Feeling anxious about life in a broken-down society on a stressed-out planet? That’s hardly surprising: Life as we know it is almost over. While the dominant culture encourages dysfunctional denial—pop a pill, go shopping, find your bliss—there’s a more sensible approach: Accept the anxiety, embrace the deeper anguish—and then get apocalyptic. We are staring down multiple … [Read more...]
For sale, habitable planet, too late
According to legend, Ernest Hemingway bet his 1920s-era colleagues he could write a complete story in just six words. Hemingway is said to have considered the resulting piece his best work: “For Sale, Baby Shoes, Never Worn.” Making no attempt to keep up with Hemingway, this article provides an overview of the dire climate-change situation in fewer than 300 words. Perhaps … [Read more...]
Papal infallibility comes to climate science
A year ago, I had a good job as a producer at a digital marketing firm. Like many people I was aware of climate change, but it was just another issue in a long list of troubling issues facing the world. Then I saw this TED talk, by Paul Gilding. With most TED talks, the audience is awed by the depth of human ingenuity and filled with positive visions of the future. … [Read more...]
The rust-bucket reactors start to fall
The US fleet of 104 deteriorating atomic reactors is starting to fall. The much-hyped "nuclear renaissance" is now definitively headed in reverse. The announcement that Wisconsin's Kewaunee will shut next year will be remembered as a critical dam break. Opened in 1974, Kewaunee has fallen victim to low gas prices, declining performance, unsolved technical problems and … [Read more...]
Collapse now — it’s all the rage (without the rage)
American Empire provides bread, circuses, and all the toys we (think we) need, stolen from other countries and future generations. I can understand why people are reluctant to abandon the empire. In exchange for inhabiting a cubicle, you get to harvest the fruits of empire while avoiding any steps toward self-reliance. You get to shower in the morning, kibitz at the water … [Read more...]