Historically apocalyptic thinking has come out of a sense of oppression or loss. It appeals to the downtrodden or those who are seeing their power fade because it has a sense of ultimate vengeance and natural justice that looks impossible through their own action. In classical times it was a strong narrative in Judaism during the time when they were being slaughtered by the Greeks. Equally Christianity embraced it during the persecution by the Roman Empire, once Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire apocalyptic thinking was discouraged by the now establishment christian leadership. More recently it has been embraced by conservative during the Enlightenment and after the earth shattering French Revolution. And now by the Left as it retreats from it’s many 20thC adventures. It’s an intellectual cul-de-sac, but that doesn’t mean it can’t take us all down with it while it remains mainstream. It should be resisted with a little bit of humanism.
I’m curious whether people think the present apocalypse is different because it’s backed -up by satellite observations and the laws of physics? I can’t see it myself.
