While photorealistic in its execution, “The Last Generation” evokes the fantastical and allegorical elements reminiscent of Hieronymus Bosch’s surreal depictions of humanity’s moral and existential struggles. Bosch’s work, known for its vivid, chaotic scenes of human folly and divine retribution, offers a fitting parallel to the themes of modern-day crises.

The increasing frequency of floods and other climate-related disasters, while undeniably catastrophic, taps into much deeper layers. Floods are archetypal symbols found across many of humanity’s oldest narratives, from the Epic of Gilgamesh to the Bible’s Great Flood. These stories often serve as moral parables, warning against the dangers of hubris, decadence, and humanity’s fragile relationship with nature.

Interestingly, the metaphor of “flood” is deployed across the political spectrum. On the left, the focus is on the scientific reality of climate change on the one hand. This discourse also expands to include metaphorical floods, such as the rise of right-wing populism and its often incendiary rhetoric. Conversely, on the right, the term “flood” is frequently used to describe an influx of migrants, often framed as a threat to cultural and economic stability. It is also invoked metaphorically to depict the growing influence of progressive ideologies, which are perceived as overwhelming traditional values and social norms. Both uses of the term convey a sense of existential inundation—of being overwhelmed by forces beyond control, be they natural or social.

Apocalyptic reasoning appears across the political spectrum. Environmentalists’ warnings about ecological collapse, while grounded in scientific evidence, mirror the right-wing narratives of societal and economic collapse. Each side tends to view the other as the harbinger of chaos and disorder, feeding into a mutually reinforcing cycle of fear and blame. This dynamic became particularly pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic, as both sides escalated their rhetoric, with each accusing the other of paving the way for authoritarianism or disaster.

Through my personal experience, I have observed a striking similarity between groups that identify as rationalists and those who might be dismissed as “crazies.” Both often inhabit the same emotional landscape of fear and anger, driven by a perception that the world is teetering on the edge of collapse. This realization led me to a biographical decision to step away from these polarizing emotions, seeking instead to cultivate an energy field driven by hope, joy, and humor—a conscious rejection of the binary logic that so often underpins apocalyptic thinking.

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