"Degrowth is happening whether we like it or not" - Michel Stasse
In the 'Tasmanian Perspectives’ series, PGAP host Michael Bayliss travels around the Apple Isle to interview Post-Growth mainlanders who have resettled in Tasmania and to discuss their reasons why.
In this episode, I travel to the Huon Valley to meet with Michel Stasse, long-time Degrowth advocate, founder of the 'Damn The Matrix' blog and DIO superhero who self-built an impressive self-sufficient, off-grid eco home in the Huon Valley.
Mike kindly took some time aside for giving me a tour of his home where the on-site interview took place and discussed with me his reasons for moving from Queensland to Tasmania. We then discuss his life journey towards understanding limits to growth, standing for politics in Queensland, to his current advocacy for Degrowth and his reasons why electric cars and the green new deal won’t save us.
I interviewed Mike in February on a hot day for Tasmania - mid 30s - and the day in which Australia endured the Facebook kerfuffle, including the removal of content from Australian activist groups and organisations. As such, there was a whiff of apocalypse already in the air, and during the interview Mike certainly doesn't mince words as he takes us somewhere down the deep end. So a 'health warning’ for anyone expecting a utopian outlook for this episode.
Also a slight 'sound warning’ - the episode was recording on site in a dynamic living environment so there is the occasional background sound during the interview. The intro and outro are recorded in my current house-sit in Adelaide, which is right near a main road and right near an operational quarry. So there is the occasional background traffic rumble. Some may call it unfortunate recording conditions - I prefer to call it 'character.' Anyone listening who would prefer pristine recording conditions is always more than welcome to buy me a house somewhere nice ANYTIME.
Did this episode scratch the surface leaving you wanting more? Want to find out more about Mike Stasse or Professor Ian Lowe, who is mentioned in my discussions with Mike and who I include an interview excerpt at the start of the episode? Well I'm glad you asked!
The blog 'Damn The Matrix’ can be found here
Michel discusses peak oil (and other fun things!) on YouTube here
I interviewed Professor Ian Lowe as part of Sustainable Population Australia's 'meet our patrons' video series that can be found on the YouTube channel here. Excerpts from that interview were played at the start of this episode. More information on Ian Lowe can be found on the SPA website here.
Also....if you liked the music track of choice Epi-Primate, I am relived that the band Heytesburg still have a presence on BandCamp here, even though they are on indefinite hiatus. I can't believe this track is almost a decade old now.
Special Guest: Michael Stasse.
Mini Episode: Alex Baumann on Public Housing and Degrowth
Season Finale: Going deep into Deep Ecology with John Seed
BONUS EPISODE: Sustainable Population Australia says NO to a Big Australia
Finding The Money with Maren Poitras
Debunking Green Growth with Timothée Parrique
Conversation with Noongar Menang Educator and Storyteller Larry Blight
PGAP live at the NENA conference: Life After Capitalism
Jon Doust on education, The Voice, the art of losing and much more
Mark Diesendorf and the Path to a Sustainable Civilisation
Planning for a Just Collapse with Kate Booth
Let’s Get Crazy with Rob Dietz from Crazy Town Podcast
Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Population Media Center with Bill Ryerson
Housing Crisis?? What Housing Crisis!!
MMT for Activism with Gabrielle Bond
A Tribute to Community Groups fighting Big Overdevelopment in WA.
EarthCare Permaculture Ghana
Solving climate change through ethical investment - with James Regulinski from Carbon Collective
Women for Conservation with Isabella Cortes Lara
Fuzzy Logic on a Fragile Planet with Rod Taylor
Organic, Regenerative & Carbon Negative: Oranje Tractor Winery with Murray Gomm
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West
Just Dumb Enough Podcast
Voices of Misery Podcast
House of Whimsical Terror
Stuff You Should Know
Timcast IRL