Some reasonable essays on collapse

In my annual personal update (not the Deep Adaptation Review), I included a summary of the essays I wrote in 2024. I thought it useful also to post these to my blog. I group the essays by topics of: integrating collapse awareness into your working life, the broad trends in Deep Adaptation, the political implications of collapse awareness, making sense of the latest climate data and science, plus personal reflections on motivations in this age of consequences. Next year I will be writing less, as I focus more on the organic farm school (please help!) and music (new single: Aspirations). I hope that both my book and these essays will support your own life choices. For more support, consider joining our online short course. Thx, Jem

Integrating collapse awareness into your working life

The essay “Keeping your job at the end of the world (as we know it)“ addresses the conundrum facing many people who are questioning everything due to collapse anticipation, but can’t quit their job, for financial or other reasons. Written to coincide with a speech at Griffith Business School, where he was an Adjunct Professor, Jem Bendell discusses ideas rarely, if ever, heard in professional contexts. That is because he not only mentions people who have chosen to “keep serving (reveal and recommit in post)” or “repurpose your job (refocus in post)” but also those who de-prioritise their employer’s interests. This includes “quit quietly (retire in post)” and even to “sabotage non-violently (rebel in post).”

The essay “The Professional Implications of Collapse: Deep Adaptation in Organizations” offers initial ideas on how the Deep Adaptation framework could be mobilised at work. The framework of 4Rs has been used widely in gatherings of individuals, especially in community groups, but not often within organizations. Drawing upon years designing and teaching MBAs as well as a previous career advising on organisational development towards more responsible and sustainable enterprise, Professor Bendell speculates on how use DA in organisations, suggesting 8 steps, but also key philosophical shifts, if the employer is ready for such. 

The essay “We Still Care – Doomster Characteristics” explores the psychological and behavioral traits of individuals who confront societal collapse with acceptance and purpose. Drawing upon 6 years of engaging with such people around the world, Bendell describes a ‘doomster Identity’ involving resilience, creativity, and collaboration in the face of global challenges, while avoiding despair or denial. He describes an outburst of purposeful living, where life priorities shift toward meaningful actions and relationships amidst uncertainty, guided by compassion.

The essay “Holding Space for Strong Emotions” emphasizes the importance of addressing difficult emotions in the face of societal and climate challenges. Reflecting on some extreme reactions to his keynote talk at a climate adaptation conference, Bendell discusses how unacknowledged emotions, such as fear and grief, can lead to negative behaviors like anger and blame. He advocates for creating safe spaces for people to process these feelings, using practices like deep listening, meditation, and community gatherings. These approaches aim to foster emotional resilience, compassion, and collective action during turbulent times​. 

The essay “Major life changes become the least risky option” explains why significant life changes are often arising from people’s collapse acceptance, where they pursue new forms of meaningful living. Jem Bendell shares his personal journey, emphasizing the importance of redefining priorities, letting go of societal expectations, and accepting uncertainty. Based on a talk he gave to a conference organised by Daniel Pinchbeck, his essay also highlights the liberation found in surrendering to the unknown, promoting self-discovery and inner transformation through change. 

Broad trends in Deep Adaptation

The keynote speech “Sacred Pessimism” by Jem Bendell reflects on five years of the Deep Adaptation movement, exploring the acceptance of societal collapse and its emotional and philosophical implications. It addresses themes of letting go of false hope, embracing a deeper connection to nature, and prioritizing community and spiritual practices to navigate collapse. Speaking in Budapest at the World Adaptation Forum, Professor Bendell critiques modern illusions of control and progress, urging a shift towards humility, mutual aid, and acceptance of mortality as essential for resilience in uncertain times. 

In “The Doom Vindication Blues” a range of observational data is presented that validates the assessments of climate science analysts over 5 years ago, who have been described as too alarmist or doomist. Despite being proven correct, these commentators, including Bendell himself, are not platformed by mainstream media. Recognising that this would not happen, as it is establishment power which marginalises truth tellers, some ‘doomer humour’ is offered as light relief on the blend of frustration, grief, and sad vindication felt by those who warned about this age of consequences. 

The essay “Oath to the Future – by supporting young farmers” emphasizes the importance of preparing younger generations for a future shaped by environmental disruption and industrial decline. It highlights regenerative agriculture training at Bekandze Farm in Bali (Indonesia), particularly through partnerships with colleges, to equip students with organic farming skills. The essay underscores the role of education and collaboration in fostering resilience against ecological disruptions. 

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Political implications of collapse awareness

The essay “The Nine Lies of the Fake Green Fairytale” critiques widespread claims about sustainable development and green energy solutions. It argues that these narratives and associated policies and projects are perpetuating ecological harm, enriching elites, and delaying necessary adaptations to climate collapse. Drawing upon decades of work in sustainability, Jem Bendell calls for confronting these myths to foster genuine ecological and social justice. Read more here.

The essay “The Politics of Collapse: uncommon conversations for unprecedented times” explores how political ideas and actions must adapt to the reality of societal and ecological collapse. Bendell highlights the necessity of fostering dialogue that acknowledges systemic failure and encourages preparedness. He emphasizes the value of inclusive conversations that incorporate diverse perspectives, including indigenous knowledge and grassroots activism, to build resilience and solidarity during these transformative times. A particular role for anti-imperialist movements from the Global South is foreseen, which invites solidarity from Western communities.

The essay “Collapsis – a public health emergency of international concern” explores how suppressed anxiety about societal disruptions and changes is leading to a range of false enemies or threats becoming popular. It introduces “Collapsis,” a term describing the collective mental disorientation caused by denial or misinterpretation of societal breakdown. This phenomenon exacerbates disconnection and accelerates collapse, fueled by various false narratives that distract from actionable responses. These are made popular by alternative media, due to the ongoing taboo in mainstream media about discussing collapse in a sober manner. To address this, Bendell advocates for mass media, and professionals to enable conversations about societal collapse risk and readiness. 

The essay “Should the UN Just Sod Off?” explains why the United Nations is incapable of addressing systemic global crises such as climate breakdown, inequality, and ecological collapse. Drawing on his years working with the UN System, Bendell argues that bureaucratic inefficiencies and alliances with entrenched powers hinder progress. He advocates for decentralized, grassroots movements to create transformative change as the larger systems of big government and big business fail to meet needs and aspirations. Read more here

The essay “No More Warnings Needed: An Intransigent Managerial Class Must Be Sidestepped” criticizes the entrenched global managerial elite for resisting transformative solutions to ecological and societal crises. Jem Bendell argues that incremental reforms have already proven to be insufficient to the point of redundancy. Therefore grassroots movements and alternative networks need to bypass these gatekeepers and enact meaningful systemic change. Read more here

Making sense of the latest climate data and science

The essay “The Emperor’s New Lab Coat” summarises the recent writings of climatologist Dr Wolfgang Knorr, to critique the approach of the climate scientists to both public communication and policy implications. Knorr argues that scientists, constrained by careerism and systemic power structures, often package alarming data with unwarranted optimism, enabling the status quo. He highlights the disconnect between climate professionals and broader social concerns, warning of the risks of eco-authoritarianism and superficial solutions that exacerbate inequalities. Knorr calls for aligning climate activism with democratic and social justice movements for more meaningful change​. 

The essay “Laughing off the apocalypse?” examines how some leading climatologists are admitting the unprecedented and unpredicted levels of global heating since early 2023. Unfortunately, some are using comedy to seemingly downplay the planetary seriousness of the errors of their profession. Jem Bendell also highlights the climatological importance of forests through global cloud-seeding processes, and criticizes policies that deprioritize forest conservation. The essay advocates for climatologists to encourage more honest discussions about societal collapse to foster genuine adaptation strategies that might reduce harm during inevitable ecological and societal disruptions​. 

The essay “Bali Weather Breaks Records – Why Farmers Know but Instagrammers Don’t” explores the disparity between social media’s portrayal of Bali and the reality faced by local farmers. It highlights the record-breaking weather on the island in mid 2024, its impact on agriculture, and how farmers’ knowledge of climate challenges contrasts with the superficial perspectives often shared online. Having become an organic farm school co-founder in Indonesia, Jem Bendell emphasizes the importance of valuing local ecological wisdom over transient digital trends. 

The essay “Speed matters more than size, when considering impacts of climate change” emphasizes that the rapid pace of changes in climate poses a greater danger than their scale. While ecosystems can often adapt to gradual change, the accelerating speed of temperature rise and strength of extreme weather can overwhelm natural and human systems, leading to more severe disruptions. Bendell critiques lack of attention to climate adaptation and resilience-building for the inevitable impacts. 

Personal reflections on motivations

In the essay “Why I am not on the Epstein list”, Jem Bendell reveals a skype conversation he once had with disgraced deceased billionaire Jeffrey Epstein. He explores why he was misguided by ambition for social change to even discuss the possibility of receiving a grant from Epstein. The grant was not forthcoming as Bendell put a range of conditions on it. However, the experience taught him how close he could come to compromise with the worst exploiters if we are so convinced of our personal mission. 

The essay “Clouds of suffering can have silver linings – reflections on childhood” shares deeply personal reflections on how the author’s childhood suffering shaped the way he relates to both the problems of the world and other people. He notes how early adversity can shape empathy and a capacity for bearing other kinds of pain. In addition, he describes how he only noticed these subtle drivers to his approach to life in his 50s, during a meditation retreat. Therefore, there is always potential for greater depths of self understanding, so we can make choices more consciously. 

The essay “Meditating beyond craving salvation” explores the role of meditation and mindfulness in confronting personal and societal challenges. Drawing on participation in a Plum Village meditation retreat for climate activists, themes in this essay include the rejection of escapism and the importance of accepting both impermanence and discomfort. 

The essay “Not Sweating on Others Waking Up – thoughts after a Temazcal” shares a personal experience in a traditional Mexican sweat lodge. Jem Bendell explains his ongoing process of surrendering attachment to outcomes from his efforts for positive social change. Drawing from what an indigenous elder told him during the Temazcal, he shares his personal wish to focus more now on personal growth rather than trying to encourage others to “wake up” to broader crises. Therefore he recommends patience and respect for individual journeys in the face of societal disruption and collapse.

The essay “Goodbye Academia“ reflects on Professor Bendell’s departure from academic life and the increasingly problematic role of much of higher education. Bendell acknowledges the intellectual freedom and interdisciplinarity he experienced at the University of Cumbria but critiques academia’s increasing focus on revenue generation, bureaucracy, and conformity to mainstream ideas. He explores how this shift limits critical inquiry and the exploration of transformative ideas necessary for addressing societal challenges like climate chaos and societal collapse. His decision to leave his full professorship after 11 years aligns with his broader focus on fostering resilience and adaptation outside institutional constraints, including the development of Bekandze Farm School in Indonesia. 

The essay “Expressing ourselves and trying to help, without it mattering” explores the dark side of the human desire for significance in the face of ecological and societal collapse. It questions the attachment to making a lasting impact and invites readers to embrace the beauty of small, authentic contributions. The essay was shared in response to people relegating genocide to a secondary issues in their political work. The essay includes a poem about releasing the compulsion to matter while valuing moments of connection and purpose. The piece reflects Jem Bendell’s broader themes of acceptance, humility, and finding meaning beyond conventional narratives of success and influence

The essay “How do I sustain myself in these times?“ offers reflections on Jem Bendell’s own journey with personal resilience in the face of ecological and societal collapse. He emphasizes self-awareness, emotional processing, creativity, and a shift away from rigid outcomes. Drawing on Buddhist principles, practical projects like syntropic agroforestry, and creative activities like music making, Bendell advocates for sustaining oneself through grounded action, creative expression, and mindful curiosity.

In the essay “Stubborn optimism in an era of collapse” Jem Bendell explores what he still feels optimistic about without pretending that humanity can avoid the collapse of industrial consumer societies. He does this to offer a positive response to those who claim that optimism is a moral imperative, rather than a cultural attachment. His experiment leads to multiple sentences that begin “I’m more than optimistic that many people will…” For instance: “I’m more than optimistic that many people will live bravely in truth and love, without attachment to ideas of impact, progress or salvation. I’m more than optimistic that many people will try to reduce harm for others, the young, and wider life, without resorting to aggression.”

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