AEWCH 245: SREĆKO HORVAT on HOW TO LIVE A GOOD LIFE IN THE APOCALYPSE
Nov 28, 2023
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Srećko Horvat, visionary philosopher, talks with Conner Habib about leading a good life, rethinking education, autonomy, and navigating life with integrity. They explore the Island School of Social Autonomy, living in urban areas during the pandemic, and the need for holistic approaches to environmental changes. They also discuss creating a collective inner city, embracing amateurism, and finding fulfillment in the present moment.
Embracing amateurism and multifaceted interests fosters creativity and challenges the constraints of specialized academic institutions.
Breaking free from the restrictive boundaries of specialization allows for unique and groundbreaking solutions to complex problems.
Redefining education to prioritize community, collective thinking, and personal interests can lead to a more autonomous and fulfilling society.
Deep dives
Importance of Autonomy in Modern Society
In today's society, autonomy is often lacking, especially in urban areas. People are dependent on technology, services, and corporations for their livelihoods and basic needs. This reliance on external systems undermines individual autonomy and self-sufficiency. To address this, it is crucial to reevaluate the meaning of autonomy and encourage amateurism and multifaceted interests. Embracing amateurism allows individuals to pursue a variety of hobbies and experiences, fostering creativity and a holistic approach to life. This approach can lead to new and avant-garde ideas and challenge the constraints of specialized academic institutions. By striving for autonomy, people can break free from the constraints of the capitalist system and create a more meaningful and interconnected way of living.
Bringing Together Different Disciplines for Real Change
The current focus on specialization in academia and society at large limits our capacity for growth and innovation. Rather than narrow specialization, embracing diverse interests and hobbies can lead to unexpected creativity and insight. Amateurism is a valuable approach as it allows individuals to learn new skills, explore different fields, and challenge traditional norms. By breaking free from the restrictive boundaries of specialization, people can create new connections and integrate different disciplines to generate unique and groundbreaking solutions to complex problems. Embracing amateurism promotes a more holistic perspective and fosters a sense of autonomy in our personal and professional lives.
Moving Beyond the Constraints of Capitalism
The current capitalist system perpetuates specialization and limits individual autonomy. Capitalism emphasizes making a living over the pursuit of a good life, defined by individual aspirations and ethics. This focus on financial stability and career-oriented education restricts personal growth and creativity. To escape these constraints, it is important to redefine education and prioritize community, collective thinking, and personal interests. This includes reclaiming the concept of amateurism, emphasizing multidisciplinary learning, and encouraging experimentation. By challenging the supremacy of specialization and capitalism, individuals can lead more enriching lives and contribute to the creation of a more autonomous and fulfilling society.
Accessing the Impossible and Embracing Esotericism
Accessing the realm of the impossible and embracing esotericism provides individuals with a source of strength and new perspectives. This approach enables an exploration of unthinkable and unreal ideas, leading to excitement and personal growth. It allows for a powerful shift in mindset, making current problems seem irrelevant and surmountable. Embracing the impossibilities in life opens the door to new possibilities and creative solutions. By seeking the strength found in the meeting of contradictions and engaging with the mystical, individuals can tap into inner reserves of force and energy to overcome challenges and transform their lives.
The instrumentalization of education
The podcast episode discusses the instrumentalization of education and the shift towards viewing education as a means to gain knowledge for practical purposes, rather than for the sake of learning itself. The prevailing model of education, influenced by capitalism, emphasizes the importance of being competitive in the job market and achieving material success. This instrumentalization of knowledge is seen as a threat to the true value of education, which lies in the enjoyment and exploration of learning without a specific goal or outcome in mind. The episode highlights the need to reconceptualize the purpose of education and to resist the colonization of time and the erasure of mystery and wisdom through the intrusion of technology.
Living in possibility and the importance of process
The podcast explores the significance of living in possibility and embracing the process of life. It emphasizes the importance of retaining a sense of mystery and wonder in the world, rather than always seeking knowledge and information. The episode advocates for encounters with the impossible and acknowledges the value of embodying ideals and propositions rather than solely engaging in critique or predetermined outcomes. It highlights the transformative power of living in a way that aligns with personal values and aspirations, even if it deviates from societal norms or expectations. The conversation also touches upon the role of synchronicities and interconnectedness, suggesting the importance of archipelago thought and interconnections between individuals and communities.
I went to the island of Vís in Croatia to talk with visionary philosopher, author, and organizer Srećko Horvat about living a good life in the midst of madness, and his new project (with Bifo Berardi and Pamela Anderson), the Island School of Social Autonomy.
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