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It’s 2012, two decades after we successfully dodged the nuclear apocalypse, the doomsday destiny of the Cold War. So why aren’t we reveling in a peaceful, creative, compassionate, ecologically sustain- able, and enlightened global and cosmic civilization? That we are not even close shows that something is still profoundly wrong with the dom- inant metamemes (ideologies and worldviews) on our planet, Spaceship Earth. And the dominant metamemes keep replicating, regardless of how much destruction they cause or how many resources they consume.

Figure 15 It’s 2012, two decades after we successfully dodged the nuclear apocalypse, the doomsday destiny of the Cold War. So why aren’t we reveling in a peaceful, creative, compassionate, ecologically sustain- able, and enlightened global and cosmic civilization? That we are not even close shows that something is still profoundly wrong with the dom- inant metamemes (ideologies and worldviews) on our planet, Spaceship Earth. And the dominant metamemes keep replicating, regardless of how much destruction they cause or how many resources they consume.

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The book cover design is based on the original “Earthrise” image as captured by astronaut William Anders in 1968. The more conventionally known version of this image made world famous by the media was actually rotated 90 degrees in order to make it seem as if the Earth was “rising” above the moon. It’s my conviction that the original Earthrise photo had to be changed because its full meaning was too unbearable, too vertiginous for the people back on Earth, who were still wedded to the creation myths recited by the Apollo 8 astronauts as they orbited the moon. The original Earthrise represents an existential moment in history, exposing a drastically overlooked effect of our most powerful media technologies, which have removed us from the center of the universe and effected a void in cosmic meaning. Like the nothingness that lies at the heart of being (Sartre), the void in cosmic meaning lies at the heart of apocalyptic culture.
The book cover design is based on the original “Earthrise” image as captured by astronaut William Anders in 1968. The more conventionally known version of this image made world famous by the media was actually rotated 90 degrees in order to make it seem as if the Earth was “rising” above the moon. It’s my conviction that the original Earthrise photo had to be changed because its full meaning was too unbearable, too vertiginous for the people back on Earth, who were still wedded to the creation myths recited by the Apollo 8 astronauts as they orbited the moon. The original Earthrise represents an existential moment in history, exposing a drastically overlooked effect of our most powerful media technologies, which have removed us from the center of the universe and effected a void in cosmic meaning. Like the nothingness that lies at the heart of being (Sartre), the void in cosmic meaning lies at the heart of apocalyptic culture.
Will the end of the world happen on December 21, 2012 or any other prophetic date in the future?
Will the end of the world happen on December 21, 2012 or any other prophetic date in the future?
It would be easy to conclude that people spreading apocalyptic visions are delusional or just deeply dissatisfied with the state of cul- ture and the planet (either or both of which may be true) and hence overlook the deeper technological and philosophical conditions. Most of our cultural world is utterly disconnected from the cosmos in which humans and our planet evolved, leaving us floating without founda- tions to derive meaning and purpose for our existence. This condition expresses the most overlooked effect of media technologies — they have removed us from the center of the universe and effected a void in cosmic meaning.
It would be easy to conclude that people spreading apocalyptic visions are delusional or just deeply dissatisfied with the state of cul- ture and the planet (either or both of which may be true) and hence overlook the deeper technological and philosophical conditions. Most of our cultural world is utterly disconnected from the cosmos in which humans and our planet evolved, leaving us floating without founda- tions to derive meaning and purpose for our existence. This condition expresses the most overlooked effect of media technologies — they have removed us from the center of the universe and effected a void in cosmic meaning.
Why is doom a fashionable destiny? What about the apocalypse makes it so compelling, so meaningful, and so beneficial to the believ- ers that its meme has been replicated across history, around the world, and throughout our global media environments? Are these apocalyptic memes mere delusion and escapist entertainment, or are they reflective of deep dissatisfactions with the cultural, ecological, and technological trajectories of the world? Are the many books, films, and television pro- grams providing plausible warnings and pessimistic visions of the future, or is the end of the world truly near?
Why is doom a fashionable destiny? What about the apocalypse makes it so compelling, so meaningful, and so beneficial to the believ- ers that its meme has been replicated across history, around the world, and throughout our global media environments? Are these apocalyptic memes mere delusion and escapist entertainment, or are they reflective of deep dissatisfactions with the cultural, ecological, and technological trajectories of the world? Are the many books, films, and television pro- grams providing plausible warnings and pessimistic visions of the future, or is the end of the world truly near?
The world will not end on December 21, 2012, as supposedly prophesied by the Maya and their calendar. We can be certain of this meme for three reasons:
The world will not end on December 21, 2012, as supposedly prophesied by the Maya and their calendar. We can be certain of this meme for three reasons:
Photo 2: The Adjusted “Earthrise.” Our planet seen from a more comforting perspective.
Photo 2: The Adjusted “Earthrise.” Our planet seen from a more comforting perspective.
Photo 1: The Original “Earthrise.” Our planet is floating vertiginously in the cosmic void. Photo by William Anders
Photo 1: The Original “Earthrise.” Our planet is floating vertiginously in the cosmic void. Photo by William Anders
Table 6: Trajectories and Examples of Baudrillard’s Three Orders of Simulation Note: The table is meant to be illustrative and not exhaustive of all examples; obviously some eras and examples overlap.
Table 6: Trajectories and Examples of Baudrillard’s Three Orders of Simulation Note: The table is meant to be illustrative and not exhaustive of all examples; obviously some eras and examples overlap.
Related topics:
Cultural StudiesMedia StudiesEschatology and Apocalypticism21st Century StudiesFilm and Media StudiesApollo space programme
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