By Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor
Reviewed by Nola Kelly
Twenty years ago Naomi Klein wrote a book that looked at the way that states of emergency and natural disaster were exploited for corporate profit. A brilliant researcher, since then Naomi has gone on to write many more books about the interface between capitalism and climate change. The two are intertwined.
Her latest book, co-authored with Astra Taylor – a documentary film maker and writer, shows how the interactions between greed, libertarianism, religion, capitalism, and the power that now flows from this amalgamation, have led us to a world on the edge of collapse. We are told by CEO’s of some of the biggest tech companies that AI has a chance of eliminating humanity. While this might be concerning to some of us there are others who truly believe that the path we are currently on has been divinely created and is to be rigorously pursued as it leads to a better life for those who are chosen.
We are shown how history has led us to this place of fertile ground ready to receive the means of annihilation which has arrived in the form of super technology. Those controlling the technology see the threat but are enticed by the thrill of the possibly of superior beings enhanced by machines. They believe that they will be saved not as chosen ones but through the power of their own inventions and the enormous wealth it has brought them. They are already preparing with rockets and bunkers.
As the rich devour the wealth that belongs to all peoples, and conditions deteriorate for large populations around the world, the scene is set for the rise of fascism. Fascism thrives when the cost of living for everyday people is high and their power, as in true democracy, is degraded. Fascism fosters hate and blame but takes care to direct it away from the real cause the of despair, the mega-greedy, and tells us it is the fault of our neighbour. Fascism cannot flourish when we connect and work with each other so it seeks to divide, isolate, and pit us against each other.
This is not an easy book to read. It says it like it is and does not try to sugar-coat the actuality of where we find ourselves at this point in history. The narrative points out that while governments and the systems we rely on continue to be controlled by the mega wealthy nothing will change and the world as we have known it will disappear. If we want change for our children and the generations to come, we the people, have to act, and act now. Not with violence and more hate, but by working together to care for all humanity and our planet home so it can continue to nurture us. Zohran Mamdani has already set us an excellent example in New York that shows us this can be done. Naomi and Astra outline the problem. Now it is up to us.
