Letter 2 - Escaping the Mall Madness

It seems like everyone is headed to ...the mall!

Hello there!

How have you been?

I'm writing this letter to you over the weekend, and it seems like everyone is headed to ...the mall!

Hordes of cars lend themselves to a handy traffic jam. People crowd the roads to get there—yes, the actual roads—because we don't have enough footpaths. And once at the mall, the artificial air and the fake plants can make your eyes water as much as the prices.

Seriously, what is this fascination? I have yet to understand it. If you have, I'm all ears. Please let me know.

Malls are not eco-friendly, and a cursory glance around a mall tells us that. Look at the enormous plastic usage, for starters. Waste segregation is little or none at all. The bright, non-LED lights, the constantly running air conditioning, the increased traffic on the roads, especially on weekends—all of it adds to Nature's difficulties.

The weekend is as good a time as any to inspect the state of the planet and where it is headed. I don't want to spoil your day, but it's not looking good.

This news, especially, had many worried.

This further strengthens what so many of us know and believe: there is widespread contamination of resources - and the human body.

If we think of the human body as a resource, how might we treat it?

Let me rephrase.

If we realised that our human body is a non-renewable resource, how might we treat it? Indeed, with more care. With more discretion.

With better, self-affirming words.

With as much confidence as bioluminescent fungi. As the article says, in the northern Western Ghats, the mycelium also glows. You do know that we like this, right?

And I remember my mall rat, er, I mean mall rant.

What could help?

Biophilic design-centric malls.

They not only create a healthier environment but also more positive feelings. Read more about how we can create better malls and experiences here.

If you are looking for non-mall weekend plans, I suggest something we all love at Mycelium: Have yourself a ‘natureventure,’ a mini nature adventure. Head to the garden or the park, enjoy a picnic with loved ones, or trek a hill. Immerse yourself in nature, and you will never have buyer's guilt, unlike in a mall or online shopping.

What’s more, you always have a chance to be surprised. Why, earlier this month, we learnt of a new wasp species discovered in the Western Ghats. We hope you have a pleasant experience with Taeniogonalos deepaki. It’s a nice name, I think. Dr Deepak Deshpande, who collected the specimen, will be chuffed.

I'll drink to that.

I'll drink to nature. And with Godawan, I can. A drink to draw attention to the Godawan, or Great Indian Bustard (marked Critically Endangered in the IUCN red list), is one way we can do more for our avian companions.

I started this letter last weekend, and here we are. It's Friday and I want to ask - where are you headed this weekend?

Do let me know.

For now, from the glowy bunch at Mycelium, till next time, cheers and bye for now.

“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” - John Muir

- Team Mycelium