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So, how many people who follow me are actually interested in talking about collapse? Because I have some big feels and thoughts about it today. A thread.
When I learned about the very real concept/experience of societal collapse, I was relieved. I finally had words to describe what I had been seeing, sensing, feeling, and noticing around me for years. It exposed all the gaslighting I'd gotten from mainstream society, friends, etc.
Some of the features of societal collapse include: breakdown and steady decline of public health, social and political institutions, economies, and the environment.
... sound familiar yet?
... sound familiar yet?
We're living through a global-level societal collapse due to the impacts of worldwide colonization, leading to what some call 'globalization' (really just imperalism at a global level, enforced by economic oligarchs instead of kings of yore).
John Michael Greer talks about the downward step-wise collapse we are experiencing and can continue to expect in our lifetimes. The idea is that we experience a catastrophic event in one of the 4 spheres (ex. the election of an autocrat, or a climate disaster) -- and we adjust.
Things normalize, we get used to the "new normal" -- but the new normal is a step "down" from where we were. So we never get back to the way things were.
Then we experience another hit -- a global health pandemic for example. And we find ways to cope, adjust, etc. Rinse, repeat.
Then we experience another hit -- a global health pandemic for example. And we find ways to cope, adjust, etc. Rinse, repeat.
Ideally, the long descent (as John Michael Greer calls it/his book by the same name is excellent) will be measured enough that you're only dealing with one crisis at a time. This allows us to stay adaptable, resilient, and ready for whatever comes next.
What we're experiencing right now is an acceleration of collapse events in all areas. Climate chaos, systemic racism and violent white supremacy, political power grabs by people/parties that oppress, widening economic inequality. It's too much too fast. We can't keep up.
We might have a chance if we were dealing with one or two of these massive-scale issues at a time. That's clearly not what's happening. It's so much for anyone to handle.
In these times I turn to JMG's advice to get me thru: 3 steps to adapt and prepare for ongoing collapse.
In these times I turn to JMG's advice to get me thru: 3 steps to adapt and prepare for ongoing collapse.
Step 1: Choose one thing that you believe must be preserved for future generations to survive. A skill, or a tool. In the context of deindustrialization and peak oil, it's wise to choose a thing that doesn't rely on a lot of machinery or energy to work. Preserve that thing.
Step 2: Choose one thing that you can discard from your life that will support you to live a smaller, collapse-aware life. Get rid of the breadmaking machine and learn to bake your own bread. Discard that thing.
Step 3: Learn one thing that will help you adapt to changing circumstances and ensure the survival of future generations. Usually these new learnings are actually very old, time-tested skills -- weaving, growing food, herbal medicine, conflict de-escalation, etc. Learn the thing.
Preserve a thing. Discard a thing. Learn a thing. Repeat.
Why does this matter? Because it gives us a sense of agency in the face of big and terrifying world events. Because it actively supports us to live differently in more adaptable, intentional, collapsy ways.
Why does this matter? Because it gives us a sense of agency in the face of big and terrifying world events. Because it actively supports us to live differently in more adaptable, intentional, collapsy ways.
Because what we do in our own lives matters, and ripples out. I'm a fan of how @adriennemaree talks about fractals - how patterns are replicated/replicable at many scales. So what we do at the small scale gives us important data for how to approach big scale issues.
I'm finding that more often than not, the best response to a big scale issue is to begin the work at the small, local scale. And sometimes, that's the hardest place to start. But I really think it's the best we've got.
Preserve a thing. Discard a thing. Learn a thing.
Preserve a thing. Discard a thing. Learn a thing.