56 pages 1 hour read

Rob Nixon

Slow Violence and the Environmentalism of the Poor

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2011

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Essay Topics

1.

Pick one real-world example of an environmental catastrophe from the last 10 years that embodies slow violence. Discuss the catastrophe, including whether certain groups were differently impacted and how the dominant power (e.g., corporation, government, NGO) responded to the event. What are the challenges in visually representing this event, particularly the consequences it will have on humans and the environment through time? How would you go about building public awareness of it? 

2.

Do you think people will be able to rethink their view of violence? What are the potential consequences of maintaining the status quo of current thinking? How would Nixon respond to your argument?

3.

What are the different types of representational power described in the book? Are there any that you consider especially concerning? Why?