I thought this Jacobin article the author linked was interesting. It dovetails pretty nicely with the Guy Debord megathread. The author's thesis is that the fundamental breakdown of the ability to effect change in reality has given rise to a form of magical thinking - folks go to protests and wave signs or smash their Keurig coffee makers because it provides the illusion of having an impact on their external realities. As the political/social/ecological situation becomes increasingly intractable, so grows the appeal of modern forms of ritual and superstition.
I thought this Jacobin article the author linked was interesting. It dovetails pretty nicely with the Guy Debord megathread. The author's thesis is that the fundamental breakdown of the ability to effect change in reality has given rise to a form of magical thinking - folks go to protests and wave signs or smash their Keurig coffee makers because it provides the illusion of having an impact on their external realities. As the political/social/ecological situation becomes increasingly intractable, so grows the appeal of modern forms of ritual and superstition.
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I agree, I think the :so-true: shibboleth of "We must become an interplanetary/stellar species" is strong evidence to that effect.
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Just skimmed it for now, but it seemed to have some very astute observations. Thanks for the link.