KunstlerCast - Conversations: Converging Catastrophes of the 21st Century
James Howard Kunstler, author of The Geography of Nowhere, The Long Emergency, and World Made By Hand, takes on the converging catastrophes of the 21st century. Features a new guest each episode. (Note: Episodes 1 - 214 featured conversations between Duncan Crary and JHK during the years 2008 through 2012 and focused on the topics of suburban sprawl, disposable architecture and the end of the cheap oil era.)

A listener from Flagstaff, Ariz. wants to know what fate awaits his town in the post oil future. The verdict from Jim? At least it's not Phoenix, but most of Flagstaff looks like the service road around Newark Airport. The caller also asks about the new Honda hydrogen fuel cell car, which reminds Jim to bash so-called environmentalist Amory Lovins' fantasy to keep the motoring scene going at all costs.

(Info about program and theme music at KunstlerCast.com)

Direct Download (7 MB):
KunstlerCast_07.mp3

Direct download: KunstlerCast_07.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:14am EST

Ya seen one town in America ya seen 'em all. But that's because they're all mandated to look that way! James Howard Kunstler tells the tragic story of zoning codes in the United States. At one time, zoning was a rational response to unpleasant conditions of the newly emerging industrial city. But the fanatical level to which zoning became worshiped by public officials has reduced urban planning from an art form to the mere administration of curb cuts, signage and statistical analysis of traffic flow. *Note to re-broadcasters: curse words at 8:48 mins.

(Info about program and theme music at KunstlerCast.com)

Direct Download (7.1MB):
KunstlerCast_06.mp3

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Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:24pm EST


How and why did Seattle build that hideous new public library? asks one listener from that city. James Howard Kunstler tells us how cities get hoodwinked into a status fashion contest to have a museum or library built by one of the celebrity architects of the day. Rem Koolhass, Frank Gehry, Peter Eisenman and others are deliberately designing these disastrous, anxiety-inducing mothership UFOs in order to mystify people into thinking they're supernaturally brilliant. And then we're stuck with these Gillette Blue Blade-clad fun houses for decades.

(Info about program and theme music at KunstlerCast.com)

Direct Download (7.1 MB):
KunstlerCast_05.mp3
Direct download: KunstlerCast_05.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:49am EST


A listener from Columbus, Ohio shares the bad news about two proposed downtown parking garages. Even though James Howard Kunstler thinks the happy motoring scene in America is on the way out, he explains how to design a better parking garage with first-floor retail, a central lightwell and taller ceilings. The Europeans have a better solution, though: the car club.

(Info about program and theme music at KunstlerCast.com)

Direct Download (6.9MB):
KunstlerCast_04.mp3

Direct download: KunstlerCast_04.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:06am EST