Sam Lee, a renowned folk singer and conservationist, and Leigh Ann Henion, an acclaimed nature writer, dive into the beauty of nocturnal life. They discuss the impact of light pollution on our connection to nature and share the transformative experience of nighttime concerts with nightingales. The duo highlights the need to reclaim darkness as a restorative force, emphasizing forgotten traditions of nighttime walks in the woods and the rich, emotional ties between music and the natural world. Together, they inspire a renewed appreciation for the wonders of the night.
Reclaiming the night through activities like silent walks fosters a deeper connection with nature and restores our dulled senses.
Musical events that engage with nocturnal life highlight the emotional bond between humans and nature, illustrating the power of creative communion.
Deep dives
Reconnecting with Ancient Nocturnal Rhythms
The episode emphasizes the lost connection between humans and the natural world during nighttime, as modern society has largely eliminated darkness from daily life. It reflects on how our ancestors experienced the night, such as Anne's grandmother in 1930s rural Missouri, who enjoyed the visibility of the Milky Way without electric lights. The discussion highlights that much of Earth's life occurs after dark and questions what humanity has sacrificed by ceasing to engage with these nocturnal rhythms. By reclaiming the night, there is potential to restore a deeper relationship with nature and reawaken senses dulled by constant artificial lighting.
The Experience of Nightingale Tours
Sam Lee shares his experiences leading Nightingale Tours, where participants walk in silence through the woods without using artificial lights, allowing them to engage fully with the nighttime environment. This unique approach encourages individuals to trust their senses, revealing a different personality of the land that emerges in the absence of light. The experience fosters joy and excitement among participants of all ages, evoking a childlike wonder at the complexities of the nocturnal world. Ultimately, these walks serve as a powerful reminder of what has been lost in humanity's relationship with the dark.
Cross-Species Musical Connections
Sam Lee's nighttime concerts not only celebrate the song of the nightingale but also explore the idea of music as a bridge between species. He shares a poignant story about a young jazz singer who connected with a nightingale while performing, illustrating the profound and emotional bond that can occur when humans engage with nature in an authentic way. These concerts provide participants with a rare opportunity to witness the miraculous interaction between human creativity and the natural world. By combining their voices with the nightingale's, attendees participate in a form of communion that honors the shared essence of life.
Cultural Celebration of Darkness
The conversation concludes with the vision of creating an annual night dedicated to celebrating and reconnecting with the natural world, highlighting the importance of rituals that honor the old traditions of enjoying nighttime. This proposed celebration would involve gathering in the dark, sharing poetry and songs, and appreciating the presence of nightingales, thus acknowledging the deep-rooted relationship between humanity and nature. By inviting families and friends to experience the magic of the night, such a tradition could rekindle a sense of wonder and connection to the environment. The dream encapsulates how engaging with darkness can foster both joy and a sense of responsibility for ecological well-being.
The longest nights of the year are here, but how many of us will see them? The global spread of light pollution is making it harder to experience dark skies and natural darkness. Learning how to reconnect with the planet’s ancient nocturnal rhythms can be profoundly restorative. Nature writers and darkness activists tell us what we’re missing.
Deep Time is a series all about the natural ecologies of time from To The Best Of Our Knowledge and the Center for Humans and Nature. We'll explore life beyond the clock, develop habits of "timefulness" and learn how to live with greater awareness of the many types of time in our lives.