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Making Kin in the Chthulucene: Experimental Futures for Multispecies Survival

Christopher Woods

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Published in Staying With The Trouble: Making Kin In The Chthulucene (Experimental Futures)

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A Group Of People And Animals Gathered In A Circle, Holding Hands. Staying With The Trouble: Making Kin In The Chthulucene (Experimental Futures)

Staying with the Trouble: Making Kin in the Chthulucene (Experimental Futures)

by Alex Polyakov

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	309 pages

The Chthulucene is a term coined by feminist theorist Donna Haraway to describe the current geological epoch, which is characterized by the profound impact of human activity on the planet. This era is marked by climate change, mass extinction, and other environmental crises. In the face of these challenges, Haraway calls on us to rethink our relationships with other species and the planet itself. She argues that we need to move beyond the dualisms of human/non-human, nature/culture, and subject/object. Instead, we need to embrace a more holistic and interconnected view of the world.

One way to do this is to make kin with other species. Kin is a term that refers to relationships of relatedness, affinity, and mutual support. Making kin with other species means recognizing their inherent value and worth, and working together to create a more just and sustainable world.

Experimental futures are futures that are not yet known or determined. They are spaces of possibility and potential. In the Chthulucene, experimental futures are those that offer hope for multispecies survival. These futures are not utopian visions of a perfect world. Rather, they are messy and uncertain, but they are also full of possibility.

Making Kin in Practice

There are many ways to make kin with other species. One way is to learn about their lives and their cultures. Another way is to work together to solve common problems. For example, farmers and ranchers can work with wolves to reduce the number of deer that damage crops and livestock. Conservationists can work with indigenous communities to protect endangered species.

Making kin with other species also means changing our own behavior. We need to reduce our consumption of resources, and we need to find more sustainable ways to live. We also need to challenge the systems of oppression that harm both humans and non-humans.

Experimental Futures

Experimental futures are futures that offer hope for multispecies survival. These futures are not utopian visions of a perfect world. Rather, they are messy and uncertain, but they are also full of possibility.

One experimental future is the idea of a multispecies community. This is a community where humans and non-humans live together in harmony. Multispecies communities are already emerging in many parts of the world. For example, the village of Tomohon in Indonesia is home to a thriving community of humans and macaques. The two species live in close proximity and cooperate to solve common problems.

Another experimental future is the idea of a bioregional economy. This is an economy that is based on the unique ecological and cultural characteristics of a particular region. Bioregional economies are designed to meet the needs of local communities while also protecting the environment.

These are just two examples of experimental futures. There are many other possibilities that we can imagine. The important thing is to start experimenting. We need to find new ways to live together in this damaged world. We need to make kin with other species, and we need to create experimental futures that offer hope for multispecies survival.

The Chthulucene is a time of great challenge, but it is also a time of great opportunity. We are facing a climate crisis, but we are also on the cusp of a new era of kinship and cooperation. We can choose to make kin with other species, and we can create experimental futures that offer hope for multispecies survival.

This is the task of our time. It is a task that will not be easy, but it is a task that is essential. We must work together to create a more just and sustainable world for all beings.

Staying with the Trouble: Making Kin in the Chthulucene (Experimental Futures)

by Alex Polyakov

4.6 out of 5