[P2P-F] Fwd: Interrogating the Anthropocene: Truth and Fallacy (GTN Discussions)

Wed Dec 2 09:01:29 CET 2020

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Great Transition Network <gtnetwork at greattransition.org>
Date: Tue, Dec 1, 2020 at 11:02 PM
Subject: Interrogating the Anthropocene: Truth and Fallacy (GTN Discussions)
To: Great Transition Network <gtnmembers at greattransition.org>

>From Paul Raskin [praskin at tellus.org]
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Dear GTN,

The central question for our December discussion is: If we care about a
Great Transition, how should we think about the Anthropocene? These
big-picture perspectives emerged concurrently over the last two decades in
response to the recognition of a state-shift underway in the global
social-ecological system. But the two lenses offer quite different accounts
of the roots, meaning, and implications of that shift.

The point of departure of GT theory is the discontinuity in human
history—the arrival of the Planetary Phase of Civilization. By contrast,
the Anthropocene focuses on the discontinuity in planetary history—the
arrival of a new geological era. Although these may seem like two sides of
the same social-ecological coin, their differing attributions of cause and
effect—and the differing understandings of human agency that emerge—deeply
matter for how we understand and act to shape this pivotal moment.

To kick off the discussion, I have prepared an opening essay "
Interrogating the Anthropocene: Truth and Fallacy
<https://greattransition.org/gti-forum/interrogating-anthropocene-raskin> ”
(linked here and pdf attached). There I explore the resonances and
dissonances of the Anthropocene idea with the project that concerns us:
developing an adequate global praxis for nurturing a GT.

In what ways do you agree with my perspective and in what ways not? How can
we best embrace the Anthropocene’s ecological truths and challenge its
social and political fallacies? What form does this debate take in your
arena of scholarship or activism?

I very much look forward to the discussion. Please keep your comments
succinct (1,200 words tops) and sharply focused on the topic. The internal
GTN discussion will go through Friday, January 8, 2021.

Over to you,
Paul

Paul Raskin
GTI Director
----------------------------------------------------------
To submit a comment for this GTN discussion, click reply or send it to
jcohn at tellus.org. *Expect a delay between the submission and posting.*
You can review the discussion here
<https://greattransition.org/240-interrogating-the-anthropocene-truth-and-fallacy#3334>,
where you can also submit your comment by replying to any previously posted
comment.

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