Waiting can be seen as an active, liberating act that allows for personal growth and reflection.
The constant connectivity and reliance on smartphones have diminished the value of waiting, leading to a discomfort with uncertainty and a loss of the element of surprise.
Deep dives
The Play 'Waiting for Godot' Explored
The podcast episode discusses the play 'Waiting for Godot' by Samuel Beckett. The play is known for its unique concept of nothing happening twice, with two acts of waiting and no significant events occurring. The main characters, Estragon and Vladimir, wait for a character named Godot in a desolate setting. The play explores themes of time, the absurdity of human existence, and the act of waiting itself. It emphasizes the importance of the act of waiting rather than the specific outcome or resolution. The dialogue in the play often goes in circles, reflecting the characters' struggle to make sense of their existence in a vacuum of waiting.
The Impact of Smartphones on Waiting
The podcast delves into how smartphones and modern life have reduced instances of waiting. With smartphones, people have access to various distractions and means of passing the time while waiting. It has become increasingly uncommon to experience the uncertainty and anticipation that come with waiting for someone or something. The constant connectivity and ability to communicate instantly have diminished the element of surprise and speculation that used to accompany waiting. However, this avoidance of uncertainty and the need to be constantly engaged with technology may lead to a discomfort with uncertainty and a loss of the value of waiting and its potential for personal growth or reflection.
Different Perspectives on Waiting
The podcast explores different philosophical perspectives on waiting. The distinction between passive and active forms of waiting is discussed. Passive waiting is characterized by a lack of control and endurance, while active waiting involves agency and embracing the moment. The concept of messianic time is introduced, which includes a poetic approach to waiting and an active engagement with the present. The poetics of waiting emphasize possibilities, hope, and the construction of meaning in the present. Additionally, the politics of waiting are touched upon, focusing on cases where waiting is enforced or used as a strategy of control, such as in prisons or immigration processes.
The Value of Waiting Together
The podcast highlights the value of waiting together and the significance of companionship during the act of waiting. The play 'Waiting for Godot' serves as an example, showcasing the friendship and affection between the characters, Estragon and Vladimir, as they wait for Godot. Despite the uncertainty and desolate setting, their togetherness allows for the creation of meaning and joy in the present moment. The importance of dialogue, humor, and mutual support is emphasized, suggesting that waiting can be a shared experience that deepens connections and fosters a sense of solidarity.
Has society progressed past the need for waiting? In the time of smartphones and their 24/7 carousels of distraction, the liminal agony of waiting seems like a thing of the past. In episode 57 of Overthink, Ellie and David explore waiting as a persistent mood of existence. Why do we flee waiting? How can waiting be an active, liberatory act rather than something we just passively endure? They dive into absurdist theater, the figure of the messiah, time under capitalism, and modern life’s discomfort with uncertainty.
Works Discussed
Samuel Beckett, Waiting for Godot Walter Benjamin, “On the Concept of History” Jacques Derrida, Specters of Marx Manpreet Janeja and Andreas Bandak, Ethnographies of Waiting: Doubt, Hope, and Uncertainty Gabriel Marcel, Being and Having Gabriel Marcel, “Desire and Hope” Harold Schweizer, On Waiting Imad Shouery, “Phenomenological Analysis of Waiting”
