The Ultimate Glossary for Writing Within the Anthropocene - Unlocking a New Narrative Era

As we navigate through the complexities of the Anthropocene, a new writing era has emerged. It is essential to develop a comprehensive understanding of this influential epoch to effectively represent its challenges and inspire positive change. This glossary is your go-to resource for understanding key terms and concepts related to writing within the Anthropocene.

1. Anthropocene

The Anthropocene is a proposed geological epoch characterized by significant human impact on the Earth's ecosystems. It signifies the period in which human activities have begun reshaping the planet on a global scale, leading to widespread environmental changes and challenges.

2. Climate Fiction (Cli-Fi)

Cli-Fi refers to a genre of literature that explores the impact of climate change and ecological issues. It creates narratives that force us to reflect on environmental degradation, the consequences of our actions, and potential futures. Cli-Fi serves as a powerful tool to raise awareness and provoke action.

Counter-Desecration: A Glossary for Writing Within the Anthropocene

by Allison Adelle Hedge Coke(Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2869 KB
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Print length	:	136 pages

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3. Ecocriticism

Ecocriticism is a literary theory and interdisciplinary field that examines the representation of nature in literature. It analyzes how authors depict and interact with the natural world, addressing critical environmental concerns through literary works. Ecocriticism helps us understand the socio-ecological perspectives within the Anthropocene narrative.

4. Biopunk

Biopunk is a subgenre of science fiction that delves into the potential consequences of genetic engineering and biotechnology advancements. It explores dystopian futures where humanity's tampering with nature leads to unforeseen consequences, raising questions about ethics, nature, and the boundaries of scientific progress.

5. Posthumanism

Posthumanism challenges traditional notions of human identity by exploring the blurring boundaries between human, animal, and machine. It investigates the possibilities of transcending the limitations of humanity, allowing us to contemplate alternative perspectives within the Anthropocene framework.

6. Solastalgia

Solastalgia represents a form of existential distress and homesickness caused by environmental changes. It encapsulates the anguish experienced when the environment we depend on and identify with is rapidly transforming, highlighting the emotional toll of the Anthropocene on individuals and communities.

7. Deep Time

Deep Time refers to the vast stretches of geological time that encompass the Earth's history. It emphasizes the significance of long-term temporal scales, reminding us of the interconnectedness of past, present, and future in relation to human existence and the ongoing changes in the Anthropocene epoch.

8. Slow Violence

Slow Violence refers to the gradual, often unnoticed ecological processes that result in long-term detrimental effects. It captures the hidden, delayed consequences of activities such as deforestation, pollution, or climate change—highlighting the urgency of addressing these issues before irreversible damage is done.

9. Resilience

Resilience refers to the ability of systems, communities, and individuals to absorb shocks or disruptions while still maintaining their essential functions and adapting to changed circumstances. In the Anthropocene, resilience becomes crucial for navigating the challenges and uncertainties associated with environmental change.

10. Ecological Footprint

The Ecological Footprint measures human demand on the Earth's ecosystems. It estimates the amount of biologically productive land and water required to support our lifestyles and absorb our waste. Understanding this concept helps us comprehend the scale of human impact on the planet and make more sustainable choices.

By familiarizing ourselves with these key terms and ideas, we can foster a deeper understanding of the Anthropocene and its implications for writing and storytelling. As writers, we have the power to shape narratives that provoke thought, inspire action, and drive positive change. With this glossary at hand, let us embark on a transformative journey as we write within the Anthropocene and help shape a better future for our planet.

Counter-Desecration: A Glossary for Writing Within the Anthropocene

by Allison Adelle Hedge Coke(Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2869 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	136 pages

FREE

The Anthropocene is a term proposed for the present geological epoch (from the time of the Industrial Revolution onwards) to highlight the role of humanity in the transformation of earth's environment globally, has become the subject of scholarship not only in the sciences, but also in the arts and humanities as well. Ecopoetics, a multidisciplinary approach that includes thinking and writing on poetics, science, and theory as well as emphasizing innovative approaches common to conceptual poetry, rose out of the late 20th-century awareness of ecology and concerns of environmental disaster.

Collected from contributors including Brenda Hillman, Eileen Tabios, and Christopher Cokinos, and together a monument to human responsiveness and invention, Counter-Desecration is a book of ecopoetics that compiles terms—borrowed, invented, recast—that help configure or elaborate human engagement with place. There are no analogous volumes in the field of ecocriticism and ecopoetics. The individual entries, each a sketch or a notion, through some ecopoetic lens—anti-colonialism, bioregionalism, ecological (im)balance, indigeneity, resource extraction, extinction, habitat loss, environmental justice, queerness, attentiveness, sustainability—focus and configure the emerging relations and effects of the Anthropocene. Each entry is a work of art concerned with contemporary poetics and environmental justice backed with sound observation and scholarship.