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   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.