This is my new project Where Do We Go From Here?, a conversation series where I talk to some of the smartest, most thoughtful people I can find about how to build a better future in media and far beyond—emphasis on the beyond, because I think we can improve the world if we improve our media ecosystems. It’s a show about building better businesses. About art. About people who see visions for a different reality and act on them. I’m going to talk to artists, entrepreneurs, executives, writers, teachers, filmmakers, technologists, actors, maybe even some politicians, and more in my quest to figure out how to unfuck the future.
Introductions like this one are typically meant to be evergreen. The sort of thing that gives a sense of what a show is going to be about without locking it in too specific a moment in time. I wrote and recorded this one with the most devastating fires in the history of Los Angeles as a backdrop, having left my home with my wife and young child early Wednesday morning as smoke and ash encroached on our house. We are among the lucky ones who, though temporarily displaced, have remained mostly unscathed. The same cannot be said for so many others, those people we know and love and the many more we do not whose lives have been irrevocably scarred by these fires.
Amidst unprecedented devastation, I’m seeing communities of people come together to provide resources, money, time, and effort to help those in need. I’m seeing corporations actually attempt something resembling good citizenship. I am seeing organizations within entertainment funnel their attention, networks, and funds to those in need. In so many words, that is what Where Do We Go From Here? is about. The future of community. The future of corporate responsibility. A future where we have more resilient human networks and resources so we don’t have to mobilize with such urgency when disaster strikes. The nature of this disaster has given a grim reminder about the shifts we need to make in order to build a better future.
For the next year at least, I will be donating all subscription income from Applied Science to a mutual aid fund or organization to be determined by the end of January, after I’ve done a bit of research about where the money can be most impactful. Feel no pressure to become a paid subscriber, but know that if you do, your money will be redirected into Los Angeles relief efforts (and I will report on this effort at regular intervals for the sake of transparency).
As well, at the bottom of this post, you will find a list of resources, donation links, and volunteering opportunities related to the Los Angeles fires. I will be including these in future posts for as long as feels necessary.
The first episode of Where Do We Go From Here? launches tomorrow, January 14th. In January, I’ll be releasing two episodes a week, with new episodes coming every 1-2 weeks after that or however many episodes I can reel of a month before my wife and son start wondering where the fuck I am.
I have a lot of questions about how to build a better future. I hope you join me on the journey for answers and learn something new in the process.
Special thanks to Anna Kasper for producing, Will Grogan for providing music, and Hugh Huntingford for designing the Applied Science new logo and podcast cover image.
Los Angeles Fire Support Resources:
Mutual Aid Network of Los Angeles’s spreadsheet lists an expansive number of funds, organizations, and aid types across the expanse of the city. A great place to start.
HitsDailyDouble has compiled a wealth of resources for people within the music community, including emergency financial assistance, support with pets/animals, temporary shelter, food, medical and mental health services, gear storage, and free clothes.
A comprehensive volunteer and support guide from local organization LA2050.
A good post from The Angel on different ways to get involved with relief efforts.
A book/PDF written for parents to help explain the enormity of wildfire to their children.
PBS SoCal’s resources for how to talk to children about wildfires.
A U.S. government fact sheet on protecting children from wildfire smoke and ash.
A spreadsheet of GoFundme’s for Black families from Altadena who have been displaced or lost their homes. Altadena is one of Los Angeles’ historically Black centers, a place where generations of hard-earned wealth and equity in the land were decimated in a matter of days. (first seen via Saul Williams)
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