#419 Unintended Consequences

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A firefighter is blamed for starting the very fires that he’s fighting. A writer investigates a myth behind the closing of Australian diving towers, and asks whether trying to make swimming pools safer is putting kids at greater risk.

In this episode, people act with the best of intentions, and face the unforeseen consequences.

‘Burning Season’ by Daniel Semo

Northern Thailand is in the middle of what is commonly referred to as “Burning Season”, a period between January and April every year when local mountain farmers burn their surplus crops. This releases incredible amounts of smoke and haze that cover up entire cities and can health problems for locals and visitors. Many farmers in the area feel like they have no choice but to burn their crops in order to make a living.

Peter Ferdinand is an Australian engineer who moved to Thailand 6 years ago and has made it his mission to try to solve the fire problem.


Image credit: Peter Ferdinand

Producer: Daniel Semo

Supervising Producer: Lee Robinson

Special thanks to: Nian Choti for providing translation for Loong Tie, Michael Shafer and Evelind Shecter for helping organise the interview with Loong Tie, Pappunkorn Pojantuek for helping record samples of Thai instruments

Music: ‘Tiny Water Glass’ by Blue Dot Sessions, and original composition by Daniel Semo.

‘Don’t Jump!’ by M Harper Harrington

Did you ever hear about the kid who died jumping into your local swimming pool? As diving towers disappear from the suburban landscape, has art imitated life?


Image credit: ArchivesACT

Writer and Producer: M Harper Harrington

Audio Producer: Elodie Oxenham

Music: ‘Just Remembering’ by Thomas Layman


All The Best credits:

Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton

Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell

Host: Maddy Macquine

Episode mix and compile: Josh McKay

Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart

SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson

Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay

Music: ‘Milo Tin’ by Tiny Little Houses, ‘ Josh McKay and Lester Chan

Photo: Peter Ferdinand