Robert Macfarlane

In this enlightening talk, Robert Macfarlane, a renowned nature writer, shares his passion for the beauty of language and landscapes. He discusses the intricacies of rewriting first sentences and the emotional weight that language carries. Macfarlane laments the loss of entire languages and the homogenizing effect of AI on writing. He emphasizes the power of vivid language and the importance of preserving linguistic diversity. Ultimately, he reveals how cultivating a childlike wonder can enhance our connection to nature and enrich our writing.

Join Robert Macfarlane, a celebrated author; Giuliana Furci, a passionate mycologist; César Rodríguez-Garavito, an activist legal scholar; and musician Cosmo Sheldrake as they delve into the Song of the Cedars project. They explore their transformative experience in the Los Cedros cloud forest, discussing the legal framework to recognize nature as a creative partner. The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of ecosystems, the unsung role of fungi, and the need for collaborative authorship between humans and nature, all wrapped in a rich audio tapestry of the forest.

There’s dark matter in the cosmos, and inside us, and hidden beneath our feet. Robert Macfarlane is an explorer and linguist of landscape and his book, Underland: A Deep Time Journey, is an odyssey that’s full of surprises — from caves and catacombs under land, under cities, and under forests to the meltwater of Greenland. “Since before we were Homo sapiens,” he writes, “humans have been seeking out spaces of darkness in which to find and make meaning.” Darkness in the natural world and in human life, he suggests, is a medium of vision — and descent, a movement toward revelation.Robert Macfarlane is a Fellow at the University of Cambridge. His books include Mountains of the Mind, The Old Ways, Landmarks, and Underland: A Deep Time Journey. With the artist Jackie Morris, he co-created the book of illustrated poetry, The Lost Words and a follow-up,  The Lost Spells.Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org.This show originally aired on November 14, 2019. 

Join Robert Macfarlane, a celebrated nature writer and Cambridge professor, alongside author Horatio Clare, as they explore the captivating idea of whether rivers are alive. They discuss the revolutionary 'Rights of Nature' movement and share stories from the cloud-forests of Ecuador to the river rights campaigns in Quebec. Their conversation touches on the emotional and philosophical connections we have with rivers, advocating for a deeper ecological awareness. This delightful dialogue challenges listeners to reimagine their relationship with nature.

Robert Macfarlane, an author exploring the bonds between humans and nature, discusses his idea that rivers are living beings deserving respect, not just resources. Monica Feria-Tinta, a barrister for environmental rights, shares her landmark case protecting cloud forests and the growing movement for nature's legal rights. Meanwhile, Patrick Galbraith challenges notions of access to the countryside, advocating for wildlife's tranquility. Together, they engage in a thought-provoking dialogue about our interconnectedness with the natural world.

For several years and more than a thousand miles, celebrated travel writer Robert Macfarlane has been following the vast network of old paths and routes that criss-cross Britain and its waters, looking at their connections to countries and continents beyond. In this event, recorded at the Tabernacle in London On the 12th of June 2012, Macfarlane tells us his enthralling accounts of the ghosts and voices that haunt old tracks, of songlines and their singers, of the stories our tracks keep and tell, and of rights of way and rites of passage.This event was produced by Executive Producer Hannah Kaye with editing by Executive Producer Rowan Slaney.To hear the full length episode of this event and to support our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations, head to intelligence Squared.com/membership or subscribe on Apple Podcasts—We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be. Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com or Tweet us @intelligence2. And if you’d like to support our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations, as well as ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared..Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a captivating conversation, Robert Macfarlane, renowned for his explorations of nature and landscape, dives into the vibrant life of rivers and our relationship with the environment. He discusses the concept of rivers as living entities, drawing connections between ancient texts like the Epic of Gilgamesh and contemporary ecological thoughts. Macfarlane emphasizes the importance of language in reshaping our perspectives towards nature, advocating for a deeper kinship with the non-human world. His insights inspire a profound reflection on environmental stewardship and the power of storytelling.

Robert Macfarlane, a nature writer and author of 'Underland' and 'Is a River Alive?', delves into the fascinating concept of rivers as living entities deserving legal rights. He discusses the declining health of English rivers and shares compelling recovery stories from Ecuador, India, and Canada. The conversation highlights a shift in environmental law that recognizes nature's intrinsic rights and the spiritual connections we form with rivers. Macfarlane emphasizes the hopeful potential for global guardianship, inviting listeners to rethink our relationship with these vital waterways.

Robert Macfarlane, renowned nature writer and author of "Is a River Alive?", delves into the profound relationship between humans and rivers. He discusses the idea of rivers as living entities that shape both ecosystems and cultures. Macfarlane shares insights from diverse locations, highlighting the significance of indigenous perspectives and the spiritual connections people have with these waterways. He emphasizes the need for ecological awareness and community engagement in revitalizing urban rivers, offering a compelling call to respect and protect our vital lifelines.

Robert Macfarlane, an acclaimed writer known for exploring landscapes and the human experience, discusses his latest book, 'Is A River Alive?'. He shares insights from his travels through diverse environments, emphasizing the urgent need to reevaluate our connection to nature. The dialogue touches on revolutionary ideas surrounding legal rights for rivers and the environmental impacts of gold extraction. Macfarlane also delves into mystical encounters in cloud forests and how literature shapes our comprehension of the natural world.