Like the word ‘sustainability’, hope sounds positive, but if it is just the hope that we can maintain (‘sustain’) our privileged western lifestyle, how positive is that? What kind of hope is based on ignoring evidence of collapse, or on fearing to consider its possibility? [1] We have seen the rise of #climatehoax and #climatescam while climate action has been painted as part of an authoritarian plot to steal our liberties. We need to confront, to be allowed to confront, the sociopathic agenda this kind of hope is serving: I would characterise ‘hope’ like this as toxic. This kind of hope is part of the paradigm of modernity and its hubristic belief in dominion and control.
