Abstract
Slow violence, or the gradual ecological devastation that goes unnoticed, is not always discernible to our perceptions. It is the indifference toward environmental degradation and the suffering experienced by marginalized communities that contributes to the phenomenon of slow violence becoming “out of sight.” In its refusal to take responsibility, this type of indifference fails to acknowledge or realize the unequal social structures and systems that have become accepted as “natural” or commonplace. Drawing on the perspective of the Frankfurt school, this article argues that Chen Qiufan's 陳楸帆 (1981–) Huangchao 荒潮 (Waste Tide) serves as an exceptional ecological narrative within Chinese science fiction, shedding light on how indifference leads to the invisibility of environmental degradation and the struggles of marginalized groups. Moreover, it reveals that the perceived “natural” and unequal systems are the root causes behind such irresponsible behavior, serving as a symptom of alienation. Through an analysis of Waste Tide, this article examines the relationship between environmental injustice and indifference, demonstrating that waste, as evidence of environmental injustice, is a social problem inherent in capitalism. Furthermore, this article adopts a global perspective by exploring the manifestations of indifference serving as alienation presented in the novel. By delving into the fictional exploration of ecological and sociological relationships found in Chinese science fiction, this research contributes to the broad discourse surrounding the global ecological and social crisis.