

159. Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Manifesto for a Gift Economy
70 snips Jun 7, 2025
Robin Wall Kimmerer, a renowned botanist, member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, and author of 'Braiding Sweetgrass,' challenges conventional economic models and introduces the concept of a gift economy. She emphasizes the significance of indigenous knowledge in understanding our relationship with the environment. The conversation touches on the unique resilience of mosses, the need for wonder in science education, and the importance of community connections in fostering sustainable practices. Kimmerer advocates for gratitude and ecological responsibility as essential components of a thriving future.
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Mosses as Hardy Ancient Plants
- Mosses are ancient plants that lack roots and flowers, limiting their size but making them hardy survivors.
- Their small size is a strength, enabling survival for millions of years on land.
Moss Reproductive Strategies
- Mosses choose between sexual and asexual reproduction based on environmental conditions.
- Sexual reproduction is risky but enables spreading via spores, while cloning fills open space efficiently.
Plant Behavior and Environment Sensing
- Plants demonstrate behavior by sensing their environment and adjusting reproduction accordingly.
- Though the mechanism is unclear, mosses actively know when to clone or reproduce sexually.