Rebecca Solnit On Why the Future Isn’t as Dark as It Looks

Episode 353 The world might feel dark right now, but life is actually getting better, rapidly. From the rise of feminism and antiracism to environmental movements and shifting understandings of gender, the Western world looks nothing like it did 75 years ago. Yet despite so many historic victories for rights and ideas in recent times, it often feels like we’re living in dark times - with progress that’s stalling or going backwards. In her new book, The Beginning Comes After the End: Notes on a World of Change, writer and activist Rebecca Solnit explores how for decades social movements reshaped the world in ways we often fail to notice. Solnit argues that we are witnessing nothing less than the slow dismantling of an old worldview. And it’s time we pay attention. Rowan Hooper speaks to Solnit about the power of a good story, our growing understanding of the interconnectedness of nature and humanity - and why recognising progress may be essential to shaping the future. To read more about these stories, visit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can listen to Rebecca Solnit On Why the Future Isn’t as Dark as It Looks online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Rebecca Solnit On Why the Future Isn’t as Dark as It Looks is an episode from New Scientist Weekly by New Scientist.

This episode is 51:06 long.

This episode was published on Mar 21, 2026.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from New Scientist Weekly when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.