This text explores the conventional wisdom that human history is a story of violent competition, with the winner being celebrated as the hero. It critiques our current appraisal of climate change and the hubris of proposed techno-fixes. The text highlights the power of storytelling to shape reality and introduces the concept of the carrier bag theory, which challenges the dominance of the spear and offers a more collective approach. It argues for a different narrative about climate change that encompasses social movements, political imagination, and nonhuman actors. Ultimately, the text suggests that by telling the story of climate change differently, more people can survive.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storytelling as a method of history | Shift from linear narratives to complex, entangled narratives | More nuanced understanding of history as a jumbled mess of interconnected stories | Desire for a more inclusive and accurate representation of history |
| Reimagining human history as a story of gathering and sharing instead of domination and violence | Shift in perspective on the foundations of human society | Reconceptualization of societal values and relationships towards cooperation and sustainability | Recognition of the limitations of dominant narratives and desire for alternative frameworks |
| Embracing collective storytelling over hero narratives | Emphasis on collective action and shared responsibility in storytelling | Increased recognition and celebration of collective efforts and diverse perspectives | Challenge of traditional power dynamics and the need for more inclusive narratives |
| Shifting to unheroic and non-linear storytelling in climate change narratives | Embrace of complexity, uncertainty, and nonhuman actors in climate change narratives | Development of more holistic narratives that incorporate social movements, political imagination, and ecological interdependencies | Recognition of the limitations of hero narratives and the urgency of addressing climate change collectively |