The Europeans | European news, politics and culture · Katy Lee and Dominic Kraemer

Dark skies, cheap shopping and an EU laser show

·52 min·5 clips

Dominic and Katy discuss waking up at 2 a.m. to shout 'morning' and historical sleep patterns in a quirky start.

This episode of The Europeans podcast, hosted by Dominic Kramer in Amsterdam and Katie Lee in Paris, explores various cultural and political stories from across the continent. The hosts begin by sharing personal anecdotes about disrupted sleep patterns and Lunar New Year celebrations. They then transition into discussing three distinct European news topics. The first topic is the growing movement to combat light pollution and preserve dark skies, particularly in France. Katie Lee details France's new national policy, which includes measures like mandating darker building facades and requiring businesses to turn off illuminated signs overnight. She explains that the policy aims to protect biodiversity, as artificial light severely disrupts ecosystems and insect populations. The hosts note this is part of a broader European trend, with Slovenia also recently recognizing a legal "right to dark skies." Dominic mentions that even Amsterdam, a famously lit city, is experimenting with dimming lights in certain canals. The second segment examines the economic and cultural phenomenon of "Temu," the Chinese-owned ultra-fast-fashion shopping app. The hosts discuss its rapid rise in European markets, fueled by aggressive digital advertising and extremely low prices. They reference a specific German study analyzing the platform's business practices and marketing strategies. The conversation touches on the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding European trade with China and concerns over data privacy. Katie and Dominic ponder the consumer appeal of such platforms despite these underlying controversies. The final topic is the European Union's consideration of a large-scale, coordinated laser light show as a cultural project. The proposal, inspired by a Dutch artist's concept, envisions a laser beam connecting all 27 EU member states. The hosts frame this as a symbolic, unity-focused initiative seeking a cultural counter-narrative to political fragmentation. They discuss the practical and political challenges of such an ambitious artistic endeavor. The episode concludes without revealing whether the project will move forward. An interesting insight is the historical perspective that waking in the night, like Katie did, mirrors pre-industrial segmented sleep patterns. The French light pollution policy is notable for its specific, enforceable mandates on businesses and architecture. The discussion on Temu reveals how its business model leverages digital marketing to bypass traditional retail criticisms. The EU laser show proposal highlights how institutions are turning to abstract art projects to foster a sense of shared identity. The most surprising claim is that light pollution is considered such a direct threat to insects that it warrants nationwide regulatory action in France. A memorable moment is Katie's humorous description of shouting "morning" to her husband in a sleep-disoriented state at 2 a.m. The analysis of Temu connects cheap consumer goods to larger geopolitical data and trade debates. The laser show segment underscores the ongoing search for tangible symbols of European unity. The tone is conversational, relaxed, and lightly humorous, with hosts weaving personal stories into the news analysis. The style is educational and exploratory, breaking down complex policies and trends into accessible discussions. This episode would appeal to listeners interested in European cultural trends, environmental policy, and the intersection of technology and daily life. Those seeking hard political news or in-depth economic analysis might find the topics too eclectic or lifestyle-focused.

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