taz.de
Proxi": Post-Climate Hamburg and the Persistence of Life
Aiki Mira's "Proxi" depicts a future where Hamburg is submerged, replaced by Europolis bordering the remnants of the North Sea; despite a ravaged environment, human, machine, and animal life coexists, highlighting social inequalities.
- What are the immediate consequences of the environmental catastrophe depicted in Aiki Mira's "Proxi", and how has this reshaped the landscape and human society?
- In Aiki Mira's "Proxi", Hamburg is submerged, replaced by Europolis, bordering remnants of the vanished North Sea. Life persists amidst a landscape of salinated sand, decaying plants, and neon-colored dying trees, defying dystopian expectations.
- How does Aiki Mira's portrayal of post-climate change society in "Proxi" challenge typical dystopian narratives, and what alternative visions of co-existence are presented?
- Mira's post-climate fiction depicts a world grappling with the consequences of climate change, not as a central theme but an ongoing reality. The novel explores new forms of human-machine-animal co-existence within this altered environment, showcasing potential for survival in a damaged world.
- What commentary does "Proxi" offer on socioeconomic inequalities and their exacerbation by environmental collapse, and what are the long-term implications of these imbalances for the future?
- Proxi" highlights the lasting social inequalities exacerbated by climate change, showing a future where the wealthy thrive in technologically advanced environments while the poor, disproportionately white, inhabit a flooded, impoverished Blank (former Blankenese). This stark contrast illustrates the author's commentary on societal disparities.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the emotional response ("schade") to the fictional loss of Hamburg, potentially overshadowing a critical analysis of the narrative's themes and their broader implications. The focus on Hamburg's destruction and the emotional impact on the reader could unintentionally downplay the serious issues of climate change and social inequality addressed in the book.
Language Bias
The language used is mostly neutral, although phrases like "schmutzigen Wellenschlag" (dirty wave) and descriptions of the slum "Blank" contribute to a somewhat negative portrayal of the post-apocalyptic setting. The choice of words like "Abschaum" (scum) in the dialogue is worth noting but is used within the context of the characters and their environment. The descriptions of the luxurious futuristic city could also be considered loaded, potentially creating an unintended contrast.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the fictional narrative, neglecting a comprehensive discussion of Aiki Mira's actual views on climate change or their potential influence on the story's creation. While the author mentions Aiki Mira's essay "Weil Kollaps die Konstante ist", no direct quotes or deeper analysis of its content are provided, limiting a full understanding of the author's intentions and the potential biases in the framing of the dystopian future.
False Dichotomy
The review presents a somewhat false dichotomy between utopia and dystopia, suggesting that the novel avoids being dystopian simply because life persists. The complexities of a damaged world, even with elements of community and resilience, are not fully explored. The post-apocalyptic setting could be argued as dystopian, even if not entirely bleak.
Gender Bias
The article uses the author's self-identified non-binary status correctly and avoids gendered pronouns. However, a deeper analysis of gender representation within the novel itself is missing. Without examining the portrayal of gender within Aiki Mira's fictional world, a full assessment of gender bias is impossible.
Sustainable Development Goals
The novel depicts a future where Hamburg is submerged, reflecting the consequences of climate change and sea-level rise. The description of a salinated wasteland and the transformation of Hamburg into a flooded area directly illustrates the devastating impact of climate change. The quote "The planet thinks very loudly about its own death" encapsulates the environmental crisis.