
NCE 02.08: The politics of withdrawal
FEBRUARY 2ND, 2026

Are dark forests just retreat?
Adam Curtis documented how 1970s communes and EST taught people to pursue happiness within themselves rather than pursuing a better society. Are dark forests the same trap?
James C. Scott’s work on the “hidden transcript” offers a different frame. Private spaces aren’t just where people hide, they’re where shared understanding forms, where you say what can’t be said publicly.
Is dark foresting irresponsible or the product of our times? Listen in as we explore.









