A lost prophet at the crossroads of science and poetry, who turned her success from writing wondrously about the sea into a platform for defending nature against destruction
A great episode from its main points down to its asides. Elias's daughter's friend who was inspired by Carson's work to pursue his career--a remarkable anecdote. You guys and your fellow torch-bearers help keep the prophets' lights from going out!
I loved the interview of Roger Christie, Carson's adopted son. I came to see Roger as one of Carson's living legacies. She seemed to speak through him when he described what might be called a "silent beach," missing much of the evidence of tidal life--sea stars, sea urchins, and others--despite the steps Carson had taken long before to create conditions for tide pools and sea life and after he had enjoyed them so much as a child. I thought about his movement from the loss of maritime diversity to the loss of human diversity in Maine with the rise of McMansions and the disappearance of teachers, tradespeople, researchers. The unstated conclusion suggested a connection.
I loved hearing about the various reflections on Carson's work, and they reminded me of my own candidates for lost prophethood. (Though I should do the work and write about them myself.) Vonnegut's 1969 piece about seeing the earth from space as opposed to locally reminded me of James C. Scott's critique of the view from above favored by states in his Seeing Like a State. Gary Snyder's remark that "we have yet to discover America" reminds me of Wendell Berry's remark to the same effect in his "Native Hill" essay:
"Having left Europe far behind, [the colonists] had not yet in any meaningful sense arrived in America, not yet having devoted themselves to any part of it in a way that would produce the intricate knowledge of it necessary to live in it without destroying it. Because they belonged to no place, it was almost inevitable that they should behave violently toward the places they came to. We still have not, in any meaningful way, arrived in America."
Finally, Carson's 1956 article about children and wonder--about how schools should prioritize fostering wonder over teaching facts--reminds me of Walker Percy's essay "Metaphor as Mistake," in which he relates his boyhood disappointment after being corrected by his father about the name of a bird species. The imposition of facts ended the boy's "authentic poetic experience."
Anyway, thank you for another deep dive. (So funny that Carson didn't like going underwater!)
Loved this episode—thank you! I had a childhood mentor, my “Aunt” Gladys who was around the same age as Carson (a little older, actually) and gave me an unbelievable education, taking me under her wing and—like Carson’s mother, teaching me about poetry and nature. I wrote a poem about her influence: https://scottedwardanderson.blog/2010/11/18/when-the-spirit-moves-you-go-with-it/
A great episode from its main points down to its asides. Elias's daughter's friend who was inspired by Carson's work to pursue his career--a remarkable anecdote. You guys and your fellow torch-bearers help keep the prophets' lights from going out!
I loved the interview of Roger Christie, Carson's adopted son. I came to see Roger as one of Carson's living legacies. She seemed to speak through him when he described what might be called a "silent beach," missing much of the evidence of tidal life--sea stars, sea urchins, and others--despite the steps Carson had taken long before to create conditions for tide pools and sea life and after he had enjoyed them so much as a child. I thought about his movement from the loss of maritime diversity to the loss of human diversity in Maine with the rise of McMansions and the disappearance of teachers, tradespeople, researchers. The unstated conclusion suggested a connection.
I loved hearing about the various reflections on Carson's work, and they reminded me of my own candidates for lost prophethood. (Though I should do the work and write about them myself.) Vonnegut's 1969 piece about seeing the earth from space as opposed to locally reminded me of James C. Scott's critique of the view from above favored by states in his Seeing Like a State. Gary Snyder's remark that "we have yet to discover America" reminds me of Wendell Berry's remark to the same effect in his "Native Hill" essay:
"Having left Europe far behind, [the colonists] had not yet in any meaningful sense arrived in America, not yet having devoted themselves to any part of it in a way that would produce the intricate knowledge of it necessary to live in it without destroying it. Because they belonged to no place, it was almost inevitable that they should behave violently toward the places they came to. We still have not, in any meaningful way, arrived in America."
Finally, Carson's 1956 article about children and wonder--about how schools should prioritize fostering wonder over teaching facts--reminds me of Walker Percy's essay "Metaphor as Mistake," in which he relates his boyhood disappointment after being corrected by his father about the name of a bird species. The imposition of facts ended the boy's "authentic poetic experience."
Anyway, thank you for another deep dive. (So funny that Carson didn't like going underwater!)
Thank you, Bryce, for such a thoughtful reply. Have Walker Percy and James C. Scott in the queue for future episodes!
We are basking in your kind words!
Loved this episode—thank you! I had a childhood mentor, my “Aunt” Gladys who was around the same age as Carson (a little older, actually) and gave me an unbelievable education, taking me under her wing and—like Carson’s mother, teaching me about poetry and nature. I wrote a poem about her influence: https://scottedwardanderson.blog/2010/11/18/when-the-spirit-moves-you-go-with-it/
Wonderful poem--what a gift to have "Aunt" Gladys in your life!