In "Ecology without Nature", Timothy Morton argues that the chief stumbling block to environmental thinking is the image of nature itself. Ecological writers propose a new worldview, but their very zeal to preserve the natural world leads them away from the 'nature' they revere. The problem is a symptom of the ecological catastrophe in which we are living. Morton sets out a seeming paradox: to have a properly ecological view, we must relinquish the idea of nature once and for all. "Ecology without Nature" investigates our ecological assumptions in a way that is provocative and deeply engaging. Ranging widely in eighteenth-century through contemporary philosophy, culture, and history, he explores the value of art in imagining environmental projects for the future. Morton develops a fresh vocabulary for reading 'environmentality' in artistic form as well as content, and traces the contexts of ecological constructs through the history of capitalism. From John Clare to John Cage, from Kierkegaard to Kristeva, from "The Lord of the Rings" to electronic life forms, "Ecology without Nature" widens our view of ecological criticism, and deepens our understanding of ecology itself. Instead of trying to use an idea of nature to heal what society has damaged, Morton sets out a radical new form of ecological criticism: 'dark ecology'.

Thought for the day? All humanists should immediately receive remedial math and science lessons. All scientists should start defending the humanities.

Doings in the present? Working with many artists and writing a book for Penguin.

Where? Rice University.

Born? London, UK, 1968.

Educated? Oxford.

Jobs? Oxford, Princeton, New York University, University of Colorado at Boulder, UC Davis, Rice.

Misspent youth? Spectrum, Love, Land of Oz, Rage, Earth, Sound Factory (them were the days).

This involved music? Senser, psychedelic dance metal heads.

What other music have I done without regret? Experimental noise improvisation with my Argentinian friend Miguel Galperin; playing with Mike Snyder in my band Rubyliquid. All I have left is Logic...

Enjoy it when: people like my purple house.