Sep 05, 2026

Started listening after having watched The Bride!. Still listening as of 9/5/2026.

Jun 13, 2026

The interpretation of urban design as "closed access," efficiently shunting people between their centers of consumption (i.e., their home) to centers of production (i.e., their workplaces) with very little in between available for access was interesting to think about. The psychogeographers' subversive aimless walking felt important today, since our attention is literally a product for sale and manipulated with addictive social media apps, infinite algorithmically customized news feeds, and heaps of podcasts, shows, vertical content etc. Walking today without piping advertisements into your head is similarly subversive.

The many cynical descriptions of the capitalist structures and systems that govern society resonated: probably 90% of the politicians I've interacted with would identify as an environmentalist, odd since 90% of their votes align specifically with real estate and development lobby interests.

The author's privilege as a white, well-educated, well-connected, able-bodied, straight, cis-gendered male wasn't really explored as part of how he is able to navigate urban edge lands, build his own custom empty lot eco-cabin, etc. But this was a good, meandering read that reminded me of a naturalist on a walk, following his curiosity, making unexpected observations and interpreting them through story to help others see the living world around us in a new way. I was pleased to see a call to action for engagement with local politics. I agree that that is the level where most individuals are best situated to influence change.

Mar 26, 2026

Introduction: cliff swallow morphology evolution driven by road selection pressures; disproportionate impact of "road effect"--just 1% of earth covered in pavement but 20% subject to impacts from roads; impacts include direct mortality from vehicle collisions, interrupted migratory pathways, loss of habitat, spead of invasives/problematic native species, access to resource extraction, climate change and mining intensification, etc. Wildlife are "'other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time.' And the road ensares us both. This book is about how we escape."

Jan 20, 2026

Oct 21, 2025

Eye opening, especially regarding the enourmous application of pesticides and how limited environmental safety reviews are for these chemicals. I also hadn't understood how fertilizers harm insects by promoting weedy species at the expense of a greater diversity of wildflowers which reduces nectar, pollen, and other plant resources. I was surprised by how limited our understanding is of the impact of artificial light at night on insect decline. I thought the author did a good job communicating the importance of paying attention to and protecting insects and other little things. Makes me want learn more about our food system and broader pestcide policy in Washington. 

I enjoyed the little vingettes about various insects preceeding each chapter.

A critique, perhaps--felt like there were some value judgements lacing some of the writing about obesity.

Jul 20, 2025