The Problem with the Anthropocene: <i>Kainos</i>, Not <i>Anthropos</i>

Almost immediately after it was mooted as a descriptor for our current geological age, the Anthropocene came under sustained criticism. It said label projected unearned heroism onto humanity master of natural world, while downplaying culpability Global North unlocking ruinous potential industrialism and technology (Bonneuil & Fressoz, 2016; Haraway, 2015; Malm, Moore, 2015). Numerous alternatives have been suggested to diagnose those self-destructive tendencies more precisely: Capitalocene, Plantationocene, Urbanocene, Necrocene, etc. But human-centric prefix continues draw most scrutiny, I will focus upon its latinized suffix, cænus—or rather original Greek equivalent, kainos (“new,” “novel,” “innovative”). My concern is with way “innovation” “novelty” are imbued sense qualitative superiority, so that pursuit innovation becomes an indispensable part any strategy ameliorate climate crisis. argue developing robust responses necessitates reckoning myopia innovation—not just inevitable uncertainties implementing new technologies, but also valorization possessive ingenuity inhibits social utility. When we contemplate…the many hundred millions human beings who now people earth, behold thousands doomed helpless imbecility, may trace insensible gradation between them half-witted, from these again individuals perfect understanding, tens must existed in course ages, their moral intellectual condition, exhibited passage irrational rational, or irresponsible responsible. (Lyell, 1863: 503). We do not know what world would be like if were than seven degrees warmer…[I]t's hard see how even this could lead directly civilisational collapse…Although change bad agriculture tropics, there scope adaptation, temperate regions badly damaged, frozen land freed up at higher latitudes. (MacAskill, 2022, p. 136) The blitheness which such writers wave away devastation predicated no small assumption “the tropics” (or rest South) became uninhabitable, continued prosperity still represents net positive result—provided enough “intellectually talented” survive.1 danger all technophilic solutionism lies perversity priorities. Rather addressing mundane concerns homelessness, access potable water, infrastructural maintenance, doyens “effective altruism” fixate infinite horizon, early Martian colonists, threat sentient AI. Speculative fantasy can wonderful, allowed dominate derail policy discussions: Recent meetings UN Convention on Climate Change (COP26 Scotland, COP27 Egypt) demonstrate “moonshot” approaches melioration reinforce belief among investors policymakers “setting goal encouraging achieve it” always preferable basing strategies “is possible solutions technologies.”2 In 2021 Indigenous groups representing affected by denied official credentials had revoked, parade start-ups entrepreneurial disruptors granted enormously lucrative opportunities tout robotic insect pollinators, milk casein textiles, aeroponic farms, photosynthesis calculators, solar-powered shirt-ironing stations (Lakhani, 2022). presumptive utility blurs line promise proof so-called bridge fuels “green” hydrogen actually facilitate economic decarbonization (Beswick et al., 2021; John, 2020). Hydrogen Europe, umbrella organization whose membership includes major fossil fuel companies Shell British Petroleum, held own dedicated event COP27, culminating signing Memorandum Understanding EU, Egypt, Namibia, established strategic partnership increasing importation “renewable” replacement Russian gas.3 Thus, contemplating fundamental First World patterns consumption, treated cinematic MacGuffin—a convenient plot device within civilizational narrative, whereby loss biodiversity awakens overcome planetary boundaries. By contrast, fifth- fourth-century Attic culture, promotion kainotēs (“novelty,” “newness”) commonly viewed suspicion, political-cultural innovations explicitly linked expectation reward malicious intention.4 Whatever collective benefit might accrue artistic scientific breakthroughs, significant cost traditional education excess vanity.5 introduction distinctive mode “newness” around fifth century BCE suggests interesting counterpoint already conveyed through earlier attested Mycenaean word neos (Chadwick Baumbach, 1963, 224). As Armand D'Angour observes, expresses temporal recentness youthfulness), thoroughly unexpected, diabolical inventiveness (D'Angour, 2011, pp. 21–24). Kainos imply deliberate break “old” (when used contrast “old fashioned”), above unexpectedness colors significance—kainos encompasses “revolutionary” discoveries penicillin, well accidental nature discovery.6 surprise qualitatively brings both suspicion dread. “Newness” [kainótēs] almost invariably applies manufactured agency, making creations “unnatural”—hence charges brought against Socrates included “new gods” [kaina daimonia (Apology 24b–c)]. However cynical Socrates’ accusers been, prosecutorial shrewdly appealed jury's innate potentially fraudulent, preternatural cleverness. Definitions need longer remain ahistorical excessively abstract because ignorance they meant past. They take into account plenitude poverty meanings concepts. Exposure experiences once seemed distant unfamiliar sharpen consciousness present; historical clarification enlightened political discourse. (Koselleck, 16) While rise level Grundbegriffe lexicon, meaning comprises essential aspect Anthropocene, coinage (borrowing Koselleck) serves preconception (Vorgriff) “prognostic extends out beyond singular situation occasioned 2018, 142). posits humanity's entrance threshold period (Sattelzeit), rivaling 1750—1850 era accelerated encompassed French Revolution, Industrial Enlightenment 1996, 69). cross “democracy,” “humanity,” “nature” undergoing profound lasting transformations meaning. similar sense, neglected encapsulates key tension concerning Anthropocenic present: one hand, recent history replete high-profile implosions (e.g., Theranos blood testing, Tesla's driverless technology, Neuralink brain chips, cryptocurrency exchanges, metaverse); other hopes avoiding catastrophic increases global temperatures wedded last-minute breakthrough. face imminent, unavoidable, rapidly accelerating crisis, innovative” ripe target critique, root cause much-touted solution trajectory. Many us clear intimations mounting risks crop failure, water shortages, coastal erosion. appreciate drastically reduce eliminate reliance fuels. However, Elizabeth Kolbert makes alarmingly her book, true scale challenge difficult contemplate without courting despair (Kolbert, 2021). For start, total cessation CO2 production achievable, unlikely avert cataclysm. require massively scalable means removing existing surpluses CO2. Our problem overconsumption present, cumulative industrialized imbues thinning stratosphere Damoclean menace (Carrington, Nevertheless, remains generalized some future breakthrough energy solar radiation management, refreezing sea ice, capture storage CO2) over horizon arrive time prevent irreversible death spiral retreat ice poles.7 discontinuation 10,000 years relative stability barely conceivable. Even grimmest imaginings Holocene's aftermath tend assume Earth's resolve equilibrium—albeit unjust unbearable surviving population. Against post-apocalyptic “bunker” image, long-term temperature data light EU-funded Greenland Ice Core Project (GRIP) US-funded Sheet Two (GISP2) far sudden dramatic transition modern civilization. GRIP GISP2 projects (two least nine International Geosphere-Biosphere undertaken since 1990s) confirm analyses geophysicists Willi Dansgaard Hans Oeschger, 1966 US military base Camp Century (Mayewski White, 2002). There, studied oxygen isotopes core samples, remainders aborted project secret nuclear warheads ice. What team uncovered hitherto unimagined possibility about variations climate, rapid profoundly unpredictable changes norm exception, Dansgaard–Oeschger events name (Petersen, 2008). Coming Glacial maximum, suddenly rose, 14,700 ago, average north Atlantic surrounding areas 5°C (over Greenland, hike approached 20°C). Temperatures remained levels nearly two millennia—and then fell amount, whole region went deep freeze more…The arctic persisted another thousand years, then, 11,700 soared transformation—only warm stayed, marks beginning Holocene…These boundaries examined exceedingly minutely ice-cores, suggest rises accomplished few decades—perhaps lifetime. That seems quite fast enough. reorganisation system…seems something three years. (Zalasiewicz Williams, 2012, 205) Should Earth revert Pleistocenic status quo, society exists today abruptly end. Rapid fluctuations plus-or-minus 14°C burst imaginative worst-case scenarios based mere 2°C –4°C changes. Agriculture manufacturing soon lost history, unraveling seasonal weather make large-scale harvesting impossible trade networks unviable. A return pre-Holocene climatic instability hopelessly isolate bunkers elite survivalists retreat, tables alone render underground structures maintain. Humankind newly unstratified forcibly reintroduced nomadic life defined previous 290,000 existence, forever move, chasing food supply across planet. boats, bunkers. Without batteries ink, cultural traditions themselves become oral mnemonic; freedom movement inhibited artificial contrivances laws borders. On undomesticated planet, find ourselves beholden “authority” cycles, wildlife migration, zones. This assuming, course, species survive transition. Given humans (but especially beneficiaries old imperialisms) reduced vast arable monoculture domesticated whatever foraging animals did hunt extinction—it ecological resilience prove fatally insufficient. Kolbert's book fascinating catalogue experimental disasters management dating back 18th century. Yet, she cannot avoid conclusion only hope. interviews Andy Parker, director Solar Radiation Management Governance Initiative, sees state geoengineering comparable chemotherapy: crude, harmful last resort basic survival 2021, 150). How fate? mobilize timely effective response? Some environmental cognitive biases, including “shifting baseline syndrome,” inhibit capacity perceive sufficient motivational emotional salience (Roberts, World-changing, species-endangering disruptions typically occur geological, inhuman timescale. left science fiction Kim Stanley Robinson Jeff VanderMeer develop provocative proximal futures: “wet bulb” heatwaves killing 20 million single week, supplanting international agreements unilateral experiments geoengineering, escalation ecoterrorism, swift globalized (Robinson, 2020; VanderMeer, Of fiction, supposedly lesser literary genre, limits extent dark visions public policy. Yet accumulation prehistory (samples Vostok Antarctica date 420,000 800,000 years) does seem shake complacency (Angus, 2023). From vantage point, harbinger self-incurred catastrophe—the final, overturning predominant narrative. absence concerted action problem. Within ranks powerbrokers, relentless technology-based has enabled continual delay much-needed consume use live upon.9 surprises sown industrialization, unwise restrict design narrow field expected GDP growth. consensus view. his broadside “alarmism,” Joseph Heath insists environmentalism cost–benefit analysis prudent approach (Heath, With concealed exasperation, rejects “hijacking” activist Naomi Klein, insist attaching redress structural injustice much less burdensome, calculative balancing costs 285n91). And basis Heath's confidence “there plausible scenario results extinction species, probable end civilisation” 82)? Despite avowed pragmatism, displays inordinate faith rippling responsiveness consumer choice toward minute adjustments hypothetical carbon tax scheme 2021: 174, 273). Above else, power underwrites sanguinity: “[h]umans possessed stone age survived 4°C warming age” 80, 82), odds better, given subsequent millennia technological gains. assumes post-industrial, internet-reliant, services-sector skillsets map neatly competencies needed post-civilizational hunter-gatherer landscape—despite efforts 500 “civilisation” modernize, colonize, eradicate “premodern” practices.10 Absent assumptions, every reason question whether market-based pricing fantastical motivationally burdensome “utopian” suggestions confront inequality promote degrowth. Adrienne Buller argued, piecemeal switches (consuming chicken instead beef; using gas coal) all-too-hopelessly hamstrung disparities pricing, lobbying local opposition (Buller, 57–76). evidence run innovate incentivize reassuringly resembles present (Wadhams, 2016). efficiently remove atmosphere, lack implementation.11 Andreas Malm untested novelty presented realistic reliable crisis comports socio-political understanding capitalism unchangeable constant set manipulable world: “The plastic contingent; stone” (Sapinski 147). To reliably proven dioxide removal (land reclamation, regenerative organic agriculture, banning fracking), first reverse decades retrenchment, corporatization research, asymmetric competition—all shrinking window beset concurrent emergencies droughts, flooding, wildfires. Heath, simply mark productive conversation. civilization unthinkable precisely overturns too foundational presuppositions (the personal property sphere privacy enables, preservation vocational societal progress). Radical thereby feasible priorities—despite prominent technologists entrepreneurs unworthy trust. degrowth assumed infeasible normatively undesirable outset, interrogate modes thought impossible. “Innovation” obstacle, semantically overwritten egoistic, requires reassurances reward. why useful recall alignment neither necessary nor historically consistent. [1044] Such bulwark evil, purifier you found, when year double-crossed him, he sowed brand-new [kainotátais] ideas made fruitless your failure understand clearly…So you're disgraced failing right away, though poet worse off eyes sagacious overtaking rivals novel conception took spill. (Aristophanes/Henderson, 1998) Matthew Wright's reading, boastful parabasis caricatured Aristophanes self-parody ease self-praise slides angry castigation audience (Wright, 73). Aristophanes’ poet-innovator claims genius. Paradoxically, cater audience's amusement—pandering acculturating aesthetic paradigms. poet, select number admirers, equipped judge achievement. Failure win prize festival spur improve pedagogy, confirms him obtuseness judges, deserve recipients Generalizations ancient culture constrained limitations available corpus. so, distinguished elitist complaints democracy, insofar critique internally directed hollow accomplishments aristocratic peers, one's hubristic overstatement. immediate interest here evaluative judgments esoteric. Genuine easily overlooked maligned nonspecialists. Unprecedented inventions therefore rhetorically packaged legible—leaving considerable leeway embellishing radicality insinuating derivativeness competitors. interests innovator impede enjoyment innovation. Wasps, play abrupt halt, narrative suspended, discordant strain meta-commentary abuse hurled audience. Undoubtedly, comedy resides awkwardness demanded appreciation. At same time, provocation exhausting patience, denigrating art, exposing petty status-seeking drives 73–74). [3.38.4-7] You champions being deceived novelties [kainótetos] argument reluctance go along received opinions, slaves fashions extraordinary sceptics familiar…Indeed seeking, say, pay little heed now. (Thucydides/Mynott, 2013, 185) feeds wantonness dēmos, lure weakens discernment actual worth Instead responding meaningfully collective, cede decisional authority trendsetters. correlate sophists cults personality congeal certain Silicon Valley visionaries. Though star waned following haphazard takeover media website Twitter, CEO Tesla SpaceX, Elon Musk, enjoyed remarkable success cultivating persona maverick scientist, building fan-base very charged financial regulatory oversight (Hirsh, Ohnsman, positions itself catalyst “accelerating world's sustainable energy” justifies niche market luxury brand electric vehicles step renewable fashionable wider public. long-standing reduction greenhouse emissions offset impacts producing lithium–nickel–cobalt batteries, alongside serious rights violations extraction process (Taffel, 2018). company's green struggled comport primary source profit. money selling cars trading credits automotive hoping penalties increasingly stringent standards (Kharpal, Then matter perpetually unfulfilled promises self-driving (Korosec, bold pronouncements, company repeatedly failed ensure reliability safety technology—and sought various ways bypass responsibility fatalities (Stoklosa, raises subsidies research funding funneled autonomous vehicle technology? marketing material Impact Report clear, synonymous wish-casting CEO: handling acceleration improves tandem efficiency, developments Tesla, model widely adopted “green revolution” actualized (Tesla, obscures distinction address change, desirable Musk's longtermist looming battle AI race (Tangermann, Matters consider goals sister Space X, several competing suborbital rocket programs, similarly tenuous link (Marais, share skepticism Holly Jean Buck “benefits” extend further protection privately owned assets (Buck, 2019). autarchy subside autonomy—the shared, surrendered. Individual actors mitigate wildfires, collapses chain, water. born desperate circumstances, although ingenious, oriented short-term exigencies, securing shelter sustenance, turning quick profit, “gold rush” mammoth tusks unearthed permafrost melt Siberian Batagaika crater, proliferation hand-dug “informal” cobalt mines Congo (Mundy, 7–27). well-heeled self-serving opportunism grander scale. [1506] Strepsiades: come heads acted insolently gods, pried seat moon? Chase, pelt, smite them, reasons, offended gods! (Aristophanes/Hickie, 1853) harder rule 9/11-type triggering violent discordances, targeting “Think Factories” today, Davos, TEDx, Future Humanity Institute. Overturning autarchic violence rethinking autonomy possibilities agency Anthropocene. No more, Orpheus, shalt thou charmed oaks rocks shepherdless [autonómos] herds wild beasts. lull sleep howling winds hail, drifting snow, roaring sea. dead art; daughters Mnemosyne bewailed thee much, before thy mother Calliope. Why sigh sons, gods protect children death? (Antipater/Paton, 1917, 7.8) “autonomous”) beasts contrasted exaggerated version ideal “sovereignty.” matchless ability enchant nonhuman audiences, Orpheus reached apex mastery (including ill-fated attempt rescue lover Eurydice Hades). pursued artistry bucolic isolation, impacts. He intend rivers pacify nature; unintended consequences musicianship. end, mistake ignoring suprahuman divinity torn limb Thracian Maenads; head tossed river float smashed lyre. mythic reputation, Orpheus’ achievements wholly ephemeral. His story ends, leaving presume finished weeping master, returned habits habitats, harmonious placidity passing phase.13 crude analogy, entirely inaccurate “Orphic” pretensions today's innovators (colonizing Mars; extending expectancy multiple decades; perfecting intelligence) evince hubris. Is ecologically exhausted, unstable final answer pleases? Human “society” disappear precipitate widening, maintain supp