Latest Episodes

Chris and Charley continue discussing the human and environmental impact of mining for the critical minerals of the green energy transition. In part 2: rare earth elements and nickel. Images Image: Climate Rights International, Does Anyone Care? / Riza Salman for CRI

Chris and Charley look at the human and environmental impact of mining for lithium and cobalt, two critical minerals of the green energy transition. Images from Ch2/Part 1: Lithium evaporation ponds (Luis Robayo / AFP): The dried riverbed of the Trapiche River: Maria Paula Gaido / Ruido:

Double issue means double chapters, and double chapters are way too long to record in one sitting. Chris and Charley sit down again to finish Chapter 1.

Chris and Charlie try to figure out what energy source is best to replace fossil fuels, but things go off the rails immediately…and they wind up with an extended discussion about mining waste?

After finding that green energy has a worse radioactive waste problem than nuclear energy, Chris lays out green energy deal with the devil: to save the planet from climate change, it will be necessary to sacrifice parts of the planet with mining waste. Two tables are referenced in this episode:

Chris and Charley conclude Issue 1 by discussing how mainstream economists and climate scientists can look at the same data and reach wildly different conclusions. How can mainstream economists predict small dents to the economy when climate scientists see existential threats to civilization itself? Perhaps Sahelian desertification and climate change can only be solved if…

Why did Ahidjo suddenly resign in 1982 at the height of his power? How did Paul Biya wrest power from a seemingly all-powerful Ahidjo? Chris and Charley explore the mystery of Cameroon’s 1983 succession. Subscriber link to bonus chapter: https://www.finitemag.org/2025/04/ahmaduo-ahidjo-paul-biya-cameroon-dictator-transfer-of-power/ Not a subscriber? Subscribe here: https://www.finitemag.org/shop/

Chris and Charley cover the darkly fascinating cloak-and-dagger story of Ahidjo’s rise to power – with help from the French, of course. Subscriber link to bonus chapter: https://www.finitemag.org/2025/04/rise-of-ahmaduo-ahidjo-dictator-cameroon-france-neocolonialism/ Not a subscriber? Subscribe here: https://www.finitemag.org/shop/

Chris and Charlie discuss the global scandal of debt and structural adjustments, how it came to Cameroon and contributed to poverty, underdevelopment, and desertification. Then, they compare IMF structural adjustments to a proven anti-desertification model: how the American New Deal beat the Dust Bowl. To end, they discuss the dire situation of rural Cameroonians, and…