Philosophize This! Episode #153 ... The Frankfurt School - Walter Benjamin pt. 2 - Distraction
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Apr 1, 2021 The discussion delves into Walter Benjamin's profound insights on technology and sensory experiences. It examines how innovations like film and radio transform storytelling from communal engagement to individual distractions. A crucial theme is the struggle for meaningful communication in a world overwhelmed by superficial messaging. The podcast raises thought-provoking questions about the consequences of our distraction-heavy age on culture and emotional expression, especially in the context of significant societal upheavals.
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Benjamin's Relevance
- Walter Benjamin's work remains relevant due to his focus on technology's impact on sensory experience and subjectivity.
- Changing technology changes people, making his insights applicable to modern technologies like the internet and smartphones.
Evolution of Storytelling
- Storytelling shifted from oral traditions (collective, non-reproducible) to novels (individual, reproducible) with the printing press.
- This mirrored societal shifts towards individualism, influencing both story content and consumption.
Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction
- Mass media like film and radio introduced mass-reproducible stories, impacting art's meaning.
- Artists now consider profit, reproducibility, and marketability, influencing art's definition.