Factually! with Adam Conover
We All Feel Like the World's Ending Because It Is (Kind Of) with Lizzie Wade
· Summarized
Key takeaways
- The world has faced apocalyptic moments before and has always emerged transformed, highlighting human resilience.
- Feelings of doom have historical roots, but they don’t signify absolute endings; rather, they can signal new beginnings.
- Active participation and creativity in times of crisis can lead to significant societal change and evolution.
- Confronting the reality of societal change should evoke anger and action, rather than despair and apathy.
- Understanding our historical context can empower us to seize opportunities and redefine our future.
Summary
The Feeling of the World Ending
Adam Conover discusses the collective feelings of doom surrounding issues like climate change, political upheaval, and economic instability. This sense of impending apocalypse is not new; it's a sentiment echoed throughout human history. The conversation explores how past civilizations have dealt with their apocalyptic moments and the transformations that followed.
Historical Context of Apocalypses
Lizzie Wade, author of 'Apocalypse: How Catastrophe Transformed Our World and Can Forge New Futures,' joins the dialogue to emphasize that while many people feel the world is ending now, history tells us that societies have faced and survived immense crises before, adapting to new realities. The conversation highlights cases like the Black Death and colonialism as transformative periods rather than absolute ends.
Our Role in Shaping the Future
The podcast leans towards a message of agency and empowerment, stressing that individuals must recognize their ability to affect change in times of crisis. The discussion about the relationship between past crises and present opportunities emphasizes that new systems can be built from the ashes of the old, encouraging listeners to be active participants in the rising new world.
Combating Fatalism and Embracing Change
Adam and Lizzie reflect on the fatalism observed in younger generations, particularly in response to societal upheaval. They argue for embracing change rather than succumbing to despair about the state of the world. The conversation advocates for using the inherent chaos of change to forge new opportunities, urging listeners to consider their roles in the evolution of society.
Lessons from the Past for Future Action
The podcast closes by invoking lessons from historical apocalyptic events to inspire hope and action in listeners today. It emphasizes that although we may feel helpless in the face of destruction, history shows that human resilience can yield powerful transformations.
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Show notes
Do you have the not-so-creeping feeling that the world is ending? You might be right. The world’s ended before, and the world will end again—just not in the way we see in TV and movies. Lizzie Wade’s new book, Apocalypse: How Catastrophe Transformed Our World and Can Forge New Futures, explores how events like the colonial extermination of indigenous peoples or the Black Death were the end of the world for the affected people, as well as what came next. This week, Adam sits with Lizzie to talk about why it feels like the world is ending, and what that actually means for us it’s true. Find Lizzie’s book at factuallypod.com/books
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