The podcast is back! After a nearly two-year break, we’ve got a slate of episodes about pastoral lined up. I’ve recorded episodes with several students from my summer literature class on pastoral. The first one to be released is about the problem of Asian carp. In the latest episode, which you can download here, Tim Hanner sits down to talk about the threat to freshwater fisheries in his home state of Illinois.
Who can fish or enjoy the lake in these conditions?
Like many invasive species, Asian carp are supremely evolved and take over ecosystems at the expense of other life forms. A recent ESPN Outside the Lines report illustrates the problem. You might also want to take a look at the efforts of the Peoria Carp Hunters to get a sense of how prolific these fish are.
Tim recommends several pastoral items, including Philip Roth’s American Pastoral. Andrew suggests that those interested in invasive species take a look at Robert Sullivan’s Rats: Observations on the History and Habitat of the City’s most Unwanted Inhabitants. He also suggests John Leland’s Aliens in the Backyard.
Download today!
A python eats an alligator and explodes.
*Music credit: “Redneck Yacht Club” by Craig Morgan.
