Unfolding Aliveness’ Post

Modern science is only beginning to understand the enormous impact that our gut biomes have on our health, mood, and cognition. With more than half of all cells in and on our bodies consisting of microbes rather than human cells, and with mounting evidence of their importance for our well-being, the topic holds great promise and importance for the humanities. As students of the “human condition” we can’t sit idly by while the entire concept of what constitutes the human is undergoing paradigmatic such changes. In the short piece I’m linking to here, I’m making the case for moving the humanities beyond mere ‘post-anthropocentric’ studies to include an even more radical and symbiotic view on the human condition: we need to learn to think like a microbe. https://lnkd.in/gX6VPDnx

The latest issue of the Headwaters Student Research Journal has been published online! Take a look through the fantastic research students have done over the past year covering everything from heavy metal concentrations in soil to adaptations of small migratory birds. https://lnkd.in/eDWw9A4b #STEMeducation #STEM #ScienceEducation #StudentResearch

How do we finance nature? How do we get more money into nature? These are important questions that many of use spend our careers thinking about. But, is that enough? Is it working? Are we seeing natural systems recovering? Perhaps we also need to think about our relationship with the earth. How can we weave ourselves back into the web of life? This recording from the Nature-Based Solutions Initiative June 2024 NbS Conference explores our profound interconnectedness with nature and how we can transition from a human centric world to an ecocentric world. #naturebasedsolutions #rewilding #yorkshirerewildingnetwork

Come reimagine with us! “Rural Reimagined: A Grand Challenge for Appalachia” 2025 Appalachian Studies Association Conference Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, Tennessee March 20-22, 2025 Photographs by Sabrina Greene-Rusk. One-fourth of the counties that comprise Appalachia are classified as rural—neither part of nor adjacent to a metropolitan area. The 48th annual Appalachian Studies Association Conference will explore the theme “Rural Reimagined” by celebrating the creative uses of technology, science, and the arts with the greatest potential to transform life in and proximate to the region’s rural communities. #appstudies2025 #Ruralreimagined #appalachianstudies #appalachia #appalachian #appstudies #asa #Asainaction 

Come reimagine with us! “Rural Reimagined: A Grand Challenge for Appalachia” 2025 Appalachian Studies Association Conference Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, Tennessee March 20-22, 2025 Photographs by Sabrina Greene-Rusk. One-fourth of the counties that comprise Appalachia are classified as rural—neither part of nor adjacent to a metropolitan area. The 48th annual Appalachian Studies Association Conference will explore the theme “Rural Reimagined” by celebrating the creative uses of technology, science, and the arts with the greatest potential to transform life in and proximate to the region’s rural communities. #appstudies2025 #Ruralreimagined #appalachianstudies #appalachia #appalachian #appstudies #asa #Asainaction 

BLOG: "Look to understand the geography, the economic and social inter-relationships and consider what could be achieved ‘if only’. Pose the question, if strategic growth were to happen, where would it work best how could it be best achieved?" Dr Darren Bell gives his tips on strategic development sites: https://lnkd.in/d6sPF7ZZ #strategicplanning #development

Have you ever been intrigued by the natural alchemy that shapes environments like Pyramid Lake's distinctive saline waters? In a captivating session with Professor John Aubert, we peel back the layers of this ecological mystery, translating complex scientific phenomena into a narrative that sparks wonder and curiosity. On Nature Bound, we're set to walk you through the unseen dynamics of crafting the earth's exquisite ecosystems. 🧪💧 This episode isn't just an exploration; it's an invitation to marvel at the earth's intricate laboratory, where salt and water mix in a dance of evolution and adaptation. With Professor Aubert's insights, we bridge the gap between the seen and unseen, revealing the processes that paint our landscapes with their unique hues. Tune into our latest Nature Bound episode for a thought-provoking look at environmental science. Prepare to expand your understanding and appreciation of the natural world as we uncover the essence of Pyramid Lake's salty embrace. 🔗 https://bit.ly/4bkFIJF #SaltOfTheEarth #NatureBound

We must reconsider the role of maintenance and care in shaping the future of forest restoration projects in the Global South. Maintenance at large remains a neglected aspect under a generic assumption — once projects are successfully established over a 5 or 10 year term, the local communities will take care of those forests, and the usefulness of these forests will endure in perpetuity. This assumption is deeply problematic. From the Himalaya, our research casts attention to the fragility of these promised futures. Growing up a student, Platypus was always among the top go-to places for anthropology of science, technology, and the environment. If you want to contribute, you can pitch your themes to the multimedia contributing editors Prerna Srigyan and Hae-Seo Kim.

Reflecting on humanity's drift from nature's balance, I found a compelling argument in this interesting paper: “The Ethical Experience of Nature: Aristotle and the Roots of Ecological Phenomenology” by Dylan van der Schyff at Simon Fraser University. It highlights how Aristotle’s teleological view, often misunderstood in our scientific age, offers valuable insights for today’s environmental challenges. Aristotle's concepts of orexis (desire) and eudaimonia (flourishing life) can extend to ecosystems, urging us to recognize their intrinsic value beyond mere resources. Modern phenomenology and Deep Ecology also reassert the importance of direct human experience and ethical engagement with nature. They echo the Zulu concept of Ubuntu – "I am what I am because of what we all are" – emphasizing our interconnectedness and the need for ecological balance. These perspectives challenge the instrumental view of nature and remind us to foster a deeper connection with our environment, embracing sustainability and ethical responsibility. #Sustainability #EnvironmentalEthics #Philosophy #DeepEcology #Ubuntu #Aristotle

5/5 Introducing the teachers of our specialization course in Social Biomimicry: Leen Gorissen Leen Gorissen specializes in ecology, transition science, regenerative design and bio-inspired innovation. She is the author of the recent book ‘Building the Future of Innovation on Millions of Years of Natural Intelligence’ and the founder of Centre4NI: a catalyst that helps organizations and businesses to innovate like nature. 🌱 In her module, she will delve into the science of complex living systems, what this means for us humans, and how we can have regenerative roles in these systems.🕸️ SESSION 1. Introduction to the Science of Living Systems. A first introduction to complex living systems and how complexity thinking is a necessary capability for the future.  SESSION 2. From Living Systems Understanding to Living Systems Design. Introduction to regenerative development.  SESSION 3. Understanding living systems from Western and Indigenous Perspectives. Towards a new integration of different knowledge systems. #biomimicry #socialinnovation