Interesting that you mentioned birds—in one part of the movie, they discuss how birds can serve as indicators of local environmental health. And I honestly had no idea about Canada’s involvement in the nuclear story. I read that footnote several times and then followed the link you shared. At first, it seemed almost like an oxymoron, but I realised that reaction came largely from my own stereotypical image of Canada. Once I moved beyond that, it became another sobering example of how deeply imperial and industrial histories are intertwined.

@Maritza Roldan that is so cool. You must be enjoying wonderful coffee then 🙌

This should be an everyday morning reminder: “Don’t take it all so seriously, have fun!” 😊 Thank you @Sarah Santacroce, this hangout was exactly the kind of lightness-refill I needed.

Just to give some feedback I promised to @Nadene Canning and @Lars-Erik Einevik : I held my first larger union meeting as a local union representative at my faculty, and around 40 people came, including 12 non-members, which was much more than expected. I framed the union not only as a legal or administrative mechanism, but as a space for dignity, responsibility, listening, and humane dialogue. I used a simplified polarity map, translated into English here: when trust breaks down, we need formal mechanisms such as protection of dignity, designated persons, union support, and procedures; but before that, we need clearer information, safer conversations, earlier raising of problems, and more trust. The room started with some tension, but my own openness — saying that I am new, that I will make mistakes, I already did, and that I also had not known enough about some past issues — seemed to help people relax. Some people voiced criticism of the union and of past lack of transparency. One former member said the meeting gave her a “seed of hope” to return. One colleague from the cleaning staff spoke very movingly about missing humane conversations, gatherings, and mutual appreciation. We did not solve a lot, but we opened a door after a long period without regular meetings, and I announced that we will continue with another meeting within about six months (as defined by law). For me, this felt like a small but real movement from silence and defensiveness toward dialogue, recognition, and shared agency. I am also aware that there were tensions, few sour-ish faces and pockets of resistance — partly around concerns raised by members, and partly around my intention to look more carefully into missing or unclear protective measures. But I also understand that this road will be bumpy, and I am slowly coming to peace with that. Once again, Nadene and Lars-Erik, thank you so much for the conversation during what was originally meant to be our regular summer hangout, but ended up becoming a very helpful coaching session for me as I was preparing for this meeting. You helped me find the steadier state of mind I needed for this work. I am enormously grateful for this community and The Field.

@Nadene Canning Thank you! I do see the value, but I also see how this kind of space can be uncomfortable at the beginning, especially when people are used to the status quo or to a more “muddy” state of things. Like I said, there will be bumps, but I guess that is pretty normal and expected.

This is a more heavy one, but your question really met me where I am this week. I have been dealing with the terminal stage of my mother’s illness, and moving through waves of rage around unfairness, suffering, lack of meaning, and all the painful parts of human condition. In that rage, I found myself digging out and sifting my composter — something I had never fully done before. And then I was there with worms, half-decomposed leaves and food scraps, noticing how everything was slowly becoming soil — teeming with life within death itself. I kept thinking or maybe hoping about how decay, pain, and transition can somehow become nourishment. I am still deeply uneasy with the suffering I cannot alleviate, but I feel a little calmer imagining that her energy, too, may eventually transform into something soil-like — something that keeps nourishing life in another form. So, nudge nudge — my current condition is nudging me into the ever-present search for meaning, even in the weirdest places 🥴.

Wow, sounds like the session was so deep and relatable for this time we live in.Thank you all for sharing the insights, especially for us who missed it 🙏❤️