Retelling the story of humans and nature | Damon Gameau | TEDxSydney

Summary

This talk explores the impact of collective stories on human behavior, focusing on the narrative that humans are separate and superior to nature. It traces the origins of this belief from early cultures to Christianity and the Scientific Revolution, which led to the exploitation of natural resources. The speaker argues that this story has brought humanity to a crisis point, necessitating a new narrative that recognizes our interconnectedness with nature. This regenerative story, supported by science, could reshape culture, leadership, and policy, potentially leading to a sustainable future.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The power of personal narratives: Our internal dialogues significantly influence our actions and experiences.
• 🌐 Collective stories shape societal behavior: Cultural narratives, like the sacredness of cows in India, guide group actions.
• 🔄 Historical shift in worldview: From a reverence for nature to a belief in human superiority and dominion over it.
• ⛪️ The influence of Christianity and the Scientific Revolution: These movements contributed to the narrative of human dominance over nature.
• 🌱 Indigenous wisdom vs. modern exploitation: Indigenous cultures often saw themselves as part of nature, contrasting with exploitative modern practices.
• 🏭 The commodification of nature: The shift to viewing nature as a resource for economic gain led to environmental degradation.
• 🔍 The role of science: Initially used to justify exploitation, science now reveals the intricate interconnectedness of life and the need for respect for nature.
• 🌿 The emergence of a regenerative story: A new narrative is forming, emphasizing humanity's dependence on and kinship with nature.
• 🌳 The importance of storytelling: To effect change, the new narrative must be integrated into education, economics, and media.
• 🌈 The potential for a thriving future: Collective action informed by the new narrative can lead to a regenerative and ecologically balanced world.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speech?

The main theme of the speech is the collective story that humans are separate and superior to nature, and how this narrative has led to environmental degradation. The speaker advocates for a new story that recognizes humans as part of nature and promotes a regenerative relationship with the environment.

How does the speaker describe the initial relationship between humans and nature in the past?

The speaker describes an initial relationship where humans had a deep reverence and respect for nature, seeing little separation between themselves and the world around them. Many cultures viewed nature as a giving parent and considered plants and animals as relatives.

What significant change in the human-nature relationship is attributed to the rise of Christianity according to the speech?

The rise of Christianity introduced a new narrative where humans were seen as separate from and superior to nature, with dominion over the Earth. This shift in belief system began to change the way humans interacted with and perceived their environment.

How did the Scientific Revolution further influence the human-nature relationship?

The Scientific Revolution, led by figures like Francis Bacon and René Descartes, reinforced the idea of humans being superior to nature. They encouraged the exploitation and manipulation of nature for human benefit, viewing it as a machine to be controlled and used.

What are some of the environmental consequences mentioned in the speech that resulted from the 'new story'?

The environmental consequences mentioned include the decrease in animal populations, heating of the atmosphere, soil erosion, and the destruction of natural habitats like the Amazon rainforest.

What role do stories play in shaping our behaviors and cultures according to the speaker?

Stories, both individual and collective, play a fundamental role in shaping our behaviors and cultures. They influence how we perceive ourselves, others, and the world, and can drive our actions and societal norms.

What is the 'new but old story' that the speaker suggests we need to adopt?

The 'new but old story' is a narrative that recognizes humans as an integral part of nature, not separate or superior to it. It calls for a regenerative relationship with the environment, valuing and respecting nature, and living in harmony with it.

How does the speaker propose to spread the new story?

The speaker suggests embedding the new story into all levels of education, redesigning the economy to value nature, revamping news broadcasts to include environmental metrics, and amplifying the story through the work of storytellers, musicians, and artists.

What evidence does the speaker provide to support the idea that nature is not mechanistic and should be revered?

The speaker cites scientific discoveries that reveal plants can see, smell, hear, learn, and store memories; dolphins communicate in local dialects; elephants hold ceremonies for their dead; and termites have built an underground metropolis. These examples show the complexity and interconnectedness of nature.

What is the significance of the changes in the use of nature-related words in books, songs, and movies from 1900 to 2014 as mentioned in the speech?

The decline in the use of nature-related words signifies a cultural shift away from valuing and connecting with nature. This reflects the influence of the collective story that has led to environmental neglect and the prioritization of human activities over nature.

How does the speaker describe the current state of human interaction with nature?

The speaker describes the current state as one where humans are trapped in a cultural programming that views nature as something to be exploited for economic gain, leading to environmental destruction and a lack of awareness of the true value of nature.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 The Power of Stories in Shaping Our Worldview

The speaker begins by sharing an introspective moment before taking the stage, highlighting the internal dialogue between self-doubt and gratitude. This introspection segues into a broader discussion on the role of personal and collective stories in shaping our behaviors and interactions with the world. The speaker emphasizes how these narratives, whether individual or collective, significantly influence our perceptions and actions. The paragraph sets the stage for a deeper exploration of a collective story that has led humanity to perceive itself as separate and superior to nature, a narrative that has brought us to the brink of environmental crisis.

05:00

🌍 The Historical Shift from Reverence to Domination

This paragraph delves into the historical transformation of humanity's relationship with nature. It starts by recounting a time when people revered nature as a nurturing parent, with cultures like indigenous Australians and ancient Chinese viewing themselves as part of the natural world. However, the advent of Christianity and the Scientific Revolution introduced a new narrative that positioned humans as superior to and separate from nature, with a divine mandate to dominate and exploit it. This shift led to the commodification of nature, with significant environmental consequences. The speaker critiques the deeply ingrained belief in human superiority and its impact on ecological degradation, setting the context for the need for a new story.

10:01

🌱 The Emergence of a Regenerative Narrative

The final paragraph discusses a potential shift towards a regenerative narrative that recognizes the interdependence of humans and nature. It highlights the awakening of societal segments, such as children, farmers, and indigenous peoples, who are advocating for a change in the collective story. The speaker points out that scientific discoveries have revealed the intricate connections and intelligence within nature, challenging the mechanistic view that has underpinned exploitation. The paragraph concludes with a call to action for a cultural and systemic transformation, emphasizing the need for a new story to be integrated into education, economics, media, and policy-making. It ends on a hopeful note, envisioning a future where humanity embraces its kinship with nature and works towards a thriving, ecological future.

Keywords

💡Collective story

A collective story refers to a narrative shared by a group of people that shapes their collective behavior and worldview. In the video, the collective story that humans are separate and superior to nature is critiqued as it has led to environmental degradation. The video suggests that a new collective story that recognizes humans as part of nature is needed for a sustainable future.

💡Cultural programming

Cultural programming is the process by which societal norms, values, and beliefs are instilled in individuals through cultural practices and institutions. The video discusses how cultural programming has led to a disconnection from nature, perpetuating the belief in human superiority and resulting in environmental harm.

💡Dominion over nature

The concept of dominion over nature is rooted in religious beliefs that humans have been granted authority over the Earth and its resources. The video argues that this belief has contributed to the exploitation of natural resources and ecological crises, as it justifies human control and manipulation of the environment.

💡Scientific Revolution

The Scientific Revolution is a historical period marked by significant advancements in science and a shift towards empirical observation and experimentation. The video mentions the Scientific Revolution as a time when the idea of humans mastering and exploiting nature was reinforced, leading to a mechanistic view of the natural world.

💡Environmental crisis

An environmental crisis refers to a period of significant ecological degradation and potential collapse of ecosystems. The video highlights the environmental crisis as a consequence of the collective story that separates humans from nature, emphasizing the need for a new narrative to address these challenges.

💡Regenerative story

A regenerative story is a narrative that promotes the restoration and renewal of ecosystems and the harmonious coexistence of humans with nature. The video calls for a shift to a regenerative story that values the interconnectedness of all life and supports sustainable practices.

💡Nature as kin

The phrase 'nature as kin' reflects a worldview that sees humans as interconnected with all living beings and the environment. The video suggests that recognizing nature as kin can foster a sense of responsibility and respect for the natural world, contrasting with the current narrative of exploitation.

💡Cultural shift

A cultural shift refers to a significant change in the beliefs, values, and behaviors of a society. The video discusses the need for a cultural shift towards a new story that values nature and promotes ecological sustainability, as opposed to the current narrative of separation and superiority.

💡Ecological damage

Ecological damage refers to the harm caused to the environment and its ecosystems due to human activities. The video describes how the current collective story has led to extensive ecological damage, including deforestation, pollution, and species extinction.

💡Sustainable future

A sustainable future is one that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The video argues for the importance of a new collective story that supports a sustainable future by promoting harmony between humans and nature.

💡Storytellers

In the context of the video, storytellers are individuals who have the power to shape culture and beliefs through their narratives. The video calls for storytellers, including artists and musicians, to help disseminate the new regenerative story and inspire a connection to the natural world.

Highlights

The power of internal narratives in shaping our experiences and behaviors.

The role of collective stories in influencing societal behaviors and cultural norms.

The historical shift from viewing nature as sacred to a resource for exploitation.

The influence of Christianity and the Scientific Revolution on human-nature relations.

Francis Bacon's view on harnessing nature for human benefit.

René Descartes' perspective on animals as machines for human use.

The commodification of nature and its impact on ecological degradation.

The disconnect between scientific warnings and human actions due to entrenched narratives.

The resistance to change in environmental policies rooted in traditional stories.

The decline in the use of nature-related words in culture indicating a growing alienation from nature.

The emergence of a new regenerative story redefining the human-nature relationship.

The importance of science in supporting the new narrative of humans as part of nature.

The revelation of nature's complexity and sentience challenging the mechanistic view.

The need for a cultural shift to see nature not as a commodity but as kin.

The potential for a new story to be integrated into education, economy, and media.

The role of storytellers, artists, and musicians in amplifying the new narrative.

The vision of a future where humanity embraces a regenerative relationship with nature.

Transcripts

[Music]

foreign

a few moments ago before I walked on

stage I was aware that there was this

story playing out in my head

it was actually a dance between two

stories

one story was noticing the size of this

audience and the cameras that are around

and was telling me that now would not be

a good time to trip over a shoelace or

forget new lines

and the other story in my head was

telling me to be grateful for this

opportunity go out relish the experience

and have fun

I was aware that whichever story took

hold

might impact the next 12 minutes of my

life and determine how this talk unfolds

therapists and psychologists tell us

that the stories we tell ourselves play

a fundamental role in how we interact

with the world around us

some people tell themselves that they

are not enough

other people tell themselves that

they're imposters

and if you've ever seen the auditions of

a television singing competition some

people tell themselves they're a little

better than they actually are

but apart from the individual Stories We

Tell ourselves all of us are also taking

part in larger Collective stories that

shape our Behavior as a species

a collective story enables people in

India to treat Cows as sacred

while people in America cram cows into

feedlots

our internal and external worlds are

full of stories that shape our behaviors

today I want to talk about a collective

story that most people aren't even aware

they're inhabiting

it is a collective story that tells us

that human beings are separate and

Superior to Nature

it is a story that has taken us so close

to the brink of an unimaginable crisis

that our survival now depends on us

telling a news story

so

Once Upon a Time

in a land far away

and right here actually on the lands

that we're gathered today

the majority of people on planet Earth

had a deep reverence and respect for

nature

they saw very little separation between

themselves and the world around them

many cultures saw nature as a giving

parent the plants and the animals were

their relatives

indigenous Australians saw themselves as

custodians of the land

well the ancient Chinese considered

themselves reverent guests of nature

even prominent figures of Rome like Ovid

and Seneca argued that mining shouldn't

be permissible as it was too abusive to

the natural world

but then things started to change

a new craze called Christianity began to

take hold

word spread that their one God sat above

and outside nature

that God had made people in his own

image and given them dominion over the

Earth

it sounds alright so the people passing

on the news to friends and relatives

missionaries Kings

the world was made for the sake of man

that it may serve him

said the bishop of Paris in the early

12th century

the Christian craze are now infiltrated

Europe and was beginning its March into

the Americans

but wait

there's more

said a couple of fancy looking men in

the early 1600s

I told the people that they were from

the Scientific Revolution and that they

could empower the people even further

we must Hound nature in her wanderings

said the first man Francis Bacon the

father of modern science

we must find a way at length into her

inner Chambers

we must reveal the secret still locked

in Nature's bosom

make her your slave subdue her shake her

to her foundations

yes said the men that sounds all right

the second man in chandin

his name was Renee descar the father of

modern philosophy

he confirmed to the people that yes they

were Superior to Nature

and added that animal s were mindless

machines to be mastered and exploited at

will

that's a relief said the people

now we don't have to feel so bad about

whipping our Oxford

the influence of these two men coupled

with the religious craves meant that

nature was no longer seen as a living

thing to be revered and respected

but instead as a machine to be

manipulated for the benefits of mankind

this was a new and exciting story that

set free natural resources for humans to

achieve social and economic progress

even if obtained through violent and

suppressive acts

this new story was particularly enticing

for the emerging capitalists of the time

because a nature devoid of reverence and

respect

was much easier to commodify

and can modify they did

the humans went to work entering and

penetrating all of those inner Chambers

they tunneled her bosom for coal and

metals they scraped and plowed at her

skin with their tractors

they took chainsaws to her forests of

follicles and they filled her Waters

with their waste

the new story had spread across the

globe

humans had asserted their dominance they

built wondrous things and improved the

lives of billions of people

particularly in specific regions

until one day

their scientists begin to notice

her animals are decreasing

her atmosphere is Heating

for soils are eroding

our research is foreboding

but still the humans carried on

you see they couldn't hear the

scientists

because the facts don't matter much if

they don't fit the story

and a story was deeply embedded now

in 2019 the head of the Environmental

Protection Agency in the U.S opposes

regulations because he says we have a

responsibility to harvest the natural

resources that we've been blessed with

a prominent evangelist tells his

followers that refusing to use fossil

fuels hurts God's feelings

the story was so embedded that the

human's Nightly News bulletins measured

their success by Financial metrics alone

while the living world that allowed the

gains in those metrics was being

eviscerated out of sight

and the story was so embedded that when

researchers looked at the names of trees

birds flowers and other key words

relating to Nature used across millions

of books songs and movies from 1900 to

2014

they found a dramatic decline in the use

of those words across that period

the humans were spending seven hours a

day on their screens

so not only were they experiencing fewer

stories

and actual experiences of nature

but they were being bombarded by up to

10 000 advertisements a day

largely for products that were

inflicting even more ecological damage

nature was being hounded in her

wanderings

and yet the humans remain trapped in

their story

trapped in their cultural programming

but goldfish in a tank

unaware of the unfolding chaos beyond

the colored Pebbles and the artificial

logs

so when those same scientists resorted

to blocking traffic

and tying themselves to poles or

screaming at the Amazon rainforest the

most spectacular of all her forests was

nearing a Tipping Point that would turn

her into a savannah

still the humans did nothing

because to them those trees

those trees that were home to thousands

of species of animals and millions of

species of insects

those trees that sent nutrients to each

other via underground fungal Networks

those trees that transpired moisture

into the air to create rainfall that

would feed crops in countries thousands

of kilometers away

those trees were just

timber for decking

pulp for toilet paper

or space for more cows

those trees were worth more dead than

alive

because that's what the story had told

them

but then something remarkable happened

it started with the children

who began to skip school and take to the

streets

it started with the farmers who chose to

stop fighting nature and instead rebuild

their soils

it started when the indigenous people

who for centuries have been reminding

everybody of their story were finally

being listened to

and it started with nature herself

through fires and storms through

droughts and Rising Waters forced her

way back into the people's lives and

demanded their respect

a new regenerative story about human

beings and nature was emerging

but of course it wasn't a news story at

all

it was the retelling of an old story

but this time

the old story was supported by the

science

and it was telling the people that every

breath they took was dependent on trees

and phytoplankton

and the trillions of bacteria and fungi

lived on them and in them and kept them

alive

viewing the natural world as separate to

humans was now empirically false

humans are nature

but the science was also telling them

that plants could see

they could smell hear

they could learn and store memories

the Dolphins gossiped and spoke in local

dialects elephants held Ceremonies for

dead relatives grasshoppers could turn

into locusts and back again in a matter

of hours

and that termites had built an

underground Metropolis the size of the

United Kingdom

the same scientific inquiry that had led

to domination and extraction had gone so

deep into Nature's bosom that it was

revealing our secrets

and her secrets were divulging that she

was anything but mechanistic

that she was deserving of the utmost

reverence and respect

and that the original story

had been right all along

and so perhaps now the humans would no

longer refer to Nature as a unruly

female To Be Tamed for an it to be

exploited

but would refer to Nature simply

as kin

nobody knows how this new but old story

ends

because it is still being written

but if it is to have the Hollywood

ending

if we are to break free from our

cultural programming and pull off the

miraculous comeback when all scenes lost

then the new but old story will have to

be rapidly spread throughout the culture

it will need to be embedded into all

levels of curriculum particularly at the

early stages so children can see the

world as a living system not as a

machine full of stocks and commodities

it will need to inform a redesign of the

economy

so it values nature

and reflects the true environmental

costs of the materials we all use

it will need to revamp the Nightly News

bulletins so we measure soil Health

atmospheric pollution species loss

alongside the financial metrics

and crucially

the new but old story will need to be

Amplified by the storytellers

the musicians the artists

those that can create the emotional

connection to the Living World once

again and paint visions of a

nature-filled future that people can see

and feel and strive for

because stories shape culture

culture shapes leaders

leaders shape policies and policies

shape the system

and perhaps

just perhaps one day

a few hundred years from now

historians will look back to this moment

and they'll see that amongst the chaos

and the nihilism and the fear and the

extinctions that there were groups of

people who chose to turn the page and

begin to write a new chapter for

Humanity

a chapter full of diverse characters

from a range of professions and places

who came together

to create a thriving

regenerative

ecological future

the end

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]