Studying futurism, cyborgs, and the Anthropocene involves delving into the complex interplay between advancing technology and our rapidly changing planet, exploring how our cyborg future could shape and be shaped by human-driven ecological transformation. It’s a journey into understanding our imminent reality, where the boundaries between human and machine blur and our impact on Earth enters a critical phase, leading to paradigm shifts in society, ethics, and the environment. This subject was fascinating. Don’t take my lack of visible productivity as a sign that I wasn’t invested.

As earthlings our planet needs attention and as media makers, our responsibility lies in clear conveyance of direct action toward Decarbonisation. Thank you for the initiative, I still have along way to go in mediated communication in this area.

I won’t hold you here long. I would like to acknowledge A.I and its profound impact on my ability to externalise my imagination.

Our mission:

1. Research – As per my pitch I was investigating the potential of seaweed as a method of decarbonisation and it’s inherent other benefits such as completing the loop in agricultural activities, purifying water and as a food source. Research included Phycohealth, the Seaweed Blueprint, agriculture and the circular economy and other carbon farming initiatives in Australia.
2. Analysis – Ultimately this area is not as advanced as other carbon reduction initiatives in Australia and proved challenging to create media around a greater theme than sustainability.
3. Action – Through interviews and research, I began to create positive and informative media although it is in its dawn phase.
4. Report – Let’s go!

The potential of the seaweed industry, with companies like PhycoHealth leading the way, is quite promising. Despite the current focus being more on the production of food, beauty products, and nutrients, the potential for this industry to contribute significantly to decarbonisation in the future cannot be overlooked.

Indeed, the fascinating concept of nutrient remittance from agricultural waste streams that PhycoHealth is pioneering, although still in nascent stages, could revolutionise the agriculture sector and contribute to a significant reduction in carbon emissions. What may seem like science fiction today could become a critical climate solution tomorrow.

Circular farming, or regenerative agriculture, is another promising approach that is gaining traction. It is all about creating a closed-loop system where waste is minimised, and resources are reused, effectively breaking the cycle of carbon emissions typical in conventional farming methods.

Although the seaweed industry and regenerative agriculture are not the most immediate or direct paths to decarbonisation, they hold incredible potential for the future. As we strive towards a net-zero future, innovative solutions like these will be critical in transforming high-emission sectors like agriculture, which currently accounts for around 13 per cent of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

In short, while we may need to focus on more immediate and direct decarbonisation strategies today, it’s vital to keep an eye on the horizon for emerging solutions that could become game-changers in the future. The work of companies like PhycoHealth exemplifies this forward-looking approach. But I recognise the directive of this project was and is to promote direct achievable action now.

Navigating the complex landscape of decarbonisation can indeed be challenging, particularly when confronted with often convoluted carbon credit schemes and contentious methods such as feeding seaweed to cattle to reduce methane emissions.

These strategies can sometimes feel like band-aids on a wound that requires surgery – temporary solutions that don’t address the root of the problem, and perhaps, even distract from the urgency of systemic changes required.

Moreover, the current media landscape, filled with ‘green narratives’, can add to this complexity. Companies might tout sustainability credentials that don’t hold up under scrutiny, contributing to a culture of ‘greenwashing’. This can cloud the decarbonisation discourse and make it difficult to discern truly impactful initiatives and made me step back and seek to refocus as I wanted to commit to clear, unambiguous messaging. Transparency in communication is paramount.

Finding a clear path through this ‘forest’ of information isn’t always easy, and I am still trying to bridge the gap that feels like a black hole.

So what did I do?

To avoid polluting this page with TikTok’s here’s a snap shot of my venture into this ecosystem. I’m a curious creature but I’m finding less and less value in short form mediated experiences, but it was worth the experiment. My handle is @algaerithm. My favourite part of this process was ideating names for this project. Sure, cringe, whatever.

During the initial phases of my content development and brainstorming, I had the opportunity to tour the production facilities at Phyco Health, with an aim to enrich my understanding and create engaging content about the virtues of seaweed. However, I found this direction didn’t quite resonate with the wider narrative I had in mind. Consequently, I felt the need to recalibrate my approach to better align my content within its broader context.

Key areas for self progression include informing different micro publics through proliferation of content on different platforms and understanding audiences. I think my thirst to be across every topic that I’m creating content around hinders my ability to reproduce rapidly. That being said as non tech native, I have added a few more arrows to my quiver.

This brings us to the stage of my journey where I delve into the subject vectors and their influence on my digital artifact. It’s been a fascinating immersion into a multitude of topics, references, and alternate takes on films. After watching the weekly movies with an intentionally multi-faceted viewpoint, I can confidently say that my perspective has been profoundly transformed.

Pour Yourself a Vino, you deserve it.