The hottest Postmodernism Substack posts right now

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Why It Is (Maybe) Safe To Conclude Some Legendary Thinkers Are Charlatans Without Reading Much Of Their Work

Singal-Minded • 1427 implied HN points • 30 Nov 25
📖 Philosophy Postmodernism
  1. Sometimes it's okay to think critically about famous thinkers without reading everything they've written. Some writers, especially in certain philosophies, can be so unclear that it feels justifiable to dismiss their work.
  2. Clear writing is important. Many obfuscators use confusing language instead of straightforward arguments, which can make their ideas hard to take seriously.
  3. Listening to respected voices, like Noam Chomsky, can help inform your opinion about complex thinkers. If many knowledgeable people find that there's little value in a concept, it may be wise to trust their judgment.

Postmodernism and the Failure of Moral Triage

Peter Boghossian • 1061 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Postmodernism
  1. The problem with peer review in academia is highlighted by the replication crisis in fields like psychology and biological sciences.
  2. Rejecting the ideas of science can lead to dangerous notions like limiting access to truth based on immutable characteristics.
  3. The shift towards woke ideology in education and social psychology has contributed significantly to the propagation of postmodernist ideas.

Trapped in the Experience Machine with David Foster Wallace

Holodoxa • 79 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
📚 Literature Postmodernism
  1. David Foster Wallace's essay 'E Unibus Pluram' highlights the influence of postmodernism and television on literature, cautioning against an over-reliance on irony and detachment.
  2. The concept of the Experience Machine, as discussed by Robert Nozick, questions our preference between artificial happiness and real, challenging experiences, reflecting on our modern fascination with technology.
  3. Fiction, particularly novels, can serve as a balanced experience machine that enhances psychological well-being, fosters meaningful connections, and offers a training ground for the mind.
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Two Approaches to Truth

Muslim Musings • 19 implied HN points • 23 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Postmodernism
  1. There are two contrasting approaches to truth in the post-modern world: one sees truth as good and absolute, leading to progress and justice, while the other sees 'truth' as evil and relative, valuing skepticism and collaboration.
  2. The idea of embracing absolute truth or being skeptical about truth impacts how individuals view conflicts between different ideologies. One approach aims for reconciliation and common ground, while the other perceives dogmatic beliefs as dangerous.
  3. In the context of Islam, the Quran emphasizes the importance of absolute conviction in God and rejects the idea of finding common ground with opposing beliefs. The focus is on upholding divine truth and carrying the Islamic system to the world.

Postmodern Paralysis and the Anxiety of Ironic Awareness

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 13 Aug 22
📚 Literature Postmodernism
  1. In the post-modern era, creating meaningful narratives becomes challenging when all meta-narratives are considered false.
  2. Authors face anxieties like fear of mockery and lack of originality, leading some to use esoterica, ugliness, and irony as shields.
  3. Literary works focusing on 'very online' themes, like 'Fake Accounts' by Lauren Oyler, may risk being seen as empty and lacking substance.

The Dissolution of "Man"

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 13 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Postmodernism
  1. The concept of 'man' as central to knowledge is relatively new and may no longer be relevant. We're seeing a shift in how we understand ourselves and our place in knowledge systems.
  2. Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we think about knowledge and truth. As AI grows, it challenges the idea that human consciousness is the main source of knowledge.
  3. Our cultural and personal relationships are being affected by this shift. This change is influencing not just how we think, but also our politics and economy.

Technocrats in Science Skin Suits

Natural Selections • 9 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🔬 Science Postmodernism
  1. The Fermi Paradox asks why we haven't found other advanced life in the universe, despite many potential planets existing. This raises concerns about the survival of intelligent life and whether it tends to self-destruct.
  2. Postmodernism challenges the idea of objective reality and rationality, which can harm scientific progress. It makes it harder for people to engage with science critically and effectively.
  3. Technocrats can manipulate the science narrative because many people lack a strong understanding of the scientific method. This creates a risk where those in power might misuse science for their own agendas.

Sleeping Woke: Cancel Culture and Simulated Religion

The Bigger Picture • 39 implied HN points • 17 Jul 20
🎭️ Culture Postmodernism
  1. Wokeism has become a modern simulated religion, centered around social constructs of power and group identity, influencing various aspects of society from newsrooms to corporate policies.
  2. Cancel culture, a tactic associated with Wokeism, aims to erase individuals from public discourse through shaming and ostracism, showcasing the challenges of engaging with this phenomenon and pushing back against its excesses.
  3. Wokeism, rooted in postmodern theory, thrives in a hyperreal online world, lacking the depth and community-building aspects of traditional religions, and being potentially absorbed by late-stage capitalism, posing complex challenges to societal dynamics and individual well-being.

Reuben Dendinger: Review of Gillian Wearing: Wearing Masks

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Postmodernism
  1. Gillian Wearing's art explores individual self-expression, but it also raises questions about collective identity and political content.
  2. The postmodern period's emphasis on fluid identity and masks reflects a shift towards extreme individualism and consumer-focused culture.
  3. Wearing's work challenges the depoliticized view of identity and highlights the importance of recognizing class-based exploitation and collective struggle.

Mass Shootings: Entered the Postmodern Era

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 0 implied HN points • 09 Nov 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Postmodernism
  1. Postmodernism reflects a genre so well-understood that a creative commentary space emerges around it, like in art, film, or architecture.
  2. Postmodernism extends beyond art into societal norms and genres once they are firmly established.
  3. Mass shootings have become so familiar that they fit into a known genre with expected responses, creating a postmodern cycle.

Navigating Narratives: A Stoic's Guide to Postmodernism

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Postmodernism
  1. Postmodernism questions the big stories about the world, suggesting they might not be as objective as we think.
  2. Many narratives revolve around power dynamics, often portraying someone as the hero and another as the villain.
  3. Stoicism encourages focusing on what we can control, reflecting on empowering narratives, and seeking diverse stories for personal growth.