In the second part of our special dark sky series we are joined by Paul Bogard, author of The End of Night and What if Night. Our discussion opened with our sense of safety – it’s easy to think that more light makes us safer, but glare makes it harder to see and without other meaningful changes related to security increasing light levels is more about having done something than done something effective.

Darkness can be a place for contemplation if you let it in. Jane and Paul discuss their evening rituals, moon watching habits and how taking a moment with the outside can be much more beneficial than we really think.

We also discuss light on its own as a communications medium, hate on Vegas, the hubris of controlling nature, and the broadening implications of good sleep and good health.

Paul explains that he doesn’t want us all back in the stone age, but does want to see buildings that are genuinely beautiful, part of that is building awareness through appearing on podcasts but by approaching regulators well-weaponed with knowledge.

Listen to the podcast.