Clotheshorse with Amanda Lee McCarty
Episode: Winning the Battle Against Doomerism
Host: Amanda Lee McCarty
Release Date: January 20, 2025
Description: In this episode, Amanda Lee McCarty delves deep into the pervasive sense of despair known as doomerism, sharing her personal battles and offering actionable strategies to cultivate hope and resilience in the face of global challenges.
1. Introduction: Personal Reflections on Political Upheaval ([00:00] - [10:30])
Amanda opens the episode by reflecting on the emotional aftermath of Donald Trump's 2016 presidential victory. She vividly recalls the night in Portland, Oregon, where she worked at Wildfang—a feminist brand that ultimately failed to provide the promised health insurance for its employees.
Notable Quote:
"If you wear clothes, you need to listen to Clotheshorse." —Amanda Lee McCarty ([00:50])
She describes the initial optimism within her workplace for a progressive future, marked by preparations for an election celebration. However, as election results unfolded, the atmosphere shifted from hopeful to despondent, leading to personal distress and confrontations with hostile individuals.
2. The Impact of Policy Changes on Personal Well-being ([10:30] - [20:45])
Amanda discusses the broader implications of political decisions, particularly the attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by the Trump administration. She shares her personal struggles with increased healthcare costs and inadequate coverage, exacerbated by pre-existing conditions like cancer survival and bipolar disorder.
Notable Quote:
"The ACA was like a big game changer. But in 2016, when I took the worst job ever, the ACA was intact and pretty good." —Amanda Lee McCarty ([15:20])
The dismantling of the ACA led to financial strain and heightened anxiety, especially as her daughter faced serious health issues. Amanda emphasizes the precariousness of relying on employer-provided insurance, highlighting systemic flaws that trap individuals in unfavorable job situations.
3. Understanding Doomerism: Definition and Personal Struggles ([20:45] - [28:30])
Amanda introduces the concept of doomerism—a mindset characterized by pervasive pessimism and fatalism about the future. She explains how this outlook can lead to overconsumption as a coping mechanism and shares her own battles with anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.
Notable Quote:
"This mindset of despair, of apathy, of not believing that things can change and be better, just like fully discounting any possibility of progress, that is the definition of doomerism." —Amanda Lee McCarty ([25:10])
Despite experiencing profound sadness and anger, Amanda maintains that she never felt entirely doomed. She identifies herself as a "pragmatic optimist," balancing hope with realism, and underscores the importance of maintaining faith in collective human potential.
4. A Quest for Hope: The 2025 Road Trip ([28:30] - [33:47])
To counteract her feelings of despair, Amanda embarks on a road trip with her partner, Dustin Travis White, aiming to visit places that inspire optimism about humanity's capacity to address climate change and other global issues. Throughout the journey, they explore several significant locations:
a. Montezuma Castle National Monument ([30:10] - [31:15])
Amanda describes Montezuma Castle as a testament to human ingenuity, built into limestone cliffs in 1050 AD to protect against flooding. The enduring structure symbolizes humanity's ability to innovate and solve complex problems with limited resources.
Notable Quote:
"It just shows how humans can innovate and create. And we live in a time where we have access to better tools, things that make stuff easier." —Amanda Lee McCarty ([30:35])
b. Arcosanti ([31:15] - [32:30])
Arcosanti, an experimental town in Arizona, embodies the principles of arcology—integrating architecture with ecology to create sustainable, densely populated communities. Though incomplete due to funding issues, Arcosanti remains a beacon of collaborative effort towards environmentally responsible urban planning.
Notable Quote:
"It's an incredible example of what humans can accomplish by working together." —Amanda Lee McCarty ([31:50])
c. Biosphere 2 ([32:30] - [33:47])
Biosphere 2 serves as a microcosm of Earth's ecosystems and a research hub for studying climate change and biodiversity. Amanda emphasizes the project's significance in demonstrating the necessity of substantial financial investment for large-scale environmental solutions.
Notable Quote:
"Fixing climate change, I mean, it's going to involve all kinds of things... but really the biggest change, the biggest tools for solving climate change are going to require a lot of money to create." —Amanda Lee McCarty ([33:00])
5. Strategies to Combat Doomerism and Foster Optimism ([28:30] - [33:47])
Drawing from her experiences, Amanda outlines practical steps to overcome doomerism:
- Setting Boundaries: Learning to say no to preserve personal time and mental health.
- Curating Information: Intentionally selecting positive and factual news sources while avoiding misinformation and negativity.
- Engaging with Community: Building and participating in supportive communities, both online and offline.
- Celebrating Joy: Allowing oneself moments of happiness and relaxation to recharge.
- Education and Advocacy: Continuously learning and advocating for sustainable and ethical practices.
Notable Quote:
"You deserve that [time to live your life]." —Amanda Lee McCarty ([33:30])
Amanda stresses the importance of individual actions complemented by collective efforts to drive meaningful change, reinforcing the idea that hope and action go hand in hand in combating societal despair.
6. Conclusion: Maintaining Hope and Promoting Positive Change ([33:47] - [33:47])
As the episode concludes, Amanda reiterates her commitment to fighting doomerism through proactive engagement and fostering a community anchored in optimism and realistic action. She encourages listeners to implement the strategies discussed and to contribute to a collective movement towards a better future.
Notable Quote:
"We need to think, how do we collectively work together, make our voices heard to force the people with the real money here into funding the future of our planet?" —Amanda Lee McCarty ([33:40])
Final Thoughts
In Winning the Battle Against Doomerism, Amanda Lee McCarty offers a candid and introspective exploration of personal and societal challenges posed by political upheaval and climate anxiety. Through her narrative, she not only shares her struggles but also empowers listeners with actionable strategies to cultivate hope and resilience. Amanda's blend of personal anecdotes and pragmatic advice serves as a compelling guide for anyone grappling with feelings of despair in uncertain times.