Drilled

Hanna E. Morris on Apocalyptic Authoritarianism.

Jul 7, 2025
Hanna E. Morris, a University of Toronto media scholar and author of 'Apocalyptic Authoritarianism,' dives into the intersection of climate crisis and media narratives. She discusses how some climate journalists unknowingly echo far-right tropes while attempting to defend democracy. Morris critiques the media's portrayal of climate solutions, exposing biases against progressive policies like the Green New Deal. Additionally, she explores the rise of apocalyptic narratives and their impact on public perception, advocating for more inclusive and equitable climate journalism.
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INSIGHT

Apocalypse Shapes Who Gets Power

  • Apocalyptic environmentalism frames collapse with a "saved" minority and spawns prepper mentalities.
  • Apocalyptic authoritarianism pairs national anxiety with climate fear to elevate elite "visionary sages."
INSIGHT

Collapse Can Be Empowering For Some

  • Peakist communities reported feeling empowered by predicting societal collapse.
  • That 'enlightenment' offered status, control, and identity primarily to white men.
ANECDOTE

Fallout Satirizes Nostalgic Apocalypse

  • Hanna mentions enjoying some cli-fi like the Fallout series that satirizes Cold War nostalgia.
  • Fallout uses 1950s Americana to expose nostalgia for a pre-democratic past.
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