Mining Sacred Ground and Exploring Abandoned Spaces & Places: Five for Friday in April
What's domicology? And why would we mine the deep sea or the Moon? We're also reflecting back on water with the release of On Sacred Ground
Dear Reader,
Thanks for being here. Today we have a new term "Domicology," along with a good podcast on that topic. Plus, we delve into the societal and environmental implications of resource extraction from the deep sea bed of our Mother Earth and our satellite the Moon. We harken back to the topic of water and the story of the Dakota Access Pipeline as a new movie is released. So let’s get started!
One: Did you ever hear of the term Domicology?
Dr Rex LaMore of Michigan State University’s Center for Community and Economic Development coined the term domicology. Alie Ward’s podcast Ologies has an informative interview with Dr LaMore. It’s about abandoned spaces and places and how it impacts communities.
[culture & podcast recommendation Oloigies]
Check out the episode here:
"The study of domicology goes beyond the physical structures themselves to examine the societal and cultural implications of abandonment and neglect." - Dr Rex Lamore
Two & Three: Mining the Moon and Deep Ocean mining, two very dangerous propositions
NASA’s Artemis Program will not only land the first woman and person of colour on the moon - that seems like progress, but it also wants to mine its resources. NASA plans to use researchers to explore using metal extracted from the surface layer of the moon. NASA is partnering with the Department of Energy in the US, as well as commercial interests.
This makes me think of a time when people who make plastic decided to start dumping it in the ocean without consensus from the population. I’m simply reporting this to you, not sure what anyone can do about it. It’s this human idea of separation, territory, taking, extracting and using resources without considering the consequences for all the species on Earth. Progress is exciting when it supports the planet and the greater good, special interests…um not so much!
Oddly I’ve been waiting to share this podcast episode from Undark Magazine, it’s their last podcast episode (ever) and since Moon mining came up, it seemed appropriate to share this today too.
In this episode of Undark Magazine’s podcast, a number of experts get together to discuss the consequences of mining the deep ocean for minerals, like cobalt and nickel, that are needed to power clean energy technologies. Some scientists warn that mining them could have tremendous consequences, not just for underwater ecosystems, but for the planet as a whole.
Oh the irony, let’s destroy our entire world for ‘clean’ energy. Today Forbes released an article by Steve Banker on deep-sea mining and demand for these minerals as well.
Deep-sea mining has the possibility of causing mass habitat destruction and since the science behind deep sea life is limited so are the known effects of the mining process. - Steve Banker
Four: On Sacred Ground
Here’s the synopsis from the film’s website: ON SACRED GROUND is based on the true events during the 2016 construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline that runs through the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. The film follows Daniel (William Mapother), a journalist and military veteran, and Elliot (David Arquette), an oil company executive, who find themselves on opposite sides of the fight during the construction of the contentious pipeline. As the story unfolds, the two characters go down separate paths during one of the most heated protests and confrontations with Native American tribes in modern US history.
Five: All water is holy water.
We revisit my article, “All water is holy water.” Since we were discussing deep sea mining and the release of a new movie on the water protectors called On Sacred Ground. If you are a free subscriber you can read the article by enrolling in the 7-day free trial.
Some of the news here seems grim. Yet, it’s not meant to throw you into a state of apathy or hopelessness since with awareness, the action comes. If you have an idea of how people can gather together and make known their feelings or how we can all take action, share your thoughts in the comments.
Thanks and Namaste!
Amy
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