Knit to This
The Anthropocene Reviewed
If you are not up on your geologic ages (and I suspect few of us are), the planet is currently in its Anthropocene era, where human influences, more than comets or volcanos, are having the greatest effect on the planet itself.
If only, you may be thinking to yourself, I had a guide to which of the parts of this age we’re in are worth my time and trouble. And if only each part had a rating out of five stars.
Writer John Green (The Fault in Our Stars, An Abundance of Katherines, and many more) is here for you with his podcast The Anthropocene Reviewed.
The topics are as broad as the Anthropocene itself. He takes on plagues, proms, pennies, and the Piggly Wiggly, not to mention the Stanford prison experiment and sycamore trees (a video version of that last one is linked above). In his measured tones, Green walks you through the background of each topic and how he’s calculated its star value. Each episode is a tasty snack, one that combines both cerebral and emotional topics with delicate ease.
If, after a taste of the podcast you crave a feast for both eyes and ears, Green collected these episodes (and more!) in a book version, then narrated the audiobook version. No word on how many stars he assigned his own work.
If you crave a banquet, Green’s curious mind took him to a zero stars aspect of our geologic age: tuberculosis, which is all but eradicated in wealthy parts of the world and endemic everywhere else. Everything is Tuberculosis, a New York Times bestseller, shares clear DNA with the podcast, especially if experienced as an audiobook.
I give John Green’s non-fiction four out of five stars.
Photo credit: Marina Waters
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I was in Strasbourg, France, on vacation with my husband. We happened upon a beautiful plaza next to a canal built around and shaded by 3 giant sycamore trees. Tables and chairs were scattered beneath the trees and we sat and ate ice cream for lunch (it was vacation, after all). It is a beautiful memory that I return to often.
My first apartment was down the road from a Sycamore tree that was already large enough to be a landmark when Europeans first came to the area and began to settle Deerfield and Sunderland, MA. It is amazing to stand at the base of such a big, old tree that’s just part of the neighborhood.
I had the great pleasure of seeing my daughter interview John Green in Atlanta when he was on tour for Everything is Tuberculosis. He is a remarkably entertaining educator as is she ( Health Wanted podcast). Speaking of which, her podcast is a good knit to this, as well.
You’re Laurel’s mom? That’s so cool, as I’m sure you know. Have loved her on instagram and the podcast.
I am indeed. She gives me proud Mama moments regularly. I take no credit, though. She’s always been all Laurel, all the time. 🙂
How exciting and wonderful for both you and your daughter! I just finished Everything is Tuberculosis on audiobook and really enjoyed it. He is such a talented writer.
Thank you! Perfect timing as I need a new podcast since I now only allow a trickle of current events so as to maintain a semblance of sanity.
Perfect timing as I need a new podcast since I now only allow a trickle of current events so as to maintain a semblance of sanity. Thabk you!
She covers various public health issues and other fun stuff like sleep and gambling and stuff. Enjoy!
Thanks! Another new (to me) author to add to my list.
In 2020 we drove our daughter and new son-in-law’s stuff across the country after their tiny wedding (in the time of COVID). The Anthropocene Reviewed podcast was our soundtrack. It’s so good. Don’t skip through the commercials for life insurance. They were so funny I could hardly believe a real company let him do them.
I have an ad-free subscription to John Green’s other podcast (Dear Hank and John) and I truly miss the life insurance ads. He has such fun with them!
I’d give him 5 out of 5. Everything I’ve read of his is well worth my time.
This sounds very nerdy. Right up my alley (Bio major, Chem and Geology minor). Need to check it out. Thanks
OK, well now I’m crying. Mesmerizing voice, thoughts I can relate to, and a sycamore tree that makes it all worthwhile. Sold.
I had never read or listened to John Green until I heard him interviewed on 99% Invisible. That inspired me to listen to Everything is Tuberculosis, which was fascinating and well read. I look forward to listening to this.
I am listening to the audiobook now and it is so many gifts–barking laughs, teary eyes and activating the empathy receptors that feel so roughed up these days. Really a wonderful listen, thanks so much for mentioning it
As a geologist, I feel obligated to report that the anthropocene epoch as a formal unit of the geological time scale has not been accepted by the International Commission on Stratigraphy. The committee formally voted against it on March 4th, 2024. However, the committeed did acknowledge that “the term Anthropocene is now well established in the public domain, and will no doubt continue to be used in popular and scientific discourse” (ICS, IUGS, 2024).
I have made a note.
And thank you for the clarification!
This is the reference:
https://www.iugs.org/_files/ugd/f1fc07_40d1a7ed58de458c9f8f24de5e739663.pdf?index=true
Completely agree. Loved Anthropocene Reviewed as a book, and tore through Everything is Tuberculosis and am currently trying to get everyone I know to read it.
My overwhelming takeaway after hearing this (Anthropocene) podcast is to notice and cherish the small, perfect moments life gives us. The brilliance of colored leaves on a fall hike, the happiness of meeting a new friend, the coziness of knitting by a fireplace in winter; these things matter a lot. And in addition, don’t stop putting your mark on the world, whether that be railing against injustice, caring for subsequent generations, protecting the environment, or providing a moment of peace and happiness for others with whatever your special gift is. We only have this one life to live.
Tuberculosis is making a comeback in wealthier parts of the world too. Partly due to people having holidays in far-flung, off-the-beaten-track places, eg: where it may still be endemic.
Then the Tuberculosis bacillus is extremely changeable & develops drug-resistance. So treatments have to be changed, and courses of treatment completed – this can be a real Thing sometimes. Partly-completed treatment courses contribute to the rise of drug-resistance.
Then there is the growing pool of non-vaccinated people in who have ‘exercised their Rights to Not be Vaccinated’. It’s a Good Thing Smallpox was eliminated back before the Covid Pandemic!
And, of course, because the wealthier countries are (largely) free of Tuberculosis – do we see the NEED to carry on with Vaccination & drug-treatment (& new drug development) programmes where it is still thriving ‘in the wild’? Or do we cut Aid Programmes?
Thus our basic self-centredness comes back to bite us, or our children or grandchildren. A bit like Measles, & Chickenpox – which are both MORE than ‘mere childhood illnesses’. Specially if you can’t afford to pay for a Doctor or drugs and eat – which is becoming all to common in some wealthier countries too.