Author: Douglas Kidd

Why we need an Anarchist Bestiary

This is an introduction to  the medieval literary form of the bestiary and a critical consideration of the hierarchical assumptions that underpin it, suggesting that these continue to influence secular humanism and popular discourse in modern Western society. I argue for an Anarchist Bestiary: a bestiary reimagined to share stories that challenge those hierarchical assumptions … Continue reading Why we need an Anarchist Bestiary →

The Bonnacon: humor and/as liberation

Humour and/as liberation The Bonnacon is a mythical creature found in many medieval bestiaries added as a source of comedy due to its scatalogical defense mechanism. It is a reminder that humour can be an invitation to joy, solidarity and liberation when directed against oppression. This is an entry in the Anarchist Bestiary, an ongoing … Continue reading The Bonnacon: humor and/as liberation →

‘Educating to transgress’: ecotopian pedagogies for the Symbiocene

Published in Pedagogy, Culture and Society by Elke and colleagues, this article coins the term ecotopian pedagogies, built around five values that offer a critical alternative to the contemporary sustainable development discourses. With climate and biodiversity collapse accelerating, fundamental socio-ecological transformations are required as a matter of urgency. Education for sustainable development (ESD) positions education … Continue reading ‘Educating to transgress’: ecotopian pedagogies for the Symbiocene →

Lichen: we are not individuals

We are not individuals Lichens help us think beyond ourselves solely as separate individuals by highlighting the variety, complexity and intimacy of how our lives are reproduced, maintained and enriched in close interdependence with the more than human world. This is an entry in the Anarchist Bestiary, an ongoing project which shares stories that enable … Continue reading Lichen: we are not individuals →

Jellyfish: becoming ungovernable

Becoming Ungovernable Jellyfish can inspire us to escape authority, making ourselves invisible, undefinable and ungovernable; to read the prevailing currents and, avoiding co-option occupying the margins, to thrive outside the mainstream. This is an entry in the Anarchist Bestiary, an ongoing project which shares stories that enable us to learn with and from other species, … Continue reading Jellyfish: becoming ungovernable →

Murmurations: practicing togetherness

Practicing Togetherness Murmurations act as an exemplar for the power and importance of practicing togetherness. Of organising, communicating, negotiating and acting together; fully responsible for ourselves, but so much stronger as a community. This is an entry in the Anarchist Bestiary, an ongoing project which shares stories that enable us to learn with and from … Continue reading Murmurations: practicing togetherness →

The Medieval Bestiary and modern, Western science: birds of a feather

This podcast looks at the history of the Bestiary and its influences on our modern, Western scientific way of thinking. It is the first of two podcasts, the second will look at a reimagining the bestiary for our current moment. The podcast is about 14 minutes long. The transcript for the episode and the texts … Continue reading The Medieval Bestiary and modern, Western science: birds of a feather →