The Green Elephant in the Room: Solutions To Restoring the Health of People and the Living Planet

From Nuclear Nightmares to Digital Warfare: How We Traded Apocalypse for Algorithms Part 1 of 2

Rico Verde Season 8 Episode 115

SHOW-NOTES

From Cold War Terror to Algorithm Anxiety 

In 1983, 100 million Americans watched "The Day After" and couldn't sleep for days. Today, a 13-year-old Russian boy thinks he's playing a video game but is actually designing drone components for Ukraine. We've traded the fear of instant nuclear annihilation for the reality of constant algorithmic surveillance and precision warfare.

The Drone Revolution Changes Everything 

Ukrainian soldiers call it "a thousand snipers in the sky." Drones now cause 70% of battlefield casualties - more than all traditional weapons combined. Ukraine destroyed $7 billion in Russian aircraft using cheap AI-guided drones, and both countries plan to produce millions more in 2025.

Silicon Valley Joins the War Machine 

Tech companies have completely reversed course on military contracts. Google dropped its weapons ban, Meta trains soldiers with VR, and four tech executives were sworn in as Army officers. Defense venture capital surged 33% to $31 billion as Silicon Valley discovers the profit in algorithmic warfare.

The Environmental Cost of Combat 

Global militaries would rank as the world's 4th largest climate polluter. Modern wars create "ecological dead zones" - reducing elephant populations 90% in some areas and killing thousands of dolphins with sonar. As Yuval Harari warns, we're becoming "hackable animals." The question isn't whether we can build smarter weapons, but whether we're smart enough to build a better world.

A CALL TO ACT: The World's Most Comprehensive Database of Eco-Solutions

TRUMPING TRUMP: A new survival guide for maintaining focus and sanity while avoiding outrage fatigue. TT is a database of 300+ strong organizations, many with local chapters in your area, united together to fight against the insanity spewing out of ‘The Whiter House’ that is going to be with us for years. 

Because real change happens through sustained action, not endless reaction.

Episode Webpage: Packed with Organizations Waging Peace.