ABSTRACT

A recurring narrative in popular culture is imminent global catastrophe. Contextualizing the cultural phenomenon of disaster porn, I discuss the Anthropocene and explore Gregory Bateson’s ecosystemic theoretical lens and how errors in epistemology precipitate and perpetuate global climate problems. Next I discuss the pros and cons, and intended and unintended consequences, of disaster porn’s propagation in its three main forms. I then apply themes and concepts of ecosystemic theory and disaster porn to an analysis of the 2019 TV series Swamp Thing, sifting the algae-filled waters for explicit and implicit messaging about the current ecological crisis. I conclude with reflections about cultural consciousness regarding climate change, and how the urgency and gravity of this global crisis is subverted, commodified and neutralized as audiences sit back and watch it all happen, consuming apocalyptic ‘entertainment’.

摘要

流行文化中反复出现的叙事是即将到来的全球灾难。我将灾害色情的文化现象作为背景，讨论人类世，探讨格里高里·贝特森（Gregory Bateson）的生态学理论视角，以及认识论中的错误如何导致和延续全球气候问题。接下来，我将讨论灾难色情片以三种主要形式传播的利弊，以及有意和无意的后果。然后，我将生态系统理论和灾难色情的主题和概念应用于2019年电视连续剧《沼泽物》的分析，筛选藻类丰富的水域，以明确和隐含地传达有关当前生态危机的信息。最后，我总结了对气候变化的文化意识，以及随着观众坐下来观看一切，消耗世界末日的“娱乐性”，这场全球危机的紧迫性和重要性如何被颠覆，改变和消除。