The Road is set in a world that has been devastated by an unspecified cataclysmic event, resulting in the extinction of nearly all life on Earth. The story follows an unnamed father and his young son as they travel south along the road, carrying their meager possessions and a pistol with only two bullets. The father, suffering from a worsening respiratory condition, is determined to protect his son from the dangers of their new world, including cannibalistic marauders. Along their journey, they encounter various survivors, some of whom are cruel and others who show kindness. The novel explores themes of love, survival, and the preservation of humanity in a world devoid of hope. Ultimately, the father's health fails, and he dies, but not before ensuring his son's safety with a new family who may offer a chance for a better future[2][3][4].
Uncivilisation: The Dark Mountain Manifesto, released in 2009, marks the beginning of the Dark Mountain Project. The manifesto critiques the idea that technological solutions can address climate change and instead advocates for a re-evaluation of 'progress'. It is primarily addressed to writers and artists, encouraging them to explore new stories and narratives for a world facing ecological and social unravelling. The authors argue that human civilisation is fragile and built on beliefs that may soon collapse, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in navigating the unknown future ahead[1][3][4].
This book weaves together theology, mythology, economics, ecology, history, poetics, and politics as the author journeys towards a radical new philosophy of community, spirit, and place. McIntosh shares his experiences, including helping the residents of Eigg to clear their laird from his estate and overturning plans to turn a Hebridean mountain into a superquarry. The book is an uplifting, inspirational, and often humorous read that highlights the importance of community regeneration and a right relationship with the earth.
In *Ignition*, M.R. O'Connor delves into the complex relationship between humans, trees, and fires, particularly in the context of climate change. She embeds herself with firefighters and 'pyrotechnicians' who are reviving the practice of prescribed burning to sustain fire-dependent forest ecologies and prevent catastrophic wildfires. The book combines first-hand reportage with research and cultural insights, discussing the historical and Indigenous practices of fire management, and the contemporary efforts to adapt to a world increasingly affected by global warming. It challenges the ethos of the conservation movement and offers a hopeful vision of the connection between humans and the environment.
(Conversation recorded on November 12th, 2024)
In today’s modern era, the overwhelming flood of information that constantly flows our way can leave us feeling disoriented, lost, and powerless. Even science – our most trusted source of truth – can be taken out of context to fuel division and distort the reality around us. In the midst of this confusion, how can we learn to ground ourselves and find guideposts that can direct our lives and work?
Today, Nate is joined by storyteller and social thinker, Dougald Hine, to explore the importance of narratives in shaping our understanding of the world and how they can help us navigate the complexities of life, especially in the face of ecological crises. Together, they discuss the need for a reframing of conversations around environmental and climate issues, the importance of grassroots responses to systemic crises, and the concept of ‘engaged surrender’ as a way to navigate the challenges of modern life.
How can we foster emotional resilience in the face of ecological overshoot and the death of modernity? What role do art and storytelling play alongside science and data in responding to our collective human predicament? And how can we strengthen our communities and plant the seeds for a different way of life, starting in our own small corners of the world?
About Dougald Hine:
Dougald Hine is a social thinker, writer and speaker. After an early career as a BBC journalist, he went on to co-found the Dark Mountain Project, where he was the director until 2019. He is also the co-author, with Paul Kingsnorth, of Uncivilisation: The Dark Mountain Manifesto, and his latest book is titled, At Work in the Ruins: Finding Our Place in the Time of Science, Climate Change, Pandemics & All the Other Emergencies.
Dougald’s recent projects include Notes From Underground, a ten-part essay series for Bella Caledonia exploring the deep roots of the new climate movements, and The Great Humbling, a podcast he co-hosts with Ed Gillespie. He and Anna Björkman are creating a school called HOME, ‘a gathering place and a learning community for those who are drawn to the work of regrowing a living culture’. His latest writing is published on his Substack, Writing Home.
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