Review of Jim Igoe. 2017. The nature of spectacle: on images, money, and conserving capitalism. University of Arizona Press.

Alec Foster

doi:10.2458/v26i1.23606

Abstract

Review of Jim Igoe. 2017. The nature of spectacle: on images, money, and conserving capitalism. University of Arizona Press.

Highlights

The nature of spectacle is a captivating book that expands our understanding of the relationships between imaginaries of nature, conservation strategies, and circuits of global capital
Noteworthy is the role of Austrian conservationist Bernhard Grzimek, who, in 1960 called on viewers of his popular TV show, A place for wild animals to purchase Serengeti safaris, even though they did not exist at that time
Wildlife tourism is seen as a source of revenue that can incentivize people to move away from livelihoods based off the land, where conflicts exist with elephants and other charismatic megafauna

Summary

Introduction

The nature of spectacle is a captivating book that expands our understanding of the relationships between imaginaries of nature, conservation strategies, and circuits of global capital. X)." Igoe argues that modernist conservation is not possible without this spectacular nature, without fantastic narratives about nature that are driven by the power of these images that seem like reality itself, but, in truth, conjure desired realities into being by making them appear to have always already been achieved.

Results

Conclusion