Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast Is a river alive?
May 14, 2025
Dr. Robert Macfarlane, a distinguished Professor at Cambridge and acclaimed nature writer, dives into the revolutionary concept of rivers as living entities in this engaging discussion. He shares heartfelt childhood memories tied to rivers and how their legal recognition in places like Ecuador marks a pivotal shift in environmental advocacy. The conversation critiques the impact of global capitalism on ecosystems, emphasizing the vital need for an ecocentric approach to conservation. Macfarlane ultimately advocates for deeper connections between communities and their waterways.
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Rivers as Living Neighbors
- Robert Macfarlane sees the river near his home as a living friend and citizen.
- He finds it natural to talk to rivers during joyful or grieving times.
Childhood Creeks Spark Imagination
- Both Robert and Dave played in childhood creeks that sparked imagination and adventure.
- These waterways were places filled with life, fun, and early connection to nature.
Rivers Shape Landscapes and Lives
- Rivers interact dynamically with mountains, shaping and being shaped by each other over time.
- Rivers also flow through people, linking memory and life experience.
