We noticed that you’ve also been spending a lot of time gardening recently.
I volunteer at a commercial farm. I live in an apartment and I’m the kind of person who doesn’t want plants inside my apartment.
To be a real farmer, you have to grow vegetables in soil. The only way as of now is to volunteer. In my mind, I have a dream that I’ll have a farm of my own one day — not to be a commercial farmer but to be sustainable. To be able to grow enough food for yourself and to exchange the extras with others. I want a life that is more rooted in nature.
Everyone needs to think about climate change and it’s a real crisis. We’ve been talking about it since primary school and I remember discussing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the ‘80s.
We’ve just gotten worse now and when I think about it philosophically, it’s because we’ve cut nature out from our lives so much. It’s not like I’m crazy about green things; I like the idea of being in touch with nature and I started to learn about green things and I think it feels good, which is why I’m doing it.
What about a home garden?
I’m very afraid of insects. (laughs) When I was talking to a farming enthusiast I remember feeling very sheepish because I said that I was afraid of insects and asked if he was going to laugh at me.
He said no, because he also felt the same way. There’ll be a point where you overcome it — you won’t like it but you will not freak out. He was right because I saw these huge millipedes and earthworms the first time I volunteered.
They were very alive; they were jumping, wriggling, writhing, and it was pretty disgusting. However, I wasn’t scared. Usually, I’d be screaming and running but they were like 1cm away from my fingers and for some reason, I didn’t even jump. I asked myself why I wasn't scared and I realised that it’s because they’re in their natural habitat. I’m the intruder and I’m somehow more accommodating. If I see it in my living room I’ll start screaming because that’s my space.
So… Your reason for not wanting plants at home is because you don't want insects to invade your space?
Yes it is. (Laughs) The only things I have in the house are fresh cut flowers because they’re very safe.