Lisa Yin Han, an Assistant Professor of Media Studies at Pitzer College and author of "Deepwater Alchemy," delves into eco-media and the relationship between technology and deep-sea mining. She discusses the environmental impacts of plumes in mining and critiques how media shapes our perceptions of oceanic spaces. Exploring the intersection of extraction, representation, and marine life, Han advocates for a radical rethinking of human relationships with the sea, urging integrated approaches to protect vulnerable ecosystems.
The podcast highlights the transformation of deep-sea environments into extractive resources, paralleling historical alchemy's pursuit of wealth through nature's exploitation.
Environmental impacts of deep-sea mining, particularly toxic waste plumes, raise urgent questions about ecological health and the need for better regulatory frameworks.
Cultural narratives and Indigenous perspectives are essential in reshaping our understanding of the ocean as a site of conquest and extraction.
Deep dives
The Intersection of Data and Extraction
The podcast discusses the significance of data in the modern world and the growing trend of digital humans, including chatbots and AI technologies. It highlights how these developments intertwine with media and extraction processes, particularly within deep ocean observation. Examples are provided showcasing the technological advancements that support deep-sea mining and the extraction of natural resources from the ocean floor. This connection underlines the implications of data and media in shaping our understanding and manipulation of marine environments for profit.
Alchemy and the Economy of the Deep Sea
The concept of alchemy is explored to symbolize the transformation and exploitation of natural resources in deep-sea environments. The podcast emphasizes the historical context of alchemy where humans sought to increase wealth through the extraction of materials, reflecting a parallel to contemporary deep-sea mining. Discussions include how technological advancement fosters a narrative of conquest over the ocean, which is framed as an untapped resource. This relationship between alchemy and extraction underscores the desire to convert natural elements into profit.
Deep Sea Mining and Environmental Concerns
Attention is drawn to the environmental impacts of deep sea mining, focusing on the toxic waste plumes generated during extraction processes. The podcast describes how these plumes can threaten marine ecosystems by traveling vast distances and affecting various organisms. The need for better models to assess these impacts is stressed, as well as the ethical implications of extraction methods that prioritize resource gain over ecological health. The conversation includes the urgency for regulatory frameworks to safeguard these fragile ocean environments.
Cultural Perspectives on the Ocean and Extractive Practices
The podcast examines how cultural narratives shape our understanding of the ocean and inform extraction practices, drawing parallels with land-based colonization. It discusses how the ocean is often perceived as a space of conquest, similar to historical land frontiers, and highlights the involvement of Indigenous perspectives in this discourse. The complexity of oceangoing technologies and their interaction with marine life is compared to terrestrial extraction practices, reflecting ongoing settler colonial mindsets. These connections highlight the need for a more inclusive understanding of human relationships with the ocean.
Future Directions in Oceanic Observation Technologies
The discussions in the podcast shift to the future of ocean observation technologies, including networked infrastructures that aim to provide continuous data from deep-sea environments. The role of animals as signal platforms and the socio-technical implications of using marine mammals in these observation efforts are critically analyzed. The podcast calls attention to potential disparities in data accessibility and the ethical burdens associated with technological advancements for monitoring the ocean. Overall, it emphasizes the importance of rethinking human engagement with marine environments through a relational and ethical lens.
Everyone should read Lisa Yin Han's Deepwater Alchemy! It's a stunningly well written book about how we come to value the ocean through various extractive mediations. Recorded Sept 27, 2024. Released Oct 14, 2024.
Deepwater Alchemy: Extractive Mediation and the Taming of the Seafloor
How underwater mediation has transformed deep-sea spaces into resource-rich frontiers