We have one cardinal rule on 99% Invisible: No cardinals. Meaning, we deal with the built world, not the natural world. So, when I read Jon Mooallem’s brilliant book, Wild Ones: A Sometimes Dismaying, Weirdly Reassuring Story About Looking at People Looking at Animals in America, I didn’t think we’d ever do an episode of 99%

I think this episode and book changed my life course many moons ago. I get tears every time I listen to the song. :) It’s the story how how the conservation movement got started in America. It’s a good listen and the book is a good, quick read.

Men standing with pile of buffalo skulls, Michigan Carbon Works, Rougeville MI, 1892. Photo from Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library

https://brighterworld.mcmaster.ca/articles/historical-photo-of-mountain-of-bison-skulls-documents-animals-on-the-brink-of-extinction/

  • Toadvark@mander.xyzEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    Aww!! I didn’t expect to see this here, I’m smiling like a big dork. I’m an utter fangirl for the band behind the music, Black Prairie, so I heard about and read the book right as it was released (and may or may not own the album on vinyl lol). Just as you said, the book is a great jumping-off point for so many topics…The segment on butterfly conservation stuck with me, for whatever reason.

    After all these years I think the song “Waltz for George and Tex” is my favorite. 🪺

      • Toadvark@mander.xyzEnglish
        2·
        1 year ago

        I’m on my phone and have no clue what hell these links may unleash, but here’s the album on youtube and spotify.

        …Now that I think on it, it’s been so long since I listened to the 99PI episode, I can’t even remember if they make use of or even mention the album. Apologies for my fanboy hat maybe being screwed on a little too tight! 😆

        EDIT: As for their non-Wild-Ones work, I tend toward their first two albums since they’re a bit more… moody 'n dramatic than the newest one. They’re a side project of a bunch of musicians, so the discography is pretty small and easy to get through.