singbrokenchords
New Member
Does anyone know of a worthwhile critique of Jem Bendell's "Deep Adaptation" paper from an ecosocialist perspective?
Welcome to the System Change Not Climate Change Community Forum. The Forum's goal is to promote exchange of information, discussion, and debate among ecosocialists and other activists who share our belief that capitalism is driving climate change and that a radical international grassroots movement can stop it.
I know you're going to get much better replies than this one, but I'm wondering if you've seen this video produced by Nate Hagens. It's 1.5 hrs., but moves very quickly and it's pretty engaging. He provides no political frame for his opinions at all, but he goes straight at our current devastating situation and calmly argues that not only must we dial back the way we live, but if we look at the research around human happiness, we may actually find our lives more satisfying if we change how we live and fight like hell to limit/eliminate a host of environmental problems. "Blindspots and Superheroes"Does anyone know of a worthwhile critique of Jem Bendell's "Deep Adaptation" paper from an ecosocialist perspective?
@singbrokenchords I've been thinking of writing one although it would be up to the world to judge whether my critique would be "worthwhile."Does anyone know of a worthwhile critique of Jem Bendell's "Deep Adaptation" paper from an ecosocialist perspective?
So, egalitarian, I've joined the Deep Adaptation forum in an attempt to increase my understanding of the work you and others are doing. As someone who does believe the difficult or dire effects of climate change are already hitting hard many populations in the US, I want to improve my awareness of what this perspective can and does bring to present work.I'm "one of those souls" who's participating in Jem Bendel's inspired Deep Adaptation Forum. Sandra, I would love to hear about your vision of a better approach to the challenge we face. I know we're all terribly busy, but I hope you (or perhaps others reading this thread) would critique Jem's work. I really wish somehow we could work together.
The above is an excellent resolution.As society is increasingly disrupted by the impacts of rapid climate change, people will feel increasingly anxious and hear stories of who to blame and how we must suspend freedoms to save ourselves. When I see some climate activists argue we must do “whatever it takes” and have “realistic” discussions about how some people can’t be saved, I fear the rise of new forms of fascism. I will continue to argue against people who hold up the illusion that we can stop climate change as a justification for giving themselves unaccountable power.
I'm in Illinois, and regularly in the Coles County area. I'd love to meet and talk.Are you in the US, singbrokenchords and egalitarian? Anywhere near central Illinois?
Have not been regularly checking on the forum, and didn't see your post until today. Let me know if you travel through Macon County and we can have a cup of coffee (or tea) together.I'm in Illinois, and regularly in the Coles County area. I'd love to meet and talk.
Your post is greatly appreciated. These links will help me to further understand the work you pursue.The below message is from Jem Bendell who asked me to post it on his behalf to this forum. As you might imagine he is incredibly busy wading through endless email and demands for his time. Hence his request for me to pass this long.
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Deep Adaptation is a framework for inviting conversation on what we do if we anticipate societal collapse, or are experiencing collapse around us.
I have written over 100 publications in my academic career, and this is only one of them. It was written for a management academic audience for the aims I explain in it.
So where is the critique of power and of capital? It is implied in the section on the denial in the environmental profession. But it wasnt the venue to further elaborate.
In my first speech on Deep Adaptation, to climate policy researchers and climate business executives, I said that capitalism is at fault, but that the cause is even deeper than that (as some people who are really into Marxist philosophy and have gone further into critical theory via Adorno, will understand).
Engaging the Climate Tragedy
I would really welcome leftist, and as importantly, critical theoretical analysis of what policies and actions could help enable adaptation of any kind, or deep adaptation in particular.
When I get around to discussing that then I will draw upon some of my past work on economic aspects of our unsustainability. Including:
Moving beyond the dangerous and oppressive ideology of managerialism:
Beyond unsustainable leadership: critical social theory for sustainable leadership | Emerald Insight
The need to transform our monetary system away from bank-issued debt as the basis for our money supply, in order to have any real go at either mitigation or adaptation
Currencies of Transition - P2P Foundation
The need for currency innovation to free us from the poverty-inducing banking control of our money supply
Re-imagining Money to Broaden the Future of Development Finance: What Kenyan Community Currencies Reveal is Possible for Financing Development | Publications | UNRISD
My analysis of the global justice movement for the UN, where I talked about the need to place new duties on shareholders, at a minimum:
http://www.unrisd.org/80256B3C005BCCF9/(httpPublications)/504AF359BB33967FC1256EA9003CE20AI
The need to avoid the same corporate power dominating the new currencies:
Thwarting an Uber Future for Complementary Currencies | Grassroots Economic Organizing
I wrote about economic transformation for XR here:
https://xrblog.org/2019/03/20/the-economics-of-extinction-a-reason-for-rebellion/
I am currently engaging XR leadership on the economic rebellion side of their plans.
I must admit I resent armchair intellectuals who pontificate in ways that disparage people or ideas by using one or two articles that suit their superficial stories of reality.
We face annihilation during the 6th mass extinction, and so that kind of disconnected work is narcissistic rubbish. If people arent stuck into activist movements or political campaigns yet writing about these issues, then they aren't serious.
An example of that is this piece in ISJ. It says Deep Adaptation and/or I aren't as radical as XR... But Im very involved in XR, and am working with them on their economic rebellion plans. i.e. its simply baseless. The Left needs better!
Betting on infinite loss – International Socialism
Thx, Jem