The 2020s have gotten off to a rocky start (to put it mildly). Words like “permacrisis” and “polycrisis” have become common currency, reflecting a broadening awareness that ours is an age of interconnected systemic crises with no clear end in sight.
Widening the ‘We’
Political polarization—the inability of groups such as political parties, religious sects, and cultural identity groups to cooperate even in basic, essential matters—has been a worry and a threat since American democracy began, and for many centuries before.
Political polarization—the inability of groups such as political parties, religious sects, and cultural identity groups to cooperate even in basic, essential matters—has been a worry and a threat since American democracy began, and for many centuries before.
Making Community
It is well known that one of our basic human motivations is the pursuit of personal validation and enhanced status in our community.
It is well known that one of our basic human motivations is the pursuit of personal validation and enhanced status in our community.
Ecology of the 1%
Everything sprouts from the sunlight, in the face of it and from the source of it. At least, all terrestrial life does.
Everything sprouts from the sunlight, in the face of it and from the source of it. At least, all terrestrial life does.
Are EVs Truly the Greenest Form of Transportation?
And, is there a transportation alternative that avoids the pitfalls of both EVs and gas cars?
And, is there a transportation alternative that avoids the pitfalls of both EVs and gas cars?
5 Reasons for Environmentalists To Stop Blaming “Doom & Gloom” Narratives
I’m interested in this question because, in my experience, too much focus on solutions and optimistic frameworks can disconnect us from the gravity and darkness of the crises we are immersed in.
I’m interested in this question because, in my experience, too much focus on solutions and optimistic frameworks can disconnect us from the gravity and darkness of the crises we are immersed in.
“Wider” Education and Communiversities
Thirty years later, despite Orr’s prophetic urging, the efforts of many faculty and staff, and the increasing desire of students, the answer is that higher education is primarily “for” economic advancement.
Thirty years later, despite Orr’s prophetic urging, the efforts of many faculty and staff, and the increasing desire of students, the answer is that higher education is primarily “for” economic advancement.
How To Build a Climate Bomb
The former pathway is widely discussed, though little progress is being made.
The former pathway is widely discussed, though little progress is being made.
What Is to Be Done? Thoughts on Degrowth Strategy
In my strong opinion many well-intentioned good green people do not understand the magnitude of the global predicament and therefore they seriously underestimate the change that is needed.
In my strong opinion many well-intentioned good green people do not understand the magnitude of the global predicament and therefore they seriously underestimate the change that is needed.
Dismantling Silos: Why Those Who Fight Cancer and Environmental Dangers Must Join Forces
In the 1990’s I spent years as an actor, director or academic bringing short productions of Shakespeare scenes to rural high schools.
In the 1990’s I spent years as an actor, director or academic bringing short productions of Shakespeare scenes to rural high schools.
Climate Policy’s Search for the 100th Monkey
As Watson explains, the 100th monkey theory is based on the observation of scientists studying macaque monkeys on the Japanese island of Kōjima.
As Watson explains, the 100th monkey theory is based on the observation of scientists studying macaque monkeys on the Japanese island of Kōjima.
Overpopulation Is Still a Huge Problem: An Interview With Jane O’Sullivan
Fertility rates are declining sharply in OECD countries, and China’s population is now dropping rapidly.
Fertility rates are declining sharply in OECD countries, and China’s population is now dropping rapidly.
Sleepwalking Into Catastrophe
As David Spratt and Ian Dunlop spelled out years ago, the biggest threat for humanity is not a warming planet, but a “failure of imagination”.
As David Spratt and Ian Dunlop spelled out years ago, the biggest threat for humanity is not a warming planet, but a “failure of imagination”.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers: Can Sortition Save Us From the Zombies of Extinction?
We need sortition to replace the poisonous, deformed contraption that we bizarrely call democracy. Let me try to explain.
We need sortition to replace the poisonous, deformed contraption that we bizarrely call democracy. Let me try to explain.
Technology, Ecology and the Commons – Huber and Phillips’ Barren Marxism
The two authors were never going to take kindly to Saito’s proposition that Marx may have been a proto-degrowth communist.
The two authors were never going to take kindly to Saito’s proposition that Marx may have been a proto-degrowth communist.
Too Legit to Quit: Rethinking Legitimacy of Territorial Claims
While discussing the peopling of the Americas that occurred about 20,000 years ago with an introductory anthropology class, a student wondered aloud whether they should continue taking pride in their native heritage.
While discussing the peopling of the Americas that occurred about 20,000 years ago with an introductory anthropology class, a student wondered aloud whether they should continue taking pride in their native heritage.