Thank you for the issue on Speculative Journalism (8/19/19). The smart and creative writing, illustrations, layout and editing express the reality of climate disruption in a more powerful, embodied way than any literal account possibly could. You have demonstrated the power of art. The various imaginings of the year 2068 bring home the real human experiences that are coming. To hit people in the gut, as these pieces do, is essential to any hope of change in the face of human denial and dissociation on the one hand, and unmitigated greed on the other. The presence of Indigenous people and culture in the stories is essential; we must find and cultivate — all of us — a sense of being, as the dictionary defines “indigenous”: “from the land.” We need to shift from what anthropologist David Stuart has called a culture of power (Chaco and contemporary America are his examples) to one of efficiency. Stuart notes that while Chaco’s culture, with a moderate change in the climate, fell in 40 years, the efficient culture of Bandelier persists to this day in contemporary Pueblo culture. Thank you for the terms “climate causer” and “climate criminal,” which need to be a part of our lexicon. Sociopaths (aka “slimeballs”) do not respond to understanding or rationality, only punishment. Where do I sign up to be a member of the “Old Bears?”
Jon Maaske
Albuquerque, New Mexico
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Kudos for creative thinking.
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