A past president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, she has a chilling awareness of the harm that can be done by nincompoops in power, and yet she is surprisingly optimistic. We spoke at Planthouse Gallery about Rachel Carson, climate change, and the terrifying, if unlikely, prospect of being on a spaceship with Peter Theil. Plus music from Warren Malone, an amiable companion on any rocket ride.

•  PERSON: Rachel Carson
•  PLACE: the Svalbard Archipelago
•  THING: a white pine
•  RANDY’S THING: fair elections