Beings Seen and Unseen – A Conversation with Amitav Ghosh
Sep 24, 2024
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Amitav Ghosh, an acclaimed scholar and author, delves into the intersections of history, culture, and environmental issues. He discusses his latest work, highlighting the insidious belief that the Earth is inert, which has fueled violent colonial projects and capitalism. Ghosh emphasizes the importance of storytelling in recognizing the Earth as sacred and alive. He critiques modern myths of independence from nature, connects colonial legacies to today’s environmental crises, and advocates for inclusive narratives that foster a deeper relationship with our world.
Amitav Ghosh underscores the importance of storytelling in recognizing the Earth as a vibrant, living entity interconnected with all beings.
He highlights the historical ties between colonialism and ecological crises, advocating for a deeper understanding of these legacies in addressing climate change.
Deep dives
The Power of Storytelling and Consciousness Shift
Storytelling is a vital tool in shifting our consciousness towards recognizing the interconnectedness of ecology, culture, and spirituality. Amitav Ghosh emphasizes that the stories we tell can breathe life into the understanding of our world as a living entity. He argues that modern narratives have often depicted the Earth as inert, which has contributed to destructive practices against nature and the people inhabiting it. By centering the voices of living beings in our narratives, we can reimagine our relationship with the planet and foster a more profound respect for its vibrant existence.
The Historical Context of Colonialism and Ecological Crisis
Amitav Ghosh delves into the historical connection between colonialism and the ecological crisis, arguing that the ideology of mastery over nature emerged alongside the violent conquests of indigenous peoples. He recounts the tragic tale of nutmeg and the Banda Islands, illustrating how resource wealth led to the genocide of its native inhabitants by colonial powers. This tragic history underscores that the exploitation of resources often leads to grave consequences not only for the land but also for the cultures and communities that depend on it. Ghosh calls for a reassessment of our current practices to understand the deep-rooted causes of climate change linked to these colonial legacies.
Climate Change and Global Geopolitical Dynamics
The conversation highlights the significant role that geopolitics and imperial histories play in shaping our current understanding of climate change, often overshadowed by capitalism's narrative. Ghosh insists that discussions on climate shouldn't be limited to economic frameworks but must also include the historical context of colonialism and its lasting impacts. The shift in global economic power, particularly towards nations like China and India, is influenced by these historical foundations that continue to affect climate policies today. By understanding these dynamics, a more comprehensive approach to addressing climate issues can emerge, moving beyond the narrow technocratic responses usually promoted in Western discourses.
Reconnecting with the Non-Human World
Ghosh calls for a renewed recognition of the non-human voices within our environment, advocating for the need to listen and restore agency to all beings that inhabit the Earth. He challenges the long-standing notion that only humans can create meaning, stressing that many cultures historically perceived non-humans as having their own stories and narratives. This deeper understanding invites a fresh perspective on environmental activism, emphasizing that recognizing the Earth as a living entity requires more than just technological fixes; it necessitates a cultural and spiritual renaissance that honors all forms of life. Moving forward involves fostering relationships with the natural world, allowing the song of the Earth to be heard once more.
In his book The Nutmeg’s Curse, scholar Amitav Ghosh writes, “the planet will never come alive for you unless your songs and stories give life to all the beings seen and unseen that inhabit a living Earth,”—seeding a shift in consciousness begins with the stories we tell. In this wide-ranging interview from our archives, Amitav explores the themes of his recent work, including the insidious philosophy that the Earth is inert and how this belief paved the way for the implementation of violent projects around the globe, such as the genocide of Indigenous people and the monolith of capitalism. Unpacking the rise and legacy of an ideology of mastery, Amitav asks, if such conquests were made possible by the narrative of an inanimate Earth, what stories can now be imagined to help us recognize the world as sacred and alive?