Emergence(y) Part 2

In this week’s episode, we continue with stories from the students at the University of Melbourne and explore the idea of having a sustainability mindset – not just when it comes to the environment around us,  but also when it comes to activities that bring communities together or online platforms that try to divide us. 


What if nothing matters?


With all the crises happening, many young people feel helpless and become nihilistic, thinking life as meaningless. Sometimes, I have a similar feeling. Am I nihilistic, or as many people said, pessimistic?

Through chatting with the author of The Romanticism of Contemporary Theory: Institution, Aesthetics, Nihilism, Associate Professor Justin Clemens, and my Gen Z friends, we discuss what nihilism could be for young people, and our way pursuing the “meaning of life”.


Produced by Tin Yan Wong


Supervising Producer Thomas Phillips 


 


Sharing the city with possums


As cities continue to expand, more native wildlife have to adapt to urban life. The possum is one of the most familiar urban wildlife species in Australia. In this story, reporter Peiyao Xu has “a conversation with a possum” to explore residents' views on possums, and an interview with Dr Kylie Soanes to understand the living situations of urban possums and explore the future of people and urban wildlife as “neighbours”.


Produced by Peiyao Xu


Supervisign Producer  Persephone Waxman 


 


Gender Online Debate


Young men and women are getting increasingly socially and politically engaged online – but seemingly in opposing ways. Ava Morrison investigates, by speaking to a digital communications expert and a feminist TikToker, about incels, feminism, and online hostility.


Produced by Ava Morrison


Supervising Producer Thomas Phillips


 


Beyond the Needle


The tattoo industry in Melbourne is facing a complex challenge. While the city remains a hub for ink culture, artists are grappling with a growing demand for sustainability in a sector dominated by single-use plastics and strict health regulations. As artists innovate and clients become more conscious of their environmental impact, the industry is at a crossroads. Can tattooing evolve without compromising safety? Preeshita Shah reports.


Produced by Preeshita Shah


Supervising Producer  Thomas Phillips


 


Forest Food Gardens


According to the Foodbank Australia Report, 3.5 million households are experiencing food insecurity. While climate change and social disconnection deepen the crisis, Melbourne Skyfarm transforms a rooftop car park into an urban farm to grow food and build community. So far, it has produced 3.4 tonnes of food worth $118,000, directly to food relief charity OzHarvest.
Our reporter Cheuk Lam Li spoke to project leader Zarah Copeland and urban farmer Dario Rivero on how Melbourne Skyfarm is bringing changes in these challenging times and why it matters.


Produced by Cheuk Lam Li 


Supervising Producer Thomas Phillips


 


All The Best Credits


Host Kwame Slusher


Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan


Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell


Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie


Artwork: Ray Vo


Mixed and Compiled by Ramon Briant 


Theme Music composed by Shining Bird 


 


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