"Economists continue to assume that the only limits to growth are labor, man-made capital, and consumer demand. In fact, the critical limit is ecological."

-- Paul Craig Roberts

Podcast #9 is up. Click here to hear, download and subscribe to this and all our podcasts.

If you happen to be reading this, and are anywhere near Charlemont, Massachusetts this evening (Sat. Feb 7) come on over to the Charlemont Inn (Route 2). We got a last minute booking there, starting at 8:30pm. Apparently a group from the US Navy is skiing this weekend at Berkshire East, and they asked if we'd be able to entertain. The event is open to all. Should be interesting!

Here's a personal take by Tom Tomorrow, the cartoonist who writes "This Modern World" -- you've seen it! -- on the rise and fall (probably) of alt weekly comics: that is, comic strips like Tom's that have appeared primarily in alternative weekly news magazines, those free entertainment guides found in so many cities and towns.

It's interesting because there's a certain formula to the story Tom tells, the rise and fall of a scene, which is almost archetypal. First is the point when the thing doesn't exist and doesn't seem like it even could exist. Then mysterious doors open, and suddenly something magical happens. The people involved treat the thing as their own private marvel, but strive yet to expand their activity to influence the wider culture. Eventually the thing spans out to a broad audience, again almost magically, though it is because the ground work has been laid. But finally, when the magical thing is now practically taken for granted by the entire culture, the rug is pulled out. The circumstances that created the magic moment and the whole chain of events the led to its development are suddenly gone. The spirit moves on. And those responsible for making it all happen feel left holding the bag, and wondering what went wrong.

It's odd, it's sad, but it does seem natural and right somehow. Like such stories shed light on the hidden structure of the universe.

Again, here's the link.

When I first started out playing music, it was 99% imitation and 1% imagination. I tried to sound like my heroes, play their songs, and sing and perform the way I thought they did. Slowly, I tried to discover what I had to say and how I had to say it. I still am.

Thanks to everyone who showed up at the Meekins Library yesterday. We had a lot of fun. It was a day of firsts, including Jordan's first time playing the cajon with us live, and our first time playing with bass player Dan Wallack. I made a recording of the show, which sounds real clean on first inspection. I'll be mixing and mastering that, and possibly using some of that material for the next podcast, so stay tuned.

Podcast Episode 8 is up: http://www.radiofreeearth.com/podcast

We're headed out to play at the Meekins Library in Williamsburg, Ma at 2pm, so if you're in the area this Super Sunday, come on by to hear us. Lots of new stuff for this show: I'll be playing the archtop guitar, Kim's got new kazoos, Jordy's gonna be taking his cajon out for a spin for the first time, and we're joined by our new bass player, Dan Wallack.