ITHOUGHT EVERYBODY HAD SEEN the video of author Elizabeth Gilbert presenting at the 2009 TED Conference on the subject of nurturing creativity. But the other night at dinner, I mentioned I’d re-watched it as part of kicking off the new year, and a new book I’m starting, right…and got some blank looks. It’s here on the book part of my website, where creative inspiration is proving to be a regular theme.
THE LECTURE that he’s been giving for a number of years is not-so-subtly called “Kill Your Lawn.” Ecological horticulturist Dan Jaffe Wilder knows that starting over and creating an entire native habitat instead of a lawn isn’t for everyone. But Dan just wants to grab our attention and get us to start to make some changes at least in the way we care for the turfgrass we do want in our landscapes. And maybe give up a little square footage of it to some other kind of more diverse planting, too, like the wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana, inset). Alternative, more eco-focused styles of lawn care, along with some lawn alternatives is what he and I talked about on the podcast. Dan is Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation in Wales, Massachusetts, and its 8,000-acre sanctuary. He’s also co-author with Mark Richardson of the book “Native Plants for New England Gardens.”
(Stream it below, read the illustrated transcript or subscribe free.)
Margaret-
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. After watching the clip I forwarded it to my children. I’m more like Elizabeth’s Dad (having worked in the Chemical Industry), but my daughter is a novelist and my son a photographer so I thought it would be particularly relevant to them. Both were aware of TED, and my daughter had already viewed the clip but indicated she wanted to see it again.
Again, thanks for the suggestion.
Walter
You are welcome, Walter; nice of you to share it with the family (sounds like a very creative bunch!). :)
wow, that is way woo woo
Ooh yes, I love that talk. Was just thinking of it, thanks for walking me to it again.
I did see that video! But it is one of those “talks” that I can listen to repeatedly over time. Thanks for reminder and the revisit to thoughts which are so worthwhile, especially this time of year.
Thank you SOOO much for posting this. Although I often listen to Ted podcasts, I had missed it. The idea of creative fairies– is just wow. The pressure that can so easily slip into the process of creation is a stunner… but I really like this small, simple way of combatting it. Thanks, Margaret!