The Symbolic World
388 - Mary Harrington - Identity After Postmodernism
Apr 7, 2025
In this conversation, Mary Harrington, a thought-provoking writer on identity and technology, shares her insights on the evolution of self from ancient soul concepts to the challenges of digital personas. She explores how technology and AI reshape personal identity, advocating for a return to the soul to clarify purpose. The discussion highlights how digital habits alter consciousness, the cultural influence of memes, and the complexities of navigating identity in a postmodern world. Harrington emphasizes AI's limitations and its alignment with human desires, offering a rich perspective on modern existential questions.
50:01
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Quick takeaways
- The evolution of identity demonstrates a transition from the ancient notion of the soul to modern self-concept shaped by technology.
- The crisis of identity in the digital age underscores the challenge of maintaining a coherent self amid curated online personas.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Identity
The concept of identity has evolved significantly over time, transitioning from the notion of the soul to the self, and finally to modern identity. Historically, the term 'identity' did not gain common usage until the 1960s, highlighting its relative novelty in human discourse. The modern understanding of identity encompasses both self-creation and inherent qualities, which can often lead to confusion as these two aspects are perceived as fundamentally intertwined. This evolution coincides with historical shifts in philosophical thought and societal paradigms, particularly during the emergence of the self alongside secularization and modernity.
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