693. Jem Bendell

Professor Jem Bendell is a world-renowned scholar on the breakdown of modern societies due to environmental change. Downloaded over a million times, his Deep Adaptation paper is credited with inspiring the growth of the Extinction Rebellion movement in 2018, and created a global network of to reduce harm in the face of societal collapse. He completed his PhD at the University of Bristol and his Geography BA (Hons) at the University of Cambridge. For decades he worked on Sustainable Development as a researcher and NGO manager, as well as a consultant to businesses, political parties and UN agencies. One of his specialisms since 2011 is pro-social currency innovation, with his TEDx from that year explaining reasons for Bitcoin and similar. In 2017, he co-led the development of the UK Labour Party’s communications plan for the General Election and co-wrote speeches for their top politicians. Although recognised in 2012 as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, Jem has been increasingly critical of the globalist agenda on sustainable development. Away from that work, he is partner in an organic farm school in Bali (bekandze.net) and supports meditation retreats at the main Buddhist Temple on the island.

Website: jembendell.com

Books:

Breaking Together: A Freedom-Loving Response to Collapse
Deep Adaptation: Navigating the Realities of Climate Chaos
Evolving Partnerships: A Guide to Working with Business for Greater Social Change
Healing Capitalism: Five Years in the Life of Business, Finance and Corporate Responsibility 
The Corporate Responsibility Movement: Five Years of Global Corporate Responsibility Analysis from Lifeworth, 2001-2005

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group

Summary and transcript of this interview

Interview recorded October 28, 2023

Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.


YouTube Video Chapters:


00:00:00 - Introduction to Professor Jem Bandel
00:03:58 - Introducing "Breaking Together" and its Hypothesis
00:07:56 - The Shift in Collective Consciousness
00:11:47 - The Importance of the Dark Night of the Soul
00:15:32 - The IPCC's Desire for Consensus
00:19:03 - Siloed Science and the Denial of Climate Change
00:22:44 - A New Form, A New Identity Structure, A New Kind of Safety
00:26:24 - Finding Inner Presence in Times of Chaos
00:30:21 - Faith and the Sense of Time
00:34:18 - The Catastrophic Risks of Climate Change
00:38:04 - Climate Change and Public Dialogue
00:41:35 - Debunking the Study on Free Will
00:45:06 - The Importance of Ocean Health to Climate Change Awareness
00:48:47 - Rejecting Activist Stunts and Embracing Community Preparedness
00:53:20 - Indigenous Environmental Stewardship
00:57:28 - Eternity and the Meaning of Life
01:01:31 - A Vision for Freedom and Connection
01:05:04 - Consciousness and Reincarnation
01:08:40 - Collapse Acceptance and Joy
01:12:30 - The Source of the Theory of Spiritual Awakening
01:15:26 - The Possibility of Human Extinction
01:18:54 - Examining Deep Stories and the Importance of Consciousness
01:22:15 - Collective Consciousness and Spiritual Awakening
01:26:14 - The Scientific Attitude and the Future of Human Society
01:29:14 - Implications and Perspectives
01:32:54 - Love Beyond Hope and Social Engagement as a Gift
01:36:23 - The Cultural Breakthrough of the Beatles
01:38:52 - Feeling Empathy for Others
01:42:51 - Becoming Oceanic in Consciousness
01:46:54 - The Meaning of Life and Personal Values
01:50:05 - Conversation with Jem about his book