Metamodernism, Part 1 | What’s happening & why is this happening?
Aug 15, 2023
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The podcast explores metamodernism as a new cultural shift influenced by postmodernism. It delves into examples from popular culture like Shrek and Wes Anderson movies to illustrate how metamodernism embraces irony, sincerity, and genuine emotion. The tension between sincerity and irony is explored, along with the blending of modern and postmodern storytelling in works like Fight Club. The essence of metamodernism is discussed, highlighting the yearning for authenticity and connection. The podcast also emphasizes the importance of patron support.
Metamodernism is a cultural shift that embraces both irony and sincerity in storytelling and art.
Metamodernism reconciles modernism's progress-oriented approach and postmodernism's deconstruction by incorporating elements of both.
Deep dives
The Shift from Postmodernism to Metamodernism
There is a cultural shift from postmodern deconstructed critique to a new era of self-aware art in response to our rapidly changing world. This shift, known as metamodernism, explores the balance between irony and sincerity, embracing both genuine emotion and self-aware critique.
Understanding the Intellectual Landscape
Metamodernism emerges as a response to modernism's focus on progress and postmodernism's deconstruction of metanarratives. It aims to reconcile dualistic approaches by incorporating elements of both, providing a more nuanced perspective on storytelling and art.
The Delicate Dance of Sincerity and Irony
Metamodern storytelling and art thrive on the interplay between sincerity and irony. This delicate dance allows for both authentic engagement and critical reflection, blending self-awareness and genuine emotion to create multidimensional and thought-provoking experiences.
Shrek as an Example of Metamodern Storytelling
Shrek exhibits core characteristics of metamodern storytelling. It subverts traditional fairy tale tropes with self-aware irony, while also delivering sincere emotional moments and balancing entertainment with authenticity. Shrek's cultural references and playfulness contribute to its metamodernist spirit.
There's a cultural shift in how we are telling stories, and it's a relatively new phenomenon. You can see it in Everything Everywhere All at Once, Barbie, Wes Anderson movies, and Shrek. Yes, I said Shrek.
It's something different from postmodernism but still uses postmodernism. Philosophers are just barely beginning to grasp what is happening; some call it metamodernism.
In this series, I'm going to explain what metamodernism is all about and help you identify it in popular culture.
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