By going back to nature, we - two recent British graduates with a shared worldview and set of values - mean returning to a state of harmony with our natural sel...
Taoism: What can modern society learn from ancient philosophy?
In this episode we discuss Taoism - an ancient philosophy founded by the philosopher Lao Tzu over 2,500 years ago. We explore how modern society can learn from the core beliefs of Taoism and highlight the relevancy of this philosophy in all aspects of day-to-day life.
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28:24
Climate change: history, ideology, technology, economics, and moving beyond the growth paradigm
In this rich episode, we discuss the impacts of anthropogenic environmental change, the relationship between humanity and the natural world, life beyond capitalism, bottom-up and top-down approaches to tackling the environmental crisis, the role of governments and the potential of renewable technology. We get to the heart of the debate around how we go about changing people's consumption habits and discuss the meaning of sustainability.
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41:12
AI: the end of humanity or our salvation?
This week Back to Nature is joined by a special guest - Luc McCutcheon - who is an expert in the field of Artificial Intelligence. In this episode Luc answers the all important question: will AI bring the end of humanity or will it be our salvation? During this episode, we also address common misconceptions about AI, discuss recent advancements in the field and identify ways in which AI can help combat climate change.
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22:20
Stress: what is it, has it worsened over time and how do we manage it?
In this episode, we discuss the relationship between stress and modernity, touching on history, technology and overstimulation. We also cover the negative effects of stress on our health and well-being, and different strategies to manage it. We suggest that there is a correlation between stress and our disconnection with nature, arguing that the latter is a powerful antidote to the former.
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21:59
Mental Health Part 1: how spending time in nature can help recovery from mental health conditions
This week Shannon shares insight into a very personal experience of hers. After recovering from a manic episode, Shannon describes how nature helped her cope with the stress of hospitalisation and facilitated her recovery. We further discuss topics such as the flaws in the healthcare system, the treatment of mental health conditions and the additional coping strategies Shannon developed to help her through the experience.
By going back to nature, we - two recent British graduates with a shared worldview and set of values - mean returning to a state of harmony with our natural selves and the natural world. We discuss the ways humans have become out of touch with nature, the reasons why, and how we might reconnect with it. This reconnection benefits the individual, promoting wellness, as well as serving the webs of interconnectivity we are part of: human communities, ecosystems and the exchange of all types of energy in the world. Topics range from sleep to climate change, from AI to barefoot running.
Ireland