'Plastic Ghosts and Trash Immortals: Our Afterlife as Waste' with Nicolas de Warren

Jan 23, 2024

Nicolas de Warren tackles the philosophical quandaries surrounding our relationship with plastic waste. He explores how discarded objects become ghostly reminders of consumption, challenging the idea of hauntings. The discussion links the legacy of plastics to ecological catastrophes and cultural memory. A haunting comparison is drawn between the waste crisis and historical injustices like slavery. Listeners are invited to reflect on how our throwaway culture will define humanity's afterlife as 'homo detritus'.

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ANECDOTE

Plastic Bag's Life Story

The short film "Plastic Bag" narrates the life story of a plastic bag with Werner Herzog's voice.
It illustrates the intimate yet overlooked existence and afterlife of disposable plastic in daily life.

INSIGHT

Plastics as Unthinkable Waste

Plastic waste is the unthought and unthinkable aspect of modern life, often seen as diaphanous and ephemeral.
Despite their utility, such objects are designed to be disposable and largely ignored philosophically.

INSIGHT

Waste as Hidden Technological Shadow

The modern world revolves around technology harnessing nature, but its shadow is the massive production of waste.
Our dependence on plastic is linked to cultural identity and the impossibility of imagining life without disposability.

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The notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge

Rainer Maria Rilke

The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge is Rilke's only novel, written between 1904 and 1910. It is a collection of notes, memories, and impressions of Malte Laurids Brigge, a 28-year-old Danish nobleman and poet living in Paris. The book is characterized by its lack of traditional structure, reading more like a journal or diary than a conventional novel. It delves into themes of existential crisis, the search for identity, and the profound impact of childhood experiences on adult life. Malte's reflections are deeply introspective, touching on death, loneliness, and the human condition, all set against the backdrop of a Paris that is both beautiful and terrifying. The novel is notable for its modernist style, rich in lyrical language and metaphor, and its exploration of the thin line between reality and the unreal[1][3][4].

Roadside Picnic

Boris Strugatsky

Arkady Strugatsky

In 'Roadside Picnic', the story revolves around Redrick 'Red' Schuhart, a stalker who ventures into the hazardous Zone to retrieve valuable alien artifacts. The novel explores the aftermath of an alien visitation, where the aliens left behind strange and often deadly objects. The story delves into themes of survival, the human condition, and the consequences of interacting with these alien artifacts. It also serves as a commentary on societal issues, including the economic and social disparities of the time. The novel is known for its philosophical and social commentary, as well as its unique approach to the science fiction genre[1][4][5].

Annihilation

Jeff VanderMeer

Annihilation is the first volume of Jeff VanderMeer's Southern Reach trilogy. The story follows the twelfth expedition into Area X, a coastal region that has been cut off from the rest of the world for decades. The team consists of four women: a biologist, an anthropologist, a psychologist, and a surveyor. Their mission is to map the terrain, record observations, and avoid contamination by Area X. As they delve deeper, they encounter strange and unexplainable phenomena, including hybrid vegetation and creatures, and uncover secrets about the previous expeditions and the true nature of Area X. The novel explores themes of control, mystery, and the transformative power of the unknown environment[2][3][5].

Kindred

About the Neanderthals

Rachel Pope

This book is not mentioned in the transcript, but the episode description mentions Rebecca Wragg-Sykes' book, 'Kindred', which is about Neanderthals. The book likely explores the social structures and behaviors of Neanderthals, offering insights into early human societies. It may challenge traditional assumptions about early human life and gender roles. The book's significance lies in its contribution to our understanding of Neanderthal culture and its implications for broader anthropological studies. It may also touch upon the broader themes of human evolution and adaptation.

Silent Spring

Rachel Carson

Published in 1962, 'Silent Spring' by Rachel Carson is a seminal work in environmental science. The book documents the harmful effects of DDT and other pesticides on the environment, including their impact on bird populations, other wildlife, and human health. Carson argued that these substances should be called 'biocides' due to their broad impact on ecosystems. The book was serialized in 'The New Yorker' before its full publication and generated significant public and scientific debate. It led to a reversal in U.S. pesticide policy, the banning of DDT for agricultural use in 1972, and the establishment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1970. Carson's work challenged the prevailing attitudes towards scientific progress and human control over nature, advocating for responsible and careful use of pesticides and highlighting the need for environmental stewardship.

To the Lighthouse

Virginia Woolf

To the Lighthouse, published in 1927, is a groundbreaking work of modernist literature by Virginia Woolf. The novel is divided into three sections: 'The Window,' 'Time Passes,' and 'The Lighthouse.' It follows the Ramsay family during their summer visits to the Isle of Skye, delving into the inner thoughts and emotions of the characters through stream-of-consciousness techniques. The novel reflects the impact of World War I on the family and society, and it explores themes such as loss, subjectivity, the nature of art, and the problem of perception. Woolf's intricate prose and rich exploration of consciousness make this novel a masterpiece of world literature[1][2][4].

White noise

Don DeLillo

White Noise follows Jack Gladney, a professor of Hitler studies at a small liberal arts college, and his family as they navigate the complexities of modern life. The novel delves into themes such as the fear of death, media saturation, and the effects of technology on social relations. Key events include an airborne toxic event that threatens their town and Jack's discovery of his wife's involvement in an experimental study of a psychopharmaceutical called Dylar. The novel critiques consumer culture and the ways in which people cope with mortality and uncertainty through consumption and technological distractions.