Pseudoscience in Popular Culture—a Musical Conversation

Session Submission Type: Special Event

Abstract

The “Dust Bowl” of the 1930s U.S. is one of the world’s most “celebrated” ecological disasters. A perfect storm of circumstances (a record-breaking drought, the opening of a fragile ecosystem to exploitation, greed and poverty, the rise of industrial agriculture, the rise of global commodities trade) resulted in massive topsoil loss and the ruin of a 100 million acre grassland (about half the size of New South Wales). What role did pseudoscientific theories play in guiding or unleashing these events? Where do we see similar processes going on today?

Coincidentally, the Dust Bowl also birthed a new era of American folk music, much of which can be traced to the prolific and subversive writings of Woody Guthrie. 4S’s own Administrator, Steve Coffee, has now brought this musical connection full circle by writing a “folk opera” that illuminates this environmental catastrophe from the inside out. “Rain Follows the Plow” tells the story of a West Texas farm family caught up in the hubris, the faith, and ultimately the suffering and remorse as their utterly natural ambitions literally bring their world down around them.

In this informal and unpredictable session, Coffee and a band of intrepid Aussie folkies will offer a selection of songs. Science Journalism Professor Susan Swanberg (University of Arizona) will offer perspective. Matthew Kearnes, conference co-Chair and member of the Environmental Humanities group at UNSW, will moderate audience discussion. Bring a lunch and join the fun!

Sub Unit

• Single Paper Submission

Chairs

• Matthew Kearnes, Environmental Humanities Progarmme, School of Humanities and Languages, University of New South Wale

• Susan Elizabeth Swanberg, University of Arizona

Session Organizer

• Stephen Coffee, Chaos Abatement