What would it actually mean to live with less? From World War II rationing to the possibility of a contracting economy, the search explores what happens when a civilization built on endless expansion runs up against ecological limits. And if we're forced to power down, can we preserve the things we value most—health, human rights, cultural diversity, individual freedom—without preserving the system that created them?

In Part 6 of our six-part series, Finding Crazy Town, producer Alex Leff reaches the final stop in his investigation into the mysterious disappearance of Jason Bradford, Rob Dietz, and Asher Miller. After following clues through global trade, complexity, economic growth, progress, and the adaptive cycle, Alex finally looks in the one place he hasn't searched yet: the future.

Originally recorded on 9/11/26 with archival episodes.

• Episode 19, “I Can’t Drive… 35! The Rationale for Rationing”
• Episode 27, “Poked by a Porcupine: the Politics of Contraction”

Production and editing by Alex Leff. Editorial assistance and transcripts by Taylor Antal.

Theme music is “Way Huge” and “Don’t Give Up” by Midnight Shipwrecks, used with permission.

Thanks to all the Crazy Townies, our listeners who are trying to understand humanity's overshoot predicament and do something about it.