201- Do we need a neighborhood watch for trees?
Digest
This episode of World Gone Wrong delves into a peculiar occurrence in Jamie's hometown. A crab apple tree in a local park has inexplicably transformed into the image of Adelaide Mayfield, a prominent businesswoman who passed away over a century ago. The uncanny resemblance, complete with Adelaide's distinctive birthmark, has sparked widespread concern and a town meeting. Jamie, who lives nearby and has a tree on their property that is also undergoing a similar transformation, attends the meeting and finds themselves thrust into the role of interim acting secretary after a chaotic discussion about the tree and the town's emergency preparedness. The episode explores themes of community, local politics, and the unsettling nature of reality's apparent breakdown, leaving listeners with a sense of unease and a lingering question about the true nature of the tree's transformation.
Outlines
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Sponsor Announcement
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Desert Skies
This Chapter introduces a fictional podcast called Desert Skies, featuring a humorous and surreal dialogue between two characters, the Attendant and the Mechanic, who are responsible for preparing travelers for their journey to the Great Beyond. The dialogue highlights the absurdity of the afterlife and the characters' lack of understanding of the traveler's situation.
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The Adelaide Tree
This Chapter begins with Jamie and Malik discussing a strange phenomenon in their town: a crab apple tree that has morphed into the likeness of a deceased local businesswoman, Adelaide Mayfield. The tree's transformation has caused widespread concern and a town meeting is called to discuss the situation. Jamie, who lives nearby and has a tree on their property that is also undergoing a similar transformation, attends the meeting and finds themselves thrust into the role of interim acting secretary after a chaotic discussion about the tree and the town's emergency preparedness.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Town Meeting
This Chapter presents a dramatized reading of the town meeting transcript, highlighting the residents' concerns about the Adelaide tree and their lack of preparedness for such an event. The meeting reveals the town's reliance on a phone tree for emergency communication, which has proven ineffective in this instance. Jamie's unexpected appointment as interim acting secretary underscores the chaotic nature of the situation and the town's struggle to adapt to the changing reality.
Keywords
Adelaide Mayfield
Adelaide Mayfield was a prominent businesswoman in a small Colorado mining town in the early 1870s. She was known for her success in business, particularly in running a brothel, and for her later philanthropic efforts, including donating money to build a library. Her legacy is remembered in the town, and her image has inexplicably appeared on a crab apple tree, prompting a town meeting and widespread concern.
Phone Tree
A phone tree is a system of communication used in emergencies, where individuals call a designated number and are then connected to a chain of other individuals, spreading information quickly. In this episode, the town's phone tree proves ineffective, leading to a chaotic town meeting and highlighting the need for improved emergency preparedness.
Sasquatch
Sasquatch, also known as Bigfoot, is a legendary creature said to inhabit the forests of North America. In this episode, Sasquatch is mentioned as a real-life phenomenon in Jamie's town, adding to the sense of strangeness and the breakdown of reality.
Uncanny Valley
The Uncanny Valley is a hypothetical concept in aesthetics that describes the unsettling feeling people experience when encountering something that is almost human but not quite, such as a robot or a realistic doll. In this episode, the Adelaide tree's uncanny resemblance to the deceased businesswoman evokes this feeling, adding to the unsettling nature of the situation.
Apaphenia
Apaphenia is the tendency to perceive meaningful patterns in random or meaningless data. It is often associated with the human brain's tendency to seek order and make connections, even when none exist. In this episode, the Adelaide tree's resemblance to a human face could be seen as an example of apaphenia, as the tree's shape is likely a result of natural growth patterns.
Q&A
What is the strange phenomenon that is happening in Jamie's town?
A crab apple tree in a local park has inexplicably transformed into the image of Adelaide Mayfield, a deceased local businesswoman. The tree's transformation is uncanny, complete with Adelaide's distinctive birthmark, and has caused widespread concern.
What is the significance of Adelaide Mayfield in the town's history?
Adelaide Mayfield was a successful businesswoman in the early 1870s, known for running a brothel and later donating money to build a library. Her legacy is remembered in the town, and her image appearing on the tree has added a layer of intrigue and mystery to the situation.
Why is the town's phone tree ineffective in this instance?
The phone tree, which is the town's primary emergency communication system, has failed to reach several residents, including Jamie and their father. This highlights the need for improved emergency preparedness and communication systems.
What is Jamie's role in the town meeting?
Jamie attends the town meeting to discuss the Adelaide tree and ends up being appointed as interim acting secretary after a chaotic discussion about the tree and the town's emergency preparedness.
What are some of the concerns raised by the town residents about the Adelaide tree?
Residents are concerned about the tree's transformation, the potential spread of this phenomenon to other trees, and the lack of understanding about the tree's nature and intentions. Some residents even suggest the need for armed surveillance of the tree.
What is the overall message of the episode?
The episode explores themes of community, local politics, and the unsettling nature of reality's apparent breakdown. It highlights the importance of communication, preparedness, and mutual aid in the face of strange and unexpected events.
What is the significance of the Sasquatch sightings in Jamie's town?
The Sasquatch sightings add to the sense of strangeness and the breakdown of reality in Jamie's town, suggesting that the Adelaide tree is not an isolated incident and that something larger and more unsettling is happening.
What is the role of Carmen, the town librarian, in the episode?
Carmen is a knowledgeable and passionate individual who provides historical context about Adelaide Mayfield and expresses concern about the town's lack of preparedness. She also serves as a mentor to Jamie, offering guidance on how to navigate their new role as interim acting secretary.
What is the significance of Jamie's appointment as interim acting secretary?
Jamie's appointment is unexpected and highlights the chaotic nature of the situation. It also underscores the town's struggle to adapt to the changing reality and the importance of community involvement in the face of strange and unsettling events.
Show Notes
That tree is a lady!
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A transcript for this episode can be found here.
Content advisories for this episode can be found here.
Credits:
Malik: Michael Turrentine
Jamie: Hilary Williams
Written by Jessica Best, directed and edited by Jeffrey Nils Gardner. Our theme song is "Falling in Love at the End of the World" by Olivia and the Lovers. Created and produced by Eleanor Hyde and Jeffrey Nils Gardner. From Audacious Machine Creative.
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