Robert Macfarlane

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

Acclaimed author Robert Macfarlane explores whether rivers are truly alive, sharing insights from his latest book, 'Is a River Alive?'. He passionately discusses rivers as sentient presences, not just resources, highlighting his journeys through Ecuador's Río Los Cedros and Chennai's waterways. Macfarlane illuminates the urgent need to recognize rivers’ cultural significance and the ecological crisis we face. He advocates for the Rights of Nature movement, sharing powerful stories of communities engaged in restoring their sacred relationships with waterways.

Dr. Robert Macfarlane, a distinguished Professor at Cambridge and acclaimed nature writer, dives into the revolutionary concept of rivers as living entities in this engaging discussion. He shares heartfelt childhood memories tied to rivers and how their legal recognition in places like Ecuador marks a pivotal shift in environmental advocacy. The conversation critiques the impact of global capitalism on ecosystems, emphasizing the vital need for an ecocentric approach to conservation. Macfarlane ultimately advocates for deeper connections between communities and their waterways.

Robert Macfarlane, a Cambridge professor and nature writer, teams up with Johnny Flynn, a talented singer-songwriter and actor, for an enlightening discussion. They share insights about their new children's book, 'The World to Come,' inspired by the vibrant ecosystems along the River Lea. The duo delves into the transformative power of nature on creativity and the heartwarming tradition of wassailing trees. Listeners are treated to a live performance of a song that sparked the book's inspiration, blending music and storytelling beautifully.

Robert Macfarlane, an award-winning author and professor specializing in environmental humanities, explores the evolving bond between humanity and the elements. He discusses how climate change shapes our identity and emotions towards landscapes, emphasizing the sensory connection we often neglect. The conversation also highlights the urgent need for ecological protection, including recognizing rivers as living beings. Macfarlane urges a restoration of linguistic diversity to deepen our environmental appreciation, ultimately advocating for a sustainable future.

Three fascinating guests, Maria Callas, Johnny Flynn, and Robert Macfarlane, explore diverse topics including the achievements of Maria Callas in opera, the collaborative process and their love for nature, walking and songwriting, the power of literature and cultural events, and the influence of Quakerism on art in a captivating and thought-provoking podcast.