Description
How can we comprehend, let alone act in response to, the crises of the Anthropocene? This article makes a theoretical contribution to International Relations by drawing upon recent work in cultural geography to considering the Anthropocene through the lens of affective atmospheres, and in particular how a sense of futility about current crises is brought into being through popular culture. The central claim of the article is that addressing how the Anthropocene is rendered meaningful, and felt, through our engagements with popular culture is critical for understanding our failure to comprehensively and effectively address the associated crises of climate change, conflict, capitalism, and covid-19. I examine the affective atmospheres of the Anthropocene through an engagement with Bo Burnham’s song ‘That Funny Feeling’ from the Netflix comedy special Inside, and I argue it not only draws attention to the importance of affect in shaping a sense of futility about the crises of the Anthropocene, but also serves to resist that same sensibility. I then explore how an affective atmosphere of the Anthropocene – or what Bo Burnham refers to as ‘That Funny Feeling’ - is felt by members of the public by exploring social media comments made in response to the song. In doing so I reflect on the global politics of the Anthropocene and suggest how a sense of futility in the face of crises can be challenged and overcome.
