Who Would You Kill to Save the World?

Who Would You Kill to Save the World? examines how postapocalyptic cinema uses images from the past and present to depict what it means to preserve the world and who is left out of the narrative of rebuilding society. It redefines "the world" as affluent Western society and "saving the world" as preventing us from becoming the othered them who are viewed in their suffering. It challenges the notion that a world built on foundations of exploitation is worth saving and combines postapocalyptic fiction, concern over the global climate crisis, colonialism, and anti-Blackness to explain how contemporary postapocalypse blockbusters circulate ideas of whiteness and the right of the privileged to rebuild the world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 180 pages
Publication date: 03 October 2023
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

Who Would You Kill to Save the World? delves into the captivating realm of postapocalyptic cinema, exploring how it employs images from both the past and present to depict the profound essence of preserving the world. Claire Colebrook, in her insightful analysis, redefines the concept of "the world" as the affluent Western society, while "saving the world" takes on a transformative meaning: preventing us from becoming the marginalized "them" who are subjected to their suffering.

Colebrook's exploration goes beyond mere definitions, delving into the intricate nuances of postapocalyptic cinema's role as a humanist creation. She questions the very notion that a world built upon foundations of exploitation is worth saving. Through a thoughtful combination of postapocalyptic fiction, deep concerns about the global climate crisis, colonialism, and anti-Blackness, Colebrook unravels the intricate ways in which contemporary postapocalypse blockbusters circulate ideas of whiteness and the privileged right to rebuild the world.

This thought-provoking essay is a valuable addition to the field of extinction studies, offering a fresh perspective that challenges the conceptual frames we rely upon to define ourselves. It encourages us to critically examine the narratives we consume and the societal structures we inhabit, challenging us to envision a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

Weight: 206g
Dimension: 126 x 203 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496234988