Paul Birkeland is a father, entrepreneur, engineer, and lifelong activist. With decades of experience in environmentalism, energy management, and social action, and now writing.
It’s the dog days of summer. But the Trump administration has not slowed down its pursuit of autocratic power, blatant corruption, and wanton injustice. I want to take this moment, however, to maybe catch our breaths and re-ground ourselves in why we are fighting. And then map out the
This newsletter is a little different from my usual. But the idea caught in my mind, and I had to write it. You have to track the tech world a little bit (too) closely to know this, but there is a techie-seducing train of thought that we are living in
(Originally written on July 14, 2025 in preparation for the Good Trouble Lives On rallies on July 17.) All, Why A Strike? I’ve written in the past about the need for a general strike. Here’s why our resistance has to culminate in a strike. Donald Trump doesn’t
(Originally written on June 10, 2025 in preparation for No Kings Day protests on June 14th, 2025.) A Note on Los Angeles I want to be sure we all understand what’s happening in LA because it impacts how people judge protest rallies and marches. Trump promised to round up
(Originally written on June 1, 2025 in preparation for No Kings Day protests on June 14th.) No Kings Day!! For those just tuning in, we are NOT protesting to change what the Trump administration is doing. That’s kind of hopeless and not what this is about. We are protesting
There is no secret to what Trump and the Republicans are doing. This is the authoritarian playbook that was used in the Philippines, Eastern Europe, and dozens of African countries - 1) neuter the legislature, 2) defy the courts, and 3) unleash the military on the population - all in
Friends, please, if you will spare me a little of your attention. I’ve come to this shore so that my friends in the water, in the air, and on the land might listen to me, though I know that using the word “friends” with you is fraught considering what