Derrick Jensen on the Uncompromising Pursuit of Hard, Dangerous Truths | Episode 5

In this unfiltered episode of Carrying the Fire, host Hal Herring joins environmental philosopher and author Derrick Jensen for a deep, 30-year retrospective on Jensen’s life, work, and uncompromising ecological and social analysis. The realities discussed here are uncomfortable ones: the foundational truth of a culture utterly addicted to growth on a finite planet, and the degradation of both truth and human dignity that such an addiction requires. In Carrying the Fire, we sometimes get a little scorched. This episode is not for every listener- Jensen’s vast body of work is not created to reassure or to console but to provoke, to confront, and to, in challenging us, offer us a new way of seeing the path forward. Because there is a path forward- it lies in remembering our beautiful place here on this planet, and the real power of humanity, to act not with callow hubris and disdain, but on the side of infinite, vibrant life. Works by Derrick Jensen Visit Derrick’s website to explore his entire breadth of work - https://derrickjensen.org/work/books-dvds-cds/ A Language Older Than Words – Jensen's breakthrough 2000 book exploring deep ecology, interpersonal trauma, and societal violence. The Myth of Human Supremacy – A text heavily praised by Hal Herring for its cogent takedown of anthropocentrism. Endgame (Volume 1 & Volume 2) – Jensen's foundational work focusing on the inherent unsustainability of civilization. Listening to the Land: Conversations about Nature, Culture, and Eros – Jensen's early book composed of environmental interviews. Dreams – Mentioned by Jensen during a critique of his own past writing regarding how nature "fights back." Unnamed Marijuana Growing Guide – Jensen mentions having written a book about his 15 years of experience growing cannabis in containers. Books by Other Authors Ishmael by Daniel Quinn  The Dream of the Earth by Father Thomas Berry War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning by Chris Hedges The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth by Zoë Schlanger  Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey The Fallacy of Wildlife Conservation by John Livingston Against the Grain: How Agriculture Hijacked Civilization by Richard "Dick" Manning Last Stand: Logging, Journalism, and the Case for Humility by Richard "Dick" Manning  The Natural Alien: Humankind and Environment by Neil Evernden Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future by Bill McKibben  My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor Industrial Society and Its Future (The Unabomber Manifesto) by Ted Kaczynski Poetry, Essays, Films & Media "Letter to Oskar Pollak" (1904) by Franz Kafka  In Memoriam A.H.H. by Alfred, Lord Tennyson American Psychosis (2017) – A documentary short featuring Chris Hedges and directed by Amanda Zackem. The Sun Magazine – The independent literary magazine edited by Sy Safransky where both Herring and Jensen published interviews early in their careers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices