Stay Cool: Why Dark Comedy Matters in the Fight Against Climate Change

Aaron Sachs contends that gallows humor, a mainstay of African Americans and Jews facing oppression, can cultivate endurance, persistence, and solidarity in the face of calamity. He surveys the macabre tradition of laughing during great suffering and offers suggestions for how environmentalists can use dark comedy to boost their own morale and reframe their activism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 04 April 2023
Publisher: New York University Press

We've all seen the alarming headlines: rising oceans, historic heat waves, mass extinctions, and climate refugees. The overwhelming feeling of hopelessness can make us feel powerless in combating this ongoing global catastrophe. How can we mobilize to save the world when we're feeling so depressed?

Stay Cool encourages us to find laughter as a way forward. Throughout history, human beings have used comedy to cope with challenging realities, and the darker the news, the more profound the humor. In his book, Aaron Sachs makes the compelling case that gallows humor, a tradition deeply rooted in African Americans and Jews facing extraordinary oppression, can cultivate resilience, persistence, and solidarity in the face of calamity.

Sachs takes us on a journey through the macabre tradition of laughing during great suffering, from the Black Plague to the devastating San Francisco earthquake of 1906. He presents some of the earliest examples of exceptional dark comedy, showcasing the power of humor to provide solace and perspective in times of hardship.

Furthermore, Sachs explores how a new generation of activists and comedians is harnessing the power of dark humor to drive meaningful change. He highlights how they are using humor to challenge the apathy of older generations towards climate catastrophes, criticize oil corporations' "eco" rebranding efforts, and even produce an off-Broadway dystopian comedy titled "Sea Level Rise." Sachs offers practical suggestions for environmentalists to leverage dark comedy to boost their morale and reframe their activism in more engaging and relatable ways.

While comedy alone cannot save the world, it can certainly put people in a decent enough mood to initiate a rescue mission. Stay Cool offers a refreshing perspective on environmentalism, challenging the notion that it is the least funny social movement. By embracing the power of humor, we can inspire and empower individuals to take action and contribute to the collective effort to address the pressing challenges of climate change.

Dimension: 210 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479819393