Love the way you explore all this Sarah. I used to really enjoy watching Russell Brand and I felt like he was a great voice pushing back against lots of things while keeping it light. I find it totally bizarre watching what he’s like now. He never used to seem like he was preaching about having all the answers, but now he’s so fixed in his path. My dad became a (problematic) reborn Christian when I was a kid after he got very sick and had messed up lots of things, and I always felt it was the only path left to him that continued to allow him to feel powerful and in control -he could then say and do whatever he wanted (and did and caused chaos!) because he had god in his side and it was all part of god’s plan. What’s scary too is that he genuinely believed it - there were lots of cracks and inconsistencies in his behaviour but never in his belief system. I have no idea how to tackle that level of delusion. I sometimes wonder how Brand’s wife and kids and family and in-laws feel about all this!
I love your advice to calm the farm and just not get too caught up in the whole whirlwind - I haven’t been pouring over news this time around - I will never forget the gut churn last time when realising Trump had won, but this time I feel scared but hopefully better prepared to dig in whatever and try to focus on the places that bring me strength and joy. You, your work and this community are definitely one of them - thank you!
Yes, his absolute certainty (and a total unwillingness to see anyone else’s point of view) caused chaos and trauma for everyone around him. He died 7 years ago after he refused to seek medical treatment until it was too late, because he thought god would cure him… . He wanted total control over people and yet abdicated all responsibility for everything … and the recovery for everyone else continues (but thankfully with love and compassion) x
Religion (just another organisation) feels v dangerous at times. A convenient righteous? justification for abhorrent behaviour. Dangerously and hurtfully delusional 😢 I also have similar family experiences.
What a complex world of blind spots, delusion and escapism. And breathe 🙏
Your comment made me want to share some observations that I made of myself and maybe boys/men/humans in general.
This behaviour is so common in humans, a panicked, anxiety driven need to create the illusion of control. But definitely most noticeable in men.
And yes, Christianity or any religion is the ultimate, as everything is forgiven and everything is the will of god. It’s the mainstream spiritual bypassing. Or the ultimate let it go , it’s all groovy bullshit.
I find myself in the predicament of being alienated from my daughter , with the support of her mother. A tale of anxiety, avoidance, poor mental health and a little too much control from my side.
But mostly because of my own personal integrity and desire to be treated with respect and kindness. I asked for verbal abuse and threats of self harm to stop, and for discussion to be had around them. Along with basic parenting values , rhythms to life and goals.
All of which were met with severe stonewalling, and more abuse in the form of text messages or covert conversations and Chinese whispers.
Anyways, enough over sharing and purging , but just wanted to set the stage.
I now find myself in a vacuum of purpose , no longer a father , and autonomous to some degree. And it sucks. It is despair and discomfort, disappointment and disillusionment.
It feels like even looking after the basics is difficult because what is the point?
I see this in a lot of men around me , furious activity and then deep rest and pause. It is a fundamental pattern and quality. Work hard, play and then pause.
We do not bond with others so well automatically like women do. But we do bond through doing, and purpose.
To counter this I am making myself the project so that I am ready should she ever want a father again. And when she is ready to treat me like a human being. Investment property secured, forest hike, house clean and vege patch this weekend. Socials deleted , meditation and reading and playing music instead.
Why am I sharing this?
Just something for the women and the mums out there dealing with husbands , and sons.
Tell us how you are really feeling , REALLY feeling, take responsibility for your stuff , and then tell us practically what we can do to help.
Engage the lost masses of young men, we need to get them to make themselves projects. Physically, mentally and emotionally better, with clear role models to model themselves on.
And then create places for them to put that energy. Helping the elderly on a weekend , helping single mums with their kids, land care and fisheries regeneration.
I am sorry about your dad , my father while not religious, does have that air of superiority about him , and failures is justified as life being shitty life.
I have that in me also, and it causes problems.
The answer? Communication and common purpose , and if control or abuse comes in, a clear NO. And a friendly let’s get the fuck back into life please 🙏🏼
Hi Steve, thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with me - and I hope you’re doing okay. I absolutely concur with what you say about needing clear boundaries and then finding a sense of purpose (and supporting others in that too). I’m really interested in that at the moment: how to move our words into effective and galvanising action. I like the sound of your weekend too - sounds very productive and restful at the same time!
Thanks Sara, doing okay as a man who’s very worth and existence is being challenged 😜 by the being who he loves the most.
I feel like the answer lays in the bottom of the pit. What is deepest down there , what is our deepest fear and our deepest desire.
And then the words have to match the feeling , without the meeting of the left and right brain , the emotion and the manifest. It cannot be felt and it cannot be heard. And it cannot be created.
Otherwise we lay open to manipulation by those who sound like they are confident or know what they want. The Trumps of the world.
The only way that Kamala could have won that election was to reveal her true self. She should have said that she is terrified of who Trump is and what he represents. Not rage and contempt and arrogance. But true snot filled , vomiting, gut churning fuck !!! WTF !!!
And then truly reveal what she wants to do instead of his way. Through her , the nation could have felt the bullshit being unleashed and the dissatisfaction and fear it produces.
"I’m not quite ready for the reveal. Will we ever be?" Feel you deeply on that front. My partner read out some depressing poll numbers while I was trying to fix a blocked sink. I am embarrassed to say that my response was to have a full blown tanty at the blocked sink. I had to reground by going and lying in the paddock watching the clouds for half an hour. Even when you have sat with knowing the ship is there, just over the horizon, the reality playing out as we watch requires a whole new level of resourcing not to join the chaos. Thank you for providing one such space. Your recently acquired boyfriend's wise advice made me smile - at this level of complexity perhaps there is no understanding to be had on many fronts and what we describe as understanding is really just telling ourselves a story that makes us feel a bit better. Wishing you a grounded week my friend xo.
Right now is so terrifying , get some sun on your face everyone. If your in Mullumbimby i can give you a hug if you need it ☺️
The one thing all of these commentators (antivax, spiritual enlightenment, political, grifting etc) had.
Is a deep underlying anxiety / inferiority complex. Which is generally 90 % of the media / entertainment industry. 90% of the doctors who spoke up were busy trying to get a name before hand (that mRNA doc kept stating how many papers he had published , over and over and over).
As you said , Brand was scrambling for relevancy , post rock bottom and fresh out of a very expensive rehab/spiritual experience/grift retreat.
A spiritual ego unleashed onto YouTube , which sounds true , because the words are true. But it does not even begin to touch the pain underneath. It’s a left brain experience and experiment. Brand slowly shifted where ever the algorithm wanted him too, and where the likes were at. I liked listening to him during the pandemic. But then he hit the second rock bottom and became truly mad. It was so rapid and horrible to see. Because , like JP or a few of these boys their intent is 80% altruistic , but is lost underneath the escape from the truth.
They hurt , badly, and the world is hurting, badly, and there is nothing they can do about it.
So they panic and throw petrol on the fire and make some cash instead. All to avoid the truth.
Keep calm, keep sane, keep working, keep snuggling your man, watch them videos 🙏🏼. The need for your work is growing , along with the audience. The truth sucks and hurts and is deliciously deadly , but the peace it brings is what we all need.
I am listening to Elon and Jo have a bullshit session. And part of me is crying and also throwing up about the fact that I feel like I need to fact check the bullshit they are talking about 😂😭
Because the other side is as crazy as their new playing side. Elons talking about meat production having zero effect on global greenhouse gas emissions. Paedophiles being released to make space in prisons for hate speech (aka freedom of speech propagandists).
And old Joe is just nodding along , fuckity fuck duck
Too late , I am lost to the Joe and the Algorithm, it’s been nice knowing you all. I have a date with a trad wife. She is taking me to my first book burning. Should be fun 🤓
I just had a great big dose of distraction spending a few hours with my daughter and little grandson who gave me lots of hugs and sloppy kisses.. balm for the soul ☺️
thanks for this post at this time Sarah, I came looking for it and graciously it was there; and with these community comments it helps. even thought I feel helpless and wordless, physically I feel such a weirdness today (Melb Cup doesn't help). inhale love. exhale fear. inhale love. exhale fear.
sending hugs
ps "this will play out as it must". ... great words; difficult mix of a cognitive and emotive rollercoaster there. (also felt like I forgot to get the restraint fastened). argh.
I have been feeling that heaviness too, of some phenomena out there that will complicate collapse soon, or global trajectory that has us tilted towards a time that will require a profound collective moral courage where we have to trust those across the divide. I just keep going deep inside and reminding myself that what animates seeds in dark soil animates me too.
Societies and ecosystems have been collapsing since those invisible ships approached shores all across our planet. Let’s remember the impact on Indigenous people that continues to this day.
🌏 🌍 🌎
So good to come together as we anticipate more big events; to read your reflections and follow the links you offer. I had a look at the Instagram post you shared and had a quick scan of the comments. Someone dropped in a Rebecca Solnit quote which is so apt…“Voting isn’t a Valentine. It’s a chess move.”
It acknowledges the game we live in. Decide on your moves with full truthful awareness. Don’t waste precious energy and resources on declarations of love (or hate). Watch, learn, think deeply.
The reactive chiming in on social media is so shallow and false but those that are hooked in, feel they’re expressing their passions and allegiance to some better way and with SUCH certainty. I laughed out loud at the screenshot of the Handmaid’s Tale post. The “Dunning-Kruger effect”, confirmation bias & other blinkered mindsets all thriving in and feeding on the media, money driven narrative.
Thank you Sarah for your work and for such a profound and reflective piece. It feels like we are often plagued with so much and while we can't have it all summed to perfection, we can engage, wrestle and then rest! Im finding it's so important to take time to rest and be in awe of the world! The dancing and cute baby reels you post are always a good reminder of that 💖
Thank you for your words Sarah. Woke up this morning with a knot in my belly. Reading these comments have been a reminder that we are not alone, to get out in nature this morning before work and to lean into the parts of our human experience that foster connection today: music, dancing, friends, art. I remember a student at school walking in and telling me that Trump had won (the last time) and being in utter denial. Today, when the news starts to trickle in, I want to be better prepared to listen to my students and not dismiss their fears and questions, and actually sit in the uncertainty and doubt with them.
How am I feeling as the US election rapidly approaches? I sometimes feel like I can hardly breathe...this election feels so monumental & more likely than not, against all logic, and in part due to the ludicrous Electoral College system, Trump will win in spite of Harris most likely garnering millions more votes . My overall feeling is of a loss of faith in humanity....to see how, out of fear and greed, the rich and powerful are aligning behind a sociopathic, angry, bitter fool because it’s in their own selfish, very short-term interest is utterly depressing.
I dread to think of how impactful a Trump “win”, (and with it, the last vestige of the US as a democracy), will be on both accelerating climate collapse and environmental destruction.
Rather than feel a loss of faith in humanity I try to feel a compassion, almost pity. We are really quite hapless, as I say. Our collective arrogance is so cringey, of course, like watching your little brother doing lame jumps on his BMX with lots of huffing and thinking he's really cool (real life repeated example from my childhood)
I read this post on the night of the US election, slightly shell-shocked. It was exactly what I needed to read, Sarah, and quite uncanny that you wrote it BEFORE the result came through. But isn’t that the point? You are trying to share with us the idea that massive change (societal, environmental, political, economic, etc.) is unfolding, and that we will best position ourselves if we can somewhat anticipate these events, and perhaps understand the impetus for them when they do occur. Finding a way to “work with” the election result, and it’s implications for climate, women, etc., will be the next step. Thankyou for another perceptive piece of writing!
I was really surprised at the pro-Trump comments on your insta post. If I had to guess I would think those were fans of yours from your I Quit Sugar days. The wellness types have gone far right, an old yoga teacher of mine, included.
same ... the clashing of those comments with the video imagery. gasping. so challenging to accept people can believe such polarising positions, I kid myself I think (or my brain does skew the "reality" to keep me surviving (thx Joel Pearson)) that that isn't the case so when I see it visually it grates and disturbs. (I gotta stop with all the bracketing)
I am currently half way through your podcast episode with Luke Kemp. I was cycling and had a thought on the dialogue around collapse as simple vs complex. I stopped to post this comment. I have to agree with your take Sarah with it being complex after reading your book serialisation thus far. Perhaps Luke is referring to decision-making as having the potential to be simple in certain cases of the metacrisis.... but I would argue it can only be simple if the majority of people who are ‘closely linked in the decision-making loop of the interdependency web’ are operating with the same moral compass. I work in local government so I am learning more and more about politics everyday in Australia and to be fair, decisions depend mainly on the powerbrokers and what “the majority” want. Navigating & communicating adaptation and collapse-awareness is complex, especially when people forget what beauty and truth and community and morality mean and why they are important. Why they are all we really have.
That is my thought bubble as I get eaten by midges in 40 degree heat.
I write this in a cafe in Paris...it's FREEZING today.
Your points are sound. I think Luke's argument has almost gone over and beyond his original complexity argument...I imagine this would happen when you've been that close to a subject.
Oh I was also thinking randomly a few semi-connected points-
Cap Jack Sparrow’s compass couldn’t ever solely get him out of a predicament. Even if his compass was awry he needed his crew; his tribe; his majority to back him.
We need the mind AND the heart to not be corrupted by our lower frequencies and wants, right? Raising our consciousness for the collective good everyday is hard right? It’s only hard because it’s not the norm/BAU/the majority.
Compassion and courage and love for the life we all share- we need this to be embodied in our collapse awareness and our ‘being’ and ‘doing’. But it can be almost automatic to react and be triggered instead.
Is collapse more of a systemic corrosion? Are we forgetting our duty to alchemise and transform for the greater good?
Maybe some things are simple and some complex. Maybe that is the paradox; the duality; the tug of war we all must be feeling now.
I really needed to read your words Sarah, I feel sick with worry for the world, my children, the future. I will definitely be in the garden tomorrow, and holding on to what I am grateful for tightly. Hike on.
Love the way you explore all this Sarah. I used to really enjoy watching Russell Brand and I felt like he was a great voice pushing back against lots of things while keeping it light. I find it totally bizarre watching what he’s like now. He never used to seem like he was preaching about having all the answers, but now he’s so fixed in his path. My dad became a (problematic) reborn Christian when I was a kid after he got very sick and had messed up lots of things, and I always felt it was the only path left to him that continued to allow him to feel powerful and in control -he could then say and do whatever he wanted (and did and caused chaos!) because he had god in his side and it was all part of god’s plan. What’s scary too is that he genuinely believed it - there were lots of cracks and inconsistencies in his behaviour but never in his belief system. I have no idea how to tackle that level of delusion. I sometimes wonder how Brand’s wife and kids and family and in-laws feel about all this!
I love your advice to calm the farm and just not get too caught up in the whole whirlwind - I haven’t been pouring over news this time around - I will never forget the gut churn last time when realising Trump had won, but this time I feel scared but hopefully better prepared to dig in whatever and try to focus on the places that bring me strength and joy. You, your work and this community are definitely one of them - thank you!
Thank you Sara, you're not the resilient author for nothing!
An interesting point you raise - your Dad's belief justified chaos.
Yes, his absolute certainty (and a total unwillingness to see anyone else’s point of view) caused chaos and trauma for everyone around him. He died 7 years ago after he refused to seek medical treatment until it was too late, because he thought god would cure him… . He wanted total control over people and yet abdicated all responsibility for everything … and the recovery for everyone else continues (but thankfully with love and compassion) x
Religion (just another organisation) feels v dangerous at times. A convenient righteous? justification for abhorrent behaviour. Dangerously and hurtfully delusional 😢 I also have similar family experiences.
What a complex world of blind spots, delusion and escapism. And breathe 🙏
I feel a strong need to turn to nature today 🌳 x
Sorry you have had similar experiences. Hope you got to have your time in nature - it’s my ultimate go-to as well.
Hey Sara,
Your comment made me want to share some observations that I made of myself and maybe boys/men/humans in general.
This behaviour is so common in humans, a panicked, anxiety driven need to create the illusion of control. But definitely most noticeable in men.
And yes, Christianity or any religion is the ultimate, as everything is forgiven and everything is the will of god. It’s the mainstream spiritual bypassing. Or the ultimate let it go , it’s all groovy bullshit.
I find myself in the predicament of being alienated from my daughter , with the support of her mother. A tale of anxiety, avoidance, poor mental health and a little too much control from my side.
But mostly because of my own personal integrity and desire to be treated with respect and kindness. I asked for verbal abuse and threats of self harm to stop, and for discussion to be had around them. Along with basic parenting values , rhythms to life and goals.
All of which were met with severe stonewalling, and more abuse in the form of text messages or covert conversations and Chinese whispers.
Anyways, enough over sharing and purging , but just wanted to set the stage.
I now find myself in a vacuum of purpose , no longer a father , and autonomous to some degree. And it sucks. It is despair and discomfort, disappointment and disillusionment.
It feels like even looking after the basics is difficult because what is the point?
I see this in a lot of men around me , furious activity and then deep rest and pause. It is a fundamental pattern and quality. Work hard, play and then pause.
We do not bond with others so well automatically like women do. But we do bond through doing, and purpose.
To counter this I am making myself the project so that I am ready should she ever want a father again. And when she is ready to treat me like a human being. Investment property secured, forest hike, house clean and vege patch this weekend. Socials deleted , meditation and reading and playing music instead.
Why am I sharing this?
Just something for the women and the mums out there dealing with husbands , and sons.
Tell us how you are really feeling , REALLY feeling, take responsibility for your stuff , and then tell us practically what we can do to help.
Engage the lost masses of young men, we need to get them to make themselves projects. Physically, mentally and emotionally better, with clear role models to model themselves on.
And then create places for them to put that energy. Helping the elderly on a weekend , helping single mums with their kids, land care and fisheries regeneration.
I am sorry about your dad , my father while not religious, does have that air of superiority about him , and failures is justified as life being shitty life.
I have that in me also, and it causes problems.
The answer? Communication and common purpose , and if control or abuse comes in, a clear NO. And a friendly let’s get the fuck back into life please 🙏🏼
Hi Steve, thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with me - and I hope you’re doing okay. I absolutely concur with what you say about needing clear boundaries and then finding a sense of purpose (and supporting others in that too). I’m really interested in that at the moment: how to move our words into effective and galvanising action. I like the sound of your weekend too - sounds very productive and restful at the same time!
Thanks Sara, doing okay as a man who’s very worth and existence is being challenged 😜 by the being who he loves the most.
I feel like the answer lays in the bottom of the pit. What is deepest down there , what is our deepest fear and our deepest desire.
And then the words have to match the feeling , without the meeting of the left and right brain , the emotion and the manifest. It cannot be felt and it cannot be heard. And it cannot be created.
Otherwise we lay open to manipulation by those who sound like they are confident or know what they want. The Trumps of the world.
The only way that Kamala could have won that election was to reveal her true self. She should have said that she is terrified of who Trump is and what he represents. Not rage and contempt and arrogance. But true snot filled , vomiting, gut churning fuck !!! WTF !!!
And then truly reveal what she wants to do instead of his way. Through her , the nation could have felt the bullshit being unleashed and the dissatisfaction and fear it produces.
"I’m not quite ready for the reveal. Will we ever be?" Feel you deeply on that front. My partner read out some depressing poll numbers while I was trying to fix a blocked sink. I am embarrassed to say that my response was to have a full blown tanty at the blocked sink. I had to reground by going and lying in the paddock watching the clouds for half an hour. Even when you have sat with knowing the ship is there, just over the horizon, the reality playing out as we watch requires a whole new level of resourcing not to join the chaos. Thank you for providing one such space. Your recently acquired boyfriend's wise advice made me smile - at this level of complexity perhaps there is no understanding to be had on many fronts and what we describe as understanding is really just telling ourselves a story that makes us feel a bit better. Wishing you a grounded week my friend xo.
blocked sink is great metaphor
Too funny! It came clear with a great and satisfying rush! Hope that is a good omen :)
totally agree on the no understanding and story telling.
there is yet another balance to be found with feeling the uncomfortableness within the lack of understanding (and helplessness).
Uncomfortable is the word of the moment, isn’t it!?
breathlessly yes I concur
*sigh*
Such a powerful read Sarah. I feel sick to my stomach. Music, yoga, grace. The best we can do now is not become them.
Yes, music and grace, too
When there’s no music I know there’ll be no me
Right now is so terrifying , get some sun on your face everyone. If your in Mullumbimby i can give you a hug if you need it ☺️
The one thing all of these commentators (antivax, spiritual enlightenment, political, grifting etc) had.
Is a deep underlying anxiety / inferiority complex. Which is generally 90 % of the media / entertainment industry. 90% of the doctors who spoke up were busy trying to get a name before hand (that mRNA doc kept stating how many papers he had published , over and over and over).
As you said , Brand was scrambling for relevancy , post rock bottom and fresh out of a very expensive rehab/spiritual experience/grift retreat.
A spiritual ego unleashed onto YouTube , which sounds true , because the words are true. But it does not even begin to touch the pain underneath. It’s a left brain experience and experiment. Brand slowly shifted where ever the algorithm wanted him too, and where the likes were at. I liked listening to him during the pandemic. But then he hit the second rock bottom and became truly mad. It was so rapid and horrible to see. Because , like JP or a few of these boys their intent is 80% altruistic , but is lost underneath the escape from the truth.
They hurt , badly, and the world is hurting, badly, and there is nothing they can do about it.
So they panic and throw petrol on the fire and make some cash instead. All to avoid the truth.
Keep calm, keep sane, keep working, keep snuggling your man, watch them videos 🙏🏼. The need for your work is growing , along with the audience. The truth sucks and hurts and is deliciously deadly , but the peace it brings is what we all need.
You know what’s really fucked
I am listening to Elon and Jo have a bullshit session. And part of me is crying and also throwing up about the fact that I feel like I need to fact check the bullshit they are talking about 😂😭
Because the other side is as crazy as their new playing side. Elons talking about meat production having zero effect on global greenhouse gas emissions. Paedophiles being released to make space in prisons for hate speech (aka freedom of speech propagandists).
And old Joe is just nodding along , fuckity fuck duck
Holy shit
Joe and Elon have only gotten worse , the same shit x 100
Vaccines, freedom, mushrooms and aliens
step away from the podcast!
Too late , I am lost to the Joe and the Algorithm, it’s been nice knowing you all. I have a date with a trad wife. She is taking me to my first book burning. Should be fun 🤓
Maybe 🤔 or at least confined to a campus somewhere
Oh Joe, he's such a liability
Not that I believe these stories
But I am aware of the need inside me to question it all as it feels like anyone with a “side” is crazy
A good assessment. In the past, maybe such men would've have been real leaders in the community , tamed a bit by structures.
chai at Rock n Roll?
I just walked past 😛
Now back at my desk after lunch
if your walking past let me know and I will give you a hug 🤗😂
nah buddy, used to live there. am in Dorrigo now
would have been awesome to have a RL SW SS Community member coffee and hug (esp today)
Please make it happen, you two!
Or I can pop in quickly at 2:30 ✌🏼
Be the calm (anchor) in the storm of chaos!
Such a brilliant reminder, thanks Sarah.
I just had a great big dose of distraction spending a few hours with my daughter and little grandson who gave me lots of hugs and sloppy kisses.. balm for the soul ☺️
We need kids to remind us of our innocence and goodness
thanks for this post at this time Sarah, I came looking for it and graciously it was there; and with these community comments it helps. even thought I feel helpless and wordless, physically I feel such a weirdness today (Melb Cup doesn't help). inhale love. exhale fear. inhale love. exhale fear.
sending hugs
ps "this will play out as it must". ... great words; difficult mix of a cognitive and emotive rollercoaster there. (also felt like I forgot to get the restraint fastened). argh.
sending more hugs
Oh, yes, Melbourne Cup. How surreal and sad.
yes ... all the fucked races
although, thankfully, apparently it is losing popularity #nuptothecup
I have been feeling that heaviness too, of some phenomena out there that will complicate collapse soon, or global trajectory that has us tilted towards a time that will require a profound collective moral courage where we have to trust those across the divide. I just keep going deep inside and reminding myself that what animates seeds in dark soil animates me too.
“ … what animates seeds in dark soil animates me too …” I love that Madeleine thank you.
“That ship is collapse.”
Societies and ecosystems have been collapsing since those invisible ships approached shores all across our planet. Let’s remember the impact on Indigenous people that continues to this day.
🌏 🌍 🌎
So good to come together as we anticipate more big events; to read your reflections and follow the links you offer. I had a look at the Instagram post you shared and had a quick scan of the comments. Someone dropped in a Rebecca Solnit quote which is so apt…“Voting isn’t a Valentine. It’s a chess move.”
It acknowledges the game we live in. Decide on your moves with full truthful awareness. Don’t waste precious energy and resources on declarations of love (or hate). Watch, learn, think deeply.
The reactive chiming in on social media is so shallow and false but those that are hooked in, feel they’re expressing their passions and allegiance to some better way and with SUCH certainty. I laughed out loud at the screenshot of the Handmaid’s Tale post. The “Dunning-Kruger effect”, confirmation bias & other blinkered mindsets all thriving in and feeding on the media, money driven narrative.
Deep breaths indeed.
Yes, a chess move!
We can count on Rebecca Solnit for clarity on the bigger picture.
Thank you Sarah for your work and for such a profound and reflective piece. It feels like we are often plagued with so much and while we can't have it all summed to perfection, we can engage, wrestle and then rest! Im finding it's so important to take time to rest and be in awe of the world! The dancing and cute baby reels you post are always a good reminder of that 💖
xx
Thank you for your words Sarah. Woke up this morning with a knot in my belly. Reading these comments have been a reminder that we are not alone, to get out in nature this morning before work and to lean into the parts of our human experience that foster connection today: music, dancing, friends, art. I remember a student at school walking in and telling me that Trump had won (the last time) and being in utter denial. Today, when the news starts to trickle in, I want to be better prepared to listen to my students and not dismiss their fears and questions, and actually sit in the uncertainty and doubt with them.
Good luck...looks like you'll need to be rising to that role. I'm glad there are young people with women like you at the front of the class.
How am I feeling as the US election rapidly approaches? I sometimes feel like I can hardly breathe...this election feels so monumental & more likely than not, against all logic, and in part due to the ludicrous Electoral College system, Trump will win in spite of Harris most likely garnering millions more votes . My overall feeling is of a loss of faith in humanity....to see how, out of fear and greed, the rich and powerful are aligning behind a sociopathic, angry, bitter fool because it’s in their own selfish, very short-term interest is utterly depressing.
I dread to think of how impactful a Trump “win”, (and with it, the last vestige of the US as a democracy), will be on both accelerating climate collapse and environmental destruction.
Rather than feel a loss of faith in humanity I try to feel a compassion, almost pity. We are really quite hapless, as I say. Our collective arrogance is so cringey, of course, like watching your little brother doing lame jumps on his BMX with lots of huffing and thinking he's really cool (real life repeated example from my childhood)
I read this post on the night of the US election, slightly shell-shocked. It was exactly what I needed to read, Sarah, and quite uncanny that you wrote it BEFORE the result came through. But isn’t that the point? You are trying to share with us the idea that massive change (societal, environmental, political, economic, etc.) is unfolding, and that we will best position ourselves if we can somewhat anticipate these events, and perhaps understand the impetus for them when they do occur. Finding a way to “work with” the election result, and it’s implications for climate, women, etc., will be the next step. Thankyou for another perceptive piece of writing!
Well, Harry, thanks for reminding of the above! It is why I write all this. But I sometimes forget my own message. x
I was really surprised at the pro-Trump comments on your insta post. If I had to guess I would think those were fans of yours from your I Quit Sugar days. The wellness types have gone far right, an old yoga teacher of mine, included.
i think you're right. Gut health to anti-vax to lizard people to Trump...it's a fairly direct route.
You might like the book Conspirituality.
same ... the clashing of those comments with the video imagery. gasping. so challenging to accept people can believe such polarising positions, I kid myself I think (or my brain does skew the "reality" to keep me surviving (thx Joel Pearson)) that that isn't the case so when I see it visually it grates and disturbs. (I gotta stop with all the bracketing)
going to plant in my garden now.
Hi Sarah and Wild community,
I am currently half way through your podcast episode with Luke Kemp. I was cycling and had a thought on the dialogue around collapse as simple vs complex. I stopped to post this comment. I have to agree with your take Sarah with it being complex after reading your book serialisation thus far. Perhaps Luke is referring to decision-making as having the potential to be simple in certain cases of the metacrisis.... but I would argue it can only be simple if the majority of people who are ‘closely linked in the decision-making loop of the interdependency web’ are operating with the same moral compass. I work in local government so I am learning more and more about politics everyday in Australia and to be fair, decisions depend mainly on the powerbrokers and what “the majority” want. Navigating & communicating adaptation and collapse-awareness is complex, especially when people forget what beauty and truth and community and morality mean and why they are important. Why they are all we really have.
That is my thought bubble as I get eaten by midges in 40 degree heat.
Thanks for stopping in the heat!
I write this in a cafe in Paris...it's FREEZING today.
Your points are sound. I think Luke's argument has almost gone over and beyond his original complexity argument...I imagine this would happen when you've been that close to a subject.
Oh I was also thinking randomly a few semi-connected points-
Cap Jack Sparrow’s compass couldn’t ever solely get him out of a predicament. Even if his compass was awry he needed his crew; his tribe; his majority to back him.
We need the mind AND the heart to not be corrupted by our lower frequencies and wants, right? Raising our consciousness for the collective good everyday is hard right? It’s only hard because it’s not the norm/BAU/the majority.
Compassion and courage and love for the life we all share- we need this to be embodied in our collapse awareness and our ‘being’ and ‘doing’. But it can be almost automatic to react and be triggered instead.
Is collapse more of a systemic corrosion? Are we forgetting our duty to alchemise and transform for the greater good?
Maybe some things are simple and some complex. Maybe that is the paradox; the duality; the tug of war we all must be feeling now.
Yes...a lot of This... And...thinking required.
I really needed to read your words Sarah, I feel sick with worry for the world, my children, the future. I will definitely be in the garden tomorrow, and holding on to what I am grateful for tightly. Hike on.
Have a wrestle with them for me....x
Ahh you were still in your hope phase Sarah 😂
Glad that Russ was a part of bringing that to an end 🙏🏼🤓
Hahaha, yes. And he talked about how to navigate the future responsibly!
Power corrupts nothing faster than a scared little boy or girl