Yes, this might sound a bit disruptive, we know. But we got your attention – Good!
The phrase encourages the idea of forming meaningful, inclusive relationships („kin“). It invites all of us to shift from individualistic consumption to building meaningful relationships — with people, places, and nature. By fostering a sense of kinship with local communities and ecosystems, visitors and residents can contribute positively rather than overburdening the environment.
The phrase also refers to the idea of prioritizing relationship-building, community, and sustainability over biological reproduction, particularly in the context of addressing global challenges like overpopulation, climate change, and resource consumption.
Kin-making suggests that we can expand our sense of family to include others in our shared responsibility for the planet.
But – we also really do like babies...
„Making kin, not enemies“ originates from the work of Donna Haraway, a prominent feminist scholar and theorist, particularly from her book Staying with the Trouble: Making Kin in the Chthulucene (2016). Haraway uses the phrase as part of her argument for rethinking humanity’s relationship with the planet, other species, and our social and ecological systems in the context of the Anthropocene—a time defined by human impact on Earth.
Haraway’s work invites a shift in thinking, urging humanity to co-create a sustainable future through collective action and care, rather than solely focusing on reproduction and individual legacies.