#6 WORLDING: Haraway, Kimmerer, Fisher, Anzaldúa, & More (Course Wrap-Up)

This is the sixth and final lecture for the 2024 summer session of ENGLISH 3372 for The Ohio State University, taught by PhD Candidate Peyton Del Toro. This lecture breaks down the viewing of the week: “Worlding” (https://newmaterialism.eu/almanac/w/worlding.html) by Helen Palmer and Vicky Hunter, & “SF: Speculative Fabulation and String Figures” (http://bettinafuncke.com/100Notes/033_A5_Haraway.pdf ) by Donna Haraway. We also revisit previous readings, such as Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer and Capitalist Realism by Mark Fisher. Terrapolis is a metaphor for a space where many species and elements interact and change together. It’s not just about existing in the world, but about how everything is constantly influencing and reshaping each other. Haraway uses complex math (like equations involving multiple dimensions) to illustrate how these interactions and processes are beyond simple visual or conceptual understanding. It’s about grasping a world where many things happen simultaneously and affect each other in intricate ways. Stories—whether rooted in origins, fictional worlds, or lived experiences—are pivotal to the pursuit of ecological justice. The lecture emphasizes that our prevailing narratives, such as the market economy invented by Europeans, have led to uneven human well-being and environmental devastation. The notion of worlding encourages us to be imaginative and speculative in our thinking, drawing on insights from science fiction, queer theory, and other alternative perspectives. These approaches help us envision new possibilities and reconsider what might be achievable in the face of current and future challenges. By integrating diverse viewpoints and creative practices into our understanding, we can better navigate and address the pressing issues of our time.