TIL: ELI5

ELI5: Navigating the Enigma of Hyperobjects


Listen Later

Welcome to today's voyage into the enigmatic world of concepts that bend the very edges of our understanding. Today, we're unraveling a term that sounds like it's been plucked from the pages of a sci-fi novel: Hyperobjects. This term may not be part of our everyday vocabulary, but it's a game-changer in understanding some of the colossal, complex issues facing our planet today.

So, what exactly are hyperobjects? Imagine something so vastly distributed in time and space that it surpasses local geography, and even our current notions of time. Hyperobjects are not objects that you can hold in your hand or see in one glance; they are so massive that they defy our usual understanding of scale and time. They encompass things like climate change, nuclear materials, and even the internet - entities that are so large and so threaded throughout our existence that they seem almost impossible to fully comprehend.
One of the earliest and most notable thinkers to introduce us to this concept was philosopher Timothy Morton. Morton wanted to challenge how we think about the environment and global warming, urging us to confront the reality that these are not issues confined to a specific place or moment in time. Instead, they are vast, sprawling phenomena that touch every aspect of our lives, persisting over generations and stretching across the Earth.
Why does this matter? For starters, understanding hyperobjects can significantly alter how we respond to global challenges. It helps us grasp that actions taken in one part of the world can ripple through the fabric of these immense phenomena, affecting people and places far beyond our immediate reach. It cradles the idea that everything is interconnected, pushing us towards more collective, global responses to issues like climate change.
But hyperobjects are not just about doom and gloom. They also expand our imagination, offering new lenses through which we can view our place in the universe. Knowing that we are part of these colossal entities can be humbling and exhilarating. It nudges us towards adopting a more holistic view of our planet, pulling us out of our anthropocentric viewpoint to consider the Earth in its entirety.
In essence, hyperobjects force us to rethink our relationship with the world. They are entities that we are intertwined with, yet they are so vast that they challenge our ability to fully understand or control them. This doesn't mean we're powerless; rather, it highlights the importance of global collaboration and innovation in addressing the monumental challenges they represent.
So, as we wrap up today's journey, let's take with us a greater appreciation for the complexity and beauty of our world. Hyperobjects remind us that we're part of something much larger than ourselves, inspiring awe and a renewed commitment to care for our planet. Whether it's changing a single habit or advocating for global policy changes, we're all capable of contributing to the narrative of change, wrapped in the vast tapestry of hyperobjects.
Thank you for joining us on this exploration into the mysterious and captivating realm of hyperobjects. Until next time, keep looking beyond the horizon, for it's there that the future unfolds.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

TIL: ELI5By TIL