The Orgastic Future

by Jason Bentsman

The Orgastic Future is a profound work of creative nonfiction about the interconnectedness and depths of consumerism, plastic pollution, climate change, plague, runaway ego, and other threats facing the planet, which has been described as "a 21st century HOWL" (A.S., New Yorker & Vanity Fair),"visionary... something out of its own time," "an urgent read for every person living on the planet," and "a poetic companion piece to Elizabeth Kolbert's The Sixth Extinction."

A unique balance of the literary and informative essay, it appeals to anyone who loves classic and 20th century literature or philosophy, or is concerned about the environment and the state of the world.

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Please Note: For now the book is only available on
TheOrgasticFuture.com

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What is The Orgastic Future?

Is it a sustained tone-poem? A work of creative nonfiction? A hybrid? Cross-genre? A chimera? A narrative essay? A poetic narrative? A novella of sorts? A sociological treatise? A ‘gnossienne’ in the tradition of Erik Satie?

Does it seamlessly blend essay, fiction, philosophy, spirituality, and even touches of poetry and humor?… Is it the first great work of literature of the 21st Century?

Yes, yes, yes. No, no, no. It is what it is: what it had to be.

Above all, it’s an insightful picture of our dire times—in a sense the literary equivalent of a Bruegel or Bosch painting.

In incisive, poetic, and ‘metaphysical’ fashion, it looks at the interconnectedness and depths of consumerism, plastic pollution, climate change, plague, runaway ego, and other threats facing the planet. The excess of our modern world.

It alerts the reader of the human-made dangers occurring right now and on the horizon, and the possibilities still left for humanity and the individual for overcoming them.

It is the message the author felt compelled to sound to a faltering planet.

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The author would like to note that he meticulously researched the science and historical-based parts of the book—particularly the section dealing with Plastic Pollution. Previously he had worked for several years in the Environmental Section of a grant-giving Philanthropic Foundation, where he was exposed to a lot of research in the areas of Environment & Health, which also informed his knowledge.

ebook

First published July 21, 2019

About the author

Jason Bentsman is a writer, philosopher, poet, and occasional humorist. He is currently completing a darkly comic novel: a paean to Cinema and existential exploration. His prior book is The Orgastic Future, a work of creative nonfiction about consumerism, plastic pollution, and other threats facing the planet, described as "a 21st century HOWL" (A.S., New Yorker & Vanity Fair), "visionary... something out of its own time," "an urgent read for every person living on the planet," and "a poetic companion piece to Elizabeth Kolbert's The Sixth Extinction." He runs the literary/humanities website FWIW, where he publishes quality works by diverse writers, artists, and thinkers. He also takes fine art photographs.

Reviews

[Aleksandra Vartelskaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

While environmentally-conscious readers might be familiar with some of the facts and figures of the issues described, this powerful work, written in captivating language, like no other I’ve read manages at once to emphasize them from a purely human perspective, and bring them together in a detailed and precise way, providing a holistic and stirring picture of the current state of humankind.

How and why we got to where we are today, and how the lifestyles most of us have learned to take for granted have made us accomplices to the environmental catastrophe we’ve created.

A thought-provoking work at times intentionally uncomfortable to read, reflecting the consumerist forces and forms of pollution it describes, it makes the reader deeply question the way we choose to live our lives and the things we choose to turn a blind eye to, until it’s no longer possible.

The book doesn’t offer direct solutions, but I think this openness provides the reader the catharsis and knowledge to start processing the issues, seek further information and resources, and begin engaging in activism, or at least change their outlook and lifestyle.

The author is presenting a diagnosis of our sickness, but is not yet completely sure of the prescription—which is why, maybe, the book is not only very informative, but also a great work of literature.

[Martin Dixon-Tyrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential book, polemical and poetic, powerfully written. We're sleepwalking towards ever greater ecological disaster, and this book helps crystallize the fragments of that reality into stark clarity. It's not comfortable, but that's the point.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a casual communist/socialist begrudgingly living in a fast declining capitalist empire, I find Mr. Bentsman’s critiques/analysis of current state of affairs meaningful and accurate.

[Amanda Nordin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very clearsighted, well-formulated analyses of where we stand today on a range of environmental issues. Jason describes our society's environmental impacts in a refreshing manner, without any ado, and in a literary interesting way. As a non-native English speaker, I learned many new words! The conclusions are ominous, but, I fear, true. Though dealing with a depressing topic, Jason manages in making the content accessible to environmental newbies as well as experts. I'd recommend this book to anyone with the slightest interest or curiosity in (so called) sustainability and the future of our world as we know it.

[Aleksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Orgastic Future is definitely one of these positions should be "must to read" in current times. Brings the topic of the environmental/climat changes to a different level. It shows definitely wider perspective in comparison to other ( more "technical"/ statistical positions) it doesn't mean that these facts are missing in the book. But what is special it is the fact that it also touches the philosophical, sociological context of the whole problem which is defenitely great value of the book. Presenting the behaviours and values of curent society. Giving a real but also a bit sad diagnosis of how we function as consumers - how easly we are buying another lables of consumerits behavious - just because sth is sold as "organic", "natural" " healthy" - I loved an example with turmeric consumption:) There is even a famous singer appearing in the book - but the reader needs to check exactly in what situation;)

[Bronesby · Rating 5 out of 5]

An urgent and compact bugle call, The Orgastic Future is a frenetic read with a pace that perfectly mirrors the onslaught of consequences now coming due from industrialized man's incredulous relation to his environment and his civic soul. In addition to the many ongoing or imminent crises you may already be aware of, Mr. Bentsman surely has a few (of the very worst kind of) surprises waiting for you (for me it was the unfolding catastrophe of microplastics). Like a magnet under a table pulling iron filings along a path, Mr. Bentsman draws together the causes and effects of the disparate calamities being perpetuated by the human colossus upon itself and the earth with a clarity bound to hone your sense of urgency.

[Luc · Rating 4 out of 5]

The orgastic future by Jason Bentsman is questioning our consumers' society, our choices and living habits and its tolls on ourselves and our environment. The questions this book put forward is refreshing. The concept of consumerism capitalism is interesting. However, it is incomplete both in form and in substance. This essay borders on a personal journal and the author's arguments are not fully exploited. Bentsman should have made more efforts to cite his sources and bring forward other authors who have penned in this field. This being said, Bentsman's work is well written. In the end, the main idea conveyed by the author is that everything is connected and that we are, as a collectivity, responsible for both our own demise and our own happiness.

[Josh Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Orgastic Future is a horrified reaction to the climate crisis we have collectively manufactured. It serves as a poetic companion piece to Kolbert's The Sixth Extinction. As past principles sink beneath a rising sea of plastic waste we can only witness in despair. Eons of oily death concretized into an elastic noose which binds us all. As we choke all life out of being one is left to query, how much longer can we endure?

[Jason Bentsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

" Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter— tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther... And then one fine morning— "

[Isamaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most important book I’ve read in the last year. An urgent read for every person living on this planet.