Between Petro-Magic and the Pedestrian - Rethinking Energy Transitions

Explore the concept of "petro-magic" and its impact on the fossil-fueled imaginary in this thought-provoking lecture by Jennifer Wenzel from Columbia University. Delve into the impasse created by the fairy-tale promises of wealth without work and the failure to reckon with the transition from muscular to mineral energy. Examine how petro-magic is disenchanted when the make-believe world of the fossil fuel economy is normalized. Consider the role of "the pedestrian" as both a symbol of ordinary inertia and an alternative embodied politics of walking. Reflect on whether small steps can chip away at the current environmental impasse. This talk, part of the Environment Forum at the Mahindra Center, is moderated by Sarah Dimick from Harvard University and offers a unique perspective on the intersection of literature, energy, and environmental studies.

Jennifer Wenzel: Between Petro-Magic and the Pedestrian