Mark Chambers – my friend from high school (and former Chief Sustainability Officer of DC and NYC among other things) – joins us to discuss Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park. We talk about the collision between money and science, the illusion of control, dignity, public service, how many humans there should be, why it may or may not be ok to grill, and positive visions for the future.Show notes:Jevons paradox – how technological efficiency can paradoxically increase resource consumptionWhat Michael Crichton Reveals About Big Tech and A.I. - Cal Newport's New Yorker piece about Jurassic ParkThe Weathering Podcast – exploring Earth systems, climate, and chaos. I don't talk about it in the podcast, but I should because it's relevant and so great. I love it.Colossal Biosciences Dire Wolf Project (Wikipedia article) – the real-world de-extinction effortThe 13th Warrior – A movie Mark loves that I still need to watchMark Coatney on A Wizard of Earthsea – our previous conversation about power and its pitfallsNine Inch Nails wins Country Music Award for "Old Town Road"Internet PowerThe Ministry of the Future (Wikipedia article) by Kim Stanley RobinsonNext month (hopefully): The Black Cloud by Fred Hoyle with George Dyson.Bonus announcements:CNG Conference 2026 announced for 6-9 October 2026New work podcast: Great Data Products
If you enjoyed this, please share it.Produced by Jed Sundwall. Write to jed at techsontexts.net with feedback and suggestions for books or guests.Intro music by Secret School.Outro music is "3/10th of the Population" by WE™.Please donate to Radiant Earth.

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