Jemma Deer

Jemma Deer is a researcher in residence at the Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society and author of *Radical Animism: Reading for the End of the World*. In this discussion, she explores the intersections of animism and the Anthropocene, advocating for a shift away from human-centered thought. Deer highlights how literature, from Shakespeare to Virginia Woolf, gains new significance in the context of climate change. She presents reading as a way to challenge human superiority and emphasizes the importance of non-human perspectives. Her future work delves into concepts of extinction and fungal interconnections.

Jemma Deer, a researcher at the Rachel Carson Center, dives into her book, Radical Animism: Reading for the End of the World. She challenges human-centric perspectives, urging us to see literature as a tool for environmental engagement. Deer elaborates on how texts, from Shakespeare to Woolf, reveal insights about our relationship with the non-human. She also discusses 'Anthropocene reading' and the transformative potential of language, suggesting that embracing animism can reshape our understanding of existence in a climate-changed world.

Jemma Deer, a researcher at the Rachel Carson Center and author of Radical Animism, discusses her innovative perspectives on literature and the environment. She challenges human-centric views, linking animism to the Anthropocene and redefining literature's role in addressing climate change. Deer explores how texts like Virginia Woolf’s works decenter human perspectives, urges readers to engage with non-human elements, and invites contemplation on our relationship with the inanimate world. Her current projects delve into extinction and the interconnections within fungi.