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Revolting Eco-Absurdist Rebellion
With the task of Eco–Absurdism not being to change the world, the question is how do we live together? How might I co–exist with other living beings and embrace my life and relationship with them, with absurd and unreasonable passion?
From the introduction:
The pessimist doubts that they can have much effect on larger social, political, and economic forces. The nihilist cares nothing for any particular outcome and may continue to pursue it regardless, but most likely won’t. Julian shares with the pessimist the knowledge that saving badgers from culls won’t end culling but knows it’s still the right thing to do. He knows that the goal of ending badger culls is unattainable without the collapse of civilization, but persists, nonetheless. He knows that all badgers (Meles meles as well as Julian himself) will die no matter what anyone does but continues to help others to live. The eco–absurdist cares only that they are alive. Whether or not there might be a point to living is a discussion for another time.
From the introduction:
The pessimist doubts that they can have much effect on larger social, political, and economic forces. The nihilist cares nothing for any particular outcome and may continue to pursue it regardless, but most likely won’t. Julian shares with the pessimist the knowledge that saving badgers from culls won’t end culling but knows it’s still the right thing to do. He knows that the goal of ending badger culls is unattainable without the collapse of civilization, but persists, nonetheless. He knows that all badgers (Meles meles as well as Julian himself) will die no matter what anyone does but continues to help others to live. The eco–absurdist cares only that they are alive. Whether or not there might be a point to living is a discussion for another time.
152 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 19, 2026
Really like a 2.3 I guess, maybe a touch lower. I’m bummed to rate this book so low. I’ll start with what I liked; I thought the concept of “eco-absurdism” was really cool—taking the idea that the world is fucked but we can still find ways to thrive and exist and be joyful and friendly, and centering that into the conversation of climate change versus nature-based practices and living was really cool and fascinating. In fact, it really reminded me of a similar thing that I have been learning to love about anarcho-nihilism, which that even in the face of absolute despair resistance is still important and is part of being human. Langer focuses that aspect here on the environment.
Now…the rest. The amount of time Langer spent lambasting communism, other anarchist thought, socialism, and at one point “revolutionism“ made this book feel like it’s true goal was to quell any action against capitalism (despite mentioning capitalism was bad too.) Langer seemed to strive to create divides within any resistance group and criticizing everyone and everything to a point that it seems like Langer wants everyone to just garden and not do anything about the evils of the State. Langer demonizes the left in such ways and is so paralyzed by the evils of the world that they yell at every resistance group to just not do anything and, effectively, lay down and die (but it’s absurdism so dance and garden as the State kills you!)
Furthermore, throughout my reading of this Langer went in depth on criticizing much of the theory presented by leftist thinkers so far, especially dialectic materialism. However, at the end of the book Langer admits to not actually knowing what many of these terms mean and admits to arguing against what THEY FEEL these terms mean, not that actual definitions or practices….i’m sorry what? To write a theory book countering different leftist theories without researching them, understanding them, or even looking up the basic definition is incredible reductive and, I’m sorry, disingenuous. It’s arguing for the sake of arguing that sows division. Reaching the end of the book to read that was infuriating.
Now…the rest. The amount of time Langer spent lambasting communism, other anarchist thought, socialism, and at one point “revolutionism“ made this book feel like it’s true goal was to quell any action against capitalism (despite mentioning capitalism was bad too.) Langer seemed to strive to create divides within any resistance group and criticizing everyone and everything to a point that it seems like Langer wants everyone to just garden and not do anything about the evils of the State. Langer demonizes the left in such ways and is so paralyzed by the evils of the world that they yell at every resistance group to just not do anything and, effectively, lay down and die (but it’s absurdism so dance and garden as the State kills you!)
Furthermore, throughout my reading of this Langer went in depth on criticizing much of the theory presented by leftist thinkers so far, especially dialectic materialism. However, at the end of the book Langer admits to not actually knowing what many of these terms mean and admits to arguing against what THEY FEEL these terms mean, not that actual definitions or practices….i’m sorry what? To write a theory book countering different leftist theories without researching them, understanding them, or even looking up the basic definition is incredible reductive and, I’m sorry, disingenuous. It’s arguing for the sake of arguing that sows division. Reaching the end of the book to read that was infuriating.
March 20, 2026
Langers' Revolting Eco-Absurdist Rebellion is a deeply abstract, richly angry text about opposing "the Leviathan" of modern society. It regularly references the works and beliefs of Nietzsche, Camus, and Thoreau as it participates in what feels like a furious and masturbatory criticism of the standards we hold against ourselves as they are bestowed upon us through the cultural norms of our nation-state.
Reading this text was an experience comparable to that of listening to an irate philosopher insist upon a nihilistic rejection of a variety of rigid norms and expectations we face in life, particularly those of consumption, conformity, and masking.
I am not sure for whom this book is for. Leftists will find that this book preaches to the choir and offers little new for consideration, even for philosophy and absurdism. For ideologically dissimilar philosophers, perhaps a wealth of open-mindedness could strike a chord with them when reading this, but I don't see a reason why such a person would take interest. To those who are less versed in philosophy, surrealism, and absurdism, this book may simply read like the ravings of a madman that cares not for speaking plainly about rebelling against the system. The text itself is ripe with ego, emotion, abstraction, presumption, valid criticisms, and opaqueness that make it hard to feel connected with the author or their arguments. Weird read.
Reading this text was an experience comparable to that of listening to an irate philosopher insist upon a nihilistic rejection of a variety of rigid norms and expectations we face in life, particularly those of consumption, conformity, and masking.
I am not sure for whom this book is for. Leftists will find that this book preaches to the choir and offers little new for consideration, even for philosophy and absurdism. For ideologically dissimilar philosophers, perhaps a wealth of open-mindedness could strike a chord with them when reading this, but I don't see a reason why such a person would take interest. To those who are less versed in philosophy, surrealism, and absurdism, this book may simply read like the ravings of a madman that cares not for speaking plainly about rebelling against the system. The text itself is ripe with ego, emotion, abstraction, presumption, valid criticisms, and opaqueness that make it hard to feel connected with the author or their arguments. Weird read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews