139 episodes

Apprehensive about the future? Like many, you likely have a gut feeling that things aren't quite right, but haven’t been able to place your finger on why. That feeling only grows with the increasing political tensions, economic uncertainty, natural disasters, and supply chain disruptions. What do all these challenges mean? And what will be the result of society’s current trajectory? “Breaking Down: Collapse” takes the complex concepts surrounding the ultimate collapse of modern industrial society and simplifies them so they’re easier to learn. The compelling evidence for our inevitable decline is introduced by collapse-aware Kory to his good friend, Kellan, who probably doesn’t realize what he signed up for! Skeptical? Gear up for a paradigm shift!

Breaking Down: Collapse Kory & Kellan

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.7 • 235 Ratings

Apprehensive about the future? Like many, you likely have a gut feeling that things aren't quite right, but haven’t been able to place your finger on why. That feeling only grows with the increasing political tensions, economic uncertainty, natural disasters, and supply chain disruptions. What do all these challenges mean? And what will be the result of society’s current trajectory? “Breaking Down: Collapse” takes the complex concepts surrounding the ultimate collapse of modern industrial society and simplifies them so they’re easier to learn. The compelling evidence for our inevitable decline is introduced by collapse-aware Kory to his good friend, Kellan, who probably doesn’t realize what he signed up for! Skeptical? Gear up for a paradigm shift!

    Episode 1: Introducing Collapse

    Episode 1: Introducing Collapse

    What is collapse? This episode introduces the topic of the podcast, establishing a foundation for the conversation moving forward. 
    Is it a conspiracy? Is it a certainity, or are we talking about a one-off chance? Will it happen during our life time? These questions and more answered in this episode.
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    • 32 min
    Episode 2: Complex Society

    Episode 2: Complex Society

    The complex state of our society makes us especially vulnerable to collapse. As a result of building this system, we each rely on it to keep us alive and have therefore lost our independence.

    In this episode we answer the question of what it means to be complex, and why it is so dangerous.

    Timeline of Human Technological Advancement
    What Makes a Society Complex?
    Diminishing Returns of Technological Advancement
    EMP Report (EMP Commission)
    Coronavirus and the Supply Chain
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    • 34 min
    Episode 3: The Energy Crisis

    Episode 3: The Energy Crisis

    Energy fuels our lives. So why have we risked so much by devouring energy that can't be replaced and is unsustainable? Every wildfire hits a peak where it burns at maximum heat and covers the largest area, before it dies down due to insufficient fuel sources. Our society, also at its peak, must eventually face the same decline.

    Learn More:

    Energy Slave - Comic
    Energy Slaves
    A Short History of Energy
    Energy and Human Evolution
    What is Oil Used For?
    Jevon's Paradox
    Why Renewables Can't Save the Planet
    EROEI
    Peak Oil



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    • 38 min
    Episode 4: Overshoot & Limits to Growth

    Episode 4: Overshoot & Limits to Growth

    In this episode we discuss the concept of overshoot, and the consequences it has on society and our ecosystem. We also discuss the book Limits to Growth, which is based around computer modeling done at MIT to discover the fate of our society in the next 50 years. 

    Learn More:

    Limits to Growth PDF


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    • 58 min
    Episode 5: Catabolic Collapse

    Episode 5: Catabolic Collapse

    In this episode we discuss one of the mechanisms by which societal collapse happens over time, and what it looks like for every-day people.

    Sources:

    How Civilizations Fall: A Theory of Catabolic Collapse - John Michael Greer
    Dark Age America - John Michael Greer

    GDP Growth
    Infrastructure Report Card





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    • 41 min
    Episode 6: The Financial System

    Episode 6: The Financial System

    The massive social experiment that is our financial system is truly understood by few. This episode details how we are practically victims of history's largest Ponzi scheme. How long will the con last?

    Learn More:
    The Crash Course (Full Course)
    The Crash Course (Short Version)
    Fractional Reserve Banking
    How does the Federal Reserve create money?
    Money in Circulation
    US Debt Clock
    Zimbabwe Hyperinflation



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    • 51 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
235 Ratings

235 Ratings

MichianaMan ,

Cathartic collapse discussion

These guys are very informed and present an intelligent discussion about the inevitability of humanity’s demise that we’ve caused. I have personally recommended this podcast to a few in my life that are open to the idea because we’re all seeing the writing on the walls.

dareelForestG ,

Contrived

The faux student / teacher structure made this a hard listen for me. As far as the actual content is concerned it's pretty good provided you view global warming, Q, and Russia as existential threats to humanity.

Souldiva23 ,

Rap Up The Greed

Patreon has 3 separate levels with 3 different episodes. You’re not ending Breaking Down Collapse. You both just moved it unofficially to Patreon and you’re charging $5 for every episode that would’ve been available here for free and the other 2 which have always been bonus for extra charges ending at $20. Y’all have gotten greedy and it is exceptionally disappointing. You're gatekeeping the knowledge that which you once claimed you started the podcast for. I could tell something was up over the last 2 episodes prior to the rap up by your tones and the incessant reminders that you both want to quit your day jobs in the countless past episodes so I wasn’t at all surprised with the “Rap up” as you both put it. You’re trying to force people’s hands. Might want to at least sound like you’re passionate about what you talk about again if you want to charge for it. Sorry to be rude, but it’s ridiculous.

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