Bruce Parker's book, The Power of the Sea, explores the critical role of prediction science in mitigating the impacts of natural disasters, emphasizing historical tragedies due to lack of warning. The Power of the Sea is a timely reminder that science organizations, like the NOAA in the USA, are a tremendous benefit to society. NOAA is responsible for saving thousands of lives and billions of dollars in damages through developing predictive capabilities around natural disasters. The book displays a high level expertise and comprehensive approach. Recent examples, such as Hurricane Milton, underscore the importance of federal funding for scientific research amidst the current threat to such agencies. This episode serves as a vital exploration of the intersection between policy, science, and public safety, where this little appreciated miracle of science takes center stage in The Power of the Sea. The author, Dr. Bruce Parker, knows this world because he was formerly the Chief Scientist for the National Ocean Service. ​

AMS recently sent another urgent email about the 2026 budget proposed by White House which "...eliminates NOAA's Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) Office and its 10 research laboratories and 16 affiliated Cooperative Institutes, and moves the few remaining research efforts to different NOAA departments. If enacted, the passback would close all of NOAA’s weather, climate, and ocean Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes. The speed at which these decisions are being made translates into little to no opportunity for feedback or consideration of long-term impacts." This is not fiduciary responsibility, this is pushing America towards an unsafe and unpredictable future. Maybe this is what the current administration wants, but it is not what the American people deserve. 

Full Transcript Here

Introduction to Current Events (00:00 - 02:14)

• Tripp discusses recent cuts to scientific agencies by the Trump administration in March 2025
• Over 800 people have been laid off at NOAA with building leases canceled
• American Meteorological Society released a statement warning about harm to U.S. leadership in scientific innovation
• Weather information is valued at $100 billion annually to the U.S. economy, 10x the investment
• The host argues against privatizing weather services

Book Introduction: Power of the Sea (02:15 - 04:00)

• Book is The Power of the Sea: Tsunamis, Storm Surges, Rogue Waves and Our Quest to Predict Disasters by Bruce Parker
• 304 pages published by McMillan
• Tripp discusses personal interest in ocean waves science
• Parker is a subject-matter expert, not a professional writer
• Host was particularly attentive to sections on wind waves

The Value of Prediction Science (04:01 - 08:55)

• Book presents an underappreciated scientific success story
• Historical examples: 1755 Lisbon tsunami killed 40,000 people (1/5 of population)
• 1970 Bangladesh cyclone killed 300,000-500,000 people with little warning
• Scientific prediction has drastically reduced deaths from natural disasters
• Dense coastal populations are now safer due to prediction capabilities
• Parker was formerly chief scientist at NOAA, which focuses on disaster prevention

Critique of the Book's Approach (08:56 - 13:50)

• Book sometimes reads like a 'catalog of catastrophes' without building to a larger picture
• Host critiques Parker's treatment of rogue waves as being about the anecdotes without explaining the science
• The book contains excessive footnotes that interrupt the flow, especially problematic on Kindle
• Parker conducted novel historical research on tides, visiting archives and reading correspondence
• The book focuses more on human tragedy than physics, which may appeal to general readers

Pacing and Structure Issues (13:51 - 16:25)

• Uneven pacing: two chapters on WWII wave predictions but only five pages on the next 70 years
• Book dwells on dramatic events (WWII, 2004 tsunami) with detailed eyewitness accounts
• The central thesis about prediction science saving lives sometimes feels buried
• Despite criticisms, host acknowledges the book's comprehensive and expert approach
• Parker had his wave section checked by Hendrik Tolman, developer of NOAA's wave prediction model

️ Modern Impact of Prediction Science (16:26 - 18:23)

• Recent Hurricane Milton example: despite hitting populated Florida, there were relatively few deaths
• Success attributed to publicly funded research by agencies like ONR, NSF, and NOAA
• Federal scientists (now being fired) are responsible for saving tens of thousands of lives
• We've 'forgotten what truly devastating natural disasters feel like' because prediction has eliminated surprise
• Host emphasizes the value of Parker's book in understanding the importance of this science

Why a well functioning government, which supports society, will fund science.

Why it is important to fund NOAA.

Full Transcript Here

Introduction to Duane Hamacher and Indigenous Astronomy (00:00 - 05:00)

• ​Duane Hamacher is introduced as Associate Professor of Cultural Astronomy at University of Melbourne
• Discussion focuses on Duane's book 'The First Astronomers: How Indigenous Elders Read the Stars'
• Book was co-written with Indigenous elders and knowledge holders including Ghillar Michael Anderson, John Barsa, David Bosun, Ron Day, Segar Passi, and Alo Tapim.

Genesis of the Book and Indigenous Knowledge (05:00 - 16:00)

• Duane shares how the book was 15 years in the making, starting when he came to Australia 21 years ago
• Initially faced dismissive responses when asking about Aboriginal astronomy
• Discovered significant science embedded in Aboriginal astronomical knowledge
• Worked with Torres Strait Islander elders over a decade to document their astronomical traditions
• Book required collaboration with 6 Indigenous elders as co-authors (publisher limited number of authors)
• Purpose of the book: showcase Indigenous science knowledge and preserve cultural continuity

Book Structure and Writing Process (16:00 - 25:00)

• Book not written in linear fashion - variable stars chapter written first, introduction written last
• Each chapter themed around different astronomical phenomena (most with 'star' in the title)
• Focus on science behind star knowledge rather than just naming constellations
• Book balances technical astronomy concepts with accessibility for general readers
• Duane structured narrative around three major themes: 'as above, so below,' cultural science, and reading environment for survival
• Challenge of writing trade (popular) book versus academic papers required different approach

Knowledge Systems and Scientific Observation (25:00 - 35:00)

• Indigenous knowledge systems evolve over time to adapt to changing environments
• Knowledge shared has different levels - public knowledge vs. restricted deeper knowledge
• Indigenous cultures observed variable stars (like Betelgeuse) thousands of years before Western detection
• Indigenous knowledge involves carefully reading environment including stars, animals, and weather
• Discussion of Indigenous protocols around knowledge sharing and transmitting cultural knowledge

Indigenous Scientific Observations (35:00 - 50:00)

• Example of Torres Strait Islanders predicting eclipses and planning ceremonies around them
• Aboriginal stories describe variable brightness of stars like Betelgeuse, showing sophisticated astronomical observation
• Discussion of the Seven Sisters songline (based on Pleiades star cluster) that crosses Australia
• Indigenous astronomy integrates with navigation, weather prediction, and cultural laws
• Indigenous knowledge not given credit for scientific observations that preceded Western discoveries

️ Meteorite Impacts and Cultural Stories (50:00 - 01:00:00)

• Duane shares dangerous desert experience using astronomical knowledge to navigate when lost
• Discussion of meteorite crater (Tnorala/Gosses Bluff Crater) in central Australia
• Western Arrernte people's creation story involves star baby falling from Milky Way creating crater
• Scientific dating shows crater is 142 million years old, matches Indigenous creation narrative
• Appearance of Corona Australis constellation interpreted as wooden basket falling from sky
• Book cover features artwork by Elder Segar Passi showing sunset, symbolizing when astronomy begins

Final Thoughts and Future Projects (01:00:00 - 01:09:54)

• Duane recommends other books on Indigenous knowledge, including 'Astronomy Sky Country'
• Upcoming book project: 'Welcome to Sky Country' as companion to Marcia Langton's work
• Developing university courses on cultural astronomy and Indigenous knowledge
• IAU-funded symposium 'Indigenous Astronomy in the Space Age' planned for July next year
• Duane emphasizes importance of learning from Indigenous knowledges with humility
• Resources available at aboriginalastronomy.com.au and thefirstastronomers.com

Astronomy: Sky Country by Karlie Noon and Krystal De Napoli (Margo Neale [Editor])
The Memory Code by Lynne Kelly
Memory Craft by Lynne Kelly 
The Knowledge Gene by Lynne Kelly
Arctic Sky by John MacDonald
Hawaiki Rising by Sam Low
​The Spirit in the Sky by Mark Hollabaugh
ANNETTE S. LEE | Artist-Astronomer | Indigenous | DSc | PhD | MFA | MFA