by Shaun Chamberlin | Aug 22, 2019 | All Posts, Climate Change, Cultural stories, David Fleming
When the bestselling theologian Reverend Michael Dowd invited me to open his 'Post-Doom' series of interviews on dealing with the widespread foreboding about climate chaos, societal collapse, and ecological 'doom', I didn't imagine how beautifully warm and touching a conversation it would be!
We forged a real connection and it was an absolute pleasure to get to know such an authentic man.
Here's a direct link to the full interview, or for a list of topics covered and links to jump straight to them, head through to Youtube and click "Show More" under the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR0C8h7go40
You can also subscribe there for the full series (also at www.postdoom.com), with confirmed future participants including Joanna Macy, Derrick Jensen, Chris Martenson and David Abram.
by Shaun Chamberlin | Nov 18, 2018 | All Posts, Climate Change, Cultural stories, Favourite posts, Out and about, Politics
I got arrested for the first time in my life this week. And I'm proud of it.
As long-time followers of this blog know, over the past 13 years I've tried everything I know to get our society to change its omnicidal course. I've written books, co-founded organisations, taught courses, worked in my community, lobbied governments, given talks, participated in grassroots discussion and action...
I've failed. We've all failed. As a global society we are accelerating towards oblivion, and taking everyone else with us.
And last week, someone said something that stuck with me. That if everyone around you is carrying on like everything's fine, then no matter how much one reads or understands intellectually about a situation, it's so difficult not to go along with that. Equally, if you're somewhere and everyone else starts screaming and running for the exit, then you probably start running for the exit, even if you have no idea what's going on.
Maybe there's seemed to be a disconnect between the message we've been bringing - that this society is knowingly causing the harshest catastrophe in history - and the actions we've been taking?
Maybe if the wider public see that hundreds feel the need to go to jail over this, they might start to seriously ask why? With these stakes, it's worth a shot.
https://vimeo.com/301399993
That film was shot yesterday on Blackfriars Bridge, one of five bridges surrounding Parliament that we occupied as part of the Extinction Rebellion. The sheer mass of thousands of people meant that the police couldn't possibly arrest everyone, so the bridges were ours for all the family fun you can see.
But when, at the hour we decided, we collectively moved on, many ordinary folk stayed behind and refused to leave in order to be arrested. If all we have left to amplify the message with is our liberty, then we offer it up.
And paradoxically - as I said in my speech in the clip above (from 4m15) - in doing so we have discovered a new freedom. That following our conscience and refusing to be bound by laws that insist on inflicting death and misery is an act of liberty.
Hundreds of thousands of humans are dying of climate change each year now. Most of the wild nature that existed fifty years ago is gone. What's a little time in jail, by comparison?
---
As I sat in my cell, I felt peace. I knew that I was doing all I could for our collective future, and am proud to have that recorded against my name for the rest of my life.
Perhaps, as ever, Wendell Berry said it best,
"Protest that endures, I think, is moved by a hope far more modest than that of public success, namely, the hope of preserving qualities in one's own heart and spirit that would be destroyed by acquiescence."
Maybe we can't stop what's unfolding, but it would diminish us not to try. And yesterday was the first event I've attended that felt as though it might be a historic turning point.
Equally, it might not. That's up to us.
One child held a placard saying "When I grow up, I want to be alive".
Yep. See you there next Saturday.
(and there are plenty of crucial non-arrestable roles too)
--
I'll leave you with the song that has been the soundtrack to my personal Extinction Rebellion.
It makes me cry every time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTFFOr_G6ZM
by Shaun Chamberlin | Nov 13, 2018 | All Posts, David Fleming, Lean Logic, Surviving the Future
The above is a screenshot from my most exciting update yet on all that's afoot around David Fleming's award-winning books and wider legacy!
Including details of the initial exclusive film launch, discussion of the TEQs system he invented at the European Parliament, his work being taught in several universities and an online course, Peter Buffett's new weekly radio show about the books, an online version of the Dictionary for the Future and much more...
Read the update in full, or subscribe to receive future updates direct to your inbox.
by Shaun Chamberlin | Mar 20, 2018 | All Posts, David Fleming, Lean Logic, Surviving the Future
The above screenshot is from the latest - bumper! - update on all that is afoot around the late David Fleming's books.
Including details of the audiobook launched yesterday, winning 1st prize at the New York Book Show, free book possibilities, the first screening of our film, a Sterling College course based around David's work and much more...
Read the update in full, or subscribe to receive future updates direct to your inbox.
by Shaun Chamberlin | Feb 18, 2017 | All Posts, Climate Change, Cultural stories, Favourite posts, Reviews and recommendations
Because why not?
I have a passion for tracking down that elusive rarity - eco-songs that don't suck! And thanks to several Dark Optimism readers, my collection's growing, from a wide range of genres.
Back in 2011, I published the first 'Dark Optimism album', but sadly it was lost due to my using an external MP3 player which later disappeared.
Just hit play below for the 2017 edition, with a few more recent favourites added to the mix:
[playlist ids="4766,4769,4787,4797,4773,4771,4798,4795,4780,4781,4786,4785,4792,4779,4790"]
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Honourable mentions also to these pieces from Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Akala and RapNews, each brilliant in their own way, but not quite hitting the spot for this collection. Enjoy!
And any more songs (or other creative responses) that you'd like to share greatly welcomed in the comments below.
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