Welcome to Alien Places! The podcast where I ask guests which 3 places they would show an alien visiting Earth, to give them a sense of the key issues facing human society.
Any 3 places, any reasons. The interviews tend to be a blend of environment discussion, travel and biography of the guest.
Which are your 3 Alien Places?
Email me at: alien@atulsearth.co.uk or contact via Twitter: @atulsearth
Alien Places 13: Nick Crane’s Alien
Published: 10 February 2019
Geographer, author and broadcaster Nicholas Crane, presenter of BBC television series such as Coast, Map Man and Town, tells me about his Alien Places:
- European Mountain Range: Physical Geography, Alien Passport Control.
- Norfolk Broads: Alien Kayaking, Alien Deal, Tranquillity.
- Hindu Kush Mountains: Natural Beauty, War, United Nations.
A short introduction to the guest, appropriately filmed at the coast:
Please click the sound file below to hear the full podcast:
Alien Places 12: Dan Sansom’s Alien
Published 22 April 2018
Second year Wildlife, Education and Media student at Cornwall College, Dan Sansom, tells me about his Alien Places:
- Shark Fin Rock, Cornwall: Childhood, Fun, Danger.
- Striding Edge, Lake District: Challenge, Risk, Safety.
- Kruger National Park, South Africa: Nature, Rhinos, Ivory Trade.
Please click the sound file below to hear the podcast:
Alien Places 11: Patrick Kendrew’s Alien
Published: 21 April 2018
Second year Wildlife, Education and Media student at Cornwall College, Patrick Kendrew, tells me about his Alien Places:
- New York, USA: Alien Photo Tour! Concrete, Interaction.
- North Devon, England: Woodland, Pace, Biodiversity.
- Iceland: Earth in Action, Geysers, Magma.
Please click the sound file below to hear the podcast:
Alien Places 10: Sammy Brisden and Lucy Tadman-Troup’s Alien
Published: 2 April 2018
Second year Wildlife, Education and Media students at Cornwall College, Sammy Brisden and Lucy Tadman-Troup, tell me about their Alien Places:
- Ghandruk, Nepal: Butterflies, Leopards, Solar, Alien Time!
- Naankuse, Namibia: Open Spaces, Harmony with Nature, Speaking in Baboon!
- Newquay, England: Surfing, Ocean, Deep Sea Exploration.
Please click the sound file below to hear the podcast:
Alien Places 9: Jason Birt’s Alien
Published: 1 April 2018
Programme Manager of the Wildlife, Education and Media course at the Centre for Applied Zoology at Cornwall College, Jason Birt, tells me about his Alien Places:
- Apo Island, Philippines: Set-Aside, Vested Interests.
- Otago Peninsula, Southern New Zealand: Penguins! Charismatic Species.
- Roseland Peninsula, Cornwall: Alien Canoeing! Childhood, Education, Exploration.
Please click the sound file below to hear the podcast:
Alien Places 8: Abigail Maiden’s Alien
Published: 31 March 2018
Final year Applied Zoology and Conservation student Abigail Maiden tells me about her Alien Places:
- Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland: Humans and Nature in Balance.
- Algonquin Park, Ontario, Eastern Canada: Elements for Life, Champagne Rain!
- Serengeti, Tanzania: Endangered Animals, Hunting, Owls.
Please click the sound file below to hear the podcast:
Alien Places 7: Nicola Morris’ Alien
Published: 31 March 2018
Lecturer and Project Co-ordinator of the Student Invasive Non-Native Group (SINNG) Nicola Morris tells me about her Alien Places:
- Eastern Poland: Disruptive Technology, Happiness, Social Media.
- South East Cornwall: Invasive Species, Stephen Hawking, Chocolate Aliens!
- Bodmin Moor: Valuing Nature, Beast of Bodmin Moor! Wallabies.
Please click the sound file below to hear the podcast:
Alien Places 6: Lizzie Daly’s Alien
Published: 11 January 2018
Wildlife biologist and broadcaster Lizzie Daly tells me about her Alien Places:
- Patagonia, Argentina: Wildlife and Hunting.
- Wales, UK: Snowdon Lily, Niche Adaptations, Progression of Human Knowledge.
- Ocean: Perceptions of Food Chains, Anglerfish, Invention of Plastic.
Please click the sound file below to hear the podcast:
Alien Places 5: Adam Clark’s Alien
Published: 6 November 2017
Adam Clark from Clean Energy UK tells me about his Alien Places:
- New Forest, Southern England: Howling Wolves!
- Hengistbury Head Beach, Bournemouth: Planet Naming Error! Beach Cleaning.
- Paris, France: Pros and Cons of Cities.
Please click the sound file below to hear the podcast:
Alien Places 4: Abi Thommes’ Alien
Published: 31 October 2017
Abi Thommes from Arts2Educate tells me about her Alien Places:
- Piccadilly Circus, London: Population, Connection, Anonymity.
- Lulworth Cove, Dorset: Human Decision Making.
- Primary School, Year 4 (8-9 year olds): Interaction, Music, Teaching Basics.
Please click the sound file below to hear the podcast:
Alien Places 3: James Fair’s Alien
Published: 18 June 2017
James Fair, Programme Leader for the BA Film Programme at Bournemouth University tells me about his Alien Places:
- Birmingham, England: Transport Hubs, Evolution of Cities, Non-Places!
- Chamonix, French Alps: Climate Change, Fake Snow, Self-Harm.
- Ubari Lakes, Libya: Moving Dunes, Oases, Water Wars.
Please click the sound file below to hear the podcast:
Alien Places 2: Amy Williams’ Alien
Published: 18 June 2017
Amy Williams from Eyes on Environment tells me about her Alien Places:
- New Delhi, India: Inequality, Population Conundrum, Air Pollution.
- Arctic: Plastic Pollution, Bioaccumulation and Human Health, Climate Change.
- Costa Rica: Renewables, Biodiversity, Eco-Tourism.
Please click the sound file below to hear the podcast:
Alien Places 1: Atul’s Alien
Published: 30 May 2017
Introduction to my series, Alien Places, and my answer from 1998 to the question:
An alien who has absolutely no knowledge of Earth asks you to give them a sense of the key issues facing human society, by taking them on a field trip to three locations. Where do you take them, what do you show them and why?
My Alien Places in 1998 were:
- Cairo, Egypt: Money, Mystery, Environmental Limits.
- Los Angeles, USA: Inequality, Consumption, Renewables.
- Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam: Socialism, War, Climate Change.
Please click the sound file below to hear the podcast:
Where would you take your Alien?
Email me at: alien@atulsearth.co.uk or contact via Twitter: @atulsearth
