Methodologies for the Apocalypse: Unthinking the Thinkable

In this conceptual paper, we speculate on some goals and methodologies for social inquiry responsive to a viral and potentially unthinkable world. Rather than following old methodological scripts and validated practices, we imagine fluid, responsive, and urgent methodologies as needed responses to better show and vividly document our progression toward a possible (methodological) “apocalypse.” As such a real/imaginary apocalypse enables us to (un)think what is currently thinkable, to postulate, speculate, and hesitate as we stretch to imagine inquiry and knowing in more immediate, deeply responsive, and responsible ways.