In this week's article Megan Hunter discussed the intriguing idea that we, as writers, are not be writing enough about climate change— something which impacts the world we live in today and likely, as long as the human race exists.
Many people tend to agree that the topic of climate change isn't particularly written about as much as some other topics, in part because of the political investment in the topic, and in part because of our difficulty writing about the topic. Many suggest that the topic lacks creativity due to the fact that it is scientific— this suggestion seems to be the most popular and accurate regarding the perception of writing about climate change. Really, any topic is difficult, but why climate change?
It is because all of the conventions of a convincing story to audiences these days are not statistical, but rather, fantastical or made-up. As humans, we're drawn into what we cannot be, and what cannot be— fiction and fantasy seem to satisfy those who are. So, as Hunter suggests, we should turn to fiction to write about the truth of climate change, and it seems we all agree.
To end this post, I offer you this list of "must-reads" on climate change: https://www.cnn.com/2015/05/19/opinions/sutter-2-degrees-book-club/index.html
Will you be the next to write about the difficult topic?
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Mega Post
As a class, we seem to want to know how can we do our part as writers to bring more attention to climate change. How can us, as writers, discuss climate change without sounding preachy or just plain boring? Also, can our stories really help? It goes back to being only one person trying to change the minds of all these in denial. Perhaps we can write a story about our world where humans never existed since we all seem interested in knowing what the difference would be. What animals would be alive and what would be dead? What would the climate be? I think it would be a very interesting story, some research might have to go into it but it would be cool.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/this-is-what-the-world-would-be-like-if-humans-had-never-existed_us_55ddde64e4b0a40aa3acf428
If you want an idea of what it would be like the link above will take you to the HuffingtonPost that discusses research on what the world might be like if humans never existed.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/this-is-what-the-world-would-be-like-if-humans-had-never-existed_us_55ddde64e4b0a40aa3acf428
If you want an idea of what it would be like the link above will take you to the HuffingtonPost that discusses research on what the world might be like if humans never existed.
I just read this great story about Nigel, the world's loneliest bird who inspired scientists to write poetry! Thought I'd share it with you all.
Friday, February 2, 2018
Launch Post: A World without Humans
In her article, Megan Hunter discusses the effect humans have on our planet and climate change. While the planet had a naturally changing course before humans, Hunter explains how humans have "irreversibly altered ... its dynamics."
One of our potentially saving graces, she argues, is fiction. "As Sylvia Plath once pointed out, it is in the novel that people brush their teeth," Hunter says, furthering the concept that literature opens our eyes to the beauty around us, and it can be used to possibly change minds on climate change or inspire eco-friendly acts.
So, with these ideas in mind, let's ponder the following questions:
1. What was a work of fiction you read that greatly influenced your views on the planet/climate/environment? Why did it have such a resounding effect on you? For the purpose of this class, we may think about what factors these influencers all have in common and how we can incorporate them in our own works in order to inspire our readers.
2. What might the world look like now if humans didn't exist? How would the planet have naturally changed? (Remember: the planet was once completely frozen, the continents used to be one, etc; the sky's the limit here.) Use this as a prompt in the future: write a story that takes place in this world, or write a poem describing how this world would look.
One of our potentially saving graces, she argues, is fiction. "As Sylvia Plath once pointed out, it is in the novel that people brush their teeth," Hunter says, furthering the concept that literature opens our eyes to the beauty around us, and it can be used to possibly change minds on climate change or inspire eco-friendly acts.
So, with these ideas in mind, let's ponder the following questions:
1. What was a work of fiction you read that greatly influenced your views on the planet/climate/environment? Why did it have such a resounding effect on you? For the purpose of this class, we may think about what factors these influencers all have in common and how we can incorporate them in our own works in order to inspire our readers.
2. What might the world look like now if humans didn't exist? How would the planet have naturally changed? (Remember: the planet was once completely frozen, the continents used to be one, etc; the sky's the limit here.) Use this as a prompt in the future: write a story that takes place in this world, or write a poem describing how this world would look.
Launch Post: This Is The Way The World Ends Not With a Bang But?
This week our topic settles on climate change and denial. Our author, Megan Hunter, talks about the anxiety in the writing world: are we writing enough about climate change? What does it mean to write anything with the theme of climate change and why do people deny it so harshly in the world of literature? I am interested in what it means to write about climate changes in our work. If we do not write about it are contributing to the "bystander effect?" Perhaps, we believe in climate change but we do not write about in our works. By not acknowledging it is it the same thing as denying that it exists? Is it wholely necessary to talk about it in every piece we write? What is the limitation of action we have?
A quote from her that I loved was, "To address the psychological denial provoked by climate change, we need to explore the changes it has wrought in our self-perception at the most fundamental level, to examine the contradiction of the fantasy of our mastery and the reality of our dependence." Can we really breakdown past perception of this event with self-evaluation? We know writing has power but how far can it go before no one wants to listen anymore? I leave you with these thoughts for now!
A quote from her that I loved was, "To address the psychological denial provoked by climate change, we need to explore the changes it has wrought in our self-perception at the most fundamental level, to examine the contradiction of the fantasy of our mastery and the reality of our dependence." Can we really breakdown past perception of this event with self-evaluation? We know writing has power but how far can it go before no one wants to listen anymore? I leave you with these thoughts for now!
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Launch Post - Climate Change: Are You in Denial?
Megan Hunter argues that people experience two different types of denial regarding climate change. The first is your garden variety denial where people do not believe that man-made climate change exists. The second Hunter describes as a "defence mechanism" style of denial where people who believe in climate change "live as though it is only a distant possibility." I found this type of denial to be interesting because it's true. Most of us continue to waste resources even whilst arguing the importance of environmental protection. How many of us have driven somewhere we could easily walk just to avoid minor discomfort? We often do little things in our daily lives that, when added up, create serious environmental problems.
So my question for you all: do you believe that this "defence mechanism" denial is an issue? What could we all do to be more aware of climate change in our day to day lives? Which do you think is worse, completely denying the existence of climate change or accepting it and refusing to do anything to alleviate the problem? And finally, if you were in a position of power, how would you motivate people to stop climate change?
So my question for you all: do you believe that this "defence mechanism" denial is an issue? What could we all do to be more aware of climate change in our day to day lives? Which do you think is worse, completely denying the existence of climate change or accepting it and refusing to do anything to alleviate the problem? And finally, if you were in a position of power, how would you motivate people to stop climate change?
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