In 2009, ecologist John Waldman wrote that global weirding ‘describes the consequences of the rise in average global temperatures, which are expected to amplify the abnormal: hotter heat spells, longer and sharper droughts, more violent storms, and more intense flooding.’ Yet, this weirdness not only manifests in the unpredictability and unstability of the Earth’s ecosystems, but also travels to our societies, social structures and psyches. 

This reading circle, organised in collaboration with Mario Veen and Future Based, explores the philosophy of time as a therapy for climate madness and global weirding. Building further on the concept of ‘timefulness’, as coined by Marcia Bjornerud, the reading circle reaches out to various disciplines ranging from media studies to biochemistry, to pedagogy to the rule of law, in order to explore how changing our perception of time could help us navigate the climate crisis. 

The reading circle is part of an ongoing project by Mario Veen, in which he reads and reviews a book each month related to climate madness and timefulness on Future Based: an interdisciplinary philosophy platform. During the sessions, participants will discuss selected excerpts from several books. It is not mandatory to have read these books, yet we do encourage you to read the reviews of these books by Mario Veen, which are listed below.

AGENDA

SESSION 1: On Geological Timescales (6 April)
The first session revolves around the relationship between the awareness of geological timescales in the context of the climate crisis and the feelings that thinking about time evokes. Excerpts for this session will come from Sad Planets by Dominic Pettman & Eugene Thacker and Turning To Stone by Marcia Bjornerud. 

SESSION 2: On Timefulness (4 May)
The second session delves into timefulness, analysing it from the perspective of the philosophy of time and the perspective of the relationship between generations. The excerpts that will be discussed are taken from Herald Of A Restless World by Emily Herring and Pedagogies of Collapse by Ginie Servant-Miklos.

SESSION 3: On Rights Of Nature (8 June)
The third session focuses on whether the rights of nature and an awareness of biogeochemical cycles can contribute to a more time-literate and more timeful society. The excerpts for this session are taken from Rights of Nature by Jessica den Outer and Elemental by Stephen Porder.

READING MATERIAL
⌀ Reading Against Climate Madness by Mario Veen on Future Based. 
⌀ Sad Planets by Dominic Pettman & Eugene Thacker, read Mario Veen’s review on Future Based here. 
⌀ Turning to Stone by Marcia Bjornerud, read Mario Veen’s review on Future Based here. 
⌀ Herald of a Restless World by Emily Herring, read Mario Veen’s review on Future Based here. 
⌀ Pedagogies of Collapse by Ginie Servant-Miklos, read Mario Veen’s review on Future Based here. 
⌀ Rights of Nature [Rechten voor de Natuur] by Jessica den Outer, read Mario Veen’s review on Future Based here. 
⌀ Elemental by Stephen Porder

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
⌀ Mario Veen is an interdisciplinary philosopher and author. His most recent book is Hoe Plato je uit je grot sleurt, which explores Plato’s allegory of the cave in relation to the climate crisis. He hosts the podcast Life From Plato’s Cave, and gives talks and workshops about growth and development in relation to climate and time.
⌀ Future Based is an interdisciplinary philosophy platform that is not fettered to time and space, where collaborations arise, encounters take place and projects are initiated.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
⌀ Date: Sunday 8 June 2025
⌀ Doors open: 12:30 – 13:00
⌀ Reading circle: 13:00 – 15:00
⌀ Language: English
⌀ Admission: €7,50 (reading circle), €15,00 (reading circle + exhibition)
⌀ Location: RADIUS, Kalverbos 20
⌀ Participants will be sent the excerpts that will be discussed in each session a week in advance.
⌀ Note that the location is not wheelchair accessible. Please get in contact with us to discuss alternative ways to allow your participation.