Love in the Anthropocene

by Dale Jamieson, Bonnie Nadzam

An audacious collaboration between an award-winning novelist and a leading environmental philosopher, Love in the Anthropocene taps into one of the hottest topics of the day, literally and figuratively—our corrupted environment—to deliver five related stories (“Flyfishing,” “Carbon,” “Holiday,” “Shanghai,” and “Zoo”) that investigate a future bereft of natural environments, introduced with a discussion on the Anthropocene—the Age of Humanity—and concluding with an essay on love.

The “love” these writer/philosophers investigate and celebrate is as much a constant as is human despoliation of the planet; it is what defines us, and it is what may save us. Science fiction, literary fiction, philosophical meditation, manifesto? All the above. This unique work is destined to become an essential companion—a primer, really—to life in the 21st century.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Philosophy, Environment, Nature, Science Fiction

214 pages, Paperback

First published September 17, 2015

About the author

Dale Jamieson has held visiting appointments at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder and the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. He is currently Professor of Environmental Studies and Philosophy, Affiliated Professor of Law, Affiliated Professor of Medical Ethics, and Director of the Animal Studies Initiative at New York University. He has published widely in environmental philosophy, animal studies, and ethics: most recently Reason in a Dark Time: Why the Struggle to Stop Climate Change Failed—and What It Means For Our Future (Oxford, 2014). Love in the Anthropocene is his first work of fiction.

Reviews

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The glorious takeaway: the natural world teaches us that something beyond ourself is real, and love is only possible when we recognize the reality of someone or something beyond ourselves, and so to lose or change our natural world means a change in our capacity for love, the ways we love ❤️

[Lobstergirl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dystopic stories about the disastrous consequences of climate change, set in the future, each involving some type of "love."

In "Flyfishing," a father and daughter go fishing in a manmade nature preserve with farm-raised fish. Something passes overhead and the daughter wonders if it could be a hawk, an owl, or a hologram. The father decides it's some new technology.

In "Carbon," two gay friends and sometime lovers meet in a coastal city which has already experienced deadly surges up to the second floors of most buildings. The city has a huge homeless population living on the beach and one man tells the other about the construction plans for a floating dock and archipelago which will rise and fall with the surges. But that will be for the moneyed population. Homelessness is criminalized and the homeless are being issued ID cards and moved to sanctuaries inland.

In "Holiday," three young women who work in a refugee camp take a holiday to a dome where they can swim in manmade lakes and dine on lab-grown meat. Two of the women sign up for sex with extremely lifelike male robots, but the third is disenchanted with the dome and steps outside, where it's 30 degrees hotter.

In "Shanghai," a man and a woman enter into a virtual reality love affair. She has brought premium encryption technology, so no one else gets to watch.

In "Zoo," a woman goes on a blind date with the zookeeper in charge of the last living tiger.

[adelaide · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really loved this! i always appreciate bringing a more human side to existential and scary concepts like our future in the anthropocene. i liked that the stories posed many questions without assuming they had answers. i think the question of love is very interesting, and i found the conclusions in the coda pretty profound. “in losing nature as a fully independent partner, we will have lost our best teacher for learning that something other than ourselves is real and thus a profound opportunity for learning how to love.”

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Each story had it's own richness and the final one presented me with food for thought questions. Anyone who enjoys distopian literature and enviromentally aware topics will adore this book. However, with it's wonderfully written words I think it will be something that everyone will enjoy regardless of genre preference.

[Sarita · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was dumb as fuck

[Dan Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

“How will love arise in a world without nature as we have known it?” This is the central question of Love in the Anthropocene (OR Books, $18), a newly-released collection of two essays and five short stories jointly written by environmental philosopher Dale Jamieson and novelist Bonnie Nadzam.

Against the backdrop of a near-future earth that has been indelibly altered by humanity, Jamieson and Nadzam tell bittersweet stories of love: a father and daughter go on a fishing trip to an artificial park in which every tree, rock, stream, and fish are the product of technological design; two men rekindle a relationship while the city’s homeless are being deported to avoid rising sea levels; three female friends take a vacation from working at a refugee camp to enjoy the artificial pleasures of a domed city; a couple meets in a yoga class and carries on a virtual love affair; a blind date leads to an encounter with the world’s last living tiger.

Love in the Anthropocene has an agenda, but it is an agenda with more questions than answers. The authors address issues of environmental change “by telling stories and sharing meditations, not by issuing predictive declarations that are supposed to provide answers.” These carefully crafted vignettes, replete with moments of quiet beauty as well as deep unease, thoughtfully consider humanity’s effect on nature and nature’s effect on us.

At its heart, this is a book about what is real and about why we value that reality. What is the truth behind our words, our actions, our relationships, and our environment? What happens when our words mask hidden motivations and our emotions push us in conflicting directions? What are the ramifications of a reality composed of flawed imitations: genetically engineered food that doesn’t taste quite right, a stream bed that’s perfectly smooth, a skyline that’s a little too flawless? How do we relate to one another while living in an uncanny valley where nature is but a simulacrum of its former self?

Such problems may seem the stuff of speculative sci-fi, but in many real ways the future is already upon us. Love in the Anthropocene persuasively argues that we are already living in an epoch defined by humanity’s mark upon the planet and that we can no longer ignore the impact we are making on the natural world.

As I absorbed these stories I also wondered: what happens when technology continues to progress and the artificial becomes indistinguishable from the natural? Or when we eventually no longer remember what the “real” even was? Will we have lost something vitally important, because we are, at the very deepest level, inextricably linked to nature? Or will we continue to stumble through life and love as we always have, oblivious to the wider consequences of our actions and content to enjoy our — to borrow a phrase from the book — “narcissist’s playground”?

These are the sorts of questions that Love in the Anthropocene raises as it elegantly blurs the lines between literature, philosophy, and environmentalism. By exploring the liminal space between present and future, nature and technology, comfort and ennui, and beauty and pragmatism, Jamieson and Nadzam confront us with questions that don’t have easy answers — but I can think of few better ways of pondering such questions than by reading, and rereading, this book.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sets out to answer the question Jamieson and Nadzam set of "....where does nature end, and we begin?" (p. 17). Focused on the main theme of love, each story centers around a nondescript, yet somewhat near future in which the human race must navigate the various obstacles set in by climate change. The stories are less so about development these places and people, but more so serve as the vehicle to discuss the philosophical impacts of a world impacted by humans and our interface to it.

I found the penultimate story, 'Zoo,' to be one of the more interesting metaphors for embracing change in the natural world. The story is about the zookeeper for the last surviving tiger in a world where virtual reality tigers can nearly replace the experience of the real thing. While on a date, the zookeeper has to defend to his date why he does not believe that the last real tiger is an objectively sad thing or a failure of mankind, and does not think the tiger has any concept of this as well. His date questions this, noting the sentimentality and perhaps the prospects that the tiger may feel lonely, to which the zookeeper responds, "She doesn't know what she's missing.... she's not the first creature to outlive her kind. They all went the same way. One left, then none" (p. 203). I think the ageing tiger serves as a good metaphor for the inevitable mortality of our own species, faced with this similar dilemma of separating ourselves from our actions, our relationship as part of nature, and the fact that we are not immortal beings (individually or as a whole). The projection of a morally objective sadness in the failure to preserve a dying species is a reflection of our own inability to accept that one day all species will either die out or evolve into something else. Whether natural change is a result of human action is somewhat irrelevant when we consider our positionality as a part of all other natural things. Perhaps a perspective shift in how we approach change of any sort can not only prevent existential anxieties, but also allow us to enjoy the beauty and love we can share in this ephemeral, yet delightful, present. But regardless, I recommend reading the book to ponder further these ideas.

"Our bodies - how we love with them and use them to navigate a first date to the movies, to waltz across a polished floor, to give up a subway seat to an elderly woman - are inseparable from nature." (p. 18).

[Simran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains a series of haunting vignettes that describe life in a post-climate change world. My favorite aspect of these stories is their tone. It is not all doom and gloom, but rather a painfully realistic view into the perspective of individuals living in a hyper-techno, curated society. It is terrifying in its realism - how empty and perverse a world without nature would be - without falling into the typical apocalypse cliches. I especially found the ending essay on love to be incredibly thought-provoking. It's a quite read and something everyone should pick up.

[Delta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the stories and the individual settings. I thought the world was interesting and easy to get lost in, but the characters really needed more pages to feel fully realized. The concept of the near-future world in turmoil feels very real these days, but I think the authors did a great job not making it feel like a post-apocalyptic world.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

[Alyssa Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning. A fantastic intersection between environmental philosophy and brilliant narration.

[amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where is the star rating for this book really fucked me up ?

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very different from my typical reads. I really enjoyed it. This book makes you think!

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In questa raccolta, che contiene 5 racconti distopici più un'introduzione e un'appendice finale sull'amore, si esplora il rapporto tra uomo e natura in un'epoca storica (tra presente e futuro) in cui l'ambiente subisce pesantemente le modifiche dovute all'attività, spesso insensata ed egoistica, degli esseri umani. Bonnie Nadzam, che avevo già amato in Lions, e Dale Jamieson creano immagini e personaggi in grado di scuotere la nostra coscienza. Consigliato

[Martin Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of short stories, bookended by a philosophical reflection on the Anthropocene and the meaning of love respectively, is less of a fleshed-out vision than a suggestive opening interrogative for a conversation about how we will imagine ourselves in a future that is, at its worst, unimaginable. Indeed, the kinds of love described—familial and filial, lustful and virtual, human and non-human—are all unfulfilled, taking place amid a world neatly split between those who can afford to exist in a technologically altered reality and the masses of homeless or refugees who cannot.

The human misery and the horrors of a desiccated or flooded world is kept in the background, with the authors concentrating on how the middle-class protagonists negotiate their relationships, many of which are mediated through virtual reality, screens, or even robots. The tight focus on the (mostly) human relationships made this reader yearn to know more about the mass suffering going on outside the protected dome of the foregrounded characters. Ultimately, the ecophilosophical argument of these stories consists of a series of provocative questions that remain unanswered by these stories: What will it mean to love (or will genuine love even be possible) in a denatured world of our own making? How could one love an "other" when everything from which love could draw its meaning is merely a projection of ourselves?

[Forrest · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good/interesting concept, but the writing could really could have been stronger. None of the stories felt fully imagined, I never felt any sort of strong emotion linking the characters, and had to continually remind myselfto look for the love that the stories purported to imagine. Cliches and just straight-out bad writing abounded--i would have thought that any editor's pen would have caught "The sky was the blue of a royal blue crayon", especially as the introductory line of a story.

Finally, the theoretical framework was hobbled by the fact that the author seems never to have considered any alternative perspectives to the enlightenment-era conceptualization of "nature" as inherently separate from humanity. This view might be useful as a cultural marker/calling sign, but it breaks down at the first full-on glance, especially in light of contemporary scientific knowledge which indicates that one of the distinctive characteristics of humans is our tendency to alter our habitat to fit our needs (I.e. we have never existed in harmony with a "pure" or unaltered natural world, and "nature" is really just a theoretical construct), and on top of that, the anthropocene is far from the first time that life has contributed to a fundamental alteration of Earth's climate and geography (what is distinctive is our awareness of the change and its relative pace). In all, disappointingly realized.

[Albert Faber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and thought experiments on humanity in the Anthropocene. This small book includes an intelligent introduction plus a number of short stories. "Love" in the title refers, most of all, to love and empathy for humanity, which keeps tinkering through history, in the Anthropocene as it has done before. This book is fascinating because it surmounts most other Anthropocene books, which tend to focus either on humanity lost (Clive Hamilton) or on great technological opportunities Stewart Brand c.s.). There may be severe challenges, which will have humans scarred and battered, but the world ahead is still a worthwhile place for future generations.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

The five short stories examined nature and technology concepts from distopian views of a climate-changed future. They followed how characters perceived of and felt about their environments, animals, adaptive technologies, and others. One was a bit like "The Truman Show." They were varyingly engaging, but not particularly memorable. The most substantive portions were the introduction and final chapter, which philosophically considered the concepts of love, meaning, nature and resources as climate impacts become pervasively felt. Five stars to the first and last sections, 2-3 for the short stories. A few good quotes:

"Where does nature end, and we begin?" (17)

"As the Anthropocene becomes more fully present, as the world and technology change, some familiar human experiences of love and the natural world, even modest ones, may become increasingly unthinkable, even lost." (210)

"Will we even be able to experience the loves of our parents and grandparents? The general idea that time and circumstance may make particular expressions of love seem distant and foreign to us is familiar." (211)

[Mohamed · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun window into what life could be within the next 50 years or so, as people adapt to a world largely shaped by our own desires and fantasies, attempting to make up for the irreparable damage caused to the environment and natural resources we possess. Told in a number of brief vignettes, the book explores different sorts of love and how it can be seen through the lens of a slightly changed world. It is beautifully written, and a particularly easy read, while also causing the reader to think about what their own life is going to look like in such a world.

A particular note that stuck with me was one stated near the end, of how nature and love are intertwined in our lives in many ways, and how one day we'll look back at expressions of affection nowadays and wonder about how different it once was.

But, this is far from a bleak note. It's simply the acceptance of inevitability, and the examination of what comes next.

[Jana Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book from goodreads-firstreads. I did not know exactly what to expect from this book when I started reading it. I was very surprised! Both Dale Jamieson and Bonnie Nadzam certainly know how to open a person's eyes to the environment. This book and their stories gets you to look at our world and what it could be like in the future. It also makes you examine all the damage that has happened and still continues to this day. Most people think "OK, lets recycle our bottles and soda cans" but it comes down to say more than that. It is a Eye-opener! I would recommend this book. I really think if they taught world changes this way in school, it would put a interesting twist that more students would be more involved. "Love yourself Love the world and all that's in it. Jana Morgan

[Stacia Chappell]

You book was amazing : People will enjoy reading !

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this item as a Goodreads giveaway. This book was an interesting, thought-provoking read about humanity and our impact on the environment.

[Bert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Science fiction, literary fiction, philosophical meditation, manifesto?

[Gina Imperiale]

This novel sparked my passion to pursue a minor in Sustainability Studies. Black Mirror-esque short storylines to portray a future world without nature.

[Paul Pawlik · Rating 2 out of 5]

The concept of love without nature is a very specific angle and I really enjoyed the introduction even if it was a little preachy, trying perhaps too hard to force a point. The stories themselves were a mixed bag: unclear and bland writing in many cases, with hyperbolic, implausible or sometimes just one dimensional and vague characters.

Maybe this is a bit harsh, but essentially it's a quick read that suffers from the classic sci-fi trope of cool ideas and poor writing.

[Linh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this much more than I expected to. It was a nice combination of meditations on love, our human conceptualisation of nature and what that all might mean in light of climate change. It also had a sci-fi element to it as well, with nothing being particularly blown out and very much just where we could end up in a few other steps down the "wrong" path. The short story format works well to not create any attachments to characters or scenarios, but it does paint a picture of what the world looked like.