A new book called The Burning Earth: A History takes on a massive question: How did we get here? “Here” being this point in environmental history and decades deep into the climate crisis. Over the span of 800 years of history, the book connects the dots of how the pursuit of empire, environmental destruction, and human migration led us to this moment in time.
The most recent episode of Science Friday has a segment on domination culture and violence against people and Earth. It’s good to see that this receives attention in the mainstream media, which it does now and then.
I haven’t read the book or even listened to the segment. It’s very difficult for me to take in information as I used to, because of the fatigue and brain fog (CFS) and also my covid brain.
That said, the blurb itself reminded me of some familiar questions.
DOMINATION AND PARTNERSHIP CULTURES
(1) Why don’t more people talk about domination versus partnership cultures?
It’s a way to frame our understanding of human cultures and civilizations that is simple, makes sense, and allows us to explore the upsides and downsides of each.
One of the upsides of the domination culture – the one a sizeable part of humanity has lived with for a few thousand years now, and in a more modern version over the last few hundred years – is science, technology, art, and so on. A sense of separation has allowed us a third-person relationship with reality and ourselves, and a lot of value has come out of it.
An obvious downside of the domination culture, as the author seems to point out, is violence against ourselves, others, and the Earth. This has come about through internalizing domination culture assumptions: We are separate from the rest of nature. Nature is infinite. Humans are inherently more valuable than the rest of nature. The sacred is “out there” in the sky, the afterlife, or somewhere else. Only humans have souls. In most polarities, one end is good and valuable and the other less good and less valuable. (For instance, for the European culture: Heaven and earth, man and woman, European and non-European, Christian and non-Christian, etc.) We best understand something by taking it apart to its smallest parts.
I should also mention that there is always, by necessity, a mix of domination and partnership elements in our approach and culture. There is always an element of control and nudging, and always an element of conscious partnership with natural processes and dynamics.
This book seems to talk about this, which is very good. (I don’t know if the author uses Rianne Eisler’s language of domination and partnership cultures or Starhawk’s power-over versus power-with, but that doesn’t matter.)
GLOBAL ECOLOGICAL OVERSHOOT
(2) Why do so many talk about the climate crisis and not global ecological overshoot?
Global ecological overshoot is the overarching situation of which climate change is just one of many expressions.
We are collectively using far more resources than Earth can replenish, and we are creating more waste than it can handle without significant disruptions. Our collective ecological footprint is larger than our planet. The only reason we can do it is because there has been a larger surplus created by Earth over millions of years, but that’s rapidly spent. This is obviously not a situation that can continue.
We see the consequences of this all around us: Very few intact and healthy ecosystems remain, and with it, we have a massive loss of habitat and species. Toxins are everywhere in the air, soil, water, and our bodies. Important ocean currents may shift causing large changes to the climate on the surface. The climate is changing, causing drought, flooding, and more extreme weather in general.
If our global ecological overshoot is such a crucial topic, why do so few talk about it? Why do so many talk about climate change instead? I am honestly not sure. Maybe it seems easier to focus on one of the many issues, and see them in isolation.
The drawback of our attention on climate change instead of overshoot is also obvious: We miss out on a focus on the overarching and far more serious issue.
AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION
(3) Why did he focus on the modern Western culture and not the agricultural revolution?
The more extreme version of domination culture has indeed unfolded over the last few hundred years, at least when it comes to our worldview and its expression in science, technology, and the destruction of our planet.
And yet, the main shift from predominant partnership cultures to domination cultures likely happened with the agricultural revolution.
Before then, we were all indigenous.
With the agricultural revolution, we got people who owned land, animals, and people. They accumulated property and wealth from what had been the commons, while others found themselves on the other end of the spectrum.
All of this needed to be justified, and that’s where the worldviews and assumptions of domination culture come in.
The essential assumptions are the ones mentioned above:
We are separate from the rest of nature. Nature is infinite in its resources and capacity to absorb our waste. Nature‘s resources are primarily for our use. Humans are inherently more valuable than the rest of nature. The sacred is “out there” in the sky, the afterlife, or somewhere else. Only humans have souls. In most polarities, one end is good and valuable and the other less good and less valuable. (For instance, for the European culture: Heaven and earth, man and woman, European and non-European, Christian and non-Christian, etc.) We best understand something by taking it apart to its smallest parts.
And also:
You’ll receive your reward in the afterlife, so don’t rock the boat by trying to make changes now. Non-human species don’t feel or think so we can treat them as we want. Science and technology will save us. You are inherently sinful.
And an almost infinite number of other assumptions, most or all of them familiar to us since we live in this culture and have internalized these assumptions. They are with us whether they match our conscious view or not.
I assume the author focuses on the last 800 years since that’s the modern age, and certain aspects of the domination culture – especially related to science and technology – were amplified during this time.
A FEW MORE WORDS
I thought I would mention a few more things about this:
The remaining indigenous cultures and peoples are a very important correction to the domination culture, especially the Western globalized domination culture.
The violence of domination culture happens within all of us who have internalized it. We are violent towards ourselves 24/7. We have parts of us telling us that our natural impulses are wrong or bad, that we should be ashamed, that we are not good enough, that we need a savior “out there”, and so on. We don’t know how to consistently relate to our experiences with kindness and some wisdom. We feel lost and alienated. Most if not nearly all mental and emotional problems people in modern cultures live with come from – is rooted in or relates to – domination culture.
As I see it, a sane path forward is to (a) acknowledge global ecological overshoot and the profound transformation needed to create a more ecologically sound civilization, (b) recognize the difference between domination and partnership cultures and the role of domination culture in our ecological crisis, and (c) developing a civilization and culture that takes the best from past domination and partnership cultures, is ecologically sound, and where what’s easy and attractive to do is also what supports this living social and ecological system we are part of.
In this way, we can find a conscious and deep partnership with the living systems we are part of. We can be a conscious part of the creativity and evolution of this system.
It’s very much possible. We know how to do it, or at least enough to get a good start. At the same time, it seems unlikely that we’ll find the collective will to do it anytime soon. So it’s something we each can implement in our own lives and in formal and informal groups locally, regionally, and globally.
We don’t know how much it will change the world, but we know it will change our world and the world of the many beings who will benefit from it.
As I see it, regeneration of ecosystems is an essential and central part of this process. We can do this in our gardens, parks, local forests, and so on. Farmers can shift towards building soil health, polycultures, organic methods (Integrated Pest Management), natives, and perennials. Forest owners can diversify their forest to include more native species (to support insects, birds, and other birdlife) and more food producing perennials, and in the process also diversify their income. Individually and collectively, we can buy and regenerate land that’s degraded. Governments can regenerate public lands, land we all own together. Ocean ecosystems also need to be regenerated, and we need to develop approaches and knowledge of how to best go about this.
MORE INFO
I asked ChatGPT 4o for input on these topics, with a prompt for a systems view orientation. See below.
Domination and Partnership Cultures: A Systems View
The interplay between domination and partnership cultures is not a binary, but a spectrum embedded within the human experience. From a systemic perspective, domination and partnership are strategies that emerged in response to the conditions and challenges of their times. Both serve essential roles in the evolution of human societies, offering insights into the interplay of control and collaboration, separation and connection.
Domination cultures arose as humanity transitioned from small, intimate communities to larger, more complex civilizations. Hierarchies, specialization, and control mechanisms helped coordinate resources and manage larger populations. Yet, the unintended consequences—violence toward self, others, and nature—have left a deep imprint on our collective psyche and ecosystems.
Partnership cultures, on the other hand, reflect an organic alignment with natural systems. They prioritize relationality, mutual support, and sustainable living. These cultures—seen in indigenous societies and emerging global movements—offer wisdom for addressing the crises of our time. Importantly, domination and partnership are not mutually exclusive; modern societies contain elements of both, and understanding their interplay allows us to consciously choose which dynamics to amplify.
The Agricultural Revolution: The Turning Point
The agricultural revolution was a pivotal shift in humanity’s relationship with the Earth and each other. It marked the transition from predominantly partnership-based, nomadic societies to domination-oriented, sedentary civilizations. The domestication of land, animals, and people introduced profound changes:
- Resource control concentrated wealth and power in the hands of a few, leading to systemic inequality.
- Cultural narratives emerged to justify this shift, including the separation of humans from nature and the sanctification of hierarchical structures.
This shift can be understood as a necessary phase in humanity’s evolution. The agricultural revolution catalyzed innovation, cultural complexity, and technological advancements. Yet, it also entrenched patterns of extraction, control, and disconnection that we are now challenged to transcend. The task today is not to regress to pre-agrarian systems but to integrate their wisdom—holistic, cyclical, and relational—into a new paradigm that meets our current needs.
Modern Western Culture: The Renaissance as a Double-Edged Sword
The Renaissance heralded a reawakening of human potential, emphasizing reason, individualism, and creativity. This period laid the groundwork for the scientific and industrial revolutions, reshaping human societies and our relationship with the Earth. Modern Western culture has contributed immeasurably to art, science, and technology, yet it carries forward the shadow of domination culture in subtle and overt ways.
The Renaissance’s emphasis on separation—mind from body, humans from nature, the sacred from the mundane—has fueled ecological and social crises. The mechanistic worldview, while powerful in enabling scientific discovery, has often reduced living systems to mere resources. At the same time, modernity’s focus on individual freedom and inquiry has sown the seeds of partnership-oriented movements, including ecological restoration, human rights, and systems thinking.
The challenge is to integrate the gifts of modernity—science, technology, and individual empowerment—into a framework that transcends domination. This requires shifting from a paradigm of extraction to regeneration, from control to partnership, and from linear thinking to systemic and cyclical understanding.
Violence Toward Self, Others, and Nature
The violence inherent in domination culture is not merely external; it is internalized within individuals and perpetuated through cultural narratives. This manifests as self-criticism, alienation, and a lack of alignment with our deeper nature. When we view ourselves as separate from the Earth, we justify behaviors that harm ecosystems, communities, and even our inner worlds.
This violence can be understood as a misalignment rather than an inherent flaw. Healing requires reintegrating the fragmented parts of ourselves, recognizing the interconnectedness of all life, and embracing practices that foster wholeness. As we address the violence within, we naturally extend compassion outward—to other beings, societies, and the Earth.
A Path Forward: Integration and Regeneration
Moving forward invites us to transcend either/or dichotomies and embrace a both/and perspective. Domination and partnership cultures, the agricultural revolution, and modernity are not to be judged solely as “good” or “bad”. They are expressions of humanity’s evolving relationship with itself and the larger systems it inhabits.
To move forward:
- Embrace Systems Thinking: Recognize the interconnectedness of ecological, social, and psychological systems. Solutions must address root causes, not just symptoms.
- Foster Regeneration: Shift from extractive models to regenerative practices in all areas—agriculture, economy, governance, and culture.
- Integrate Wisdom: Draw on the insights of partnership cultures and indigenous knowledge while incorporating the tools of modernity.
- Cultivate Inner Transformation: Address the internalized domination patterns within individuals through practices like mindfulness, self-compassion, and relational healing.
- Build a New Narrative: Develop cultural stories that honor our interdependence, celebrate diversity, and align with the principles of living systems.
Toward a Holistic Culture
The crises we face today—climate change, ecological overshoot, social inequality—are not isolated problems but symptoms of deeper systemic imbalances. By integrating the gifts and lessons of domination and partnership cultures, the agricultural and industrial revolutions, and modern Western innovations, we can co-create a culture that is both deeply rooted in Earth’s wisdom and expansive enough to embrace the complexity of the 21st century.
This new paradigm is not about rejecting our past but evolving through it. It is about embracing the wholeness of our journey—acknowledging both the light and the shadow—and consciously co-creating a future that honors life in all its forms.