In this episode I sit down with Vince Beiser, whose book Power Metal: The Race for the Resources that Will Shape The Future is an incredible follow up to his book Sand: the World in a Grain. When we last caught up with Vince we plumbed the depths of sand and how, while largely unseen, it is one of the major resources our world is built on. In this conversation, Vince and I explore more unseen resources our world is increasingly dependent on: the critical metals that are powering our energy transition. We talk about how everything has a cost, about how the electro digital age, while feeling post-material, is anything but. We touch a little on the materials used in this energy transition. We have a complex conversation around reshoring mining and exploring if where we might mine next is here at home. And then we talk about recycling, repair, and real tangible solutions to what might happen next.

Find Vince:

Instagram: @vince.beiser

X: @vincebeiser

Power Metal: The Race for the Resources that Will Shape The Future

Sand: the World in a Grain

Resources Mentioned:

Washington Post on Data Centers

NYT Op-Ed on Reshoring Mining

Thea Riofrancos on Novara FM

Fight to Repair Newsletter

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Instagram: @kate_kavanaugh