The space mirrors project is just insane. Terrestrial light pollution is bad enough as it is. I really hope this one doesn't get off the ground, so to speak. Proof of concept is a long way from commercial viablility, so I'm still hopeful. As for space billboards, feck me that is some seriously dystopian territory we're heading into.
It is crazy. I'm not even sure who can give approvals for that sort of thing, particularly on an international scale. It's ridiculously invasive. Sadly, satellites are being launched left, right and centre these days. As for commercial viability, I'm afraid the problem is that these things are commercially viable, and there is demand. It will be interesting to watch if regulators, whoever they are, prevent it from happening.
Nice work, Alia. I like the subtle, unstated linking of the various sections together. And the title too is clever, a nice play on the butterfly effect, which links to that linking. Thanks for writing!
I so loved this, Alia. What I am experiencing is this sense of everything being connected, which of course it is in nature. But this connectivity can be life affirming or life ending. And all three vignettes are also connected, inasmuch as each perspective is literally feeding another, or destroying another. Such beautiful writing.
Beautiful work, and grim. The possibility that Musk's face might be hovering in the sky one day is intolerable, like so much else the super-aggrandizers foist on us these days.
As a child I loved campy science fiction disaster movies, but this is truly sobering. Can’t we just have a ten-year moratorium on inventing things so we can take a breather and assess where we’re going with all this technology? Thanks, Alia, as always for sharing your insights, thoughts and hard work with your readers!
Mine too, Nick. I live in the foothills of the mountains where the Bogong Moth migrates to each summer, and I never see them. They hold such strong cultural significance here.
Ah, Fern Gully, that's a blast from the past! Yes, it is sobering that this isn't really set that far in the future. It's all in the works now. But the positivity in that is that things can still be done to prevent the extinction of those creatures and preserve our night skies.
"But instinct can’t fill the present with the knowledge of its past. Moth didn’t know there should have been others." Such a tragic sentiment, and one that made me so glad to see not one, but two non-human perspectives.
Was the human vignette intended to show that the cutworms were just a nuisance in the farmer's eyes?
Thank you, Devon. There are a few dimensions to 'The Man'. One being the 'nuisance' factor you identify, but also the stress and financial distress insects can cause for farmers. That vignette also introduced two of the numerous causes that have led to Bogong Moth population decline: insecticides and drought. Later, we see how light pollution is also a contributing factor.
Alia, this is a beautiful story. It speaks of connection and responsibility and the recklessness of humans in our pursuit of momentary value. I hadn’t heard about the nighttime solar reflection projects, so I am horrified to read about it. So crazy.
I can’t wait to read the other Future of Nature contributions as they are published. It’s been a super fun project.
Thank you, Kate. I'm glad it seems to have worked out, although it's not as refined as I would have liked. But I got there! Can't wait to read your story, too. Tonight, I feel like the undead, so I'll try another night when I know I can fully enjoy it :)
Rest up Alia and I hope you find some quiet time over the next week to read all the brilliant Earth Day stories. Also that work becomes a little less busy for you too. All my kids are unwell, grandma too, so we are taking these Easter holidays slowly slowly. Take care, Kate
The space mirrors project is just insane. Terrestrial light pollution is bad enough as it is. I really hope this one doesn't get off the ground, so to speak. Proof of concept is a long way from commercial viablility, so I'm still hopeful. As for space billboards, feck me that is some seriously dystopian territory we're heading into.
It is crazy. I'm not even sure who can give approvals for that sort of thing, particularly on an international scale. It's ridiculously invasive. Sadly, satellites are being launched left, right and centre these days. As for commercial viability, I'm afraid the problem is that these things are commercially viable, and there is demand. It will be interesting to watch if regulators, whoever they are, prevent it from happening.
Nice work, Alia. I like the subtle, unstated linking of the various sections together. And the title too is clever, a nice play on the butterfly effect, which links to that linking. Thanks for writing!
Thank you, Joseph. We can find connections between most things when we look for them 🙂
I so loved this, Alia. What I am experiencing is this sense of everything being connected, which of course it is in nature. But this connectivity can be life affirming or life ending. And all three vignettes are also connected, inasmuch as each perspective is literally feeding another, or destroying another. Such beautiful writing.
Thank you Nancy, you've fully absorbed what I was trying to convey. ♥️
Beautiful work, and grim. The possibility that Musk's face might be hovering in the sky one day is intolerable, like so much else the super-aggrandizers foist on us these days.
I agree Thomas, just because something is possible, doesn't mean it should be done.
As a child I loved campy science fiction disaster movies, but this is truly sobering. Can’t we just have a ten-year moratorium on inventing things so we can take a breather and assess where we’re going with all this technology? Thanks, Alia, as always for sharing your insights, thoughts and hard work with your readers!
I love that idea, Rafael. I might hit pause on a few other things too, haha :)
Clever weaving of heartbreaking tales and wonderfully crafted different voices!
Thank you, that's very kind of you to say. 🙏
heart actually breaking for Moth.
what a wonderful piece of writing! viewpoints from the sharp end of corporate greed and pointless tech. night time sunlight? what? space mirrors?
Mine too, Nick. I live in the foothills of the mountains where the Bogong Moth migrates to each summer, and I never see them. They hold such strong cultural significance here.
This is perfect. Loved how each vignette subtly led us into the next.
Thanks Nick, I appreciate you dropping by 🙂
Real fernGully vibes with this one. Beautifully written yet a sobering view of what is happening
Ah, Fern Gully, that's a blast from the past! Yes, it is sobering that this isn't really set that far in the future. It's all in the works now. But the positivity in that is that things can still be done to prevent the extinction of those creatures and preserve our night skies.
"But instinct can’t fill the present with the knowledge of its past. Moth didn’t know there should have been others." Such a tragic sentiment, and one that made me so glad to see not one, but two non-human perspectives.
Was the human vignette intended to show that the cutworms were just a nuisance in the farmer's eyes?
Thank you, Devon. There are a few dimensions to 'The Man'. One being the 'nuisance' factor you identify, but also the stress and financial distress insects can cause for farmers. That vignette also introduced two of the numerous causes that have led to Bogong Moth population decline: insecticides and drought. Later, we see how light pollution is also a contributing factor.
Alia, this is a beautiful story. It speaks of connection and responsibility and the recklessness of humans in our pursuit of momentary value. I hadn’t heard about the nighttime solar reflection projects, so I am horrified to read about it. So crazy.
I can’t wait to read the other Future of Nature contributions as they are published. It’s been a super fun project.
Hope you had a lovely Easter, Kate
Thank you, Kate. I'm glad it seems to have worked out, although it's not as refined as I would have liked. But I got there! Can't wait to read your story, too. Tonight, I feel like the undead, so I'll try another night when I know I can fully enjoy it :)
Rest up Alia and I hope you find some quiet time over the next week to read all the brilliant Earth Day stories. Also that work becomes a little less busy for you too. All my kids are unwell, grandma too, so we are taking these Easter holidays slowly slowly. Take care, Kate
Oh dear, that's no fun. I hope everyone's feeling better soon.
What a beautiful story, Alia, your writing has the power to give a voice to those who cannot speak. I was very touched.