Why We Shouldn't Try to Find Ourselves w/ Todd McGowan
Aug 12, 2024
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Todd McGowan, author of 'Embracing Alienation: Why We Shouldn't Try to Find Ourselves,' discusses the intriguing politics of non-belonging. He delves into the paradox of identity in contemporary culture and the role of alienation in cinema. McGowan critiques identitarian politics while highlighting how shared alienation can foster solidarity. The conversation also touches on determinism, the complexities of narrative, and the philosophical challenges of self-discovery. It's a thought-provoking exploration of how we relate to ourselves and society.
Alienation can serve as a catalyst for a politics of non-belonging, encouraging collective understanding and connection among individuals in society.
The critique of excessive academic jargon emphasizes the need for clear communication to foster meaningful dialogue and accessible discussions on important issues.
Deep dives
The Concept of Alienation and Its Political Implications
Alienation serves as a foundational concept in understanding the dynamics of human relationships and societal structures. It highlights the shared experience of individuals, suggesting that recognizing others' alienation can foster a collective bond. This shared experience challenges traditional hierarchical relationships, as it underscores the fundamental disconnection people feel within societal frameworks. The discussion explores how alienation can inform a politics of non-belonging, urging individuals to confront this alienation rather than retreat into identities that may obscure their connections with others.
The Role of Jargon in Intellectual Discourse
The conversation critiques the often excessive use of jargon in academic and philosophical discussions, arguing that it can lead to confusion and obfuscation of core ideas. Jargon may initially foster a sense of belonging within intellectual circles, but it can also create barriers to understanding and meaningful dialogue. An emphasis on simpler language and clear concepts is proposed, as it allows for broader accessibility and helps prevent discussions from becoming bogged down in trivial distinctions. The danger lies in becoming so attached to specific terminology that substantive debates about important issues become meaningless.
Alienation's Connection to Identity and Belonging
The podcast examines the complexities surrounding identity politics, particularly in the context of indigenous and immigrant discussions. While acknowledging the importance of supporting indigenous rights, it questions the implications of identity-based politics and the challenges of delineating who qualifies as indigenous. The relationship between identity and alienation is considered, suggesting that embracing one’s alienation is crucial to addressing current socio-political issues. By recognizing the fluidity of identity and the pervasive experience of alienation, the discussion advocates for a more universal approach to social justice.
The Nature of Beginnings and Their Relationship to Alienation
The topic of beginnings is critically assessed, highlighting that every beginning is inherently flawed and lacking in purity. This perspective challenges romantic notions of origins, instead suggesting that individuals define themselves through their experiences, including their alienation. Embracing this alienation reflects a resistance to the romantic idealization of a fixed identity or a lost original self. By engaging with the complications of beginnings, a richer understanding of identity formation and the interplay of personal narratives emerges.
Alright, Todd McGowan is back again on the podcast to talk more about his most recent book Embracing Alienation: Why We Shouldn't Try to Find Ourselves.
Are there good and bad forms of alienation? We're talking the politics of non-belonging, alienation in cinema, the defence of lost causes, Friends and the failure of beginnings and the impossibility of endings, Lacan's debt to Jean Paul Sartre, identitarian politics, and Slavoj Žižek.