eBook. The second book in the trilogy will be available late Summer 2012. Visit: http://theheirloom.blogspot.com/

Our Overcomplexity and Hyperdependence on Modern Technology

Released: March 22, 2012

JHK and Duncan have a ramble ‘n rant episode on the robitification of our communications landscape, that wasteland of overcomplexity and hyperdependence of modern technology.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_199.mp3
(42 MB | 40:10 mins.)

Listener Caller Line:
1-(866) 924-9499 toll-free

ANNOUNCEMENT: The 200th episode of The KunstlerCast is coming up. Call the listener line and share your favorite moment from the kast.

Sponsor:

“The Heirloom,” by Richard Davies, explores a post peak world where a group of Native Americans comes to terms with a dangerous and chaotic world. Guy McPherson, of Nature Bats Last, says, “Ultimately, The Heirloom is a wide-ranging tale about the human experience. It is about life, love, death, honor, and people struggling to make their way in a world not of their choosing.”

Part one of a trilogy, “The Heirloom” is available through Amazon in both paperback and eBook. The second book in the trilogy will be available late Summer 2012. Visit: http://theheirloom.blogspot.com/

Urban Contraction, Urban Farming, Urban Schooling

Released: March 15, 2012

James Howard Kunstler speaks by phone with Catherine Tumber, author of Small, Gritty, and Green: The Promise of America’s Smaller Industrial Cities in a Low-Carbon World. Tumber believes that small industrial cities, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest, are well suited for the energy and climate change realities of future. Tumber is a journalist, historian and Research Affiliate in the Community Innovators Lab in MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning. In part 2 of this conversation, Kunstler and Tumber discuss urban contraction and urban farming as it is occurring in Youngstown, Ohio. They talk about the economy of Rochester and Syracuse, New York. Tumber shares her thoughts on living in Detroit, Albany and Boston. Though they share the same general view of small cities, the two disagree on the current battle over suburban sprawl. JHK believes the sprawl building in places like Youngstown is over, while Tumber says it continues today and must be opposed. They also discuss racial segregation and schooling in small industrial cities.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_198.mp3
(36 MB | 39:44 mins.)

Listener Caller Line:
1-(866) 924-9499 toll-free

ANNOUNCEMENT: The 200th episode of The KunstlerCast is coming up. Call the listener line and share your favorite moment from the kast.

Sponsor:

Join CNU in West Palm Beach, FL this year May 9-12, for the 20th anniversary event of the Congress for the New Urbanism. Confirmed speakers include Richard Florida, Sprawl Repair Manual author Galina Tachieva, retail guru Robert Gibbs, Fighting Traffic author Peter Norton, Peter Calthorpe, Lizz Plater-Zyberk, Jaime Correa, Andres Duany and many more speakers being added every day. *Note JHK and Duncan will be appearing on a living local panel at CNU.

Go to www.cnu20.org and register now to take advantage of early registration rates.

The Promise of America’s Smaller Industrial Cities in a Low-Carbon World

Released: March 8, 2012

James Howard Kunstler speaks by phone with Catherine Tumber, author of Small, Gritty, and Green: The Promise of America’s Smaller Industrial Cities in a Low-Carbon World. Tumber believes that small industrial cities, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest, are well suited for the energy and climate change realities of future. Tumber is a journalist, historian and Research Affiliate in the Community Innovators Lab in MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_197.mp3
(32 MB | 35:36 mins.)

Listener Caller Line:
1-(866) 924-9499 toll-free

Sponsor:

Join CNU in West Palm Beach, FL this year May 9-12, for the 20th anniversary event of the Congress for the New Urbanism. Confirmed speakers include Richard Florida, Sprawl Repair Manual author Galina Tachieva, retail guru Robert Gibbs, Fighting Traffic author Peter Norton, Peter Calthorpe, Lizz Plater-Zyberk, Jaime Correa, Andres Duany and many more speakers being added every day.

Go to www.cnu20.org and register now to take advantage of early registration rates.

The American Diet of The Future

Released: March 1, 2012

JHK talks about his experience being a “97 percent” vegan and how the American diet may change in the Long Emergency.

***Jim’s recipe for Lucky Soup will be posted here tomorrow (March 2)***

Links:

Interview with James Howard Kunstler
New Vegan Age
Dec. 11, 2011.

Sponsor:

Join CNU in West Palm Beach, FL this year May 9-12, for the 20th anniversary event of the Congress for the New Urbanism. Confirmed speakers include Richard Florida, Sprawl Repair Manual author Galina Tachieva, retail guru Robert Gibbs, Fighting Traffic author Peter Norton, Peter Calthorpe, Lizz Plater-Zyberk, Jaime Correa, Andres Duany and many more speakers being added every day.

Go to www.cnu20.org and register now to take advantage of early registration rates.

Experiencing the World on Foot

Released: Feb. 23, 2012

James Howard Kunstler shares his thoughts on the experience of moving through the landscape and built environment on foot, rather than by car.

 
New Reviews of The KunstlerCast Book:

OnEarth Magazine Review: The Kunstlercast: Conversations with James Howard Kunstler
Feb. 22, 2012

My fellow Gen X journalist Duncan Crary tells pretty much the same story of awakening slowly to the ills of suburbia, but with one difference: the small paper for which he covered local politics was in the town where Kunstler had started his own reporting career. Kunstler, who had settled in nearby Saratoga Springs, New York, and added dystopian novelist to his résumé, became a source for Crary’s reporting on suburban land use — a relationship that has continued throughout Crary’s journalism career.

Energy Bulletin Review: The KunstlerCast by Duncan Crary
Feb, 12 2012

This book is indeed great fun. … However, Crary’s superior volume has the guts to truly grapple with the harsh realities shaping our times—realities that few dare discuss out in the open.

Sponsor:

Join CNU in West Palm Beach, FL this year May 9-12, for the 20th anniversary event of the Congress for the New Urbanism. Confirmed speakers include Richard Florida, Sprawl Repair Manual author Galina Tachieva, retail guru Robert Gibbs, Fighting Traffic author Peter Norton, Peter Calthorpe, Lizz Plater-Zyberk, Jaime Correa, Andres Duany and many more speakers being added every day.

Go to www.cnu20.org and register now to take advantage of early registration rates.

Defining the Terms of the Discussion

Released: Feb. 16, 2012

James Howard Kunstler helps host Duncan Crary define the term “urban,” a term that is often misunderstood or confusing to the general American public.

Links:

The Transect (DPZ)

The Lexicon of New Urbanism – DPZ (.pdf)

Sponsor:

Join CNU in West Palm Beach, FL this year May 9-12, for the 20th anniversary event of the Congress for the New Urbanism. Confirmed speakers include Richard Florida, Sprawl Repair Manual author Galina Tachieva, retail guru Robert Gibbs, Fighting Traffic author Peter Norton, Peter Calthorpe, Lizz Plater-Zyberk, Jaime Correa, Andres Duany and many more speakers being added every day.

Go to www.cnu20.org and register now to take advantage of early registration rates.

David Brooks Does a 180 on Suburbia

Released: Feb. 9, 2012

In this episode, James Howard Kunstler and Duncan Crary go through the KunstlerCast listener mail bag. Topics include: David Brooks’s recent 180 on the “wonders” of suburbia, the Zeitgeist movement, the fate of ebooks, home maintenance during The Long Emergency, rural Illinois and other topics.

Links:

Charlie Rose with David Brooks, Feb. 1, 2012

Sponsor:

Join CNU in West Palm Beach, FL this year May 9-12, for the 20th anniversary event of the Congress for the New Urbanism. Confirmed speakers include Richard Florida, Sprawl Repair Manual author Galina Tachieva, retail guru Robert Gibbs, Fighting Traffic author Peter Norton, Peter Calthorpe, Lizz Plater-Zyberk, Jaime Correa, Andres Duany and many more speakers being added every day.

Go to www.cnu20.org and register now to take advantage of early registration rates.

Magical Thinking and Fracking

Released: Feb. 2, 2012

Arthur E. Berman

Links:

Petroleum Truth Report (Arthur E. Berman’s blog)

Sponsor:

Join CNU in West Palm Beach, FL this year May 9-12, for the 20th anniversary event of the Congress for the New Urbanism. Confirmed speakers include Richard Florida, Sprawl Repair Manual author Galina Tachieva, retail guru Robert Gibbs, Fighting Traffic author Peter Norton, Peter Calthorpe, Lizz Plater-Zyberk, Jaime Correa, Andres Duany and many more speakers being added every day.

Go to www.cnu20.org and register now to take advantage of early registration rates.

Rising Pessimism & Crony Capitalism in America

Released: Jan. 26, 2012

James Howard Kunstler comments on the rising rates of pessimism in the U.S. in response to Capital cronyism, the disappearing American dream, and our own entitled wishful thinking. During the second half of the program he examines some of the cultural and lifestyle changes we may observe in response the 21st century failures in politics, capitalism, technology and religion.

Links:

Moyers & Company Show 102: On Crony Capitalism
January 20, 2012

Sponsor:

Join CNU in West Palm Beach, FL this year May 9-12, for the 20th anniversary event of the Congress for the New Urbanism. Confirmed speakers include Richard Florida, Sprawl Repair Manual author Galina Tachieva, retail guru Robert Gibbs, Fighting Traffic author Peter Norton, Peter Calthorpe, Lizz Plater-Zyberk, Jaime Correa, Andres Duany and many more speakers being added every day.

Go to www.cnu20.org and register now to take advantage of early registration rates.

Growing Mistrust for Government in the U.S.

Released: Jan. 19, 2012

JHK discusses the concept of “The Trust Horizon,” which he first came across on one of his favorite blogs, The Automatic Earth blog. As the economy contracts, Americans are gazing at the “Trust Horizon” for big government. On the other hand, more people are forging their own trust networks at a very local level. Topics include: local currencies, bartering, small transport networks, basic local healthcare and permaculture initiatives.

Links:

The Storm Surge of Decentralization
The Automatic Earth
January 3, 2012

Sponsor:

http://www.stitcher.com/KUNSTLERCAST

Citizens React to Tragic Death With Calls to Demolish Train Bridge

Released: Jan. 12, 2012

Painting of bridge by JHK

After a tragic death, citizens in the Albany area are clamoring to tear down an old train bridge that is already slated to be re-opened as a bike-hike trail. JHK & Duncan examine this story and explain why we must save historic infrastructure like the bridge in question.

Links:

A long night at work, a sudden fatal slip
A bartender’s walk home on New Year’s Eve ends in a fatal fall from trestle
By STEVE BARNES, Times Union, Monday, January 2, 2012

Times Union Blog (with comments by Duncan

Petition: Demolition of the Black Bridge
(The petition to demo bridge, with contact form for creator)

New plans for an old Cohoes bridge begin to take shape
CBS 6, Jan. 3, 2012

Letter: Tearing down trestle not answer
Times Union, Thursday, January 5, 2012

Dangerous road claims another life
Poor lighting and lack of crosswalks add danger; fifth pedestrian killed
By DENNIS YUSKO, Times Union, Jan. 3, 2012

Lord Whimsy

UPDATE: David Dobbs (petition guy) just won’t quit. Bridge petition to hit Mayor’s desk, WNYT, Jan. 16, 2012.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_189.mp3
(51 MB | 41:29 mins.)

Listener Caller Line:
1-(866) 924-9499 toll-free

Join Duncan at Fun Event:

Gregg Stacy, VP of Brown’s Brewing Co., and Troy author/podcaster Duncan Crary flex their manly vocal stylings to promote The Festival of Manliness this Jan. 22 at Revolution Hall. After wrestling a live sabre-toothed tiger on the airwaves, Gregg and Duncan have a serious talk with Rick Lyke, founder of Pints for Prostates, about the importance of getting regularly screened for prostate cancer. A portion of the proceeds from The Festival of Manliness will benefit Pints for Prostates and their awareness campaign.

Download Podcast .mp3 (20 MB)
BrownsBrewingCo_Manliness.mp3

P.S. Check out KunstlerCast #76: Man Caves

JHK’s New Year’s Resolution

Released: Jan. 5, 2012

JHK discusses his 2012 Annual Forecast. He thinks this may be the year that we discover that shale gas and oil is just another bubble, simply a destination for hot money to make returns in a financial landscape that doesn’t offer many. He also mentions a recent encounter with Noam Chomsky.
Lastly, Jim shares his resolution for the new year

Links:

Dmitry Orlov on Noam Chomsky interview (with link to media file)
http://cluborlov.blogspot.com/2012/01/dismal-public-affair.html

U.S. Election 2012

Released: Dec. 30, 2011

JHK shares his thoughts on the GOP candidates for the 2012 U.S. election.

Links:

The Very Hungry City, by Austin Troy (Yale University Press).

Apocalypse Not, Green Wizardry and Techno-Narcissism

Released: Dec. 22, 2011

Apocalypse Not, by John Michael Greer

John Michael Greer, author of The Long Descent, The Wealth of Nature and, most recently, Apocalypse Not, joins JHK and Duncan by phone to speak about 2012 apocalypse scenarios, Green Wizardry, politics and techno narcissism. Greer explains how the 1970s were the last time that America was confronted by a major disruption in its energy supply. At the time, many Americans began exploring renewable energy and more modest living arrangements that require less energy. But that was the road not taken. And now we face what he describes as a “stairstep collapse,” like many other civilizations that have overshot their resource base. Other topics include: our modern delusions about technology, the re-enchantment of our worldview, and the potential resurgence of fraternal orders which once served as the foundation of public life in America.

Links:

The Arch Druid Report, official blog of John Michael Greer

A Chat With the KunstlerCast Host

Released: Dec. 15, 2011

In this episode, Duncan appears solo on a radio program called Relocalizing Vermont  to talk about The KunstlerCast book and podcast and the influence that James Howard Kunstler has had on him. In this half-hour interview by Carl Etnier asks Duncan about the KunstlerCast came to be, why JHK always seems to rip on Amory Lovins, the Y2K thing, and other topics. A caller from Britain asks about the prospects of “re-villaging” suburbia.

Links:

Relocalizing Vermont
Thursdays 8:30 – 10:00 am
Exploring energy, food, and the local economy at the end of the age of oil
WGDR Plainfield 91.1 FM
WGDH Hardwick 91.7 FM
streaming at wgdr.org

JHK Talks About Professional Sports

Released: Dec. 8, 2011

James Howard Kunstler fields three listener questions that all have to do with sports and warrior culture.

Note: This episode contains cursewords.

Links:

JHK Gives us a Tour of His New Village

Released: Dec. 1, 2011

Jim’s finally found himself a new house, and it’s right on the edge of the place that inspired the fictional town of Union Grove in his World Made By Hand novels. Duncan brings listeners along for the scenic drive from Troy up to Washington County, before the two explore Jim’s new village and meet some of the locals.

Note: This episode contains cursewords.

Painting By Grandma Moses, who painted the landscapes of Washington County, NY

Book Home | Press Release | Praise | Excerpts | FAQ | Artwork | For Booksellers | Reviews | Further Reading

Nov. 29, 2011

For Immediate Release

Contact, EJ Hurst  1-800-567-6772 x 121
EJ@newsociety.com

Podcast-Based Book Explores The Tragic Comedy of Suburban Sprawl

The KunstlerCast: Conversations with James Howard Kunstler by Duncan Crary

TROY, N.Y. (Nov. 29, 2011) — James Howard Kunstler is one of the most outspoken and funniest critics of suburban sprawl, fossil fuel depletion and the collapsing American dream.

Book Cover: The KunstlerCast, by Duncan Crary (New Society Publishers, 2011)

His best-known books on the subject include “The Geography of Nowhere,” “The Long Emergency,” and the post-oil novel “World Made By Hand.”

A new book-length interview with the acclaimed urban planning/social critic revisits and updates his ideas on America’s built environment, impending energy crisis and unfolding financial meltdown.

“The KunstlerCast: Conversations with James Howard Kunstler … The Tragic Comedy of Suburban Sprawl,” by Duncan Crary (New Society Publishers, Nov. 2011) is available through booksellers. The book is based on four years of recorded conversations between Kunstler and Crary, which first “aired” on the popular weekly “KunstlerCast” podcast.

The topics covered in “The KunstlerCast” are often dire, like peak oil, urban planning, architecture, the economy, gentrification and infrastructure. But these intergenerational conversations between Kunstler, 63, and Crary, 33, are often highly amusing.

“It’s sort of evolved into a comedy act,” Kunstler says of his approach to critiquing life in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. “Samuel Beckett put it well when he said ‘Nothing is funnier than unhappiness.’ Our built environments cause us so much unhappiness, so much distress, that they’re a source of comedy.”

Crary, who has spent more than 100 hours talking with Kunstler on the podcast, says Kunstler’s humor and command of language keep him coming back for more, year after year, despite the commentator’s sometimes bleak and frightening outlook for American civilization.

“Like a lot of Gen X’ers, I was hatched on a cul-de-sac in the American suburbs,” said Crary. “And I was very unhappy growing up out there. But Jim’s maliciously funny view of suburbia has always given me a lot laughs. And it helped me to better articulate the failures of that ‘living arrangement with no future.’”

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR THE KUNSTLERCAST

“James Howard Kunstler plainly has a lot to say about the state of the world. And while much of it is bad, bad news — aggressively, congenitally, perhaps even fatally bad — he speaks with such vim and vigor that you find yourself nodding in agreement rather than looking for a noose. Duncan Crary wrangles these free-wheeling conversations masterfully. A bracing dose of reality for an unreal world.”

— Stephen J. Dubner, co-author, “Freakonomics” and “SuperFreakonomics”

PUBLICITY IMAGES

For more information and high-resolution publicity images, visit http://KunstlerCast.com/book

Contact, EJ Hurst  1-800-567-6772 x 121 EJ@newsociety.com

###

Book Home | Press Release | Praise | Excerpts | FAQ | Artwork | For Booksellers | Reviews | Further Reading

Depicting a Landscape of Logos

Released: Nov. 25, 2011

JHK and Duncan are joined by Minneapolis-based cartoonist and self-described muckraker Ken Avidor, who recently illustrated the KunstlerCast book and whose artwork as been displayed on this website for years. Topics include Minnesota sprawl, the Mall of America, Avidor’s artistic influences and his opposition to the Personal Rapid Transit movement.

Note: This episode contains “adult” language.

Links:

Ken Avidor’s website
Dump Bachmann Blog

Mall of America by Ken Avidor

KunstlerCast in English Class

Released: Nov. 17, 2011

JHK takes questions from the students in a college English class who have just completed reading “World Made By Hand,” a post-peak oil novel. These highly intelligent questions range in topic from the role of religion, violence, and narrative strategy of Wold Made By Hand. Jim also reveals his true feelings about George Lucas and his thoughts about making revisions to novels.

Note: This episode contains cursewords.

If books were made out of Cheez Doodles this is what they would look like: bright orange, bite size, leaves a tasty residue on those who touch it.

Dark & Troubled Times in the U.S.

Released: Nov. 10, 2011

James Howard Kunstler shares his thoughts on the Occupy movement sweeping America. It’s going to be a dark and difficult time ahead for the U.S. and JHK thinks we may be heading into a period of mischief this spring. But he has a lot of faith in the younger generation because they’re not cynical and they truly want to live in a country they’re capable of caring about.

If books were made out of Cheez Doodles this is what they would look like: bright orange, bite size, leaves a tasty residue on those who touch it.

JHK Debates Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Paul Steely White

Released: Nov. 3, 2011

In this special episode we listen to a recording from: “The Long Emergency vs. NYC’s Resurgency: A Debate about the Future of Cities” featuring Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Paul Steely White and author James Howard Kunstler. Jeff Olson of Alta Planning & Design moderates before an audience at Skidmore College. Organized by Kim Marsella, professor of the Skidmore Environmental Studies Department.

Description: “We live in a time of either the collapse of our society or the emergence of innovative solutions. This discussion will feature two of America’s most interesting voices: Kunstler, whose book The Long Emergency: Surviving the End of Oil, is an apocalyptic vision of a post-oil future, and White of Transportation Alternatives, a leader who is helping to transform New York City into a livable metropolis. Both speakers share a common vision of the need for a sustainable future – the debate will focus on whether or not change is possible in light of our modern condition. ”

Links:

• Transportation Alternatives
  Transportation Alternatives’s mission is to reclaim New York City’s streets from the automobile, and to advocate for bicycling, walking and public transit as the best transportation alternatives.

• Alta Planning & Design
  Alta’s mission is to create active communities where bicycling and walking are safe, healthy, and fun.

• Jeffrey S. Olson
  Jeff Olson is an architect and planner who has been involved in greenways, open space, active living and alternative transportation projects for more than 20 years.

• Skidmore College: Environmental Studies Dept.
  The Environmental Studies program includes courses that are interdisciplinary and that address environmental issues from a disciplinary perspective.

• Kim Marsella
  Senior Teaching Associate, Department of Geosciences, Skidmore College

The KunstlerCast Book is Now Available for Purchase

Released: Oct. 27, 2011

CNU Fireside Chat With JHK

James Howard Kunstler and Duncan Crary join Congress for the New Urbanism CEO & President John Norquist for a “fireside chat” about new urbanism, the future of cities and other topics. This is a 25 minute excerpt from a one hour conversation that was original broadcast live over the Internet as part of the CNU membership drive. An archive recording of the full conversation is available for listening for CNU City Builder members. For information, visit: CNU.org/membership.

Not All Buildings Are Worth Saving

Released: Oct. 21, 2011

Jim and Duncan talk about Historic Preservation on their return drive from the annual conference of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, held in Buffalo this week. This show includes an excerpt from the keynote address Jim gave to kick off the conference. During the talk JHK explained to preservationists that not all buildings are worth saving — particularly the modernist architectural abortions of the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Note: This episode contains cursewords

Watch JHK’s full talk to the National Trust for Historic Preservation here:

Video streaming by Ustream

Upcoming:

KunstlerCast Book Release Party
Nov. 1, 2011
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Daisy Bakers, Troy NY

Books Available for Purchase via website next week!

Oct. 11, 2011

For Immediate Release

Contact: Duncan Crary, 518-274-2723
Info@KunstlerCast.com

J.H.Kunstler: Religious Theocrats May Spark New Civil War in U.S.

New Apostolic Reformation is a Real Threat to American Civilization

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (Oct. 11, 2011) — Noted social critic James Howard Kunstler believes a new American civil war may be on the horizon, and that the lines may be drawn between secular Americans and right-wing religious extremists like the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement.

“When, and if, battle lines form over who is going to control whatever remains of the national government in America, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the battle lines were drawn again between the North and the South, only this time between a fanatical religious right and a secular, humanist rest of the country,” Kunstler said, because “much more of the religious fanaticism in this country emanates from the South.”

Kunstler is best-known as the author of “The Geography of Nowhere” (Simon & Shuster, 1993), “The Long Emergency” (Atlantic Monthly Press, 2005) and the “World Made By Hand” novels (Grove-Atlantic, 2008, 2010).

Throughout his career, Kunstler has famously argued that America is largely a suburban nation and that suburbia is an unsustainable, spiritually degrading “living arrangement with no future.” He believes that an impending energy crisis, an unfolding financial collapse, political unrest and the unknown effects of climate change are converging to create a very disorderly 21st century in America. He sees these disorders leaving Americans vulnerable to right-wing religious despots like the New Apostolic Reformation, an evangelical Christian movement which has ties to Presidential candidates Rick Perry and Michele Bachman, as well as Sarah Palin.

“The whole political system is threatened by this idea that a particular Christian group wants to take it over, literally, and makes no bones about it,” he said. “I am not ready to surrender American government as we have known it, especially not to power authorities that pretend to speak to God.”

Kunstler made these remarks during a recent installment of his weekly audio podcast, “The KunstlerCast,” after listening to an Oct. 3, 2011 Fresh Air interview by Terry Gross with Colorado Springs “apostle” C. Peter Wagner. Wagner is a leader of the New Apostolic Reformation, who believes that Japan has suffered a tsunami, a nuclear meltdown and a declining stock market all because its emperor literally had sex with a demon. Another leader of the NAR, Alice Patterson, has said that the Democratic Party is a demon structure.

The NAR has a mission to take “dominion” over business, government, media, arts, entertainment, education, family and religion. When pressed by Gross, Wagner denied that his group wants to take over all aspects of American culture, offering instead that it simply strives “to have people” committed to the kingdom of God in positions of influence. Kunstler sees this statement as obfuscation.

“I think they are simply being dishonest about it,” he said. “They don’t just want elected officials to be interested in being saved by Jesus. They want to get hold of the levers of power and actually run a theocratic state. They will not admit it…but it’s clearly what they want to do.”

SECULAR MILLENNIALS MAY TURN TO RELIGIOUS TYRANNY

Though studies have found the millennial generation to be the least religious of all generations in America, Kunstler believes that financial, political and social uncertainties could sway young people in the other direction.

“I’m very troubled by the idea that there are going to be so many people in the United States who have lost the structure in their life that they may end up succumbing to movements like the New Apostolic Reformation,” he said. “I don’t know that they will be able to resist forces as sure of themselves as this kind of fanatical Christianity.”

As a newspaper reporter in the 1970s, Kunstler focused on religious cults. During that time, he said, young people became so lost that “they were willing to accept almost any crazy narrative to adhere to if it would provide them with an armature for them to hang their life on and give them some structure and dimension.”

An agnostic, Kunstler was raised in a religion-free household. “I don’t have a particular animus against religion per se. But I do have an animus against dishonest and insane religious fanatics,” he said.

If Americans do not challenge groups like the New Apostolic Reformation and the real threat they pose to civilization, “It’s basically an invitation to tyranny and despotism,” he said.

New episodes of The KunstlerCast are released Thursday nights, hosted by Duncan Crary. To read a transcript of this episode, visit: http://kunstlercast.com/religiousright

MEDIA ONLY

For information and to request an interview with James Howard Kunstler, contact Duncan Crary at 518-274-2723.

###

More Press Releases

JHK Answers Questions From Listener Callers

Released: Oct. 13, 2011

JHK and Duncan get caught up on listener calls. Question topics include: Phoenix vs. Georgia; repealing the gas tax, The Long Descent, the downgrading of America and why aren’t there any African-American characters in Jim’s World Made By Hand novels. One listener also shares a bizarre and raunchy consipiracy theory.

Note: This episode contains cursewords

Upcoming:

KunstlerCast Get together in Buffalo
October 19, 2011
8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Pearl Street Grille and Brewery
67 Pearl St., Buffalo, NY
Cost: Free
In conjunction with a party hosted by the Buffalo Young Preservationists. For info and to RSVP: click here.
During National Preservation Conference

KunstlerCast Book Release Party
Nov. 1, 2011
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Daisy Bakers, Troy NY

Spiritual Warfare in the American Long Emergency

Released: Oct. 6, 2011

There’s a crazy Christian cult on the rise in the US and JHK believes Americans needs to watch out. The New Apostolic Reformation is a dangerous movement exerting its influence on the American political sphere during a time when this country is so fraught with problems that we are leaving ourselves vulnerable to being pushed around by crazy people like this, Kunstler says. The group — which has connections to presidential candidates Rick Perry and Michele Bachman — not only believes in literal devils but that certain American politicians are afflicted by these demons. More concerning is their belief in dominionism over all aspects of American culture, politics and business. The “apostles” claim to speak directly to God and feel they have a mission to convert all the people of the world (particularly the Jews) to Christianity. Kunstler sees this group, and others like it, becoming more troublesome as The Long Emergency unfolds. He can imagine that the country may find itself in a new Civil War in the years ahead. During the conversation JHK also describes his experiences reporting on religious cults, his own thoughts on religion as an agnostic, and explains how the story of the New Apostolic Reformation may resemble some of the aspects in his fictional World Made By Hand novels. [Main discussion begins: 5:04 mins.]

For a transcript of this episode, visit: http://kunstlercast.com/religiousright/

Note: This episode contains cursewords

Links:

A Leading Figure In The New Apostolic Reformation
Fresh Air, NPR, October 3, 2011

The Evangelicals Engaged In Spiritual Warfare
Fresh Air, NPR, August 24, 2011

Upcoming:

KunstlerCast in Buffalo
October 19-22, 2011
During National Preservation Conference

KunstlerCast Book Release Party
Nov. 1, 2011
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Daisy Bakers, Troy NY

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Montana Now and in The Long Emergency

Released: Sept. 29, 2011

After a recent visit to Montana, JHK asks: What is living in a town in Montana all about? It seems like it’s mostly about the scenery outside of town, not the town itself: the streets are too wide, the buildings too low and the public face of the urban fabric is thoughtless and badly proportioned. Yet many so-called progressives in these places are arguing for more “open space” in their towns. Sustainability is the new buzzword there and elsewhere in America. But what many overlook is that the future of tourism looks pretty grim as more and more people have less money to spend on activities like skiing. There are many sophisticated people running high-tech businesses in places like Butte and Helena, but it remains unclear what the fate of telecommuting and Internet commerce will be, especially now that our national post office is in dire straits.

Note: This episode contains cursewords

Upcoming:

CNU Fireside Chat with John Norquist, Duncan Crary, and James Howard Kunstler
Tue, Oct 4, 2011
Time: 3:30 PM EDT
Duration: 1 hour
More info: https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/schedule/display.do?udc=gbiibdh5ci4b

KunstlerCast in Buffalo
October 19-22, 2011
During National Preservation Conference

KunstlerCast Book Release Party
Nov. 1, 2011
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Daisy Bakers, Troy NY

The City in Mind: South of the Border

Released: Sept. 22, 2011

Twelve years ago James Howard Kunstler visited Mexico City to write a chapter for his book The City in Mind. He recently returned there to speak at a conference. In this podcast Jim shares his thoughts on the history, present state and future prospects for this major world city.

Severe weather, the financial toll and other effects of global warming

Released: Sept. 8, 2011

James Howard Kunstler and host Duncan Crary are joined in the studio by Jeff Goodell, environmental writer for Rolling Stone magazine and author of How to Cool the Planet and Big Coal. Jeff speaks about global warming and some of the efforts to cool the planet through man-made projects. Some of the questions Goodell addresses include: What do people in other countries think about climate change and about Americans’ attitude toward global warming? Why can’t American scientists overcome the climate change deniers? What has Jeff observed regarding climate change while traveling the world? What does he tell his children about climate change?

Links:

How to Cool the Planet

Big Coal

httpp://jeff-goodell.com

JHK Speaks to Richard Heinberg

Released: Sept. 1, 2011

In the conclusion of this one-hour conversation, Richard Heinberg, author of Peak Everything, The Party’s Over and the newly published The End of Growth joins James Howard Kunstler by phone to talk about peak oil, financial dysfunction, techno-grandiosity, the fate of industrial aggriculture and the suburban living arrangement. Heinberg also reacts to being labeled a “Doomer.”

Buy full one-hour audio (.mp3) interview – $1

(Note: Parts 1 & 2 are now avaialble for free. But you can still buy the full interview in one file if you’d like.)

Buy Transcript (.pdf) – $1

Buy Transcript on Kindle – $1

http://PostCarbon.org.

JHK Speaks to Richard Heinberg

Released: Aug. 25, 2011

In part one of this one-hour conversation, Richard Heinberg, author of Peak Everything, The Party’s Over and the newly published The End of Growth joins James Howard Kunstler by phone to talk about peak oil, financial dysfunction, political convulsions and generational conflict.

*If you can’t wait to hear the exciting conclusion of this conversation, you can download the entire interview and/or purchase a transcript now.

Buy full one-hour audio (.mp3) interview – $1

Buy Transcript (.pdf) – $1

Buy Transcript on Kindle – $1

(Note: the price has already dropped to $1)

http://PostCarbon.org.

Car Dependency and the American National Character

Released: Aug. 18, 2011

A listener asks if American’s cherished value of spontaneity is inextricably bound to car dependency. JHK shares his thoughts on the American National Character and how it may change during The Long Emergency. Topics include: Alexis de Tocqueville, Carmageddon, Convenience, Car Sharing.

Next Week: Richard Heinberg

Richard Heinberg’s Author Page at Amazon

Visit Audible for a free Audio Book of Richard Heinberg’s “Peak Everything”

The Long Emergency Unfolds

Released: Aug. 11, 2011

JHK updates us on the recent credit downgrading of America as it relates to the unfolding Long Emergency. At the end of the show we play a song based on The Long Emergency by podcast listener Duncan Long.

Links:

myspace.com/duncanlong

myspace.com/duncanlongacoustic

ZARATHRUSTRA on YouTube

Painting the landscape of our time

Released: Aug. 4, 2011 (Originally April 24, 2008).

In this rebroadcast of one of our very first podcasts, we revisit JHK’s adventures in landscape paiting. JHK’s paintings are currently hanging in two group exhibitions this sunner. Description: When James Howard Kunstler isn’t railing against suburban sprawl, he’s painting it. Vincent van Gogh painted the peasant sleeping by the haystack because he was living in a landscape populated by people. Our landscape is populated by cars. So, as a sur le motif painter of our time, Jim’s subjects include cars on the road, gas stations and the industrial ruins of America’s manufacturing past. Making this landscape legible on the canvas is a challenge, but it’s also dangerous! An angry manager once told Jim that painting the Burger King is not allowed.

[Note: this podcast has an enhanced version with images that will display as you listen along in iTunes. Or in the YouTube player below.]

Links:

JHK in Group Art Show – Gallery 668, Greenwich NY – Opening Party Sunday, August 7 from 4pm to 6pm: Gallery668.com

JHK in Group Art Show – Boscobel Exhibition Gallery, through Sept 15, 601 Route 9D, Garrison, NY: boscobel.org/exhibition-gallery.html

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_167.mp3
(13 MB | 15:30 mins.)

Listener Caller Line:

1-(866) 924-9499 toll-free

Madison, WI: Bike City USA

Released: July 28, 2011.

This week James Howard Kunstler gets a much deserved break from podcasting, while Duncan explores the topic of bicycle sharing and tours the city of Madison, Wisc. First he speaks to Jason McDowell, projects & logistics manager for B-Cycle, a bicycle sharing company with programs throughout the country. With bicycle sharing, users can pick up and drop off bicycles throughout the city. Next, Duncan heads out into the streets of Madison with Matt Dellinger, author of Interstate 69 and blogger for WNYC’s Transportation Nation. Bicycle advocate Robbie Webber gives Duncan and Matt a bicycle tour of Madison, starting with the Dane County Farmer’s Market. Madison is a very bicycle friendly city, with a robust network of bike paths and bicycle amenities. This episode was recorded during the Congress for the New Urbanism in June.

Links:

B-Cycle

Transportation Nation

MattDellinger.com

Photos:

Google Map of bike tour route

JHK & Andres Duany Critique the Landscape Urbanism

Released: July 21, 2011.

JHK continues his critique of Charles Waldheim’s presentation on Landscape Urbanism, delivered at the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU 19). This episode also includes remarks by New Urbanist leader Andres Duany and a listener quesion from a conferencegoer.

[Note: This episode contains cursewords.]

Links:

Watch Charles Waldheim’s Presentation at the Closing Plenary of CNU 19

JHK Critiques Charles Waldheim’s Remarks

Released: July 14, 2011.

In recent years there has been a growing debate between New Urbanism and Landscape Urbanism, a theory that argues the landscape, rather than architecture, is more capable of organizing the city and enhancing the urban experience. In this episode, JHK reacts to recent remarks by Harvard Prof. Charles Waldheim on Landscape Urbanism at the Congress for the New Urbanism. In particular, Kunstler will respond to Waldheim’s claims that New Urbanism places too much emphasis on neoclassicism while not paying enough attention to environmental concerns of the 21st century.

Links:

Watch Charles Waldheim’s Presentation at the Closing Plenary of CNU 19

JHK Critiques Ed Glaeser’s Ideas on Urbanism

Released: July 7, 2011.

JHK continues his critique of the ideas in Ed Glaeser’s best-selling book Triumph of the City by using excerpts from a talk the Harvard economist gave during the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU 19). Though Glaeser is an advocate for cities in general, Kunstler feels that the shape and character of future cities is not going to be what Glaeser is expecting at all. Kunstler addresses Glaeser’s ideas about transportation subsidies, high-rise buildings, the value of college educated citizens and environmentally friendly urbanism. He also comments on Glaeser’s thoughts about Buffalo, New York. Links: Ed Glaeser: Can Buffalo Ever Come Back? CNU Dispatch: Ed Glaeser is Still a Jackass   Direct Download: KunstlerCast #163: Triumph of the City – Part 2 (31 MB | 36:46 mins.) Listener Caller Line: 1-(866) 924-9499 toll-free

These Links Earn Referral Fees for The KunstlerCast   Free Audio Book Download Via Audible Amazon Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback, CD, mp3 Audio Book in iTunes Store iPad Book in Apple iBook Store

Sponsor:

Orion Magazine. July/August edition featuring James Howard Kunstler.

Orion Magazine

Back to the Future
(JHK’s New Essay & Podcast Interview)

Register for Orion’s Live Webinar + Q&A Event
with JHK on Cities of the Future: July 12

[Note: Search for the Orion Magazine Podcast in the iTunes store.]

JHK Critiques Ed Glaeser’s Ideas on Urbanism

Released: June 29, 2011.

JHK critiques the ideas in Ed Glaeser’s best-selling book Triumph of the City by using excerpts from a talk the Harvard economist gave during the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU 19). Though Glaeser is an advocate for cities in general, Kunstler feels that the shape and character of future cities is not going to be what Glaeser is expecting at all. Kunstler says Glaeser is a “master of the self-evident” looking into the rearview mirror. JHK feels that Glaeser is preoccupied with statistics which do not present a coherent and comprehensive view of where cities and civilization is heading. Kunstler feels that Glaeser is overly optimistic about the future of skyscrapers, which do not fare well in JHK’s “Long Emergency” prognosis. Kunstler also shares some new thoughts on the problems of large, vertical condominium buildings.   Direct Download: KunstlerCast #162: Triumph of the City – Part 1 (44 MB | 52:37 mins.) Listener Caller Line: 1-(866) 924-9499 toll-free

These Links Earn Referral Fees for The KunstlerCast   Free Audio Book Download Via Audible Amazon Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback, CD, mp3 Audio Book in iTunes Store iPad Book in Apple iBook Store

Sponsor:

Orion Magazine. July/August edition featuring James Howard Kunstler.

Orion Magazine

Back to the Future
(JHK’s New Essay & Podcast Interview)

Register for Orion’s Live Webinar + Q&A Event
with JHK on Cities of the Future: July 12

[Note: Search for the Orion Magazine Podcast in the iTunes store.]

Orion Magazine Interviews JHK

Released: June 23, 2011.

In a special cross promotion, James Howard Kunstler appears on the Orion Magazine podcast for a full episode.

Kunstler’s newest essay, Back to the Future: A road map for tomorrow’s cities, appears in the July/August 2011 issue of Orion magazine.

Orion Magazine Managing Editor Andrew Blechman (a previous guest of the KunstlerCast) interviews author James Howard Kunstler about his recent essay on the future of cities in an age of peak oil and obligatory contraction. According to Kunstler, Phoenix and Las Vegas will be “toast,” skyscrapers will become massive liabilities, suburbs will turn into salvage yards, and commerce will look very different. Kunstler is quite certain that civilization will remain intact, albeit retrofitted with slow trains, sailing ships, and other blasts from the past.

To listen and read, visit: www.orionmagazine.org/cities.

Links:

Orion Magazine

Back to the Future
(JHK’s New Essay & Podcast Interview)

Register for Orion’s Live Webinar + Q&A Event
with JHK on Cities of the Future: July 12

[Note: Search for the Orion Magazine Podcast in the iTunes store.]

Sponsor:

Orion Magazine. July/August edition featuring James Howard Kunstler.

Transitioning Away from Car Dependency

Released: June 16, 2011.

JHK gives an update on the bursting housing bubble and the fate of car dependency in America. This episode includes a short interview with Sharon Feigon, CEO of I-Go Car Sharing, and Sonya Newenhouse, president of Community Car, two professionals in the car sharing industry. Car sharing is a membership-based service that allows people to have access to a car for short periods of time so that they don’t have to own a car themselves. The practice first got its start in Europe and is now cropping up across in North America as the cost of car ownership rises and public sentiments change.

Note: There is one curseword during this episode.

Links:

I-Go Car Sharing (igocars.org)

Community Car (communitycar.com)

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is Bjorn Bergman, who reminds you to support your local farmer and eat local this summer. With warmer temperatures in the air, it is a time for fresh local salad greens. Here is a recipe for Bjorn’s Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing that would go well on some fresh locally grown spinach, arugula, salad mix and/or mustard greens.

Bjorn’s Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing:

Ingredients:

-1 Tbsp Balsamic vinegar
-1 tsp dijon mustard
-1 medium clove of garlic, minced
-1/8 tsp salt
-1/8 tsp black pepper
-3 Tbsp olive oil

Directions:

-Add vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper to small mixing bowl and whisk together well.
-Slowly add the olive oil to the bowl while whisking (this ensures that the dressing stays emulsified or mixed).
-Add to greens right before eating.
-Makes enough dressing for about 8 oz of greens.

Note: If you would like more dressing recipes, feel free to call Bjorn at 651-276-8875.

Snapshots from CNU 19 – Madison, Wisc.

Released: June 9, 2011.

In the first of many installments to come, Duncan updates James Howard Kunstler on the recent Congress For the New Urbanism, held June 1-6, 2011 in Madison, Wisc. The Congress for the New Urbanism is a professional association of planners, architects, developers, political leaders and activists who are committed to revitalizing cities and curb the continuation of sprawl. During this show, we hear from: Andres Duany, New Urbanist architect; Ed Glaeser, Harvard economist & author; U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-OR; Paul Soglin, mayor of Madison, Wisc.; Paul Minett, Ridesharing Institute; Will Allen, Wisconsin farmer and founder of Growing Power; Charles Waldheim, Harvard professor and leader of the Landscape Urbanism movement; and Stefanos Polyzoides, New Urbanist architect. JHK reacts to some short sound bites regarding Landscape Urbanism, skyscraper cities and the development of New Urbanism.

Links:

Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU.org)

Note: The Congress for the New Urbanism is a regular sponsor of this program.

But Prefer Suburban Style Housing

Released: May 26, 2011.

On today’s episode JHK discusses a recent poll by the National Association of Realtors which found that while many Americans claim they want to be able to walk to stores, restaurants and other urban amenities, they prefer to live in single family detached homes above all else. This seems to be a contradiction, but the arrangement could be possible through New Urbanist planning.

Links:

National Association of Realtors Poll (.pdf)

There’s demand for walkable neighborhoods
Chris Churchill Times Union Places & Spaces Blog
April 29, 2011

Note: This expisode contains explicit language.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is The Congress for the New Urbanism, the nation’s leading advocacy organization dedicated to promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.

A Community Design Debate

Released: May 19, 2011.

JHK and Duncan look at two new McDonald’s projects in their home towns and touch upon some universal issues with regards to these types of developments appearing throughout North America. Using the comments on a local newspaper blog, they gague how members of the community are reacting and forming a public consensus. While some people in Troy are advocating for a heightened design, others are “violently complacent” about the standard issue Mickey D’s as delivered to automobile strips around the world. Meanwhile, in Saratoga Springs, a developer did create a different take on the Golden Arches. But was the end product better?

Note: This expisode contains explicit language.

Proposed McDonald’s in Troy NY:

Saratoga Springs McDonald’s:
Freeport Maine McDonald’s:

The Articles & Blog Posts:

Is the proposed McDonald’s good for Troy?
Chris Churchill Times Union Places & Spaces Blog
April 25, 2011

A look at Troy’s proposed McDonald’s
Chris Churchill Times Union Places & Spaces Blog
April 26, 2011

Protesting a chain’s similarity by design
Chris Churchill Times Union Sunday edition
May 16, 2011

An unusual take on the Troy McDonald’s plan
Chris Churchill Times Union Places & Spaces Blog
May 17, 2011

Troy officials: Design talk is ‘ridiculously premature’
Chris Churchill Times Union Places & Spaces Blog
May 18, 2011

Troy officials: Design talk is ‘ridiculously premature’
Cecelia Martinez The Record (Troy)
May 18, 2011

James V. Franco: Bring the Golden Arches to Hoosick Street
The Troy Record
May 19, 2011

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is The Congress for the New Urbanism, the nation’s leading advocacy organization dedicated to promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.

JHK Reacts

Released: May 12, 2011

James Howard Kunstler shares his thoughts on the capture and destruction of Osama bin Laden and the future of U.S. relations in the Middle East.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is The Congress for the New Urbanism, the nation’s leading advocacy organization dedicated to promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.

North Central Troy, NY

Released: May 5, 2011.

In this enhanced podcast, JHK & Duncan explore North Central Troy, NY with Billie-Jean Greene, a KunstlerCast listener who recently purchased a home in this area. This once wealthy neighborhood on the Hudson River has suffered from urban blight for many years. But a group of neighbors, known as The Uptown Initiative, are committed to helping turn their neighborhood around. Billie-Jean leads this tour and introduces us to some of the neighborhood residents, including a bed & breakfast owner, another homeowner, and some urban chickens named Ruby and June. Also along the route is a Hells Angels clubhouse.

Links

For photographs of this neighborhood by Neil Grabowsky of Through The Lens Studio, visit: http://ttlstudios.com

For information about the Uptown Initiative, visit: http://theuptowninitiative.org/

For information about the Old Judge Mansion Bed & Breakfast, visit: http://oldejudgemansion.com

For information about the Sanctuary for Independent Media, visit: http://www.mediasanctuary.org

Note: A listener has created a YouTube version of this episode:

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is The Congress for the New Urbanism, the nation’s leading advocacy organization dedicated to promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.

At The Sanctuary for Independent Media

Released: April 28, 2011

JHK and Duncan visit The Sanctuary for Independent Media, an old church in North Central Troy NY which has been repurposed as community media space. After a public lecture, JHK takes questions from the audience on a variety of urban planning and energy topics.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is The Congress for the New Urbanism, the nation’s leading advocacy organization dedicated to promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.

Suburbia is Empowered by the Numbers

Released: April 21, 2011

The 2010 U.S. Census figures have led to a newly empowered suburban electorate. But the figures also indicate that several major U.S. cities are increasing in population at their cores. JHK offers some analysis.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is The Congress for the New Urbanism, the nation’s leading advocacy organization dedicated to promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.

The Dependency-enabling Relationship Between Govt. & The U.S. People

Released: April 14, 2011

James Howard Kunstler has said many times that he’s allergic to conspiracy theories. Yet his own ideas about peak oil sort of sound like a conspiracy theory since he believes that the U.S. government has a dependency-enabling relationship with the American public regarding our energy consumption habits and reality. JHK concedes that there may be a “soft conspiracy” at play.

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When you make any purchase after clicking the links below, you will earn sales referral fees for The KunstlerCast.

Fantasies About Our Oil Dependency

Released: April 7, 2011

James Howard Kunstler believes Americans and their leaders are lying to themselves about our current energy predicament. There is a tremendous body of fantasy about how much energy Americans can harvest from shale gas, shale oil, tar sands, running the American truck fleet on natural gas and other forms of alternative fuel for motoring. There is even one fantasy that an endless supply of abiotic oil is located in the earth’s core. Kunstler runs down the list and gives us the score.

[Note: This episode contains cursewords.]

Buy the Music, Support the Podcast

When you make any purchase after clicking the links below, you will earn sales referral fees for The KunstlerCast.

And The Diminishing Returns Become Self-Evident

Released: March 31, 2011

James Howard Kunstler reacts to a recent letter published by Rustwire.com titled
“Michigan CEO: Soul-Crushing Sprawl Killing Business.”
Kunstler believes that the diminishing returns of suburbia are becoming self-evident to people of all walks of life, and this piece
of writing is yet another example. He also corrects some of his previous comments about Detroit and the Eminem Chrysler ad.
At the end of the program, Duncan plays some music by Michigan-based band Frontier Ruckus from their album “Deadmalls&Nightfalls.”

[Note: This episode contains cursewords.]

Buy the Music, Support the Podcast

When you make any purchase after clicking the links below, you will earn sales referral fees for The KunstlerCast.

Keg and Eggs Riots in the U.S.

Released: March 24, 2011

JHK and Duncan apply an urbanist lens to a recent string of drunken St. Paddy’s Parade Day riots in three U.S. cities: Newport, RI, Hoboken, NJ, and Albany, NY. Topics covered in this discussion include: monocultures, transient populations, the ghettoization of the generations, self-regulating social scenes, swarm behavior and social networking technology, Glenn Beck, open container laws in cities and The Broken Windows Theory.

[Note: This episode contains cursewords.]

More Kegs and Eggs Riot Videos

Glenn Beck on the Kegs and Eggs Riot

REUTERS: Drunken St. Patrick’s parades spark crackdown

Express Ticket to A World Made By Hand

Released: March 17, 2011

After the recent earthquake and tsunami, James Howard Kunstler believes that Japan may be propelled into a much different society very quickly — one that somewhat resemble his World Made By Hand vision. But JHK thinks that using less fossil fuel and dexomplexifying their society might be a good thing for Japan as it may give them a headstart down the road that other complex societies like the U.S. are heading anyway.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is PostPeakLiving.com, offering online courses that prepare you for a post-peak world. Enroll now in the UnCrash Course, Sustainable Post-Peak Livelihoods, Navigating the Coming Chaos, Introduction to Sustainable Gardening or Chickens 101. Find out more at: http://postpeakliving.com.

A Mini Episode with Andrew Blechman

Released: March 10, 2011

In this mini episode, Leisureville author Andrew Blechman talks with Jim and Duncan about pigeons, the fascinating subject of his other book Pigeons.

Learn more about Andrew Blechman at www.andrewblechman.com.

Note: This episode includes a few cursewords.

Leisureville, by Andrew Blechman

Released: March 3, 2011

Author Andrew Blechman discusses his book Leisureville, a tragicomic report on The Villages, America’s largest planned retirement community. In this version of suburbia, Blechman explains, everyone drives golf carts, last call is at 8:30, Fox News plays on the hour from the lampposts and children aren’t allowed.

Learn more about Andrew Blechman at www.andrewblechman.com.

Note: This episode includes a few cursewords.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is PostPeakLiving.com, offering online courses that prepare you for a post-peak world. Enroll now in the UnCrash Course, Sustainable Post-Peak Livelihoods, Navigating the Coming Chaos, Introduction to Sustainable Gardening or Chickens 101. Find out more at: http://postpeakliving.com.

JHK Takes Questions from the Audience

Released: Feb. 24, 2011

JHK and Duncan get caught up on questions from listener callers. Topics include post-petroleum education, the homogenization of America, Vancouver and light pollution.

Note: This episode includes one curseword.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is PostPeakLiving.com, offering online courses that prepare you for a post-peak world. Enroll now in the UnCrash Course, Sustainable Post-Peak Livelihoods, Navigating the Coming Chaos, Introduction to Sustainable Gardening or Chickens 101. Find out more at: http://postpeakliving.com.

Slugging and Couch Surfing in the USA

Released: Feb. 17, 2011

JHK discusses slugging and couch surfing and other casual self-organizing transportation and lodging systems that are emerging under new terms of existence in a less affluent USA.

Note: This episode contains explicit language

The American Inferiority Complex

Released: Feb. 10, 2011

JHK reacts to the Chrysler Superbowl commercial featuring rapper Eminem, titled “Imported from Detroit.” This leads to a discussion of American growing inferiority complex and our unending need for techno triumphal pep rallies.

Note: This episode contains explicit language

Time for a Reset

Released: Jan. 27, 2011

James Howard Kunstler speaks about his annual forecast for 2011. Although there are a lot of people out there cheering for a “recovery,” JHK believes it’s time for a reset. He foresees food shortages, financial strain and political troubles ahead.

Read Jim’s Forecast 2011.

Note: This episode contains explicit language

The Last Great American Highway?

Released: Jan. 20, 2011

James Howard Kunstler is joined in the studio by author Matt Dellinger to discuss his new book, Interstate 69. Also known as “The NAFTA Highway,” I-69 is a proposed 1,400-mile mega-highway linking Canada to Mexico via the American heartland. This special one-hour conversation covers the economic development schemes, history, culture, conspiracy theories and colorful characters behind the story of what might be the last great American highway.

Matt Dellinger has written for The New Yorker, the Atlantic, the Oxford American, the Wall Street Journal magazine, and The New York Times. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, and blogs for public radio’s TransportationNation.org. His website is http://www.mattdellinger.com.

Note: This episode contains explicit language

Buy Interstate 69: The Unfinished History of America’s Last Great Highway and earn referral fees for The KunstlerCast.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_141.mp3
(38 MB | 55:40 mins.)

The Arizona Tragedy

Released: Jan. 13, 2011

JHK reacts to the tragic shooting in Arizona. He reflects on the gun ownership debate in the U.S. and his own conflicting thoughts about owning a gun himself. He discusses the power of violent rhetoric in our public discourse and evaluates his own use of strong language. He also muses on the built environment in Tucson, Arizona and what role it might have played in the tragedy.

Note: This episode contains explicit language

To receive an email notification about the forthcoming KunstlerCast book, scheduled to be published this August, sign up for the KunstlerCast email list(about 2 to 3 emails per year)

H.L. Mencken, Tom Wolfe, Samuel Beckett

Released: Jan. 6, 2011

James Howard Kunstler talks about his literary influences, including H.L. Mencken, Tom Wolfe and Samuel Beckett. He also explains the role of the social critic and how he separates his critic persona from his own personality. Lastly he muses on what he might like his legacy to be. This conversation, all about writing, is background information for a forthcoming KunstlerCast book.

Note: This episode contains explicit language

To receive an email notification about the forthcoming KunstlerCast book, scheduled to be published this August, sign up for the KunstlerCast email list(about 2 to 3 emails per year)

Support this podcast by purchasing books from Amazon. Authors mentioned in this show: H.L. Mencken, Tom Wolfe, Samuel Beckett, Chris Hedges, Daniel Quinn, Alan Bloom, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Marshall Berman.

A Big City Boy Escapes to Small-town Vermont

Released: Dec. 16, 2010

James Howard Kunstler discusses and reads from his novella, A Christmas Orphan — the story of a young boy from the big city who runs away on Christmas Eve to small-town Vermont. JHK explains how this story deals with many of the issues he writes about in his nonfiction commentary on our living arrangements of the late 20th and 21st centuries.

Purchase your copy of A Christmas Orphan by James Howard Kunstler at http://northshire.com

Kermit Ruffins “A Saints Christmas” (mp3) from “Have A Crazy Cool Christmas” (Basin Street) Buy at iTunes Music Store

Mel Brown And The Homewreckers “Don’t Plan No Party This Christmas” (mp3) from “Santa’s Got Mojo” (Electro-Fi Records) Buy at iTunes Music Store

JHK Rolls Through Compton

Released: Dec. 9, 2010

JHK shares his thoughts about visiting the San Francisco Bay Area and the greater LA region. He includes of traveling across LA “on the surface” including a tour to Compton, the legendary ghetto of gangsta rap lore.

A Very Livable City…for Now

Released: Dec. 2, 2010

James Howard Kunstler reports on his recent trip to Perth, Australia. He joins host Duncan Crary by telephone during a long layover at the LAX airport on the return trip. Kunstler found Perth to be a very pleasant city with good urbanism and public transit. And in spite of an enthusiasm for suburban development, the city center is very dense. However, he believes Australians may be caught off guard by the coming geopolitical changes of the Long Emergency.

City, Town & Country Down Under

Released: Nov. 18, 2010

Jim shares his observations of Melbourne, Australia based on his recent visit to that city to speak to the VIC Urban organization. Though he was impressed by the downtown, JHK says the areas outside Melbourne look a lot like the suburban areas of Southern California. One of his stops was Aurora, a so-called “green suburb” that failed to impress. Finally, JHK shares his adventures in the countryside beyond the Australian suburbs.

A Vacuum in Progressivism

Released: Nov. 11, 2010

JHK shares his thoughts on the recent U.S. midterm elections, the Tea Party, Jon Stewart’s Rally to Restore Sanity, and the problems of progressivisim.

Two Places That Are Not Worthy of their Residents

Released: Nov. 4, 2010

James Howard Kunstler discusses his recent visits to Boulder, Colorado and Minneapolis, Minnesota

Come see JHK read from The Witch of Hebron in Washington County, where the World Made By Hand novels are set, at Battenkill Books, 15 East Main St., Cambridge, NY, on Thursday, Nov. 11, from 6:30 p.m. till 8 p.m. : http://www.battenkillbooks.com

The Urban Growth Boundary

Released: Oct. 28, 2010

James Howard Kunstler discusses Portland, Oregon–an American city that gets a lot of things right. Topics include: the urban growth boundary, architecture, transit and political attitudes.

Come see JHK read from The Witch of Hebron in Washington County, where the World Made By Hand novels are set, at Battenkill Books, 15 East Main St., Cambridge, NY, on Thursday, Nov. 11, from 6:30 p.m. till 8 p.m. : http://www.battenkillbooks.com

Starbucks City

Released: Oct. 21, 2010

James Howard Kunstler shares his observations of Seattle based on his recent trip to that city. He believes that the Queen Anne Hill neighborhood gives one an idea of what the best of American urbanism can be, inspite of some clunky housing types. Though downtown is active and fairly pleasant, JHK has ominous feelings about the future of its many glass apartment towers. Kunstler also describes the Capitol Hill neighborhood, University District, Pike Place Market and Pioneer Square. He talks about riding the bus and the lessons we can learn from the lame monorail. Seattle is also home to the ubiquitous coffee chain Starbucks, which has many downsides to it, but which has also introduced some culture to certain places that had previously lacked any sort of “third place.”

Check out JHK’s Book Tour Schedule” http://www.kunstler.com/sched.php

The Last Roll of the Dice

Released: Oct. 14, 2010

James Howard Kunstler examines the last ditch effort of some states to try to generate revenue through casinos. Kunstler believes gambling is a marginal activity that states should not be pushing into the mainstream. Also featured in this episode is a short clip from JHK’s one hour interview on KBOO public radio in Portland, Ore. Check out JHK’s Book Tour Schedule” http://www.kunstler.com/sched.php Listener Caller Line: 1-(866) 924-9499 toll-free   

Recent Radio Interviews Featuring JHK:

KBOO Community Radio, 10/08/10
Host Per Fagereng inteviews James Howard Kunstler
41:14 minutes (37.75 MB)

(link)

KUOW Seattle: “The Conversation” 10/05/10
Host Ross Reynolds inteviews James Howard Kunstler
(featuring Alex Steffen of Worldchanging)
17:56 mins (8.2 MB)

(link)

Lars Larson, The Northwest Show, 10/08/10
While in Portland, JHK also appeared via phone for about 7 minues on the Lars Larson Northewest Show on Oct. 8, 2010:
$ link $

WABE-FM 90.1 “Between the Lines,” 10/14/10
Hosted by Valerie Jackson Syndicated by NPR, available via podcast 28:42 mins

Restoring Traditional Building Crafts, Design and Urbanism

Released: Oct. 7, 2010

James Howard Kunstler checks in with Duncan via phone on the West Coast leg of his book tour for The Witch of Hebron. The bulk of the converstaion is about JHK’s recent visit to New Orleans and his experience meeting preservationists working to replace the historic shotgun shacks of that city. He rounds out the converstaion by describing Portsmouth and Exeter, N.H., and arriving in Bellingham, WA.

Check out JHK’s Book Tour Schedule” http://www.kunstler.com/sched.php

JHK Visits Bay City Michigan

Released: Sept. 30, 2010

James Howard Kunstler explains the Tragedy of the Commons, as first described by Garrett Hardin in 1968, as how this philosophical theory relates to the public realm, suburbia, private property, commerce, environmentalism and concepts of freedom. This episode also includes a short radio story produced by MichiganNow.org featuring a walking tour by JHK in Bay City, Michigan. Special thanks to http://www.michigannow.org

Salem Common on Training Day (1808)
Peabody Essex Museum

Will Boomers Answer the Call?

Released: Sept. 23, 2010

James Howard Kunstler joins Duncan by phone from his hotel room in New Orleans. Their conversation moves from Dearborn, Michigan (2:49 – 5:13 mins) to the failings of the airline industry (5:13 – 14:30 mins), to Burlington, Vt. (14:30 – 22:45 mins), to the potential of Thorium, the so-called “green” nuclear energy source (22:45 – 26:50 mins), to the Boomer generation’s parting gift to future generations (26:50 – 40:06 mins).

Check out JHK’s Book Tour Schedule” http://www.kunstler.com/sched.php

JHK Travels Back in Time to Warn The American People of the Future that Awaits Them

Released: Sept. 16, 2010.

Check out JHK’s Book Tour Schedule” http://www.kunstler.com/sched.php

Motoring Thru New England

Released: Sept. 2, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler muses on The American Vacation and why the act of vacationing in the U.S. has become so stressful and unpleasant. He also shares his observations on Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, three states he visited during his own recent vacation. Kunstler doesn’t believe that motor-based tourism will be around for much longer…and that’s probably a good thing.

In-Depth Interview by Peter Golden

Released: Aug. 26, 2010.

Journalist/Author Peter Golden interviews James Howard Kunstler about The Witch of Hebron (Atlantic Monthly Press, 2010), the second novel in Kunstler’s World Made By Hand series. Without giving away any important plot points, Golden explores the major themes in this autumn story set in a world after the lights have flickered out and the oil has dried up. Topics include: the rule of law, the importance of ritual holidays, and the role of religion in a tight-knit community. In this novel, Kunstler has revealed more about the circumstances that have placed his characters in a world without modernity. Golden ask if Kunstler believes that people are happier in this imagined future than they are in today’s high tech world.

Music: “Be Thou My Vision,” performed by Ed Lowman & John Kirk, recorded specially for the World Made By Hand series.

Listener Caller Line:
1-(866) 924-9499 toll-free

Chapter Readings

The Witch of Hebron, Chapter One

Jasper and Ned spy on The Hermit

James Howard Kunstler reads the first chapter of his post-oil novel The Witch of Hebron (Atlantic Monthly Press, 2010).

Music: “McCully’s Waltz,” performed by Ed Lowman & John Kirk, recorded specially for the World Made By Hand series.

James Howard Kunstler reads Chapter 13 from his post-oil novel The Witch of Hebron (Atlantic Monthly Press, 2010).

Music: “Duck River,” performed by Matt Brown. Used by permission. Available for purchase through 5-String Productions.

The Witch of Hebron, Chapter Thirty-Eight

Brother Jobe and the Queen Bee

Author James Howard Kunstler reads Chapter Thirty-Eight from his post-oil novel, The Witch of Hebron (Atlantic Monthly Press, 2010).

Music: “Sweet Rosy Cheeks,” performed by Ed Lowman & John Kirk, recorded specially for the World Made By Hand series.

The Systemic Failures of Our Financial Future

Released: Aug. 19, 2010.

JHK explains how the current financial problems around the world factor into his vision of The Long Emergency. Kunstler sees these systematic failures of finance as a threat to all of our fundamental economic arrangements, including our ability to live in an orderly society. The President, says JHK, has become “the bank’s bitch” in his continuation of the American campaign to sustain the unsustainable. Rather than more financial innovations based on the notion of getting something for nothing, Kunstler says we need to have an economy in which people invest in productive activities and are rewarded for the value that is created through those productive activities. Society is becoming poor and that’s a huge political problem. JHK foresees a very turbulent autumn, in both finance and politics.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_122.mp3
(34 MB | 48:58 mins.)

Reacquainting With Our Relatives

Released: Aug. 12, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler muses on the suburban family living arrangement–past, present, future. Points of discussion include: “Boomerang Kids” (a.k.a. adult children living in their parents’ home), caring for seniors, and learning to live in closer proximity to family members.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_121.mp3
(38 MB | 32:35 mins.)

Personal Lifestyle Choices

Released: Aug. 5, 2010

A listener asks what other ways average folks can combat sprawl without becoming a professional urban planner. JHK shares the story of his personal choice in 1970s to leave the big city and consciously live in a small American town with a livable urban fabric.

Sponsor:

Support for the KunstlerCast comes from Post Carbon Institute, the world’s leading think tank dedicated to getting society off fossil fuels fast. PCI is proud to have James Howard Kunstler as a valued advisor–joining Richard Heinberg, Bill McKibben, Majora Carter, Rob Hopkins and 25 other Fellows in leading the transition to a more resilient world. Learn more at http://PostCarbon.org.

Concentrating Poverty

Released: July 8, 2010.

JHK explores a mostly abandoned low-income housing project in Duncan’s neighborhood. Two of the three 9-story brick “vertical slums” are boarded up and abandoned. They come complete with their own “rape-o-matic” tunnel for pedestrians to travel under the bridge ramp that separates them. Kunstler says these “towers in a park” are based on the ideas of Le Corbusier, the Swiss-French architect/planner whose “Radiant City” plans envisioned turning the right bank of Paris into a series of high rise towers connected by highways. Corbu’s plans were not implemented in Paris, but his ideas didn’t die. In fact they morphed into what are commonly known as “the projects,” low-income high rise towers all around the U.S. and indeed the world. Taking inspiration by the housing projects in Troy, Kunstler explains the history of this style of low-income housing and its detrimental side effects.

Sponsor:

Support for the KunstlerCast comes from Post Carbon Institute, the world’s leading think tank dedicated to getting society off fossil fuels fast. PCI is proud to have James Howard Kunstler as a valued advisor–joining Richard Heinberg, Bill McKibben, Majora Carter, Rob Hopkins and 25 other Fellows in leading the transition to a more resilient world. Learn more at http://PostCarbon.org.

Strolling Uncle Sam’s Neighborhood

Released: July 3, 2010.

JHK and Duncan celebrate the Fourth of July by touring Uncle Sam’s neighborhood. They stroll down Second Street in Troy NY, admiring the 19th century architecture along the way. Destinations include: Russell Sage College, the county court house and one of only two privately owned and maintained residential green squares in New York state (the other is the famous Gramercy Park in Manhattan). They speak to some workers laying a stone street by hand, and explore the alley in an exclusive neighborhood. You can watch and listen with the player below.

Sponsor:

Support for the KunstlerCast comes from Post Carbon Institute, the world’s leading think tank dedicated to getting society off fossil fuels fast. PCI is proud to have James Howard Kunstler as a valued advisor–joining Richard Heinberg, Bill McKibben, Majora Carter, Rob Hopkins and 25 other Fellows in leading the transition to a more resilient world. Learn more at http://PostCarbon.org.

History, The Prankster

Released: June 24, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler reports on his recent trip to Berlin, Germany…where everybody knows his name. Thirteen years ago, JHK traveled to Berlin to research a chapter for his third nonfiction book, The City in Mind. On his recent trip, he discovered that the place has healed remarkably over the past decade. Of course he had to go check in on the Führerbunker which is now the site of one of city’s few surface parking lots. History is a great prankster and therefore it’s no surprise to Kunstler that while the U.S. won the war against Germany, its cities looked bombed out. While Germany lost the war and its cities are beautiful, civilized places. Listeners end the show with their reactions to the BP oil spill.

Sponsor:

Support for the KunstlerCast comes from Post Carbon Institute, the world’s leading think tank dedicated to getting society off fossil fuels fast. PCI is proud to have James Howard Kunstler as a valued advisor–joining Richard Heinberg, Bill McKibben, Majora Carter, Rob Hopkins and 25 other Fellows in leading the transition to a more resilient world. Learn more at http://PostCarbon.org.

Oil Spill Adds to the Converging Crises

Released: June 17, 2010.

JHK examines the tragic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the fog of incomplete information that surrounds it. Kunstler sees this incident as further proof that the peak oil story is real. Now that the low hanging fruit of our oil resources has been plucked, the paradigms of our car-dependent society are forcing us to drill under difficult conditions that are hard to control. The return of $4 gallons of gasoline is not far around the next corner and the trauma from this event is already provoking strange emotional outbursts and pockets of denial from the public who do not want to get off the path of Happy Motoring. JHK also believes that the escalating and increasing failures of liberal democracy in the U.S. are getting to the point where American people don’t trust the government to be competent anymore. Ecological disasters are amplifying economic disasters, which are feeding a political disaster. In the end, this event may accelerate the process of America rethinking how its living and whether in fact maybe what we’re doing is insane, especially this campaign to sustain the unsustainable which is underway.

Sponsor:

Support for the KunstlerCast comes from Post Carbon Institute, the world’s leading think tank dedicated to getting society off fossil fuels fast. PCI is proud to have James Howard Kunstler as a valued advisor–joining Richard Heinberg, Bill McKibben, Majora Carter, Rob Hopkins and 25 other Fellows in leading the transition to a more resilient world. Learn more at http://PostCarbon.org.

Notes from the New South

Released: June 10, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler shares his observations after a recent trip to Atlanta, Ga. Check out JHK’s Essay “The Horror of Downtown Atlanta.”

Atlanta

The New New Urbanism?

Released: May 27, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler recently returned from the 18th Annual Congress for the New Urbanism. Agrarian urbanism was a hot topic among many New Urbanists at the Congress and in this episode Kunstler takes the time to explore the topic of food production in cities. Rising energy prices and poor growing weather may lead to global food shortages, but JHK believes that the idea of feeding the U.S. population with rooftop gardens and skyscraper terrariums is absurd. Gardening and even raising certain animals in the city was a normal part of urban life before World War II and we may see a return of some of those practices. But Kunstler believes that it is important to cut through some of the fantasies to figure out what’s really possible. We must also be careful not to confuse the urban with the rural.

Sponsor:

Support for the KunstlerCast comes from The Law Office of Paul C. Rapp … Specializing in intellectual property law including copyright, trademark, Internet, art and entertainment matters. Paul Rapp is licensed in New York and Massachusetts. For information visit: PaulRapp.com

Canine Decorum in the Public Realm

Released: May 27, 2010.

Using the example of a recent gimmick to allow dogs into the stores in downtown Saratoga Springs, James Howard Kunstler examines the topic of decorum in the public realm. JHK believes that Americans struggle with boundary issues and evaluating appropriate behavior, which may explain the increased presence of pet dogs in inappropriate venues. Vicious dogs, which have become the latest “urban” accessory, add an even more troubling dynamic to the streetscape. The situation gets worse when dog owners leave their pet’s droppings in the sidewalk. Kunstler notes that dogs have always played a role in city life, but now we rarely employ dogs in the traditional roles that they were bred for. And listlessness leads to bad behavior in all mammals, dogs and humans included.

Sponsor:

Support for the KunstlerCast comes from The Law Office of Paul C. Rapp … Specializing in intellectual property law including copyright, trademark, Internet, art and entertainment matters. Paul Rapp is licensed in New York and Massachusetts. For information visit: PaulRapp.com

Inversion of Assumed Roles

Released: May 20, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler examines the politics of place. Are the suburbs more conservative than cities? Why are people who try to conserve the historic fabric of their towns branded as radical liberals, while the agents of destruction in those towns call themselves “conservative?” What is the historical relationship between political ideas and the places where they originate from? JHK addresses these questions in today’s episode.

Sponsor:

Today’s program is sponsored by Audible, the Internet’s leading provider of spokeword entertainment with more than 75,000 titles in every genre to chose from. For a free audiobook download and 14-day trial, sign up today at Audiblepodcast.com/kunstler

Despotic Modernist Architecture

Released: May 13, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler explains the origins of brutalism, the modernist architectural style that resulted in the horrible, poured concrete bunker-like buildings found all across the world. JHK explains why these concrete buildings age more rapidly, and less gracefully, than Roman concrete buildings. He also tells the story of how Hitler inspired (indirectly) these despotic structures. Specific examples of brutalist buildings discussed in this episode are: Boston City Hall, Troy City Hall, the Paul Rudolph building at Yale University and The Third Church of Christ, Scientist, in Washington, D.C.

Building for the Human Figure

Released: May 6, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler explains what it means to build to the human scale and how our modern built environment fails to do this.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_110.mp3
(18 MB | 29:23 mins.)

Listener Caller Line:
1-(866) 924-9499 toll-free

Music, Technology & Canned Entertainment

Released: April 29, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler shares some stories from his days writing for Rolling Stone magazine in the 1970s. He reflects on the role that technology played in creating the mind-blowing music that defined a generation. He also wonders about the future of popular music as we head into the Long Emergency.

The Internet as our Third Place

Released: April 22, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler believes that the virtual is not an adequate replacement for the authentic. In spite of how appealing and ingenious we may find virtual life, it is not as good as real life. Kunstler calls the Internet “the world’s most amazing distraction from reality that has ever been invented” and he notes that it appeared just at a time when we are in desperate need to attend to the major troubles facing our society. Online spaces now serve as our “third place,” but that often occurs at the expense of our tangible public realm. Kunstler says the sense of place in the U.S. was severely damaged well before the Internet came along, but he wonders if there is a link between our impoverished public realm and our increasing desire to inhabit the Internet landscape. Other areas of discussion include: the Internet as “green,” the enterprise of “infotainment” and the effects of digital communication on human interaction.

Sponsor:

Support for this program comes from the Congress for the New Urbanism, the nation’s leading forum dedicated to advancing urbanism and promoting alternatives to sprawl. CNU’s 18th annual Congress,”New Urbanism: Prescription for Healthy Places” will be held in Atlanta, May 19 – 22, organized with help from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It will feature 90 plus sessions, tours, and immersive experiences with world’s leading thinkers and builders of good urbanism, and prominent researchers into the health impacts of how places are built, including the CDC’s Dr. Howard Frumkin, co-author of “Urban Sprawl and Public Health.” Register today, at: www.cnu18.org

The Arguments For Suburbia

Released: April 15, 2010.

This conversation was recorded one day before James Howard Kunstler was scheduled to debate Randal O’Toole at Brown University in Providence, RI. O’Toole is a well-known advocate for the suburban living arrangement. Host Duncan Crary chats with JHK about the pro-suburbia arguments in preparation for the debate. JHK refutes some of the major arguments used by sprawl defenders, including the notions that sprawl is good because people choose it and that sprawl represents liberty. JHK also notes that while the infrastructure required to deliver suburbia is extremely subsidized with government money, many sprawl defenders argue against public transportation because it is subsidized.

[Update: You can download Randal O’Toole’s presentation from his debate with JHK on this page.]

Sponsor:

Support for this program comes from the Congress for the New Urbanism, the nation’s leading forum dedicated to advancing urbanism and promoting alternatives to sprawl. CNU’s 18th annual Congress,”New Urbanism: Prescription for Healthy Places” will be held in Atlanta, May 19 – 22, organized with help from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It will feature 90 plus sessions, tours, and immersive experiences with world’s leading thinkers and builders of good urbanism, and prominent researchers into the health impacts of how places are built, including the CDC’s Dr. Howard Frumkin, co-author of “Urban Sprawl and Public Health.” Register today, at: www.cnu18.org

An Exercise in Techno-grandiosity?

Released: April 8, 2010.

As NASA prepares to retire its space shuttle program, James Howard Kunstler takes a few moments to muse on the past, present and future of space exploration. Personally, JHK is glad that our government is cutting funding for space exploration. He’s not sure what the 20th Century fiesta of technology accomplished anyway. On the topic of space colonization, Kunstler says he fears that humans will make the rest of the universe as bad as Hackensack, New Jersey. He also touches upon the issues of resource exploitation, offloading surplus population, and the wishful thinking that lies behind the space exploration narrative.

[Note: This program contains explicit language.]

Sponsor:

Support for this program comes from the Congress for the New Urbanism, the nation’s leading forum dedicated to advancing urbanism and promoting alternatives to sprawl. CNU’s 18th annual Congress,”New Urbanism: Prescription for Healthy Places” will be held in Atlanta, May 19 – 22, organized with help from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It will feature 90 plus sessions, tours, and immersive experiences with world’s leading thinkers and builders of good urbanism, and prominent researchers into the health impacts of how places are built, including the CDC’s Dr. Howard Frumkin, co-author of “Urban Sprawl and Public Health.” Register today, at: www.cnu18.org

Google Street Views of B’more

Released: April 1, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler continues his virtual “walking” tour/commentary of Baltimore, Maryland. In this tour, he inspects the light rail system, the water taxi and market place in historic Fell’s Point neighborhood, and a new urbanist-influenced condo-harbor district. He concludes the tour at the Legg Mason building, a particularly bad skyscraper where JHK delivered a breakfast talk recently to a group of community stakeholders. Kunstler considers buildings like this to be a future liability as energy supplies grow scarce.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_105.mp3
(20 MB | 31:27 mins.)

Destination 1: W. Baltimore St & N. Howard St.

Start: 2:00 Mins.

View Larger Map

ABOVE: Head north on N. Howard St. The building with the blank wall facing the street is listed as 79 N. Howard St., next to the Bank of America. Inspect the Light Rail past intersectin with W. Fayette St.

Destination 2: Condo/Harbor District – Corner of S. Eden Street and Lancaster St.

Start: 7:27 mins.

View Larger Map

ABOVE: Head east on Lancaster St. Inspect condo buildings on left side, and waterway on right. Turn right at S Caroline St., inspect “green” rooftop on building on right side of street.

Destination 3: Fell’s Point – 906 S. Broadway to Aliceanna St

Start: 13:27 mins.

View Larger Map

ABOVE: Head north on S. Broadway, turn left on Thames St., turn right on S. Broadway and head north. Turn right on Lancaster St. Turn left on S. Broadway and head north. Remaining market building is in median to left.

Destination 3: (Continued) Lancaster St.

Start: 18:03 Mins

View Larger Map

ABOVE: Head east on Lancaster St. inspect the buildings on left and right.

Destination 4: Legg Mason Building

Start: 20:32 Mins

View Larger Map
ABOVE: Approach the Legg Mason building on the right, grab the screen with the mouse, scroll up and behold the monotony grandiosity of this stupid building.

Google Street Views of B’more

Released: March 25, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler sometimes thinks of Baltimore, Maryland as the poster child for how cities are going to contract in this country and around the world as we enter into a new energy era. In many ways, Kunstler says Baltimore is a very damaged city, but there are some parts of it that are quite interesting fun and heartening. During this episode, JHK gives a virtual tour of B’more using Google Street view. Before zooming in, however, he takes a moment to appreciate the geography of the Chesapeake Bay system and to discuss the history and possible future of shipping in that region.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_104.mp3

(27 MB | 42:20 mins.)

Viewing Window 1: Chesapeake Bay

Start: 8:00 Mins.

View Larger Map

ABOVE: Explore the Chesapeake and Delaware bay systems. Use the tabs in upper right-hand corner to switch to satalite or terrain views.

Destination 1: Federal Hill Neighborhood – West Hamburg St. / S. Charles St

Start: 18:25 mins.

View Larger Map

ABOVE: Spin around. Click the screen and move your mouse from left to rigth. Use the +/- signs to zoom in on a feature.

Destination 2: Federal Hill Neighborhood – 53 Churchill St. to 808 S. Charles St.

Start: 24:40 mins.

View Larger Map

ABOVE: Click arrow to head east on Churchill Street. Click screen and move mouse from left to right to examine both sides of the street. Turn corner and head North on S. Charles St., then look left.

Destination 3: Washinton Monument – 570 N. Charles St to 14 W Mt Vernon Pl

Start: 31:12 Mins

View Larger Map

ABOVE: Click the arrows to head north to the monument. Head west on Mt Vernon Pl. Look at buildings on right and park to left.

Destination 3 (Continued): 700 Washington Place to 900 N. Charles St.

Start: 35:45 Mins

View Larger Map

Above: Use arrows to head north on Washington Pl. Click on screen and move mouse to change perspective.

Passionate Positions on Parking

Released: March 18, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler is sometimes propelled into “mad dog mode” when speaking about the modern American landscape. But tempers fly on all sides of these urban policy debates. And there are many times when the only sane response is to be angry about what we’ve done to the North American landscape over the past 50 years. In this conversation, JHK explores the heightened emotions that erupt over the issue of parking in small cities and towns. Community leaders across the country still believe that motoring and car storage will be the determining factor in everything. But JHK thinks that one day soon everyone will just wake up with a different idea, because it will be self-evident that densely conceived and executed redevelopment will be necessary.

[Note: This program contains explicit language.]

Program Sponsor:

PostPeakLiving.com, offering a new online course this April 24 led by psychologist Carolyn Baker who will teach students to deal with the emotional aspects of facing peak oil. Register today at: http://PostPeakLiving.com

The End of Jive Plastic Homes

Released: March 11, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler believes that one way or another, we’re going to end up living in a very different daily environment than the one we’re used to. In this episode, he discusses the future of building materials. JHK doesn’t believe that we’ll continue to use the same “jive plastic” production home building materials and techniques in the future. He’s been thinking a lot about how we’re going to re-orient the building trades to use less exotic materials and fewer fabricated, mass-produced items. He describes the diminishing returns of fake cladding materials and snap-together home kits. He ponders the re-use of salvaged suburban building materials. Finally, he takes a moment to consider the re-use of abandoned shipping containers for human habitation.

[Note: This program contains explicit language.]

Program Sponsor:

PostPeakLiving.com, offering a new online course this April 24 led by psychologist Carolyn Baker who will teach students to deal with the emotional aspects of facing peak oil. Register today at: http://PostPeakLiving.com

Peak Oil and Global Warming

Released: March 4, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler answers a listener call about the relationship between climate change and peak oil. JHK shares some of the information contained in a soon-to-be published book that explains our climate predicament and some of the possible corrective actions being considered.

Program Sponsor:

Celery, a simple, affordable, two-way service that connects the email generation to the pen-and-paper generation. http://mycelery.com

A Robust Little City

Released: Feb. 18, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler is pleasantly surprised by Rochester, N.Y., a small industrial city in the Great Lakes region. The first portion of this program features two of JHK’s former classmates who share stories about Jim’s college days at SUNY Brockport. The bulk of the show includes a driving tour of Rochester NY with JHK. (Note: this episode contains some cursewords).

Google Street View:

Head west on East Ave. to get downtown. Then head west on Main St. E.

View Larger Map

Program Sponsor:

Next American City, a quarterly urban affairs magazine committed to creating sustainable cities. Check out our new monthly Metro Matters podcast.

Is JHK Daniel?

Released: Feb. 11, 2010.

On today’s podcast, James Howard Kunstler answers questions from the cast members and audience after the staged reading of “Big Slide,” an original three-act play by James Howard Kunstler. An audience member asks Kunstler if his character “Tom” was meant to be an African-American. A cast member asks if the character “Daniel” is named after the biblical prophet and if perhaps “Daniel” is actually Jim himself. Another castmember asks why he chose theater for as a medium for this story.

Program Sponsor:

PostPeakLiving.com, offering online courses to prepare you for the Big Slide. This Feb. 20, Sustainable Post Peak Livelihoods.

Staged reading of “Big Slide” at the MUCCC, Rochester NY. Photos by Carl Pultz. 

About the Staged Reading:

“Big Slide” was first performed as a staged reading on January 9, 2010 in Rochester, NY, as part of the Multi-use Community Cultural Center’s American Playwright series. The event was introduced by James Howard Kunstler and recorded by KunstlerCast host/producer Duncan Crary.

Produced by: John Borek

Directed and Narrated by: Michael Arve

Promotional Artwork by: Louis Podlaski

A Staged Reading

Released: Feb. 4, 2010.

Link Fixed! (Stereo)

On today’s podcast, we present the conclulsion of “Big Slide,” an original three-act play by James Howard Kunstler. Set in the autumn of an unspecified near-future year, at an Adirondack “great camp,” this is the story of three generations of the Freeman family who have taken refuge from New York and Boston during a severe national political maelstrom. Though we are never fully apprised of the exact nature of this event, it appears that a coup d’etat has occurred in the White House and local militias have risen up all over the nation in response. The estate at Big Slide is isolated from these events, but the electricity has stopped working and, apparently, the law enforcement has, too.

Listen to Act 1

Staged reading of “Big Slide” at the MUCCC, Rochester NY. Photos by Carl Pultz.

About the Staged Reading:

“Big Slide” was first performed as a staged reading on January 9, 2010 in Rochester, NY, as part of the Multi-use Community Cultural Center’s American Playwright series. The event was introduced by James Howard Kunstler and recorded by KunstlerCast host/producer Duncan Crary.

Produced by: John Borek

Directed and Narrated by: Michael Arve

Promotional Artwork by: Louis Podlaski

Feb. 2, 2010

For Immediate Release

Contact: Duncan Crary, 518-274-2723
Info@KunstlerCast.com

New e-Book by James Howard Kunstler Imagines Collapse of USA

In “Big Slide,” Family Seeks Refuge in Adirondacks During National Meltdown Available as e-Book, Kindle, and Podcast

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (Feb. 2, 2010) — Author and social commentator James Howard Kunstler is using live theater, podcasting and a self-published “e-book” to distribute his new three act-play, titled “Big Slide.”

The story centers on a large family seeking refuge in the Adirondack Mountains of New York state as the country is collapsing into economic and political turmoil.

“Right now, we are a nation going through a slow-motion train wreck. But obviously our situation is not as grave as the compressed events that are portrayed in this play,” Kunstler said. “‘Big Slide’ is a work of the imagination that happens to be circumstantially about the times we’re living in and the times we may be moving into.”

Set in the autumn of an unspecified near-future year, “Big Slide” tells the story of three generations of the Freeman family, who have gathered at their Adirondack “great camp” (near Big Slide Mountain) to take refuge from New York City and Boston during a severe national political maelstrom. We are never fully apprised of the exact nature of this event, but it appears to involve a coup d’etat in the White House and the uprising of local militias all over the nation in response.

The estate at Big Slide is isolated from these events, but news dribbles in by radio. The electricity has stopped working and law enforcement seems to have been suspended, making it dangerous to travel even to the nearest town for food and necessities.

The thirteen members of the family, ranging from the dying patriarch, Clifford Freeman, to his grown children and their spouses, to the two teenage step-siblings, Raven and Zach, struggle to work out how they will organize themselves for survival in the months ahead against a background of old and deep personal grievances with each other.

“This was designed to be a classic, three-act play with a large cast and swirling motion on two levels of the stage,” Kunstler said. “But the situation with regional theater now is that nobody wants to do a play with more than one character, so that all you get is ‘A Night With Emily Dickinson’ or somebody impersonating Truman Capote. When I was a drama student at SUNY Brockport, we did big plays with lots of characters — ‘The Cherry Orchard,”Marat / Sade’ — and that’s what this is.”

“Big Slide” was first performed before a live audience as a “staged reading” by 13 actors on Jan. 9 at the Multi-use Community Cultural Center in Rochester, N.Y. Kunstler said he hopes to see a full-theatrical production in the future. A free audio .mp3 recording of the staged reading is available through author’s weekly podcast, “The KunstlerCast.”

A script of “Big Slide” is available for purchase (price: $5) [Update Sept. 4, 2011: Price Now $2.99] as a downloadable 116-page .PDF, or in Kindle and Kindle-for-the-iPhone editions.

Production and oversight of the “Big Slide” e-book is by Duncan Crary, an independent media and publicity consultant, who hosts and produces “The KunstlerCast.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kunstler is the author of four non-fiction books, including “The Geography of Nowhere” (Simon & Schuster, 1993) and “The Long Emergency” (Atlantic Monthly Press, 2005), which have been concerned with a wide range of urgent issues, such as the global oil predicament, the banking fiasco and the problems associated with suburban development in America.

His most recent novel, “World Made By Hand” (Atlantic Monthly Press, 2008), takes place in a post-petroleum American future. A sequel is scheduled to be published this year.

For information, to purchase “Big Slide,” or to listen to the podcast, visit: http://Kunstler.com/BigSlide

JOURNALISTS ONLY:

Artwork and publicity images are available at: http://www.kunstler.com/BigSlide/PublicityImages.php

Review copies for journalists are available upon request.

Click here for broadcast-quality audio clips.

To request an interview with James Howard Kunstker, contact Duncan Crary at 518-274-2723.

More Press Releases

A Staged Reading

Released: Jan. 29, 2010.

(Stereo)

On today’s podcast, we present the first act of “Big Slide,” an original three-act play by James Howard Kunstler. Set in the autumn of an unspecified near-future year, at an Adirondack “great camp,” this is the story of three generations of the Freeman family who have taken refuge from New York and Boston during a severe national political maelstrom. Though we are never fully apprised of the exact nature of this event, it appears that a coup d’etat has occurred in the White House and local militias have risen up all over the nation in response. The estate at Big Slide is isolated from these events, but the electricity has stopped working and, apparently, the law enforcement has, too.

Staged reading of “Big Slide” at the MUCCC, Rochester NY. Photos by Carl Pultz.

About the Staged Reading:

“Big Slide” was first performed as a staged reading on January 9, 2010 in Rochester, NY, as part of the Multi-use Community Cultural Center’s American Playwright series. The event was introduced by James Howard Kunstler and recorded by KunstlerCast host/producer Duncan Crary.

Produced by: John Borek

Directed and Narrated by: Michael Arve

Promotional Artwork by: Louis Podlaski

 

Purchase Big Slide e-Book

 

 

“Big Slide” is now selling as a 116 page e-book (.PDF), and is also available for your Kindle device or iPhone. For more information and a description of “Big Slide,” visit: http://www.kunstler.com/BigSlide.

Sample excerpt (.PDF)Earn a 10% commission when you refer Big Slide sales

Buy Big Slide as e-Book .PDF(Please wait for page to load)(You don’t need a PayPal account to purchase Big Slide via PayPal. Click the image below and look for the “continue” link on the page) Buy Big Slide Via Kindle Buy Big Slide Via iPhone (Buy Kindle app for iPhone, then buy “Big Slide” on Kindle)

Audio Postcards from the NYS Thruway

Released: Jan. 21, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler and Duncan Crary hit the open road to bring you these audio postcards from the NYS Thruway on their way to Rochester. To pass the time, they discuss the American experience of the road trip, the future of the small forlorn cities they pass along the way, the enterprise of downhill skiing, and how life in upstate New York has colored Kunstler’s worldview as an author and commentator.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_96.mp3
(39 MB | 40:20 mins.)

Listener Caller Line:
1-(866) 924-9499 toll-free

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is Cultivatis, a full service land planning and consulting firm that integrates agriculture and resource conservation into every project. Core services include: agricultural urbanism; sustainable food system consulting, Urban farm and garden design, community engagement and workshop facilitation. http://www.cultivatis.com

The Context of Current Events

Released: Dec. 31, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler takes a moment to examine where we’re at as a culture at the end of 2009. JHK shares his thought process leading up to his 2010 Forecast. Topics include healthcare, economics and foreign affairs.

[Note: This podcast contains some cursewords.]

Announcement:

There will be a staged-reading of James Howard Kunstler’s play, “Big Slide” this Jan. 9 at the Multi-use Community Cultural Center in Rochester NY. The playwright will introduce the show, which begins a 7:30 p.m. Admission is pay what you can. For information, visit: http://muccc.org

Our Cartoon Landscape

Released: Dec. 24, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler explains the story behind Disneyland, Disney World, and Walt Disney’s legacy on the American built environment.

Announcement:

There will be a staged-reading of James Howard Kunstler’s play, “Big Slide” this Jan. 9 at the Multi-use Community Cultural Center in Rochester NY. The playwright will introduce the show, which begins a 7:30 p.m. Admission is pay what you can. For information, visit: http://muccc.org

Programming Young People for Cynicism

Released: Dec. 17, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler discusses the built environment on the American college campus and how modernist ideas about architecture are programming young people to become cynical. Kunstler talks about some of the ugliest campuses in the country, as well as some of the best. Even some of the best beaux arts Ivy league campuses have been thrashed by starchitecture, parking lots, and “diversity monomania.”

[Note to re-broadcasters: This show contains one curseword at 12:57 and 26:09]

Wavy Glass Building at University at Albany (SUNY)

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is PostPeakLiving.com, offering online courses that prepare you for a post-peak world. Enroll now in our new e-learning course, or our 6-week, instructor led Un-Crash Course. Find out more at: http://postpeakliving.com.

How Things Might Go Down As Energy Becomes Scarce

Released: Dec. 10, 2009.

In this in part two of this discussion, James Howard Kunstler predicts how various regions of the United States will fare during the coming energy crisis that he anticipates. Kunstler refers to the coming crisis as “The Long Emergency.” In this half of the discussion, Kunstler discusses: the Great Plains, the Upper Midwest, the Mid Atlantic and New England. He also talks about issues with fresh water scarcity.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is PostPeakLiving.com, offering online courses that prepare you for a post-peak world. Enroll now in our new e-learning course, or our 6-week, instructor led Un-Crash Course. Find out more at: http://postpeakliving.com.

How Things Might Go Down As Energy Becomes Scarce

Released: Dec. 10, 2009.

In this in installment, James Howard Kunstler predicts how various regions of the United States will fare during the coming energy crisis that he anticipates. Kunstler refers to the coming crisis as “The Long Emergency.” In the first part of this discussion, Kunstler discusses: the Southern States, the Southwest, the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies. A listener call reacts to the Happy Motoring podcast and Duncan closes the show with the Esso Happy Motoring song.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is Chelsea Green, publisher of Waiting on a Train by James McCommons, with forward by James Howard Kunstler. Waiting on a Train is a critical look at the embattled future of passenger rail service, told by a journalist who spent one year traveling across America by train in 2008. Look for “Waiting on a Train” at your local bookstore, or visit: http://chelseagreen.com. .

Cruising Toward Collapse with a Stunning Stupidity

Released: Nov. 26, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler believes that the Happy Motoring project is running out of time. Peak Oil and problems with alternative energy aren’t the only issues facing future motorists. He thinks that car ownership will become less democratic in the future as cars become too expensive to buy without the current financing options. Kunstler dismisses Christopher Steiner’s “$20 Per Gallon” book for assuming that an orderly procession of events will take us from $3 per gallon to $20. The conversation naturally leads to a discussion of NASCAR, which Kunstler views as a particularly pathetic reincarnation of Roman chariot races that serve to preoccupy the masses as the American empire declines. Lastly, Kunstler addresses a recent International Energy Agency scandal to coverup the reality of dwindling oil supplies.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is Chelsea Green, publisher of Waiting on a Train by James McCommons, with forward by James Howard Kunstler. Waiting on a Train is a critical look at the embattled future of passenger rail service, told by a journalist who spent one year traveling across America by train in 2008. Look for “Waiting on a Train” at your local bookstore, or visit: http://chelseagreen.com.

Additional support for this program comes from PostPeakLiving.com Additional support for this podcast comes from PostPeakLiving.com, offering online courses that prepare you for a post-peak world. Find out more at: http://postpeakliving.com

Empty Gestures, Darth Vader Windows & Porches for Leprechauns

Released: Nov. 19, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler thinks that most modern buildings are not really architecture, they’re just manufactured boxes. Whether it’s suburban houses, or retail stores, the buildings of our everyday environment send the message that we don’t care about ourselves or our surroundings. Kunstler tackles cartoon eateries, reflective glass office buildings, and otherwise good new urban buildings that lack proper ornamentation. We hear from a listener caller in Pittsburgh at the end of the show.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is Chelsea Green, publisher of Waiting on a Train by James McCommons, with forward by James Howard Kunstler. Waiting on a Train is a critical look at the embattled future of passenger rail service, told by a journalist who spent one year traveling across America by train in 2008. Look for “Waiting on a Train” at your local bookstore, or visit: http://chelseagreen.com.

Additional support for this program comes from PostPeakLiving.com Additional support for this podcast comes from PostPeakLiving.com, offering online courses that prepare you for a post-peak world. Find out more at: http://postpeakliving.com

The Role of Generalists in a Hyper-Specialist Society

Released: Nov. 12, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler speaks about the role of generalists in a world of hyper specialists. Although hyper-specialists are experts in their narrow fields, their work is often disregardful of the larger picture. Traffic engineers, for example, can move huge numbers of cars extremely efficiently, using fine-tuned formulas for curve ratios and grades, but their final product often makes downtowns un-walkable for pedestrians. Econometric models are only a substitute for reality that tend to produce a failure of perception and therefore a failure in our ability to act in the face of the things that happen to us. A sense of hyper-individualism in U.S. culture is another obstacle that stands in the way of thinking about our society and its problems in general terms. At the close of the show, a listener shares his thoughts on the vibrant center city of Philadelphia.

Sponsors:

This week’s sponsor is Chelsea Green, publisher of Waiting on a Train by James McCommons, with forward by James Howard Kunstler. Waiting on a Train is a critical look at the embattled future of passenger rail service, told by a journalist who spent one year traveling across America by train in 2008. Look for Waiting on a Train at your local bookstore, or visit: http://chelseagreen.com.

Additional support for this program comes from Audible. For a free audiobook download, visit: www.audiblepodcast.com/kunstler

Where Gentrification is a Good Thing

Released: Nov. 5, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler thinks Boston is one of the few healthy major cities left in the U.S. He says gentrification has been a good thing for the city. He is disappointed with the outcome of Boston’s “big dig” project, though. When the city finally placed a major elevated expressway underground, Boston squandered a great opportunity to repair the street-and-block fabric that the highway had previously disrupted. Instead, so-called environmentalists succeeded in advocating for a half-assed, nebulous “green space.” On the subject of ugly architecture, Kunstler says the MIT area in nearby Cambridge is the ugliest academic neighborhood in America. The devil could not have designed a worse campus.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is Grinning Planet, providing real news in a free weekly mp3 format. Grinning Planet compiles the best audio news coverage of the week on a single page to save you time and cut through the mainstream propaganda. Listen at: http://www.grinningplanet.com/mp3-news

Rails to Freakish Parks

Released: Oct. 29, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler discusses two major projects that have recently turned 19th century railroad structures into parks: the High Line in lower Manhattan and the Walkway Over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. The High Line is a unique park in New York City, built upon a former elevated rail line that used to bring trains through buildings. Although the High Line gives reprieve to New Yorkers, Kunstler finds it to be an accidental freak of urban nature. We would benefit more from the deliberate creation of beautifully designed streets and boulevards at grade level. The Walkway Over the Hudson is an extremely long railroad bridge that now serves as a pedestrian park. On the plus side, Kunstler believes this type of project might protect the bridge so that it doesn’t completely fall apart. But he finds it tragic that America has discarded the major investments it once made in a rail system. A listener caller who is an urban planner in Vancouver shares his thoughts on adaptive reuse of buildings.

Click on the images above to view a larger version. The first four photos are of the High Line. The last three photos are the Walkway Over the Hudson.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is Revolution Hall, inviting you to come see Deer Tick, the band that sings the KunstlerCast theme song, this Nov. 4 in Troy NY. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Buy tickets online at RevolutionHall.com.

The Last Major Renovation of Manhattan

Released: Oct. 22, 2009.

Inspired by David Owen’s book “Green Metropolis,” James Howard Kunstler examines the idea of Manhattan as a “green” city. Kunstler believes that, during his lifetime, New York has never been in as good shape as it is now. But he also thinks it will never be in as good shape again. Financial and energy problems in the future may turn our newest skyscrapers into one-generation buildings, outlandish monuments built during the twilight of an empire. Of all the boroughs, Kunstler thinks Brooklyn may fare the best because of its higher quality urban fabric.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_85.mp3
(35 MB | 30:53 mins.)

Listener Caller Line:
1-(866) 924-9499 toll-free

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is Grinning Planet, providing real news in a free weekly mp3 format. Grinning Planet compiles the best audio news coverage of the week on a single page to save you time and cut through the mainstream propaganda. Listen at: http://www.grinningplanet.com/mp3-news

Christopher Alexander, Daniel Burnham, Lewis Mumford, Leon Krier, Le Corbusier

Released: Oct. 15, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler believes that urban design will be the next big philosophical battle for the hearts and minds of Americans. One of the most important tasks we will face is determining the size, scale and shape of the 21st Century city. Kunstler says current cities are not scaled to the energy realities of the future. We must downscale, reform and de-automobilze our cities. Urban thinkers and urban planners will serve as our guides throughout that process. In this episode, Kunstler returns to the list of Top 100 Urban Thinkers complied by Planetizen.com to discuss some of the top names on that list. People discussed on this program include: Christopher Alexander, Frederick Law Olmsted, Daniel Burnham, Lewis Mumford, Leon Krier, Le Corbusier, and Ian McHarg.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is Grinning Planet, providing real news in a free weekly mp3 format. Grinning Planet compiles the best audio news coverage of the week on a single page to save you time and cut through the mainstream propaganda. Listen at: http://www.grinningplanet.com/mp3-news

Links:

The Death and Life of Great American Cities

Released: Oct. 8, 2009.

Planetizen, an urban planning website and book publisher, recently conducted a poll about the Top 100 Urban Thinkers. Jane Jacobs, author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities, made #1 on the list. Kunstler explains the story and importance of Jacobs. He also recollects interviewing her in 2000. Although at the time Jacobs was writing a book about the coming energy crisis, Dark Age Ahead, Kunstler said she didn’t seem interested in talking about “Long Emergency” issues during their conversation. A listener caller tells us why he thinks Sesame Street is a good model for urbanism.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is Grinning Planet, providing real news in a free weekly mp3 format. Grinning Planet compiles the best audio news coverage of the week on a single page to save you time and cut through the mainstream propaganda. Listen at: http://www.grinningplanet.com/mp3-news

Links:

Jane Jacobs, Interviewed by Jim Kunstler for Metropolis Magazine, March 2001
September 6, 2000: Toronto Canada

Beyond Fast Food Nation

Released: Oct. 1, 2009.

In this week’s episode, listener Frank Aragona of the Agroinnovations Podcast asks James Howard Kunstler to talk about the role of food in Jim’s post-peak oil novel World Made By Hand. Although the characters in the novel must overcome many obstacles, the food that they eat is delicious in general and is a vast improvement to the current American diet. Aragona thinks that perhaps food is the triumphant element in the novel. Kunstler talks about how horrendous spectacl and the tragic results that the fast food nation has brought about. He also speaks about the lost ceremony of eating with family and friends. Listeners also comment on the recent podcasts about Los Angeles and white rooftops.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_82.mp3
(29 MB | 30:57 mins.)

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is The Agroinnovations Podcast, covering all things related to sustainable agriculture and the world-wide local food movement. Featuring interivews on fair trade, conservation, permaculture, and healthy alternatives to factory farming. Learn more and listen at http://agroinnovations.com/podcast.

Provisional Civilization

Released: Sept 24, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler shares his thoughts on Los Angeles, California after a recent visit to Tinseltown. The motoring infrastructure of Los Angeles stretches from horizon to horizon. It is a provisional civilization in which all is subordinate to the car. However, Kunstler believes Los Angeles is more urban than people assume. He was particularly surprised by the pleasant side streets of West Hollywood. But Kunstler wonders how well Los Angeles would fare after even a minor disruption to the supply of cheap gasoline.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_81.mp3
(31 MB | 34:00 mins.)

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is New Society Publishers, the leading publisher of Peak Oil thinkers such as Dmitry Orlov, Richard Heinberg, and Sharon Astyk. NewSociety.com

Mitigating Climate Change & Saving Energy Costs

Released: Sept 17, 2009.

Professor Steven Chu, the US Energy Secretary, is advocating for people to paint their rooftops white in order to save on energy and to cut down on global warming. James Howard Kunstler reacts to this idea and also addresses the topic of rooftop gardens, or “green” roofs.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_80.mp3
(17 MB | 18: 29 mins.)

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is New Society Publishers, the leading publisher of Peak Oil thinkers such as Dmitry Orlov, Richard Heinberg, and Sharon Astyk. NewSociety.com

Is Now A Good Time to Leave the U.S. for Good?

Released: Sept 10, 2009.

A Listener caller asks James Howard Kunstler if now is a good time to emigrate from the U.S. to France. During his response, Kunstler poses the question: exactly what allegiance do you owe to your country if your country is making a foolish spectacle of itself? Kunstler explains why he himself has not packed his bags for Europe. And he covers the possibility of regional autonomy arising in the U.S. if various energy, climate, political and financial crises push us in that direction.

Warning: This episode contains explicit language. Times: 5:13, 21:09, 22:15, 22:24.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_79.mp3
(28 MB | 30:08 mins.)

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is New Society Publishers, the leading publisher of Peak Oil thinkers such as Dmitry Orlov, Richard Heinberg, and Sharon Astyk. NewSociety.com

Trashing Places We Don’t Respect

Released: Sept 3, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler says one reason why American cities are so dirty is because we do not have a firm agreement about how to treat the public realm in this country. He believes that people will literally trash a place that they don’t like or respect. And a lot of American space is difficult to respect. On a larger scale, many corporations treat the American landscape with a similar disregard. While Kunstler believes that large scale pollution from mega corporations may taper off with the cheap oil supply, he thinks local manufacturing in the future might reintroduce forms of pollution that haven’t been seen in the U.S. for a while.

Note: The voice of Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk appears in this episode, courtesy of Planetizen, publisher of The Story of Sprawl DVD. Kunstlercast listeners receive a $5 discount when purchasing this DVD by using the discount code FIESTA: http://www.planetizen.com/DVD

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_78.mp3
(37 MB | 40:10 mins.)

Sponsors:

This week’s sponsor is New Society Publishers, the leading publisher of Peak Oil thinkers such as Dmitry Orlov, Richard Heinberg, Sharon Astyk and Michael Ruppert. NewSociety.com

The Diminishing Returns of Information Technology

Released: August 27, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler believes that stupid Americans are exerting their political and cultural tyranny over the rest of us. No other society has produced a larger group of stupid people with as much money and means to express their thoughts, pleasures, ideas, biases, delights, and hatreds in things that can be broadcast, built or in some way imposed on other people. Those who object to this situation are called elitist, he says. JHK also explores the diminishing returns of information technology and the internet.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_77.mp3
(24 MB | 26:00 mins.)

The Tribunal of the Inquisition as illustrated by Francisco de Goya

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is PostPeakLiving.com, offering online courses that prepare you for the post peak oil world. Registration Closes Midnight, Sept. 2. Use “KunstlerCast” as your discount code.

Andrés Duany & The Dilemma of Male Space

Released: August 20, 2009.

A “man cave” discovered in a government complex made national news earlier this month. Eminent new urbanist planner Andrés Duany was prompted to speak out in defense of the man cave and “male space” in general, which he sees as a disappearing habitat in modern America. James Howard Kunstler and host Duncan Crary listen to a recording of Duany’s “The Dilemma of Male Space” and further explore the concept of male space. Not only does Kunstler believe that male space is disappearing in suburbia, but he thinks adult space in general is endangered.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_76mp3
(36 MB | 38:52 mins.)

Relevant Links:

• Cavemen, by Ben McGrath, New Yorker, Aug. 3, 2009.
• State: ‘Man cave’ hid drug den, Times Union, July 18, 2009.
• The Dilemma of Male Space, Recorded by Kate Gmyrek, CNU XIV, 2006.
• DPZ – Company

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is PostPeakLiving.com, offering online courses that prepare you for the post peak oil world. Use “KunstlerCast” as your discount code.

Traffic Jams and Plastic Weenie Stands in the Woods

Released: August 13, 2009.

Even during a recession, Americans are pouring into our nation’s “wilderness areas” with jet skis and cigarette boats in tow. After returning home from a visit to the Adirondack Mountains of New York, James Howard Kunstler serves up some thoughts on the gas guzzling toys we use to get off on in nature. Although we have a residual memory of what the American wilderness used to be like before World War II, the reality of our “nature areas” today is much different. Plastic weenie stands, ice cream emporiums and gift shops have invaded the woods. But Kunstler believes the days of traffic jams in Yosemite are numbered.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_75mp3
(30 MB | 32:41 mins.)

(Note: Here’s the article Duncan mentions in the podcast: Pollution outruns Adirondacks, Times Union, July 15, 2009.)

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is PostPeakLiving.com, offering online courses that prepare you for the post peak oil world. Use “KunstlerCast” as your discount code.

The Quest For An Electric Vehicle Nirvana

Released: August 6, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler explores the possibility of transitioning our society from fossil fuels to one that runs on electricity. This discussion is based on ideas presented in an episode of NOVA titled “Car of the Future” (Season 33, Episode 3). You can watch the entire NOVA program below.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_74.mp3
(31 MB | 34:04 mins.)

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is The Stakeholders, Inc., inviting you to attend a Sept. 24 talk in Albany NY by urban theorist Richard Florida, author of “Who’s Your City?”

The Second Great Era of Globalism is Over

Released: August 6, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler believes that the consumer credit economy is over and that we are now moving on to the next phase of the U.S. economy. Kunstler provides some historical context on our current global economy and muses on the relationship between over-complexity and diminishing returns, which he believes is the “hallmark of all civilizations that come to grief.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_73.mp3
(31 MB | 33: 28 mins.)

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is The Stakeholders, Inc., inviting you to attend a Sept. 24 talk in Albany NY by urban theorist Richard Florida, author of “Who’s Your City?”

The Burbs are Bad for Your Health

Released: July 23, 2009.

This May, the Committee on Environmental Health of the American Academy of Pediatrics confirmed that the design of U.S. communities (i.e. car-dependent suburbia) negatively affects the health of children (i.e. makes them obese). James Howard Kunstler explores the relationship between suburban sprawl and the declining health of Americans. (Artwork courtesy of Ken Avidor)

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_72.mp3
(28 MB | 30:32 mins.)

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is PostPeakLiving.com, offering online courses that prepare you for the post peak oil world. Use “KunstlerCast” as your discount code.

Waiting for the Storm After the Fossil Fuel Fiesta

Released: July 16, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler and other commentators are often called “doomers” for their seemingly bleak outlook for modern society after the peak of oil production. Kunstler gives a brief introduction to other “doomer” authors, including Dmitri Orlov, John Michael Greer, Jay Hanson, and James Lovelock . Though Kunstler rejects the doomer label, he does believe that we are involved in a human system that needs to be severely pruned. He believes that resurrection and redemption are great themes in the human story and that civilization has a few more cycles to go.

[ TRANSCRIPT ]

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_71.mp3
(29 MB | 31:15 mins.)

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is PostPeakLiving.com, offering online courses that prepare you for the post peak oil world. Use “KunstlerCast” as your discount code.

Sweeping Our Bad Decisions Under the Rug

Released: July 16, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler joins host Duncan Crary for a quick KunstlerCast “grunt” to react to the recent death of pop star Michael Jackson. Kunstler thinks Michael Jackson represents many of the bad choices that America made about itself and also its difficulty in telling the truth about it. To read Kunstler’s recent obituary for Jackson, visit http://kunstler.com/blog. The KunstlerCast will return in full next Thursday on July 16.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_Grunt_Jacko.mp3
(2.5 MB | 2:29 mins.)

Art & the Human Form in Our Modern Streetscape

Released: June 25, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler takes a look at various types of public artwork on display in Troy NY, a small American city. Kunstler notes that many public murals in America attempt to put a human face in places where people are noticeably absent. He notices that 20th century commercial advertisements painted on building exteriors exhibit more skill than most 21st century “art.” He analyzes a painted steel, corporate sculpture that adorns the public face of glass box corporate building. He also discusses the role that formal statues play in adorning public squares.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_70.mp3
(23 MB | 24:35 mins.)

Photographs Discussed on this Episode

Click on images to enlarge

“Charlie Chaplin”, Up Your Alley, Troy, NY

“Marilyn Monroe”, Up Your Alley, Troy NY.

20th Century Commercial Ad, Troy NY

Corporate Art, Troy, NY

Vietnam Memorial, Troy, NY

Art As A Neurotic Response to Deactivated Cities

Released: June 18, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler discusses public art in our cities and towns. Modern public art often lacks artistry and is an ironic representation of our 21st century junk empire. But Kunstler says we don’t need any more irony. We need a dignified public realm. Instead of engaging amateurs and children to splash paint on the blank walls of publicly facing buildings, we need to stop creating blank walls in the first place. Even the skilled work of professional muralists often results in little more than a neurotic attempt to give our deactivated streets the appearance of life, when the real problem is that our streets are dead. Kunstler relates these issues to Potemkin villages, trips to Disneyland and do-it-yourself home improvement kits.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_69.mp3
(22 MB | 23:45 mins.)

Photographs Discussed on this Episode

Click on images to enlarge

 
Tear Catcher (left) | Seeds of the Universe (right)

Erosion (left) | Of da Vinci (right)

 
Of da Vinci (left) | Erosion (right)

Mural in Tosca Alley

Painted Fence

Mural at City Hall

Up Your Alley Mural of Troy

The Residue of Pre-industrial Artistry and Craft

Released: June 11, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler addresses some issues regarding historic preservation. Kunstler supports historic preservation, because adaptive reuse is part of what makes the great European cities so rewarding to be in. According to Kunstler, the historic preservation movement really ramped up in the U.S. after the destruction of Penn Station in New York City. At times the historic preservation movement has gotten hysterical to save any scrap of anything built before WWII. But Kunstler believes that hysteria is understandable when one considers that modern Americans do not create buildings that are as good as the old buildings we are losing. Other topics include facade preservation, cheap cladding, a return of traditional building materials, passive heating, cooling and energy conservation.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_68.mp3
(25 MB | 26:42 mins.)

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is PostPeakLiving.com, offering online courses that prepare you for the post peak oil world.

Google Street Views of Buildings Discussed in this Podcast

Proctor’s Troy, NY

(1:22 mins)

View Larger Map

Wellington Row, Albany, NY

(7:12 mins)

View Larger Map

Elk Street, Albany NY

(10:41 mins)

View Larger Map

Planning for Peak Oil

Released: June 4, 2009.

New Urbanist Planner and Author Jaime Correa speaks about urban planning in the peak oil era. KunstlerCast Host Duncan Crary recorded Correa’s talk on May 28 at the Albany Roundtable in Albany, N.Y. Correa speaks about how the end of cheap oil will affect communities in the future. He describes his peak oil action plan, which he calls The 40 Percent Plan. As urban communities begin to contract in the future, Correa has some ideas about what people need to do to successfully prepare for the future. James Howard Kunstler introduces Correa and chats with Crary about the role that Correa has played in the New Urbanism. Kunstler also responds to a question posed to him by Correa about his preparations for peak oil.

Note: Curse words and adult language occur at 27:30, 27:37 and 30:17

Websites: The Correa Report (Jaime’s blog) | Correa And Associates | Albany Roundtable

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_67.mp3
(36.2 MB | 39:21 mins.)

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is PostPeakLiving.com, offering online courses that prepare you for the post peak oil world.

Google Street Views of the Motor City

Released: May, 21, 2009.

At the suggestion of a listener caller, James Howard Kunstler gives a virtual walking tour of Detroit, Michigan using Google Street View. Google Street View is an interactive photographic map that allows users to view photographs of streets and buildings in many cities throughout the world. Users can follow along with this program using the embedded Google Street View windows below. During this “walking” tour, Kunstler examines the Michigan Central Depot Train Station, Tiger Stadium, the Renaissance Center, the People Mover, The Joe Louis Arena (aka the Aztec Maw of Death), The Grand Circus, the Fillmore and Fox theaters, and the Detroit waterfront.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_65.mp3
(36.5 MB | 39:47 mins.)

Destination 1: Michigan Central Station, 2198 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI

View Larger Map

Instructions:

Look south for train station.

Head east on Michigan Ave.

(at Rosa Parks Blvd. there is a glitch. Switch to next viewing window)

Destination 1 (cont.): Michigan Ave to Tiger Stadium

View Larger Map

Instructions:

Continue east on Michigan Ave. to Tiger Stadium at 1676 Michigan Ave.

Continue east for a few clicks.

Destination 2: The Renaissance Center, 378 Beaubien St., Detroit, MI

View Larger Map

Instructions:

Look south for Renaissance Center

Look north for People Mover

Head north on Beaubien St. to E. Jefferson Ave.

Head west on E. Jefferson Ave.

Google Street glitch. Switch viewing window to continue west on E. Jefferson Ave.

Destination 2 (cont.): East Jefferson Ave.

View Larger Map

Instructions:

Continue West on E. Jefferson St.

Destination 3: Joe Louis Arena, 678 CIvic Center Drive, Detroit, MI

View Larger Map

Instructions:

Head east on Civic Center Drive

At 546 Civic Center Drive, look at entrance to arena to north, river is to south.

Destination 4: The Grand Circus, 1556 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI

View Larger Map

Instructions:

Head north on Woodward Ave. (Grand Circus begins at 1588)

Note: Church at 2000 Woodward Ave.

Staduim to right at 2048 Woodward Ave.

Fillmore Theater on left at 2122 Woodward Ave.

Fox Theater on left at 2244 Woodward Ave.

Destination 5: Riverfront, 392 Atwater St., Detroit, MI

View Larger Map

Instructions:
Turn north to see backside of Renasaince Center and promonade.

Head east up Atwater St.

Parking deck at 484 Atwater St.

Surface parking at 626 Atwater St.

Cab drivers at 724 Atwater St.

Sponsor:

Support for this program comes from Audible. For a free audiobook download and 14-day trial, visit: www.audiblepodcast.com/kunstler

Downsizing Big Cities & Urban Agriculture

Released: May 14, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler talks about two former industrial cities undergoing massive contractions: Flint, Michigan and Youngstown, Ohio . The local governments in both cities have adopted policies to manage the contraction to reduce public safety issues caused by large abandoned areas within their borders. Kunstler then responds to a listener call from suburban Chicago about the prospects of farming in the post-cheap oil suburbs. The conversation then turns to the future of former city farms.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_64.mp3
(24 MB | 25:59 mins.)

Sponsor:

Sponsorship for this podcast comes from the Congress for the New Urbanism, the nation’s leading forum dedicated to advancing urbanism and promoting alternatives to sprawl. CNU’s 17th annual Congress will be in Denver, June 10-14. For information and to register, visit: www.cnu.org.

Additional support for this program comes from Audible. For a free audiobook download, visit: www.audiblepodcast.com/kunstler

JHK Examines the Top 10 Rail Corridors in the US

Released: May 7, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler responds to a listener call about the 10 “high speed” rail corridors the Obama administration is seeking to restore in the U.S. The phrase high-speed rail is a little misleading, though, because what Obama is looking to do with rail in this country is actually just bring it back up to “Bulgarian” standards. These passenger rail upgrades and restorations will service trains that travel around 100 miles per hour, not nearly as fast as the high speed trains in Europe or Japan.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_63.mp3
(23 MB | 25:06 mins.)

Sponsor:

Sponsorship for this podcast comes from the Congress for the New Urbanism, the nation’s leading forum dedicated to advancing urbanism and promoting alternatives to sprawl. CNU’s 17th annual Congress will be in Denver, June 10-14. For information and to register, visit: www.cnu.org.

Are Some of JHK’s Predictions Coming True?

Released: April 30, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler talks about the recent outbreak of swine flu and the increased attention to modern-day pirates. Several bloggers have noted some similarities between current headlines and the scenario in Kunstler’s novel, World Made By Hand, in which a severe economic downturn is followed by a deadly Mexican flu epidemic. A few years ago, Kunstler took some heat from critics for his chapter in The Long Emergency that addressed the potential threat of Asian pirates in the Pacific Northwest. Now that piracy is in the news, some people are going “hmmmm.” The show closes with a listener call responding to the KunstlerCast about bad behavior and urban policing.

*Note: Jim swears at 20:42, while immitating a pirate’s parrot.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_62.mp3
(21 MB | 25:03 mins.)

Sponsor:

Sponsorship for this podcast comes from the Congress for the New Urbanism, the nation’s leading forum dedicated to advancing urbanism and promoting alternatives to sprawl. CNU’s 17th annual Congress will be in Denver, June 10-14. For information and to register, visit: www.cnu.org.

Planes, Trains, Boats, Bicycles and Telecommuting

Released: April 23, 2009.

Host Duncan Crary has been taking James Howard Kunstler’s ideas about water transport seriously. This Spring, Duncan is bringing back passenger riverboat commuting service to the Hudson River in Albany. On May 13, Duncan is hosting a day where people can commute to and from work on board the Dutch Apple between the cities of Albany and Troy NY. Kunstler talks with Duncan about this project. People take ferries to work every day in other regions and it’s a rewarding experience that can be replicated. On the topic of alternative commuting, Kunstler addresses the notion that telecommuting will solve our impending energy woes. Kunstler doesn’t think that telecommuting will save us, but a combination of alternative commuting that includes some telecommuting might help.

To learn more about Duncan’s commuter cruise, visit: DuncanCrary.com/DutchApple

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_61.mp3
(18 MB | 20:21 mins.)

Sponsor:

Sponsorship for this podcast comes from the Congress for the New Urbanism, the nation’s leading forum dedicated to advancing urbanism and promoting alternatives to sprawl. CNU’s 17th annual Congress will be in Denver, June 10-14. For information and to register, visit: www.cnu.org.

Additional support for this program comes from Audible. For a free audiobook download, visit: www.audiblepodcast.com/kunstler

The Broken Window Theory, Car Cops and Rising Tensions in Tough Times

Released: April 16, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler often advocates for a return to urban living arrangements. But urban living often bring residents into close proximity to bad behavior. The situation can be especially frightening when people inhabit cities that aren’t fully repopulated yet. Suburban style “car cop” policing causes additional problems because car culture can foster bad behavior from the police themselves. Kunstler believes that police on foot and horse would lead to more productive policing and would also allow citizens to police the police. Later Kunstler speaks about the “Broken Window Theory.” Host Duncan Crary asks Kunstler about the obligation of citizens to address and correct bad behavior when they encounter it. In his response, Kunstler touches upon the underlying racial issues that are sometimes present in these situations. Finally, Kunstler muses on the future of community policing after insolvent municipalities can no longer afford to pay for overwhelming vehicular policing styles. A listener caller from Portland, Maine ends the show with thoughts on “driving” bicycles on the street.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_60.mp3
(28 MB | 34:54 mins.)

Sponsor:

Sponsorship for this podcast comes from the Congress for the New Urbanism, the nation’s leading forum dedicated to advancing urbanism and promoting alternatives to sprawl. CNU’s 17th annual Congress will be in Denver, June 10-14. For information and to register, visit: www.cnu.org.

Bicycle Commuting, Transportation & NYC’s Broadway Pedestrian-Bicycle Project.

Released: April 9, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler responds to a listener who doesn’t understand why Jim sounds kind of down on bicycle transportation. Kunstler clarifies his position on bicycles — he’s a big supporter of bicycle use, but he doesn’t know if Americans will support bicycle projects with so many highways and bridges in disrepair. While places like Amsterdam have excellent bicycle facilities that are integrated into their urban fabric, Kunstler believes the most successful bicycle facilities in the U.S. are separate from the street pattern. He also warns of overly ambitious, high tech plans regarding bicycle trail projects. Lastly he discusses New York City’s recent plans to turn a portion of Broadway into a bicycle/pedestrian way and the bicycle sharing program in Paris. A listener call from a former student of Frank Lloyd Wright defends and clarifies Wright’s feelings about cities.

Sponsor:

Sponsorship for this podcast comes from the Congress for the New Urbanism, the nation’s leading forum dedicated to advancing urbanism and promoting alternatives to sprawl. CNU’s 17th annual Congress will be in Denver, June 10-14. For information and to register, visit: www.cnu.org.
Additional support for this program comes from Audible. For a free audiobook download, visit: www.audiblepodcast.com/kunstler

Kunstler Reports on His Recent Trip to Johannesburg

Released: April 2, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler reports on two recent trips he took. First he talks about his appearance at the annual Aspen Institute Environmental Forum, where talk of alternative fuel, and other ways to keep our happy motoring scene running, dominated the talks about peak oil. For the remainder of this program Kunstler reports on his recent trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he inspected a 35-acre new urbanist neighborhood project. Kunstler describes his urban planning and cultural observations of this region of the world.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_58.mp3
(35 MB | 35:48 mins.)

Melrose Arch, a brave new urbanist experiment in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Listeners React to Previous Podcasts

Released: March 26, 2009.

In this short podcast, James Howard Kunstler returns briefly to the topic of New Orleans. This time he discusses the future of the Port of New Orleans. In the second half of this program, we hear from listeners around the country. One listener from New Orleans doesn’t think Jim gave her city a fair shake. She says New Orleans is everything new urbanists want in a community — street cars, walkable streets and places worth caring about — except it’s old urbanism, not new urbanism. Other listeners respond to the virtual tour of Paris, healthcare and population decline, Jim and Duncan’s encounter with the Mayor of Troy, finding meaningful work in the new economy and the recent space shuttle blast off.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_57.mp3
( 11 MB | 11:56 mins.)

JHK Gives a Walking tour of Paris using Google Street View

Released: March 19, 2009.

At the suggestion of a listener caller, James Howard Kunstler gives a virtual walking tour of Paris, France using Google Street View. Google Street View is an interactive photographic map that allows users to view photographs of streets and buildings in many cities throughout the world. Users can follow along with this program using the embedded Google Street View windows below. This installment of the KunstlerCast is sponsored by Audible.com. KunstlerCast listeners can receive a free audio book dowload by visiting: audiblepodcast.com/kunstler (restrictions may apply outside the U.S. and Canada).

Direct Download:

KunstlerCast_56.mp3

(42 MB | 45:14 mins.)

Promonet Music:

Discuss this episode

Destination 1: 20 Rue Lepic, Paris, IDF, France

Note: Use the window below during 3:37 to 15:54 on the podcast. Head up the hill.

Google Maps Link

View Larger Map

Destination 2: 21 Avenue Kleber, Paris, IDF, France

Note: Use the window below during 15:55 to 32:23 on the podcast. Move up and down the street, looking at the buildings on the sides.

Google Maps Link

View Larger Map

Destination 3: Rue Lacépède / Place de la Contrescarpe, Paris, IDF, France

Note: Use the window below during 32:34 to 34:33 of the podcast.

Google Maps Link

View Larger Map

Destination 4: Place Jacques Rueff, Paris, IDF, France

Note: Use the window below during 35:47 to 40:33 of the podcast. Look into the park. (The Eiffel Tower is behind you.) Travel North to Avenue Joseph Bouvard to see more of the park.

Google Maps Link

View Larger Map

Rickshaws, and Other Ways to Make a Buck

Released: March 12, 2009.

At the suggestion of a listener, James Howard Kunstler muses on the future of animal powered transportation in the future. He briefly describes the systems required to maintain a horse-drawn transportation system. The conversation leads to a discussion about finding meaningful work in the new economy. Kunstler believes that as the old economy dwindles, there will be many opportunities for local entrepreneurs to create useful work in their communities. The discussion also covers the struggling media industry and new opportunities for weekly community publications. Kunstler talks about his local print newsletter project, Civitas. Host Duncan Crary asks Kunstler if the urban planning profession may receive a boom with the new economic stimulus and a renewed focus on reactivating forlorn downtowns. Kunstler thinks urban planning will be reinserted into American culture less formally than it was in the past. The show closes with a listener comment from an architect who was laid off and found a creative way to work for himself.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_55.mp3
( 29 MB | 31:11 mins.)

Abandoned subdivisions and population decline

Released: March, 5 2009.

James Howard Kunstler explores the topic of building traditional town centers in suburbia, where town centers are typically absent. Though it may be possible to retrofit the suburbs, Kunstler doesn’t believe that Americans will have the money to remake some of the worst suburbs into more traditional, mixed-use neighborhoods ? even if they wanted to in the first place. As more and more suburbanites find themselves unemployed, some of the more isolated housing subdivisions are simply being abandoned. In the second half of this podcast Kunstler explores the topic of future population decline in the United States. Kunstler believes that Americans will face enormous problems producing food for its population as financial problems make agribusiness increasingly expensive. Moreover, suburbia has destroyed much of America’s agricultural land, which most people wouldn’t know how to farm anyway.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_54.mp3
( 27 MB | 29:32 mins.)

Anti-Social, Despotic, Architecture

Released: Feb. 26, 2009.

A listener asks James Howard Kunstler to react to the Feb. 9 fire that destroyed a Beijing building by Dutch starchitect Rem Koolhaas. Kunstler believes many famous architects, including Koolhaas, often strive to confound people in order to appear supernaturally brilliant. It’s all in the service of grandiosity and narcissism, though. Rather than attempting to disturb our expectations, architects should strive to give us buildings that are neurologically comprehensible and that satisfy our need for cultural orientation. Kunstler also takes shots at a proposed skyscraper in Boston and the Southern Poverty Law Center. **Tim Halber, managing editor of Planetizen, responds in a listener comment to Duncan’s recent comments about the failures of new urbanism.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_53.mp3
( 29 MB | 31:34 mins.)

Rem Koolhaas CCTV building in Beijing,
photo by Iamdavidtheking.

Cultural Programming and the Patina of Decay

Released: Feb. 19, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler discusses the issue of rebuilding New Orleans after hurricane Katrina. Legal disputes, government inefficiency and suburban mindsets have stood in the way of constructing traditional neighborhoods in New Orleans. While the charming urban fabric of the French Quarter and the Garden District still remains, Kunstler believes that New Orleans is likely to be a much smaller city than it was in the 20th century. Much of the cultural programming that emerged in the poorer neighborhoods of New Orleans may not return. Ultimately, the realities of climate and weather may determine the fate of the Crescent City. **To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the KunstlerCast, host Duncan Crary joins the band Deer Tick for a live concert. Deer Tick performs the theme song for the KunstlerCast.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_52.mp3
( 22 MB | 23:45 mins.)

The Future of New Urbanism is Urbanism

Released: Feb. 12, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler is back from a visit to the American South. He reports on two New Urbanist developments outside of Montgomery, Alabama. In many ways Kunstler believes that the new urbanist model of building 400 acre “traditional neighborhoods” out in the green fields of suburbia is over. He explains the relationship between new urbanism, suburbanism and just plain old urbanism. Kunstler’s journey also took him to revisit Seaside, Florida, one of the most famous new urbanist projects produced by Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk. Many people criticize Seaside for being elite and artificial. But Kunstler says Seaside will probably feel more authentic as it ages naturally.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_51.mp3
( 29 MB | 31:39 mins.)

In this movie still from The Truman Show, Jim Carey is shown walking in Seaside, Florida. Source: Jim Carrey Online

Goodbye Vinyl Siding, Hello Mr. Repair Man

Released: January 29, 2009.

Many everyday items in our lives are made from petroleum byproducts like plastic. But James Howard Kunstler believes that the rising costs of petroleum will change our relationship to plastic products. In the future, people might actually start repairing items rather than just throwing them away. While on the topic of plastic, Kunstler takes on one of the staples of suburban life: vinyl siding. In particular, he explains why vinyl siding sucks so much.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_49.mp3
( 15 MB | 16:19 mins.)

Fossil Fuels and Our Built Environment

Released: January 22, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler tells the story of how he came to learn about peak oil while writing about suburban sprawl. Topics include The Yom Kippur War, The Hubbert’s Curve, the New Urbanists and the strong relationship between suburban sprawl and diminishing supplies of cheap fossil fuel. Kunstler explains the chronology and relationship between all four of his nonfiction books.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_48.mp3
( 27 MB | 29:32 mins.)

How the Suburbs Were Loaned into Existence

Released: January 15, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler believes the credit orgy that was the background and basis for our era is over. It will become increasingly harder to lend money into existence and Americans will probably have to pay as they go with what they have. Kunstler explores the historical relationship between credit and the creation of suburbia. But he does not know how our current credit problems will stimulate people to change the physical arrangements of their lives. He assumes, however, that Americans will be dragged kicking and screaming from the happy motoring commuter experience.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_47.mp3
( 22 MB | 27:28 mins.)

A Credit Card.
(Creative Commons photo by The Consumerist)
Promo music featured in this episode courtesy of IODA Promonet:

This Will Destroy You
“Threads” (mp3)
from “S/T”
(Magic Bullet)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

The Campaign to Sustain the Unsustainable

Released: Jan 8, 2009

A listener caller asks James Howard Kunstler about President-elect Barack Obama’s massive proposed stimulus package, which will probably be used to rebuild America’s highways. Along with the auto industry bailout, Kunstler thinks this major proposed investment in our highway infrastructure may be a last ditch effort to sustain the unsustainable. Americans have invested so much of their wealth and identity into their happy motoring suburban commuter system for daily life that they cannot imagine letting go of it or even substantially reforming it. Kunstler also talks about passenger rail, light rail and streetcars. He also strays into the thickets of futurology to talk about 21 century trans oceanic zeppelins. A listener caller ends the program with his thoughts on efforts to create local currencies, such as the Berkshares in the Berkshire region of Massachusetts.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_46.mp3
( 17 MB | 22:00 mins.)

Promo music featured in this episode courtesy of IODA Promonet:

Opotopo
“Belama” (mp3)
from “Highlife Time”
(Vampi Soul / Light In The Attic)

More On This Album

Duncan Answers Questions about Podcast

Released: Jan 1, 2009

In this abbreviated edition, James Howard Kunstler shares his New Year’s resolutions for 2009. He also sets some personal goals for finishing the sequel to his post oil novel, World Made by Hand, and gives some details on what that book will be about. For the rest of this short show Duncan answers some listener questions about the podcast.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_45.mp3
( 7.5 MB | 9:05 mins.)

Promo music featured in this episode courtesy of IODA Promonet:
Hauschka
“Freibad” (mp3)
from “Ferndorf”
(Fat Cat Records)

More On This Album

Remembering Y2K

Released: Dec. 25, 2008

Every year James Howard Kunstler publishes his annual forecast on his popular blog. For this installment of the KunstlerCast, Jim gives us a sneak preview of some of his predictions for 2009. Topics in this show include: phony baloney money, new economies, home deliveries, oil shortages and price increases. Kunstler also talks about his 1999 predictions and thoughts about Y2K.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_44.mp3
( 21 MB | 26:23 mins.)

Promo music featured in this episode courtesy of IODA Promonet:

Opotopo
“Belama” (mp3)
from “Highlife Time”
(Vampi Soul / Light In The Attic)

More On This Album

Empty Spaces in the Streetscape

Released: Dec. 18, 2008

James Howard Kunstler explains the negative effects that empty building lots have on the urban streetscape. These empty spaces or “missing teeth” are dead zones that are repellent to pedestrians. But, at the moment, our car crazy society prefers to keep those dead zones for surface parking rather than to infill them with good urban buildings. During the second half of the program Kunstler speaks face-to-face with Troy, N.Y. Mayor Harry Tutunjian about what to do with the empty space that will be left behind after the city demolishes its current City Hall. Plans for the soon-to-be empty lot include an underground parking garage with grass on top. The mayor says that the lawn will allow access to the Hudson River and provide scenic views of the river from Broadway. Kunstler argues that the building lot should be completely occupied by a good urban building, like a new city hall.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_43.mp3
( 35 MB | 38 mins.)

Note: Use Google Street View to view City Hall and Monument Square in Troy NY. Use the cursor to examine this outdoor public room:

View Larger Map

Promo music featured in this episode courtesy of IODA Promonet:

Hauschka
“Freibad” (mp3)
from “Ferndorf”
(Fat Cat Records)

More On This Album

More info about the KunstlerCast theme music

19th Century Urbanism in 2008

Released: Dec. 11, 2008

James Howard Kunstler joins host Duncan Crary for the Victorian Stroll in downtown Troy, NY. During this annual event, the city evicts the automobile from the streets and 21st century people discover how pleasurable it is to explore this 19th century urban fabric on foot. Kunstler believes events like this are rehearsal for the times ahead when Americans will be forced to re-inhabit their small cities and classic main-street towns.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_42.mp3
( 37 MB | 42 mins.)

View Larger Map

Note: You can change the camera view by grabbing the image with your mouse.
Start: 38 2nd St. Troy NY 12180

>>Head left (north)

>>Turn Right (northeast) onto River St.

>>Turn Right (south) onto 3rd St.

>>Continue (south) to State St.

>>Turn Right (west) on State St.

End

Points of interest from the show:

Market Block Books (corner of River Street and 3rd St.)

Frear’s Cash Bazaar/Uncle Sam Atrium (3rd St. across the street from Market Block Books)

Church with Louis Comfort Tiffany interior (3rd St. & State St)

Promo music featured in this episode courtesy of IODA Promonet:

Max Richter
“Berlin By Overnight” (mp3)
from “24 Postcards In Full Colour”
(Fat Cat Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

More info about the KunstlerCast theme music

Community ownership and the diminishing role of government?

Released Dec. 4, 2008.

James Howard Kunstler says the notion that Americans have a long tradition of being able to do whatever they want with their land is a fallacy. This false notion is really just the result of a propaganda campaign by the promoters of suburban sprawl and the real estate industry. In reality, there is a whole corpus of responsibilities, obligations and duties that come with land ownership in America that simply can’t be ignored. Kunstler compares American attitudes toward community ownership with those in Europe.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_41.mp3
( 25 MB | 27:08 mins.)

Photo courtesy of http://www.satanslaundromat.com/sl

Promo music featured in this episode courtesy of IODA Promonet:

Opotopo
“Belama” (mp3)
from “Highlife Time”
(Vampi Soul / Light In The Attic)

More On This Album

More info about the KunstlerCast theme music

Discuss this episode

The Future of North American Shipping

Released: Nov. 20, 2008.

James Howard Kunstler responds to a listener question about the future of water transportation in North America. There is a fabulous inland waterway system in North America that is going to become very important again. But, if we want to remain serious about trade in this country we are going to have to rebuild the infrastructure for water and rail transportation. All of those waterfronts where we’ve been building theme parks, condominium clusters and picnic grounds in recent times will have to make room for the warehouses, piers and sleazy accommodations for the sailors that are required by water transit.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_39.mp3
( 20 MB | 22:08 mins.)

Promo music featured in this episode courtesy of IODA Promonet:

Max Richter
“Berlin By Overnight” (mp3)
from “24 Postcards In Full Colour”
(Fat Cat Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

More info about the KunstlerCast theme music

JHK Reacts to the Election of Barack Obama

Released: Nov. 13, 2008

James Howard Kunstler shares his feelings about President-elect Barack Obama. For now Jim is hopeful that Mr. Obama can set a good example for decent behavior as he takes the helm of a functionally bankrupt government. In order to reform the systems of daily life that have to be fixed, it’s important that Obama tells the truth to American people. Jim also addresses the high speed rail bond that passed in California. Lastly, a listener in Japan predicts how the Japanese will face The Long Emergency.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_38.mp3
( 20 MB | 22:00 mins.)

Promo music featured in this episode courtesy of IODA Promonet:

Hauschka
“Freibad” (mp3)
from “Ferndorf”
(Fat Cat Records)

More On This Album

More info about the KunstlerCast theme music

The Increasing Irrelevance of our Two Political Parties

Released: Oct. 30, 2008

James Howard Kunstler muses on the increasing irrelevance of the two political parties in America. Neither party seems to be truly facing our energy predicament and the coming obsolescence of suburbia. Yet this is with the complete connivance of the voting public, which is too heavily invested in the status quo.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_37.mp3
( 16 MB | 20:00 mins.)

Promo music featured in this episode courtesy of iodaPromonet:

Max Richter
“Berlin By Overnight” (mp3)
from “24 Postcards In Full Colour”
(Fat Cat Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

More info about the KunstlerCast theme music

The Story of Sprawl DVD Commentary

Released: Oct. 23, 2008.

In this special video podcast edition of the KunstlerCast you can watch and listen to the second half of a commentary track that James Howard Kunstler and Duncan Crary recorded for a soon-to-be-released DVD called The Story of Sprawl. The DVD is being produced by Planetizen.com. Kunstler and Crary comment on The City a 1939 film with a narrative written by the great 20th century generalist Lewis Mumford. In part 2 of the film Mumford pitches the idea for “green cities,” but these green cities look an awful lot like suburbia.

Direct Downloads:

Video: KunstlerCast_36_Video.m4v

( 100 MB | 20:00 mins.) *Link fixed 10/25/08

Watch The City (1939) Part 2 – Without commentary