Jeff VanderMeer

Jeff VanderMeer, a celebrated novelist who has lived in Florida for over 30 years, dives deep into the repercussions of climate change on his home state. He discusses how deregulation and overdevelopment have left Florida vulnerable, especially highlighted by recent hurricanes. VanderMeer advocates for a 'managed retreat' strategy to mitigate future storms and emphasizes the necessity of sustainable practices to protect Florida's unique ecosystems. His insights spark a conversation about reimagining resilience in the face of natural disasters.

Jeff VanderMeer, acclaimed author of 'Annihilation' and the Southern Reach Trilogy, discusses his latest novel 'Absolution' and the creative inspirations derived from his upbringing in Fiji. He shares his experiences in adapting 'Annihilation' into film, highlighting the challenges of contract negotiations and the unexpected success of his work. VanderMeer reflects on his family’s influence in science and the importance of diverse literary inspirations. He also recounts a captivating encounter with a Florida panther, illustrating the complex interactions between nature and creativity.

Writer Jeff VanderMeer and scholar Alison Sperling discuss the evolution of weird fiction, nature writing, nonhuman intelligence perception, and Florida zoning issues. They explore the New Weird movement, unconventional storytelling techniques, and the intersection of weird fiction with climate change and environmental justice. Additionally, they touch on government bureaucracy, penguin researchers, and the limits of human understanding in perceiving animal intelligence.