Amitav Ghosh
© Mathieu Génon
The world is currently in the grip of several intensifying crises: climate change, biodiversity loss, geopolitical instability, and so on. Given the scale of the disruptions that are already being felt around the planet, it is hardly surprising that many people have come to be convinced that an apocalypse is inevitable and requires active planning and preparation.
It is well-known now that several billionaire tech entrepreneurs like Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page and Peter Thiel are preparing for an impending apocalypse by building enormously expensive and heavily fortified retreats on remote islands, or in sparsely-populated stretches of the United States and Canada. A bevy of America’s most popular stars, such as Taylor Swift and Tom Cruise have also acquired cutting-edge apocalypse shelters. So great is the demand that a new and rapidly-growing industry has emerged to cater to it.
This talk seeks to understand the thinking behind these trends, and what it signifies for the future of humanity.
About the author:
Amitav Ghosh is one of the leading theorists of climate change imaginaries today. In his recent fictional and nonfictional work, Ghosh not only addresses the climate crisis, but also diagnoses a fundamental crisis of imagination. He consistently demonstrates the importance of engaging with challenges like global warming, climate migration, and mass extinction from a cultural and humanistic perspective.
Admission is free. Further information can be found on the website of the Rachel Carson Center.