• Login
    View Item 
    •   Home
    • Graduate Theses, Dissertations and Projects
    • Queen's Graduate Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   Home
    • Graduate Theses, Dissertations and Projects
    • Queen's Graduate Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    'It is I Who Am Transforming': Mining, Capitalism, and the Conscious Earth

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Dissertation (5.572Mb)
    Author
    Westland, Robin
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    This dissertation is guided by one underlying research question: How does one transform an environmentally destructive society? The society in question is that of the capitalist Western world. I begin with a hypothesis: the inherent destruction of the West is rooted in perceived human-Earth disconnection; thus, the path to sustainable Earth relationships may lie in re-perceiving connection. I limit my focus to the mining industry and the rocks and minerals it commodifies. Three stages of research are undertaken. First, I explore the ontology of the West through interdisciplinary circle-talks focused on the nature of rocks and minerals (NRM). Second, I relay findings of interviews conducted with senior mining executives about their relationships with the natural world and their views on the sustainability of capitalist modernity. Finally, I propose Earth gratitude as a doorway to Earth re-connection. I explored this potentiality in the course of my research by creating an Earth Gratitude Booth (EGB) which I hosted at the 2019 Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum convention. For all three stages of research, an ecopsychological ontology, an ontology of Earth-connection, has been incorporated.

    This research initiates and unearths new and vital conversations. The NRM discussions disclose complex ontological relationships with the rock world; I suggest that the Western discourse of an objectified Earth does not well reflect the diverse ontologies of Western individuals. In the mining interviews, I encountered individuals with varying degrees of conscious Earth relationship. When asked about capitalism, not a single participant believed the system to be sustainable; indeed, many recognize the toxicity of capitalism and articulate an urgent need to change that system. Finally, the EGB highlights the challenge of ontological transformation. Some convention goers are antagonized by the EGB, and the dichotomies of male-female, mind-body, self-other are stark. However, most engagement facilitated by hosting the booth proved hopeful. I conclude that Earth gratitude may serve as a promising portal to re-perceived human-Earth connection.
    URI for this record
    http://hdl.handle.net/1974/28085
    Collections
    • Department of Geography and Planning Graduate Theses
    • Queen's Graduate Theses and Dissertations
    Request an alternative format
    If you require this document in an alternate, accessible format, please contact the Queen's Adaptive Technology Centre

    DSpace software copyright © 2002-2015  DuraSpace
    Contact Us
    Theme by 
    Atmire NV
     

     

    Browse

    All of QSpaceCommunities & CollectionsPublished DatesAuthorsTitlesSubjectsTypesThis CollectionPublished DatesAuthorsTitlesSubjectsTypes

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage StatisticsView Google Analytics Statistics

    DSpace software copyright © 2002-2015  DuraSpace
    Contact Us
    Theme by 
    Atmire NV