635 Darwin and Cataclysmic Change (with Allen MacDuffie) | My Last Book with Adelle Waldman
Sep 19, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, author Allen MacDuffie delves into his new book, exploring how 19th-century writers like George Eliot and H.G. Wells grappled with the upheaval brought about by Darwin's theories and their relevance to today's climate crisis. He emphasizes the psychological struggles in reconciling personal beliefs with scientific truths and the collective action needed to combat environmental challenges. Novelist Adelle Waldman also shares her intriguing choice for the last book she would ever read, adding a personal touch to the conversation.
Darwin's theories emphasize the interconnectedness of species and their environments, shedding light on humanity's impact on climate change.
The podcast highlights two forms of climate denialism: outright denial, which rejects scientific evidence, and soft denial, which minimizes its implications.
Literature serves as a vital means for individuals to process existential crises brought about by scientific advancements and environmental challenges.
Deep dives
The Evolutionary Perspective
Darwin's evolutionary theories play a critical role in understanding the relationship between humanity and the natural world. His ideas emphasize that species adapt over time through natural selection, which is deeply interconnected with the ecological systems of their environment. This perspective raises important reflections on how humans, as a species, unintentionally alter their habitats and the broader consequences of those changes. Therefore, acknowledging Darwin's insights can enrich our comprehension of climate change and humanity's potential impact on extinction events.
Denialism in Climate Change Conversations
The podcast highlights the two forms of denialism regarding climate change: outright denial and what is termed 'soft denial.' Outright denial rejects scientific evidence, often perpetuated by political or religious figures who dismiss climate science outright. In contrast, soft denial recognizes the reality of climate change yet downplays its implications, allowing individuals to carry on with their daily lives without immediate concern. Understanding these distinct forms of denial can help navigate the complexities of societal responses to climate change.
Literature as a Reflection of Human Struggles
Literature serves as a crucial medium to explore and express the human experience of grappling with existential questions brought about by scientific advancements and evolving worldviews. Writers such as George Eliot and H.G. Wells reflect the tension between embracing new scientific realities and the emotional turmoil that accompanies these changes. Their works illustrate the struggle of characters facing the implications of a changing understanding of the world, pointing to the necessity of confronting uncomfortable truths. This literary exploration can help readers process their own reactions to modern crises like climate change.
Virginia Woolf's Double Vision
Virginia Woolf's novels illuminate the clash between the significance of human life and its inherent insignificance in the greater context of existence. Through her intricate examination of characters' thoughts, she captures the tension between facing vast, unsettling realities and nurturing everyday concerns. Woolf's portrayal of this inner conflict reveals how denial operates continuously in human thought, showcasing the complexities of accepting scientific truths. Her works invite readers to reflect on their own cognitive dissonance in confronting crises, suggesting that understanding and acceptance may lie in the interplay between personal and collective consciousness.
Collective Action and Hope
Engagement in collective action and community mobilization emerges as a vital remedy to the feelings of helplessness surrounding climate change. The authors argue that literature fosters connections among individuals, reducing the isolation felt in the face of overwhelming global challenges. By participating in grassroots movements, people can channel their energy toward creating meaningful change, rather than succumbing to paralysis. Literature's capacity to inspire and unite can lead to advances in awareness and action, providing a pathway forward amidst uncertainties.
Dealing with reality can be difficult enough, but when the nature of that reality is completely overturned - as it is in a case like the climate crisis - we're left with a feeling of intense unease. What does this mean for us? How can we absorb a revelation that threatens to undermine everything we believe about ourselves and our place in the universe? In this episode, Jacke talks to Allen MacDuffie about his new book Climate of Denial: Darwin, Climate Change, and the Literature of the Long Nineteenth Century, which examines how writers like George Eliot and H.G. Wells dealt with a post-Darwinian world, and asks whether those examples might help readers cope with today's cataclysmic problems. PLUS novelist Adelle Waldman (Help Wanted) stops by to discuss her choice for the last book she will ever read.
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