This episode features a conversation on different ways the internet has affected our notions of culture, identity, and the individual. Why have the 'boomer', 'millenial', 'gen Z', etc, categories become so mainstream and seemingly important? In what ways does the internet prompt a deeper engagement with culture? What are we defined by, if not by what we do? All these questions and more are discussed, and used to form new questions for next week. Follow the link to contact the hosts or buy one of...
Mar 27, 2023•47 min
To launch the long-awaited internet semester we discuss the extent to which the internet formed our personalities and sense of self. Then we explore the original intent of the internet and a brief history. This episode certainly prompted more questions than answers so we look forward to future episodes! Zines and Contact: https://solacene.bigcartel.com
Mar 20, 2023•52 min
How could the Oscars be more Solacene? Would awards be determined in the same way in the ideal future? In this part two episode we discuss how the 2023 Oscars exceeded our expectations in terms of beauty, sustainability, and tactility (and how it could have done better). We also expanded upon our thoughts on this year's best picture winner- Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Mar 14, 2023•19 min
Red carpets, monologues, social commentary, and of course, award-winning films, all presented in our take on how the 2023 Academy Awards should have been. (and who could forget, 'The Sea Beast') Contact the hosts or buy one of the handmade Solacene zines here: https://www.solacene.org
Mar 13, 2023•37 min
Have you been dreaming of a product that will solve the climate crisis and help keep your shirt sleeve clean all at the same time? A furry friend to pad out your numbers at climate protests? Well look no further- in this satirical infomercial episode the hosts invent ten (almost) useless products invented in the name of sustainability. Contact and Zine here: https://solacene.bigcartel.com/about
Mar 06, 2023•41 min
This week we finally introduce ourselves by interviewing one another on our ideal versions of everyday objects, activities, and technologies. I hope you enjoy and feel free so send us any questions you may have about us as we love to get to know you, our listeners, too. Zine and Such: https://solacene.bigcartel.com/about
Feb 27, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Radio is an old and highly convivial technology that we believe has countless applications in the ideal future. This week we discuss how radio can take over for certain undesirable aspects of the internet, and how it can build and foster community better than almost any other communication technology. Zine Available Here: https://solacene.bigcartel.com
Feb 20, 2023•54 min
For the final episode of the Nature semester we design the society, infrastructure, and culture of the Solacene using biomimicry. To wrap things up we also took a quiz on the lessons from the semester. Tune in for some fun and facts on the show where we imagine the ideal future that is beautiful, sustainable, and tactile. Website: https://solacene.bigcartel.com/about
Feb 13, 2023•52 min
This week, Aaron and Alicia hop into our conversational time machine to do some benevolent meddling. We discuss the many inflection points of human technological/cultural history which, if altered, might have lead us to a more sustainable present. A 'pseudocene', if you will. ft. ripple effects, paradoxes, and a tiny giant pun. Buy one of the handmade Solacene zines or contact the hosts here: https://www.solacene.org
Feb 06, 2023•47 min
This episode is all about SPACE: THE FINAL FRONTIER. Outer space is technically a wild, untouched expanse of nature. Should our species' interaction with it thus abide by the same rules of care and sustainability as, say, exploring an old growth forest? Is there much to be gained in leaving orbit besides pride? Today we tried to answer these questions and more. We also discussed light pollution, greenwashing, and DENDOCHRONOLOGY. Contact the hosts or order a handmade Solacene zine here: https://...
Jan 30, 2023•50 min
Alicia and Aaron are feeling passionate this episode, ranting about things like deepfakes, seal hunting, poaching (not eggs), and Alicia's frequent misquoting of the bible. We also discuss the aesthetic argument for material cohesion and local sourcing. Listen!! Use this link to buy one of our handmade zines or contact us with feedback: https://www.solacene.org
Jan 23, 2023•42 min
With an ever-increasing % of the world population residing in urban areas, a key element of our species' relationship with nature is urban planning. Parks, gardens, and allotments are some of the ways we currently make our cities greener. This discussion is about the 'nature' of urban vs rural living, as well as some ideas for how Solacene cities can best resemble and incorporate wilderness. Buy a zine or contact us with feedback here: https://www.solacene.org
Jan 16, 2023•44 min
The last two hundred years have seen exponential changes in the way we interact with nature. These have been driven by technology and culture, and largely perceived as beneficial to our species. This episode focuses on certain aspects of lifestyle, attitude, and society that have perhaps been unnecessarily abandoned, and which could return in the Solacene. We also discuss kangaroos and treehouses (obviously). Buy a zine, or contact us with feedback and ideas for next week's topics here: https://...
Jan 09, 2023•1 hr
We talk a lot about the future on Solacene, but what about the past? This episode is all about the relevance of geological history to our imagined future. Topics of discussion include how large time scales contextualize human impacts (cool), the aesthetic significance of fossils (very cool), and the educational power of museums (super cool), as well as how all these things help shape the mind of the beautiful sustainable tactile SOLACITES (people). Contact us or buy a handmade Solacene zine thro...
Jan 02, 2023•40 min
Pets (and their lazy cousins, houseplants) have partnered our species since long before recorded history. Why? Should this continue in the beautiful sustainable tactile imagined utopian future SOLACENE? Why was Ron allowed to bring a rat to Hogwarts? All these questions and more are covered by us in this week's episode. We also talk about our favorite textures of nature. Things get sensual, so listen! Contact us, or buy a handmade Solacene zine through this link! : https://www.solacene.org
Dec 27, 2022•49 min
Logically we covered the secrets of nature in this week's episode: from the purpose of life to waste management. An introduction to what ecotourism is and how people of the Solacene may travel differently, and an attempt to tear down curtain on how things are actually recycled. Tune in for a beautiful melange of science, philosophy, and passion. Contact and Zine: https://www.solacene.org
Dec 20, 2022•42 min
Did you know our hobbies have an environmental impact? This week we discuss how the Solacene will facilitate green activity not just in the economy and government, but in all aspects of our lives. But first- we dive into the natural origins of many of our favorite mythological creatures! Zine and contact information are available here: https://www.solacene.org
Dec 12, 2022•48 min
The deep sea retains a certain sense of mystique amongst humans today, a unique holdover from the days of explorative frontiers and mythologized wilderness. It also happens to contain many cool and potentially innovative species. This episode features a discussion of the possible ways in which the Solacene can take inspiration from dark ocean depths. We then cover briefly the intersection of nature and spirituality (especially as told in film) and some ideas for a Solacene national park. Zine an...
Dec 05, 2022•46 min
Diving into the philosophy of nature's intrinsic value after a discussion of all the things in nature that annoy us, we cover the highs and lows of what it means to live as one with nature. This week is a mix of comedy and philosophy with an introduction to concepts such as the perception gap, anthropocentrism, natural-historic perspective, and more! Zine and contact information are available here: https://solacene.bigcartel.com
Nov 28, 2022•51 min
This week we begin a discussion on the ethics of human interference in nature in the form of medicine and genetic modification. Given that this is the nature series we also provide an introduction to the nine planetary boundaries and discuss what they mean and imagine how they will be maintained in the Solacene. Check out our new zine, 'A Walk Through the Wilderness', available via the link below. All profits go towards Ecojustice, Canada’s largest environmental law charity. Our Website: https:/...
Nov 22, 2022•49 min
Environmentalism as outlined in the bible can be interpreted in various ways. From different definitions of words like "subdue", to the matter of earthly versus heavenly attention, and even the persistent mentions of wildlife in psalms and parables, this episode discusses the topic of Christian views on nature in some detail. We also talk about how Solacene media outlets will present environmental issues, as well as some rules we think should govern the way our species interacts with the natural...
Nov 14, 2022•49 min
Almost everybody has a different perception of the place and purpose of our species in the world. Are we a part of, or apart from, nature? Various ideologies, religions, and philosophers seek to answer that question in different ways, and while it may seem a semantic difference, in this episode we explore how these perspectives inform our individual and collective environmental impact. Then we talk about how and why the Solacene prioritizes being beautiful, sustainable, and tactile, and how thes...
Nov 07, 2022•45 min
This week we kick off our newest Solacene series, Nature, by talking about our favourite ecosystems, the biggest problems facing nature, and how this will relate to our other semesters. Tune in for all things wetlands, and an optimistic conversation about how we can combat climate change. Check out our Nature Zine, A Walk Through the Wilderness, available on our website. All profits go towards Ecojustice, Canada’s largest environmental law charity. Our Website: https://www.solacene.org Ecojustic...
Oct 31, 2022•49 min
Follow this link to check out all our zines! www.solacene.org
Oct 31, 2022•9 min
Frog and Toad, Little Bear, Franklin and Friends, The Berenstain Bears, Arthur. These are just some of the formative stories from our childhood that contain, along with their entertainment and memorable messages, certain threads of simple living that manifest in our adult personalities. This episode discusses children's stories through this lens of simple living, as well as how the medium can best be used to shape people that are childlike in all the best ways. Buy the zines, sign up for field n...
Oct 24, 2022•46 min
So much of the human experience is made up of small moments that either make you smile or frown. This episode focuses on the former- various little nice things we wanted to feature that are all too rare in today's world, but will be commonplace in the Solacene. What a happy conversation! Buy the zines, sign up for field notes, or contact the hosts: https://www.solacene.org
Oct 17, 2022•57 min
"We’re making Earth our only shareholder. I am dead serious about saving this planet." These are the words of Yvon Chouinard, founder and longtime sole owner of Patagonia, in a recent open letter announcing the future of the company. This episode of Solacene is dedicated to celebrating the impact of Chouinard's last fifty years in business, and what makes Patagonia such an inspiring and forward-thinking model (it isn't just the fleeces). We also touch on the discuss the concept of 'benevolent ca...
Oct 10, 2022•48 min
Inspired by a recent trip we took to Europe, this episode is devoted to the pros and cons of travel, both personal and societal. Will it be different in the Solacene, when everyone has 'a life they don't need a vacation from'? In what ways is local travel underrated? How does seeing new places help us generate new ideas? We discuss all these questions and more on this week's edition of SOLACENE the podcast all about a beautiful sustainable tactile f u t u r e Buy the zines, sign up for field not...
Oct 03, 2022•48 min
We conclude the storytelling semester with a simple discussion on the significance of circumstance and serendipity to a story's reception. Also discussed are the 'narratives' we construct when talking about other people, and how that will be done more positively in the Solacene. Lastly, Alicia introduces the Solacene book club, currently discussing Richard Powers' 'The Overstory'. Join by contacting us using the information below! Buy the zines, sign up for field notes, or contact the hosts: htt...
Sep 26, 2022•35 min
This is a fun episode in which we each nominate an artist who embodies the Solacene, and why we think they would be good at portraying that beautiful, sustainable, tactile world. It is uplifting to consider the world as a story and ourselves its tellers. We also feature some feminist literature and talk about the distinct role of actors through history. Buy the zines, sign up for field notes, or contact the hosts: www.solacene.org
Sep 19, 2022•40 min
