How Foreverism Degrades Our Culture w/ Grafton Tanner
Feb 22, 2024
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Exploring the dangers of leveraging nostalgia, the podcast delves into the impact of foreverism on cultural franchises like Marvel and Star Wars. It questions the purpose behind constant reboots and remakes, reflecting on societal implications of nostalgia amidst economic uncertainties. The discussion also explores cinematic constraints, corporate influence on popular properties, and the implications of technology, storytelling, and politics influenced by nostalgia and foreverism.
57:14
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Quick takeaways
Foreverism challenges traditional nostalgia by perpetually reviving past ideas for commercial gain.
Nostalgia has transitioned from a human emotion to a marketing tactic exploited by capitalism.
The digital era poses production challenges in filmmaking, impacting storytelling quality and creative processes.
Deep dives
The Impact of Foreverism on Nostalgia and Commercialism
Foreverism, as discussed in the podcast, challenges the notion of nostalgia by suggesting that it is not just about looking to the past but about continually reviving and consuming past ideas. The conversation delves into how foreverism perpetuates the commercial cycle, where intellectual properties are constantly rehashed to cater to consumer demand. The discussion highlights the impact of this phenomenon on popular franchises like Star Wars and explores whether this strategy of eternal rejuvenation truly serves a cultural or commercial purpose in the long run.
From Nostalgia to Foreverism: Shifting Perspectives
The evolution from nostalgia to foreverism unfolds as a shift from viewing nostalgia as an inherent human emotion to a targeted ploy in marketing. The podcast reflects on the history of nostalgia, tracing its transition from a medical condition to a marketing tactic exploited by capitalism. By continually generating new content from existing intellectual properties, the concept of foreverism challenges traditional notions of nostalgia and raises questions about its long-term cultural implications.
Challenges in Production and Creative Process Due to Digitalization
The discussion moves beyond consumer reception to examine the production challenges posed by the digital era, particularly in the realm of filmmaking. Insights are shared on the impact of technologies like LED screen sets on actors and crew members, highlighting the strain of constant adaptation and improvisation in the creative process. The conversation exposes the broader implications of digitalization on storytelling, continuity, and the quality of cinematic experiences, shedding light on the complex interplay between artistic expression and commercial imperatives.
The Political Use of Nostalgia and Foreverizing
The deployment of nostalgia in politics is discussed in terms of perpetuating a desire to return to a past era. Contrasting nostalgia with foreverizing, the focus shifts to political movements like 'Make America Great Again' aiming to revive a version of the past and eliminate future yearning. This approach offers a promise to eradicate nostalgia by restoring a nostalgic past, creating an allure for perpetual political power aimed at minimizing social progress and maintaining a static societal state.
Memory, Nostalgia, and the Digital Age
The podcast delves into how technology impacts memory and nostalgia, particularly through 'foreverizing' memories digitally. Conversations explore the blurred lines between authentic memories and digitized representations, shifting how individuals perceive and engage with their past. The discussion questions the implications of storing memories digitally, highlighting the complexities of preserving and accessing vast amounts of personal data and the potential impacts on memory formation and recollection.
Paris Marx is joined by Grafton Tanner to discuss the dangers and consequences of companies and politicians leveraging nostalgia for their own purposes.
Grafton Tanner is the author of Foreverism. He also teaches at the University of Georgia.
Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Support the show on Patreon.
The podcast is made in partnership with The Nation. Production is by Eric Wickham. Transcripts are by Brigitte Pawliw-Fry.