25 x 17 cm, 42 pages, softcover, self-published (Melbourne). ISBN: 9780646803784.

Ren Gregorčič and Jessye Wdowin-McGregor, created in collaboration with graphic designer Kim Mumm Hansen.

nature, post-nature

The post-natural refers to a state that blurs the boundary between the biological and the technological. It arises from the increasing integration of technology into every aspect of our lives, including the manipulation and modification of biological organisms. This has led to the creation of entirely new forms of life that exist beyond the bounds of nature as we traditionally understand it. The post-natural raises profound philosophical questions about the nature of life, identity, and what it means to be human. It challenges traditional notions of naturalness and authenticity, and it forces us to reconsider our relationship with the world around us.

Critics of the concept of the post-natural argue that it is a flawed and problematic concept. They claim that it relies on a narrow and outdated understanding of nature, one that is rooted in a romanticized and idealized view of the natural world. They argue that nature has always been shaped by human intervention and that there is no clear line between the natural and the artificial.

Other critics claim that the concept of the post-natural reinforces a dangerous dualism that separates humans from the natural world. They argue that it promotes a view of nature as something that is separate from us, something that we can manipulate and control for our own ends. This, they claim, is a dangerous and destructive view of the world that leads to environmental degradation and the exploitation of natural resources.

Despite these criticisms, the concept of the post-natural remains an important and provocative one. It challenges us to think deeply about our relationship with the world around us and the role that technology plays in shaping our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. Ultimately, whether we embrace or reject the concept of the post-natural, it has the power to push us towards a more thoughtful and nuanced understanding of the complex and interconnected systems that make up our world.