Nature Bats Last co-hosts Kevin Hester and Guy McPherson were joined on this months show by Canadian psychologist Peter Miller. The discussion included our individual psychological responses to abrupt climate change and its outcome. Peter is a parent and combines his professional experience with the emotional, to try and navigate our predicament. As we ride this roller coaster Guy and I want to explore the psychological dichotomy, in this episode we continue that journey;
The latest episode of NBL is embedded here;
During the interview I asked Peter what role his music played in managing his grief. His music, available on Soundcloud is embedded here
Peter has conducted a series of interviews with people navigating this, the perfect storm based on us all being in hospice. They can be found at the Peter Miller You Tube Channel
Jem Bendell the author of the “Deep Adaption” paper that has recently become the most downloaded science paper ever, spoke on the issue of ‘Hope in a time of climate crisis’. Interestingly he hasn’t accepted our imminent extinction and declined an offer to be a guest on Nature Bats Last on The Progressive Radio Network, A commonality is that many people like to say that Professor Guy McPherson and I are alarmists but won’t debate in public with us.
On the subject of ‘Hope’ I’ll quote Chris Hedges from his great documentary American Psychosis; “If hope becomes something you express through illusion then it’s not hope, it’s fantasy.”
Additional material on this aspect of the predicament below;
Grief Ritual with Sobonfu Somé
Navigating Hospice at the edge of extinction
I'm an anti-imperialist, environmental activist and blue ocean sailor, who is passionate about the earth and all it's inhabitants without favour. Brace for imminent impact as we bare witness to the non-linear unraveling of the biosphere and habitability disappearing for most if not all complex life on the only habitable planet we know of. To quote President Niinistö in North Russia: ‘If We Lose the Arctic, We Lose the World’. Folks we have lost the Arctic.
Kevin Hester 
While Jem Bendell may not accept “imminent extinction” I think he’s coming to see the ‘hopium’ problem. You reference his excellent address to the conference of the UK Council for Psychotherapy. Bendell talks about being “powerfully ‘hopefree’ and newly engaged in life.” “In the face of climate chaos, many people like myself have come to a newly positive place, but not through attachment to being positive… For me, accepting that it is too late to stop climate chaos wrecking our way of life is not giving up but waking up to a wider and deeper agenda. It’s an agenda that includes questions of how we reduce harm, save what we can, learn how this tragedy came to pass, and seek meaning and joy in the process.” So, while he is not quite on the same page, there is much in what he says which is spot on. I appreciated his comments about depression sometimes being a natural response which can be personally transformative, like a rite of passage. Your interview here with Peter Miller is excellent. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just love the truth you and guy with your guests dish out. Keep up the food fight.
Blythe and rj
LikeLiked by 1 person
The human ability to deny reality gave rise to beliefs and ideologies which can only result in life extinction. Our clever left brain dysfunction has give us the means to this end.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Peter and Guy continuing their discussions on the perfect storm.
https://guymcpherson.com/2019/11/round-eleven-with-peter-miller/?fbclid=IwAR26Ggw_0Ij0XwOcy2cNHw2rLurUkDqnT3rskYYXqTuBKOOrpBHT0My60cM
LikeLike
Tim Bob has taken some of the interview and embedded the audio in his brilliant imagery.
Radio With Pictures
LikeLike
LikeLike
LikeLike