Extinction Rebellion: Insights from the Inside
I don’t believe Extinction Rebellion has all the answers but I do know that peaceful resistance has played an important role advancing human societies in the past and I believe it has a role to play advancing the state of our troubled world today. To participate in this movement during lockdown, while we’ve been unable to take to the streets en masse, I’ve edited a book of essays on Extinction Rebellion, written by Rupert Read who offers an ‘inside perspective’ on the movement. I hope this may be of use to some.
Extinction Rebellion: Insights From The Inside offers an account of arguably “the most important social movement in history” (David Graeber, in advance praise for this book). Covering the period from its inception until the COVID-19 pandemic, this is the first book on the history and present state of Extinction Rebellion [XR], as told by a central figure and participant.
The collection of engaging essays, articles and interviews is by Rupert Read, a leading voice for the global movement that was launched on to the public stage in 2018 and uses non-violent civil disobedience in an attempt to halt mass extinction and minimise the risk of societal collapse. Prof. Read is joined by Samuel Alexander who edited the book and added an extended postscript. The anthology presents an inspiring and sometimes critical ‘insider perspective’ – with urgent questions of strategy and framing going forward.
The paperback is available here (or search your favourite online bookstore).
The Kindle is available here.
The pdf is available on a ‘pay what you can’ basis here, with Rupert donating profits to XR (and with me doing the same for this book of mine).
Prof. Read states: “Our world is at a crossroads, between survival and collapse. XR is at a crossroads too, between remaining central to this moment or fading into irrelevance. Our children will judge us by how well we used this time when there was still some room for manoeuvre. This book is poised at this moment. I hope it might help us navigate it.”
It is being launched on July 4th, the date Henry David Thoreau, the American essayist, philosopher and a proponent of civil disobedience – who is a figure of inspiration to many in XR – moved to the small cabin where he wrote Walden. The book is, in a way, his own declaration of independence from a society he felt no longer represented his values, including a state that supported slavery.
Dr Alexander writes: “If there is one thing a virus cannot kill, it is a rebellion…. The future of XR is unwritten. This book is an invitation to help write it.” To maximise availability and access, the pdf version of the book is available on a ‘pay what you can’ basis (including for free). Profits will be donated to Extinction Rebellion.
Advance praise for Extinction Rebellion: Insights from the Inside:
‘Motivated by the deepest heartfelt desire for change, Rupert here shares his journey and insights into the Extinction Rebellion movement. I have deep respect for Rupert, and the honour of walking this path together. Enjoy this book; a recounting of history as it was being made!’ – Gail Bradbrook, co-founder, XR
‘These fascinating essays read like dispatches from the front line, crackling with urgency, tempered by timely reflections, and reminding us of the scale of the challenge ahead as we rebuild our shattered, post-coronavirus economies.’ – Jonathon Porritt, former Director of the UK Sustainable Development Commission
‘Rupert Read and Samuel Alexander take us deep inside the debates, tactics, and passion that have bound XR together from its founding days, bringing us radical reflections from the frontlines of rebellion. If you want to understand the movement that is finally waking us up, read this book.’ – Kate Raworth, author of Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist
About the authors: Prof. Rupert Read is associate professor of philosophy at the University of East Anglia in Norwich and a frequent spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion. Read was one of five members of the group invited to meet with Environment Secretary Michael Gove. The following day the UK Parliament declared a “climate and environment emergency”; part of Extinction Rebellion’s demands.
Dr. Samuel Alexander is co-director of the Simplicity Institute and a lecturer at the Office for Environmental Programs, University of Melbourne, Australia.
Read and Alexander previously published This Civilisation is Finished: Conversations on the End of Empire – and What Lies Beyond
Congratulations, Samuel and Rupert!
We will read and tell others about it.
Cyberhugs to you both,
~ Michael (and Connie)
https://postdoom.com/
Latest post from Michael Dowd…Stephen Jenkinson
As Sam says, “The future of XR is unwritten. This book is an invitation to help write it.”
I reckon the biggest challenge for XR will be in how discussions & decision making are done. So far, that has been a mystery to everybody but dedicated insiders.
The usual processes are very bad at that … alienating, elite & divisive. To be inclusive, a new process must be as accessible as Twitter but much better threaded so everyone participating can instantly see where they fit in the picture. A common flaw is also power, especially majority rule & groupthink.
In solidarity
Chris
@landrights4all