Adele E. Clarke

In 2016 the feminist theorist Donna Haraway was the subject of some controversy when she argued that, in the face of planetary environmental collapse, humans should "make kin, not babies". Seen at the time by some as complicit with problematical rhetoric around overpopulation and leading to some fiery exchanges in the letters section of the LRB, Haraway came under fire from many who she might have thought were allies (and not without due cause). This book of essays has emerged in response, looking to create a dialogue around the fraught subject and providing a space for different positions to make their case both for and against using population as a metric. It consists of six essays (including an introduction) that tackle a wide range of subjects in relation to population, including black lives matter, East Asian reproductive rights and American indigenous familial structures. The essays come from a wide range of feminist voices such as Ruha Benjamin, Kim Tall Bear, Michelle Murphy and others, as well as a new chapter from Haraway, where she develops and defends her position. Fairly short and lacking endnotes, this collection nonetheless feels really timely and urgent.… (mehr)

I am conducting situational analysis for my dissertation. Situational analysis is methodology steeped in postmodern theory making the book a dense read. Clarke, however, admits the book is dense answering some of these criticisms as part of the conclusion. I offer the former as a warning because the theoretical underpinnings makes for some dry reading for anyone besides geeks. Yet, all I can say is I am grateful to be a geek because I found the writing insightful, instructive, and liberating while somewhat exciting at times. The fact that I have now read the book means (a) I have no more excuses not to jump into my research (trust me, I've been finding many excuses), (b) I am beginning to feel motivated about what my research has the possibility to produce (thank goddess, because I was getting scared I had lost all interest in my topic), and (c) I realize because I have been studying my topic for quite some time I am not as lost as I thought I was (thank you, Dr. Clarke!).… (mehr)