APOCALYPSE QUARTERLY 4/24
Dear Readers,
In the midst of numerous crises—ecological, political, economic and often also personal—the concept of extinction takes on a complex and threatening meaning. The work of CAPAS fellow Christine Daigle, described in the lead article of this issue, introduces a provocative idea: ‘joyful extinction.’ Christine argues that our current way of life, characterized by extractivist and oppressive relationships with non-human beings, is inherently unsustainable. She proposes a theory of joyful extinction built on critical posthumanist and material feminist principles that rejects human exceptionalism and advocates for the interconnectedness of all beings in order to promote the flourishing of all beings—human and non-human—rather than mere survival.
The magazine also delves into a range of other thought-provoking topics, including Jayne Svenungsson’s exploration of philosophical responses to the current state of the world. In addition, this issue looks at the importance of the blue humanities as represented by Friederike Reents at the international CAPAS symposium “Precarious Water Futures and the End of the World(s).” These diverse perspectives are crucial as we grapple with existential challenges and envision a more just future.
The CAPAS team wishes you an interesting and stimulating read, a Merry Christmas to those who celebrate and a Happy New Year!
A JOYFUL EXTINCTION?
On Keeping Futures Open for Humans and Nonhumans
by CAPAS-Fellow Christine Daigle
What futures await us? Must we undergo extinction for these to be possible? Are there extinctions that are desirable—necessary even? Can extinction be joyful? My project answers “yes” to the latter questions and, to support this answer, I am developing a theory of joyful extinction built upon critical posthumanist material feminist principles that reject human exceptionalism, champion entanglements of all beings, and seek the thriving of all—human and nonhuman alike—instead of mere survival.
