The Deindustrialist Newsletter
Issue 1 - 10/7/23-10/13/23
Welcome to the Inaugural Issue of The Deindustrialist!
If you've ever felt the weight of a world moving too fast, a society too entangled in the gears of Big Industry, and wondered, "What about my family? What about the World we're leaving for our children?"—then you've come to the right place.
Why Are We Here?
We're here because we refuse to be cogs in a machine that values profit over people, that places corporations above communities, and that has forgotten the sacred bond between humankind and nature. We're here to expose the bad and embrace the good in our overly industrialized world.
What Can You Expect?
Every week, we'll bring you a meticulously curated exposé on everything that went on that week related to the over-industrialization of life, family, and nature. But we won't stop at just pointing out the problems. We'll dive deep into the societal ramifications of our movement away from nature, and most importantly, we'll empower you with actionable steps to make a healthy change in your life and community.
Actionable, Practical, Real
From DIY projects that help you reclaim your independence, to in-depth analyses that help you understand the complex machinery of the State-Corporate Complex, we've got you covered. We're not just about information; we're about transformation.
For the Family, By the Family
Our mission is to empower families—like yours—to rise above the noise and live a life that's not just sustainable, but regenerative. A life where your family's health and well-being is not at the mercy of corporate interests or governmental overreach.
Join Us on This Journey
So, if you're ready to challenge the status quo, to look beyond the veil, and to be part of a community that values health, family, community, and the natural world, then buckle up. We're just getting started, and we couldn't be more thrilled to have you with us.
Welcome to The Deindustrialist. Let's awaken to the true cost of progress and reclaim the life we were meant to live.
With all that said, let’s get to it.
📰 Week-In-Review
1️⃣ Herbicides Linked to Cognitive Decline in Teens
Summary: A study published on 11 October 2023 from the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health at UC San Diego reveals that exposure to popular herbicides like glyphosate and 2,4-D is associated with worse brain function in adolescents. The study focused on 519 adolescents aged 11 to 17 in Ecuador's agricultural county of Pedro Moncayo and assessed their neurobehavioral performance in areas like attention, memory, and social perception.
Why It Matters: With the rise in chronic diseases and mental health disorders among adolescents, this study highlights the potential neurotoxic effects of commonly used herbicides. Glyphosate was detected in 98% of participants, and higher amounts of 2,4-D were linked to lower neurobehavioral performance. This is alarming given the widespread use of these herbicides in both developed and developing nations, posing a significant risk to children and adults alike.
Actionable Insight: Glyphosate and 2,4-D are commonly used in GMO crops like corn, wheat, and soy—ingredients frequently found in processed foods. Estimates suggest that up to 80% of all processed foods on U.S. supermarket shelves contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Parents can take immediate action by identifying and removing food products containing these ingredients to reduce their family's exposure to these harmful chemicals.
2️⃣ California Leads the Way in Banning Four Harmful Food Additives
Summary: On 7 October 2023, California became the first U.S. state to ban four food additives linked to various diseases, including cancer. The banned substances are brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and red dye 3, commonly found in products like candy, fruit juices, and cookies. The law will take effect in 2027, giving companies time to adjust their recipes.
Why It Matters: This landmark decision puts the spotlight on food safety and the need for regulatory action. These additives are already banned in multiple countries, including the EU, the UK, and Canada. It’s unfortunate that the FDA has failed to keep Big Food in check, requiring states governments to intervein, but it’s a step in the right direction. To foster long lasting change though, the insestuous relationship between Big Food and the FDA and USDA needs to end. Until that happens, you can expect Big Food to continue to circumvent these governmental regulations through formulating new chemical concoctions to keep us hooked to their products as cheaply as possible.
Actionable Insight: Parents can proactively protect their families by checking food labels and avoiding products that contain these additives. Many top brands have already voluntarily removed these substances, so opt for those safer alternatives when shopping. But my biggest recommendation is always and will always be to simply eat real food. Ideally pastured-raised meats, wild-caught seafood, organic produce, raw dairy from grass-fed cows and honey. Seek out to local or better yet, cultivate yourself if possible.
3️⃣ Maternal Consumption of Diet Soda and Aspartame Raises Autism Risk in Boys
Summary: Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio conducted a case-control study involving mothers of 235 children with autism and 121 neurotypically developing children. They found that boys diagnosed with autism were over three times more likely to have been exposed to diet soda or aspartame consumed by their mothers during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Interestingly, no such association was found for female offspring.
Why It Matters: This study adds another layer of concern to the ongoing debate about the safety of artificial sweeteners like aspartame. While the research doesn't establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it does raise new questions about the neurological impacts of these substances, especially during critical periods of development.
Additional Context: Since its introduction, aspartame has been reported to cause neurological problems. Previous research has also shown increased health issues among offspring exposed to aspartame during pregnancy. This new study specifically found that the odds of autism diagnosis were highest among males with non-regressive, or early-onset, autism.
Actionable Insight: Given the study's findings, it may be prudent for expecting and breastfeeding mothers to exercise caution when consuming products containing artificial sweeteners. This is particularly relevant for families with a history of autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders. Opting for natural alternatives could be a safer choice until further research is conducted.
🔬Deep Dive: Outsourced and Deskilled: The Plight of the Modern-Day Industrialized Family
In this week's essay, we dived deep into a topic that's close to my heart and crucial for our times: the erosion of essential life skills in the name of convenience. Are we trading our personal sovereignty for a false sense of security? Are we outsourcing not just tasks but our very lives? Most importantly, what legacy are we leaving for our children? This essay is a clarion call to reclaim our human essence, to rediscover the joy and fulfillment that comes from doing things ourselves. It's a journey through the paradoxes of modern life, the compromises we make, and the high stakes involved, especially for our families. If you've ever felt that we're losing touch with the skills that make us resilient, independent, and truly free, this essay is for you. Don't miss it.
If you haven’t already read it, you can check it out here.
🛠 Actionable Tips
1️⃣ Master the Art of Mindful Grocery Shopping for Family Health
How-To:
Begin with a pantry audit. Read the ingredients list on all processed foods and beverages.
Identify and remove items containing common GMO crops like corn, wheat, and soy, as well as anything with food dyes like red dye 3 and the other recently banned ingredients by California: brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben.
If you're expecting or nursing, pay special attention to beverages and snacks that contain artificial sweeteners like aspartame. Ideally, these chemicals should always be avoided.
Replace these items with organic, non-GMO verified, or natural alternatives. Opt for whole foods whenever possible and consider natural beverages like filtered water and raw milk. Or to put it more plainly, just eat real food; nothing packaged in boxes and plastics and slapped with ingredient labels.
Impact: By being a mindful consumer, you're doing triple duty: protecting your family's cognitive function and overall health, minimizing potential neurodevelopmental risks for your children, and voting with your dollar for a cleaner, more ethical food industry.
2️⃣ Concrete Steps for Reclaiming Skills and Sovereignty
For parents concerned about the deskilling of our society and its impact on their families, there are actionable steps that can be taken to reclaim lost skills and foster self-sufficiency. Here are some suggestions:
Community-Based Skill-Sharing Workshops: Consider organizing or participating in community workshops that focus on essential life skills. These could range from basic carpentry and home repairs to cooking and sewing. Not only do these workshops provide valuable skills, but they also strengthen community bonds.
Family-Oriented DIY Projects: Engage in do-it-yourself projects as a family. Whether it's building a treehouse, planting a vegetable garden, or making homemade soap, these activities offer practical skills and the added benefit of quality family time.
Educational Reforms: Advocate for educational reforms that prioritize life skills alongside academic knowledge. This could mean lobbying for classes on financial literacy, basic cooking, or even first aid to be included in the school curriculum.
Outdoor Skills Training: Given the disconnection from nature that many experience in modern life, consider programs that teach outdoor survival skills. Activities like camping, fishing, hunting, and hiking can be both educational and bonding experiences for the family.
Tech-Free Time: Designate periods where the family disengages from all electronic devices. Use this time for hands-on activities like board games, cooking, or simply talking to each other. This not only improves interpersonal skills but also reduces dependency on digital entertainment.
Parental Skill Development: Parents should also take the time to improve their own skills. Whether it's taking an online course on home repairs or reading books on effective parenting, the more skilled you are, the better you can guide your children.
Local Barter Systems: Establish or join a local barter system where skills and services can be exchanged. This not only encourages skill development but also fosters a sense of community and mutual support.
Mentorship Programs: Encourage your children to seek mentors who can impart valuable life skills and wisdom that are not typically taught in schools. This could be a local craftsman, a family friend with financial acumen, or even a grandparent with a wealth of life experience.
🏡 Community Corner
The Deindustrialist’s Company Spotlight of the Week: The Farm, Chepachet, RI
When we moved to Glocester, RI, one of the first things I did was scout out the local farmer’s markets. I was on the hunt for a reliable source of locally sourced, organically and regeneratively grown produce and food. After about 30 or so minutes of beep-bopping around the various country roads in our majestic new rural town with the kids, I came across The Farm. And fortunately for me, they were open! I enthusiastically unloaded the kids, barrelled on in, and introduced myself to the lady working the counter, Jesse, who happened to be their in-house PhD chemist working her magic to keep the farm above and beyond organic. I may have taken her completely off guard with my enthusiasm, but nothing gets me going quite like a small farm doing all the things I love and only 6 minutes down the road.
Well, since moving into town, I’ve found myself at The Farm at least once, if not twice a week, stocking up on my pasture-raised eggs, produce that we may need that wasn’t already growing in our own garden, and any of the delicious home-baked goods being sold, like their very own party pizza strips (IYKYK). If you live in the area, I highly recommend paying The Farm a visit. Their hours are below.
Wednesday & Friday
12-4pm
Saturday & Sunday
9-1pm
Additional note: This Sunday, October 15th, from 10am-2pm, The Farm is hosting its Fall Fest! Again, if you live in the area, I highly recommend checking it out. We hope to be there as well. Details here.
📚 Resource of the Week
"The Unsettling of America: Culture & Agriculture" by Wendell Berry
What It Is: This is a seminal book that delves into the moral and practical failures of the American industrial agricultural system. Wendell Berry argues for a return to more sustainable, community-oriented farming practices.
Why It's Useful: If you've been following my discussions on the dangers of herbicides like glyphosate and the importance of reclaiming skills and sovereignty, or any of my past essays about our widening disconnection from nature, this book is a must-read. It provides a comprehensive look at how our detachment from the land and community has led to the industrialized food system we have today, with all its associated problems. Reading it will arm you with the knowledge and philosophical grounding to make meaningful changes in your own life and community.
Conclusion
Thank you for diving into the inaugural issue of The Deindustrialist Newsletter! This project has been over a year in the making, and while it's still a work in progress, I couldn't be more thrilled to share it with you. Our mission is clear: to arm you with the information you need to make informed decisions that empower not just you, but your entire family, to live healthier, more sovereign lives. From exposing the harmful chemicals lurking in our food to offering actionable tips for reclaiming lost skills and fostering self-sufficiency, we're committed to being a resource you can count on. So here's to the start of a journey towards better health, stronger communities, and a more harmonious relationship with Mother Earth. Stay tuned for next week when we'll delve even deeper into the chemicals pervading our communities and homes. Trust me, you won't want to miss it. And as always:
Stay aware. Stay empowered. Stay free.
-Greg
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