Nicolas Cadieux, David Jaclin

Anthropocènes

Introduction

Anthropocènes. Comprenez l'Anthropocène, concept clé des bouleversements écologiques contemporains. Explorez sa généalogie, ses usages et de nouvelles perspectives critiques.

Abstract

Depuis son apparition au tournant des années 2000, le concept d’Anthropocène s’impose progressivement comme cadre de référence dans les réflexions sur les bouleversements écologiques contemporains. En retraçant la généalogie du concept et la prolifération de ses usages scientifiques, politiques, médiatiques et culturels, se dessinent les tensions qu’il cristallise en tant qu’hyperconcept, au croisement des mesures géologiques et des récits planétaires. Les opérations de désignation, les seuils institués (tel le golden spike), et les rapports de pouvoir qu’ils véhiculent, appellent à un déplacement du regard. En portant attention aux critiques émergentes, aux milieux troubles, aux écologies relationnelles et aux pratiques concrètes où ces transformations se vivent et se contestent, il devient possible d’esquisser d’autres manières de nommer et de faire monde(s).

Review

This paper offers a timely and incisive examination of the Anthropocene concept, tracing its emergence and consolidation as a foundational framework for understanding contemporary ecological upheavals. The abstract clearly articulates the ambition to move beyond a mere description of the concept's widespread adoption, instead embarking on a critical genealogy that exposes the "hyperconcept" status of the Anthropocene. By exploring its proliferation across scientific, political, media, and cultural spheres, the author adeptly sets the stage for dissecting the inherent tensions it crystallizes, particularly at the intersection of geological measurements and planetary narratives. A significant strength of this work lies in its critical engagement with the operations of designation and the institutionalized thresholds, such as the "golden spike," questioning the underlying power dynamics these choices convey. The abstract signals a crucial "déplacement du regard" (shift in perspective), advocating for a focus on emergent critiques, "milieux troubles" (troubled environments), relational ecologies, and the concrete practices where these transformations are lived and contested. This methodological pivot promises to unveil alternative ways of naming and "making worlds" (faire monde(s)), moving beyond potentially reifying or exclusionary definitions of the Anthropocene. Overall, this promises to be a highly valuable and thought-provoking contribution to the ongoing scholarly and public discourse surrounding the Anthropocene. By dissecting the concept's multifaceted usages and critiquing its foundational assumptions, the paper offers a sophisticated analysis that transcends disciplinary boundaries. The call to reorient our gaze towards concrete experiences and relational ecologies positions this work as an essential reading for anyone seeking to understand not only the complexities of the Anthropocene but also the possibilities for imagining and enacting more just and sustainable futures.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.