TANC | The Apocalypse is Not Coming | Transdisciplinary Conference

The apocalypse has been examined across disciplines including religious studies, political science, philosophy, physics, and neuroscience. From its Greek origin, “lifting of the veil,” to its sociological framing as the absence of institutions, its Hollywood representation in films like Mad Max or The Walking Dead, and its eschatological understanding as “the end of the world,” apocalyptic imaginaries have become central to how contemporary societies interpret ecological, technological, and geopolitical crises. These imaginaries shape perceptions of fear, collapse, and inevitability, influencing both thought and action, as well as the effectiveness of certain political and demographic discourses that, rather than describing the present, construct fear-laden, anxiety-ridden, and fatalistic future scenarios.

Yet, the apocalypse is not a predetermined fate but a social construction of collective fears, mediated by cultural, political, and technological dispositifs. It operates as both a self-fulfilling prophecy and a foundational myth, interpreted metaphorically by some and literally by others. Importantly, apocalyptic imaginaries have tangible and material effects, as they often normalize social hierarchies and draw boundaries over who is left behind and who is deemed worthy of protection in the end-to-come.

This conference, think-TANC, positions itself as a space for critical analysis and collective exploration. Over four days of panels, workshops, artistic interventions, and collaborative debate, it will bring together researchers, activists, educators, and spiritual practitioners to explore four core strategies: decentering for regeneration, cultivating ontological awareness, reclaiming planetary purpose, and engaging in regenerative action.

Through dialogue across disciplines – from ecofeminist and antiracist movements to participatory AI, from artistic practices to collective healing approaches – the event seeks to challenge end-of-times ideologies and open pathways toward regenerative futures grounded in research, critical engagement, and shared action.