34. Extinction ~ loss, hope and redemption

2023-06-07

We live in the age of the 6th Mass Extinction; one that is human caused. Yet, amidst all this loss, we are still finding so called ‘Lazarus’ species; creatures that we believe we had extirpated but have been re-found. And some that have not been proven, but many fervently believe are still alive, clinging on to existence away from human gaze and knowledge; ready for a second coming. Why are we so reluctant to let go of that which has demonstrably gone? Why do we hold a desperate desire that some creatures are still there, but we didn’t care enough at the time ...

Why are we so reluctant to let go of that which has demonstrably gone? Why do we hold a desperate desire that some creatures are still there, but we didn’t care enough at the time to stop their eradication? In this episode we explore stories of the Tasmanian Tiger, the Ivory-billed Woodpecker and others, and wonder why do so many of us ache for natural loss not to be final.

With music from Colin Williams

Some of the ideas and references we make in this podcast can be found here:

Ivory-billed Woodpecker

Thylacine

Arthur Conan Doyle

Cottingley Faeries

Sixth Mass Extinction

Yangtze River Dolphin

Passenger Pigeon

Honshu Wolf

Mexican Grizzly Bear

Tasmanian Emu