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Planet: Critical

Crisis of Mastery | Bayo Akomolafe

Aug 8, 2024
Bayo Akomolafe, a philosopher, writer, and professor, explores the crisis of mastery that plagues our modern world. He dissects the impacts of 'white modernity' and its colonial echoes, urging a reevaluation of what progress means today. Through captivating metaphors, he discusses the importance of minor gestures in challenging systemic issues and how cracks can lead to innovation. Bayo also touches on the themes of belonging, failure, and the transformative power of our collective realities, inviting listeners to dance on the edges of thought and being.
51:58

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The crisis of mastery reveals how white modernity's colonizing mindset jeopardizes both humanity and the planet due to a destructive quest for control.
  • Embracing cracks in societal structures allows for innovative disruptions that can lead to transformative change through creativity and collective celebration.

Deep dives

The Crisis of Mastery

The crisis of mastery in the modern world is a central theme in the discussion, illustrating how white modernity has fostered a colonizing mindset that seeks dominance over nature and other cultures. This paradigm equates success with mastery, often leading to destructive relationships with the planet, as exemplified by the ongoing ecological crises resulting from industrial and extractive behaviors. The metaphor of ants endlessly circling without reaching their goal reflects humanity's futile quest for control and certainty in a chaotic environment. The conversation highlights the need to confront these limitations and recognize that the quest for supremacy is ultimately detrimental to both humanity and the earth.

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