Galactic Brains, Zombie Apocalypse, and the Poiesis of an Ecology of Metamodern Myths

Abstract

Old myths have lost their power, while current mythologies fail to guide us through the coming metacrisis. The hypermodern salvation myth of galactic brains is inapplicable. The postmodern myth of the zombie apocalypse provides no positive vision. A new kind of mythopoiesis is needed. We propose an ecology of myth-making practices that is suitable for our age. It is grounded in solid artistic, philosophical, and scientific principles, aimed at generating an evolving tangle of narratives that share the themes of courage, caution, and care. Importantly, we do not seek conformity, but productive difference. From the resulting friction, we regain our traction among the current loss of reality and crisis of imagination.