Big Ideas We’re F**ed! It’s too late to avoid civilisational collapse. 2025 Beaker Street Festival Great Debate
Oct 15, 2025
Dr. Esmé Louise James, a sex historian and TikTok communicator, leads the argument for civilizational collapse, citing historical and modern issues like AI. In contrast, Hannah Moloney, a permaculture educator, champions transformation, using Cuba's adaptive strategies as evidence. They dive into Indigenous resilience, the impact of technology, and the importance of community response. With a blend of humor and intellect, the debate sparks a lively discussion on whether we face imminent doom or a hopeful path to sustainability.
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Civilisations Follow A Predictable Arc
- Esmé James argues civilisations follow patterns of rise, plateau and collapse, and our era mirrors past declines.
- She claims current tech and global systems accelerate collapse into decades rather than centuries.
Act Locally To Build Resilience
- Hannah Moloney urges people to embrace community action like composting and urban agriculture to transform disruption into resilience.
- She recommends participatory change: vote, spend and organise to replace extractive systems with local, caring economies.
Palawa Resilience Predates Colonisation
- Katana Mansell recounts Palawa stewardship of Lutrawita and contrasts it with colonial disruption like sheep farming and logging.
- She frames Indigenous practices as living preparedness that can help others survive systemic collapse.
