New Creative Era The politics of withdrawal
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Jan 20, 2026 Exploring the concept of 'dark forests,' the hosts tackle how private spaces can foster hidden understanding while potentially evading civic duty. They delve into Adam Curtis's critique of 1970s communes as inward-focused retreats. The discussion raises questions about the balance between sharing valuable ideas publicly and protecting them from misuse. With references to communities on platforms like Discord, they connect dark foresting to social dynamics. Ultimately, they view this phenomenon as a complex response to modern technology and cultural shifts.
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Withdrawal Isn’t Always Simple Retreat
- Dark foresting can look like retreat but also responds to real pressures driving people offline.
- Critics worry it deprives the public commons of valuable ideas and participation.
Private Retreats Mirror 1970s Inward Turns
- Adam Curtis argued 1970s inward-turn movements taught people to pursue private happiness over public change.
- Dark forests echo that dynamic by shifting energy from collective politics into private cultivation.
Free Culture Masks Hidden Labor Costs
- The hosts argue our expectation that creative work should be free is a product of Web2 and erodes institutions.
- That invisible labor subsidizes public goods and makes private, paid models necessary to sustain projects.
