Innocence Theory Podcast

Often seen as intruders in our homes; butterflies, spiders, ants and termites are rarely appreciated for the role they play in the environment.

This episode is a field recording of a walk organised by Science Gallery Bengaluru. We uncover the wonders surrounding Jakkur Lake, a living museum where nature showcases its artistry. Amidst the rustling leaves and gentle ripples of the water, Karthik and Vishawanath guide us in interpreting natures work of art, revealing the hidden stories of the natural world.

Guests : Vishwanath S,Karthikeyan S
Host: Dinesh Kumar C
Editor: Abhinav Suresh
Cover Art: Akshay Joshi

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Back to school

After a long time, we return to school—different places, different roles, different seats in the classroom.

In this episode, we discuss our shared (and wildly different) experiences in stand-up comedy, improv, teaching, cognitive ergonomics, ai, sustainability and now, academia again—this time from the other side of the desk.

It’s the start of a new series—two friends, two hemispheres, one familiar classroom from different points of view.

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Snakebites in rural India kill six people every hour, yet the issue remains overshadowed by its urban counterpart. Sumanth Bindumadhav, Director of wildlife programs at Human Society International India, discusses why snakebites disproportionately affect rural communities and how evidence-based solutions, like making snakebites a notifiable disease, can yield actionable insights. 

From addressing treatment challenges to designing culturally sensitive prevention strategies, This episode stresses the need for nuanced contextual research.

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Is your favourite eco-friendly product really as green as it claims to be? In the world of sustainability, not everything is what it seems. This episode takes a look at greenwashing—when companies falsely promote products as environmentally friendly—and its impact on genuine sustainability efforts.

Our guest Uttam Banerjee, CEO of Ekam, a company pioneering waterless urinals and innovative sanitation solutions, shares their journey to reduce water and chemical use in cleaning products. But standing in their way is a market filled with deceptive marketing and misleading certifications that confuse consumers and slow progress.

We dive into the challenges innovators face when going up against big corporations, and how we, as consumers, can play a part in demanding transparency.

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Guests: Uttam Banerjee
Host: Dinesh Kumar C
Cover Art: Akshay Joshi

Human-elephant conflict often grabs attention due to the destruction it causes, with media coverage highlighting the immediate losses for both people and elephants. However, the real story is far more complex. Beyond the headlines, what does life in a conflict zone look like for both elephants and the communities living alongside them?  

Wildlife conservationist Vinod Krishnan, currently with Humane Society International India, has spent over 13 years studying human-elephant conflict in Karnataka. In this episode, he shares his first-hand experiences, offering a nuanced understanding of the many sides of this conflict. We explore the daily realities faced by both humans and elephants, the resource limitations of the forest department, and the often-overlooked role of media in shaping public perception.

Whether you're interested in wildlife conservation or how design can address complex, real-world challenges, this episode provides valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of human-wildlife interaction.

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Guests: Vinod Krishnan
Host: Dinesh Kumar C
Editor: Abhinav Suresh
Cover Art: Akshay Joshi

Intelligence, knowledge, society, culture—these are often seen as exclusive human traits, setting us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom. But what if we’re wrong? What if the sounds in the natural world hold more truth than we can accept?

Dr. Kathelijne Koops, a primatologist and biological anthropologist from the University of Zurich, takes us deep into the dense forests of the Nimba Mountains in Western Africa. Amid ancient trees and whispering winds, we encounter sounds that challenge our very understanding of what it means to be human. This episode is sparked by an exhibit at Science Gallery Bengaluru, created by the sound artist Nikki Buzzi. 

The forest is not for the faint of heart. Proceed with caution. What you hear might just change you… forever.

Note: This episode contains original sounds recorded in the field. Please use headphones for optimal experience.

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 Guests: Dr. Kathelijne Koops, Nikki Buzzi
Producers: Dinesh
Editor: Abhinav Suresh
Cover Art: Akshay Joshi

Kathelijne Koops’s Website

https://bengaluru.sciencegallery.com

Join us as we revisit the historic success of Chandrayaan 3 on its first anniversary. Relive the moments that made the lunar mission a global milestone!

In this episode we gaze at the moon, rediscover our romantic cosmic neighbour, — is it as pleasant as it seems or is it a hostile place with a violent past? What’s the story of moon mountains, gravitational lumps and permanent shadow region(PSR)?  What’s the story of water in the moon, where is it present and how did we come to know? More importantly, why is the moon a great candidate to decipher our cosmic origin

Listen to the two part series - to learn a little deeper about the moon and the context of Chandrayaan 3 mission to truly appreciate the endeavour. What does all of these missions mean to us, as a citizen of the planet. Where and how are we going to go in the next few decades from a space travel standpoint.

We lay it all out - in this simple yet inspiring conversation with Jatan Mehta.

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Reach out to us at [email protected]

Jatan’s Blog - https://blog.jatan.space
Why we explore the moon -https://blog.jatan.space/p/why-explore-the-moon

How are lunar mountains different from earth mountains- https://science.thewire.in/the-sciences/lunar-mountains-craters-landing-sites-solar-system/

The story of water being found on moon- https://blog.jatan.space/p/ultimate-guide-to-water-on-the-moon

Lumps in the moon’s gravitational field-https://blog.jatan.space/p/the-moons-lumpy-gravity-field

Tool to explore the PSRs- https://quickmap.lroc.asu.edu/query?extent=-21.6741319%2C-48.3039112%2C-3.1485562%2C-38.9146241&id=lroc&highlightFeatureId=0&showTerrain=true&queryFeature=1&queryOpts=N4IgLghgRiBcIBMKRAXyA&layers=NrBsFYBoAZIRnpEBmZcAsjYIHYFcAbAyAbwF8BdC0yioA&proj=10

Lunar South Pole atlas-https://www.lpi.usra.edu/lunar/lunar-south-pole-atlas/#illustrations

Nasa spinoff-https://spinoff.nasa.gov

About episode cover: (Moon rendered in green)

Topography of Earth's moon generated from data collected by the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter, aboard NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, with the gravity anomalies bordering the Procellarum region superimposed in blue. The border structures are shown using gravity gradients calculated with data from NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission. These gravity anomalies are interpreted as ancient lava-flooded rift zones buried beneath the volcanic plains (or maria) on the nearside of the Moon.

Gravity Gradients Frame Oceanus Procellarum

Photojournal: PIA18822

Image Credit: NASA/Colorado School of Mines/MIT/GSFC/Scientific Visualization Studio

Published: July 9, 2018

https://moon.nasa.gov/resources/267/gravity-gradients-frame-oceanus-procellarum/

Climate change impacts nearly every sector, creating a surge in opportunities within sustainability jobs. As the world approaches environmental challenges, a significant portion of the workforce will inevitably shift towards this vital space. But with so much information and noise, how can you effectively position yourself in this growing field?

In this episode, we sit down with Koushik Yanamandram from Climate Asia, a specialist who bridges gaps in organisations within the climate adaptation space. Koushik shares his insights on how you can leverage your existing skills to make a successful transition to green jobs. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to make a meaningful shift, this conversation is packed with valuable advice to help you navigate the green job landscape.

Tune in to learn how to cut through the clutter and find your path in the world of sustainability.

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Guest: Koushik Yanamandram
Producers: Dinesh
Editor: Abhinav Suresh
Cover Art: Akshay Joshi

Global Green Skills report 2023

Climate-centric careers, Building a roadmap and beyond

Have you ever traced the path of your toilet sewage pipe? In this engaging episode, we explore the world of sanitary workers through design researchers who immerse themselves in their daily lives. By understanding the real challenges sanitary workers face, these researchers show why many design solutions fail. Join us to discover how an empathy-driven approach can lead to more impactful and meaningful innovations.

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Guest: Mitin Anand, Naveen G
Producers: Arjun & Dinesh
Editor: Abhinav Suresh
Cover Art: Akshay Joshi

There is a growing sense of fatigue due to the alarming reports on climate change, compounded by the increasingly extreme weather conditions we experience. We participated in a course called ‘Knowledge2Action’ that exposed us to the different facets of climate change.

In this episode, we inquire into meaningful outlooks to addressing the climate change crisis in relatable ways. We explore the fear, motivation, and pain axes that help us overcome barriers and take action. Climate change becomes a central topic in many contemporary discussions. We invite fellow listeners to share their thoughts and ideas on this important issue. Please share the podcast so like-minded people can come together and navigate this unfamiliar space. 

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Guest : Vaidehi Patil
Hosts & Producers : Arjun & Dinesh
Editor : Abhinav Suresh
Cover Art : Akshay Joshi

References:

Knowledge2action

Risk Communication, Public Engagement, and Climate Change: A Role for Emotions
Sabine Roeser∗

Cover art data
https://showyourstripes.info/l/asia/india/all

Greta Thunberg’s interview

Johan Rockström | Planetary boundaries: scientific advances | Frontiers Forum Live 2023