This is the first half of our conversation. Substack offers the full episode and the complete archive of Subversive episodes, including exclusive episodes and my writing. You can also subscribe to the podcast sans writing on Patreon for a bit less. This is how the show is financed and grows, so I appreciate every contribution!Please subscribe at:⁠https://www.alexkaschuta.com/⁠https://www.patreon.com/aksubversive/I speak with Adam about the concept of collapse and the various theories surrounding it, the likelihood of nuclear war as a primary cause of collapse, and the adaptability of complex systems. We also touch on the desire for revolution and the disconnect between online narratives and the real world. The conversation delves into the yearning for a different way of life and the challenges of escaping modernity, the impact of urbanization, immigration, and comparative advantage in different countries, the complexities of development, and the interconnectedness of the world. Our conversation also explores the crisis of competence in modern society and the decline of certain industries and professions, the perception that young people are checked out and not interested in high-status jobs, as well as the potential lack of competence in certain skilled trades. Adam Van Buskirk is a writer and knife craftsman who has written for Palladium https://www.palladiummag.com/author/adam-van-buskirk/and on Twitter https://twitter.com/AHVanBuskirk and https://twitter.com/Empty_AmericaChapters for the full episode