James Ryan explored the Blue Marble as a work of "imaginative geography," covering themes such as authorship, ideology and photographic technologies. James noted that the Blue Marble operates "across discourses of science and art." On the one hand, it was a photograph very much promoted as exemplifying NASA's scientific and technological prowess (a photograph that served a PR function for the organisation). On the other hand, the Blue Marble (and space photography more generally) was shaped by creative decisions, artistic conventions and societal expectations. James responded to Jennifer Levasseur's points with regard to the Blue Marble's "authors" (the astronauts) being white men. He offered an ideological analysis of the photograph, noting how it came to embody a "new frontiersmanship" and accompanying themes of conquest and mastery (more on this from 4mins 50 secs). James noted that space photography followed a long historical tradition of white male explorer photographers putting their imagery in the service of wider colonial and other ideological power structures. He also responded to Jennifer Levasseur's arguments with regard to the importance of the "human photographer" (as opposed to a satellite) and how human space exploration helps legitimate and "supercharge" wider narratives promoting the US's space program, space exploration and conquest. James concluded his talk reflecting on how the Blue Marble served as a "lightning conductor for a whole set of concerns" of the 1970s regarding humans' mistreatment of the planet and the environment. James introduced Robert Poole (12mins 20 secs), who gave the night's second talk and would speak further on this environmental theme (listen below).