Our Anthropocene: Geologies, Biologies, Economies, and New Pursuits of Profit and Power

Abstract

The Anthropocene is a geological period defined by human activities that requires decisive responses by humanity to grapple with ecological, biological, and social change. In this essay, I argue that the concept of the Anthropocene is also one that has the potential to be mobilized in service of unanticipated and emerging forms of social, spatial, political, financial, and ecological control. Indeed, we can perhaps imagine a not too distant future wherein the apparent urgency of the Anthropocene era’s challenges may require global responses that bypass democratic deliberation. At the same time, emerging modalities of control in the Anthropocene will likely be sold to the public as being in their interest. It is the potential proliferation of these emerging expressions of power in the name of the Anthropocene that, I want to suggest, we must approach with caution as we seek solutions to tomorrow’s social, ecological, and spatial challenges.