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The Great Simplification with Nate HagensAuthor: Nate Hagens
The Great Simplification is a podcast that explores the systems science underpinning the human predicament. Through conversations with experts and leaders hosted by Dr. Nate Hagens, we explore topics spanning ecology, economics, energy, geopolitics, human behavior, and monetary/financial systems. Our goal is to provide a simple educational resource for the complex energetic, physical, and social constraints ahead, and to inspire people to play a role in our collective future. Ultimately, we aim to normalize these conversations and, in doing so, change the initial conditions of future events. Language: en Genres: Earth Sciences, Science, Social Sciences Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Uncomfortable Questions for Unsettled Times: A World at the Edge of Change | Frankly 134
Friday, 3 April, 2026
This week's Frankly is another in a recurring series, Uncomfortable Questions in Unsettled Times, where Nate poses questions about our shared future. Today he focuses on the unfolding crisis in the Persian Gulf, unpacking hidden implications that aren't covered by the headlines. Nate opens by examining how behind-the-scenes geopolitical decisions at the highest level create a widespread ripple effect – influencing everything from oil production to water desalination to fertilizer and food systems. He considers the risk of continued geopolitical conflict as global alliances shift, as well as the potential impact on the global economic order. This week's main focus, however, is the deeper systemic change underway. Nate evaluates how energy access and shifting means of modern warfare could reshape the global power dynamics – he asks uncomfortable questions about the possibility of tactical nuclear weapons, the erosion of (inter)national trust, and what it even means to "win" in a global conflict in the first place. He then zooms out even further, describing a potential geographic bifurcation of the global economic Superorganism, where the East "decouples" from the Western financial and energy systems that have long been the backbone of the global order. Nate closes with a consideration of how future climate outcomes might be shaped by war-driven energy decisions today, as well as highlighting how individuals and communities might respond very differently than nations do in the face of energy disruption. What hidden risks in energy and supply chains are still going unnoticed? How might shifting alliances and energy access redefine global power? And if the Hormuz situation is a 'dress rehearsal' of the future, where might individuals and societies consider changing their expectations and actions today? (Recorded April 2nd, 2026) Show Notes and More Watch this video episode on YouTube Want to learn the broad overview of The Great Simplification in 30 minutes? Watch our Animated Movie. --- Support The Institute for the Study of Energy and Our Future Join our Substack newsletter Join our Hylo channel and connect with other listeners
