Bret Hawk
Senator (1k+ posts)
Cultural critics like Theodor Adorno (d.1969) are pretty much rare in this twisted world where misplaced priorities, unbalanced views and sick mentality sway with full force. Adorno is nevertheless considered among the giant intellectuals of twentieth century whose mind was fixated on the ill effects of capitalism on the collective psyches of communities. Being an admirer of music along with its innate beauty & structured linear pattern its no surprise to see his mind got disturbed after viewing the inharmonious and disjointed nature of society.
In a recent short biographical piece I’ve spotted the following three dominant themes of Adorno pretty much insightful and full of meaning for those who want to look at perspectives hidden / ignored by the instruments of the modern capitalism which are stared below;
I Toxic nature of leisure activities
Hotel industry, film, television, music and almost every mode of entertainment in current world is full of content withy extended period of space and airtime dedicated to the supposed demands of the masses. For Adorno this leisure activity of masses is now hijacked by the vile Tourist Industries of the world with sickening consequences. This sickening industry promotes shift of focus of common man from real to those issues which have pretty much less relevance for him.
Loss of perspectives, spending time on frivolities, inebriating to the extent of insanity and indulging in almost every activity which contains the stains of senseless hedonism do become the primary focal point of modern age’s tourist industry. People who do get much needed time of holidays / breaks from their jobs rarely now focus on intellectual activities like engaging in the good works of social theory, philosophy or to the literature which could enable their dormant minds to get awaken from that malevolent slumber to awake and appreciate the beauties of the world of new ideas and perspectives.
II Capitalism is not serving the humanity’s pressing needs
This mantra of catering to the voracious needs of common persons by the huge producing machinery of capitalism is utter piece of garbage according to Adorno. The huge lines of clothing, garments, shoes, personal care products, cars, watches, electronic gadgets and ad infinitum items of other categories have pretty much intrigued the minds of common people but unable to promote the products of mental satisfaction, patience, harmony, trust, balanced views, openness, tolerance and empathy.
These misplaced urgency to grab the luxuries and huge line of products have kick-started the vicious cycle of insatiable demand for so called capital intensive goods that is no doubt oiling the cogs of corporate machinery but at the same time also has created the sense of deprivation and sulkiness for those less privileged classes of communities who don’t have the luxury to devour such products for an extended period of time by keeping in view of their limited resources and sources of income.
III Fascist frame of minds with distinctive prototypes still exist
Huge metropolis of the world now become infested with organised crime, population explosion, inhumane distribution of wealth and social unrest which do play a pivotal role to poison the minds of extremist elements of those societies which eventually transform many of them into the prototypical samples of fascism. For Adorno it is at such stage that states and societies are unable to detect this critical brewing state of agitation of novice but disturbed minds which create huge moral and social crises for societies.
Instead of dealing with them through the much needed psychological help and performing radical reforms in the society through the government machinery these states normally do become active at the last stages of such ailment and then decide to opt for the surgical option to treat that cancer of fascism and thus ensue the never ending cyclical process of brutal repression, violence and force. Societies for Adorno are pretty much immune for such evil effects until and unless they are protected in a proactive manner rather then to deal with their ills in a reactive knee-jerk measures.
Conclusion
Adorno was a left-wing thinker who recognised, very unusually, that the primary obstacles to social progress are cultural and psychological rather than narrowly political and economic. In truth, we already have the money, the resources, the time and the skills to make sure everyone sleeps in an attractive house, stops destroying the planet, is given a fulfilling job and feels supported by the community. The reason why we continue to suffer and hurt one another, according to Adorno, is first and foremost because our minds are sick which are needed to be correctly oriented and treated at the first available opportunity in order to do the remedial work with the luxury of time and resources.
In a recent short biographical piece I’ve spotted the following three dominant themes of Adorno pretty much insightful and full of meaning for those who want to look at perspectives hidden / ignored by the instruments of the modern capitalism which are stared below;
I Toxic nature of leisure activities
Hotel industry, film, television, music and almost every mode of entertainment in current world is full of content withy extended period of space and airtime dedicated to the supposed demands of the masses. For Adorno this leisure activity of masses is now hijacked by the vile Tourist Industries of the world with sickening consequences. This sickening industry promotes shift of focus of common man from real to those issues which have pretty much less relevance for him.
Loss of perspectives, spending time on frivolities, inebriating to the extent of insanity and indulging in almost every activity which contains the stains of senseless hedonism do become the primary focal point of modern age’s tourist industry. People who do get much needed time of holidays / breaks from their jobs rarely now focus on intellectual activities like engaging in the good works of social theory, philosophy or to the literature which could enable their dormant minds to get awaken from that malevolent slumber to awake and appreciate the beauties of the world of new ideas and perspectives.
II Capitalism is not serving the humanity’s pressing needs
This mantra of catering to the voracious needs of common persons by the huge producing machinery of capitalism is utter piece of garbage according to Adorno. The huge lines of clothing, garments, shoes, personal care products, cars, watches, electronic gadgets and ad infinitum items of other categories have pretty much intrigued the minds of common people but unable to promote the products of mental satisfaction, patience, harmony, trust, balanced views, openness, tolerance and empathy.
These misplaced urgency to grab the luxuries and huge line of products have kick-started the vicious cycle of insatiable demand for so called capital intensive goods that is no doubt oiling the cogs of corporate machinery but at the same time also has created the sense of deprivation and sulkiness for those less privileged classes of communities who don’t have the luxury to devour such products for an extended period of time by keeping in view of their limited resources and sources of income.
III Fascist frame of minds with distinctive prototypes still exist
Huge metropolis of the world now become infested with organised crime, population explosion, inhumane distribution of wealth and social unrest which do play a pivotal role to poison the minds of extremist elements of those societies which eventually transform many of them into the prototypical samples of fascism. For Adorno it is at such stage that states and societies are unable to detect this critical brewing state of agitation of novice but disturbed minds which create huge moral and social crises for societies.
Instead of dealing with them through the much needed psychological help and performing radical reforms in the society through the government machinery these states normally do become active at the last stages of such ailment and then decide to opt for the surgical option to treat that cancer of fascism and thus ensue the never ending cyclical process of brutal repression, violence and force. Societies for Adorno are pretty much immune for such evil effects until and unless they are protected in a proactive manner rather then to deal with their ills in a reactive knee-jerk measures.
Conclusion
Adorno was a left-wing thinker who recognised, very unusually, that the primary obstacles to social progress are cultural and psychological rather than narrowly political and economic. In truth, we already have the money, the resources, the time and the skills to make sure everyone sleeps in an attractive house, stops destroying the planet, is given a fulfilling job and feels supported by the community. The reason why we continue to suffer and hurt one another, according to Adorno, is first and foremost because our minds are sick which are needed to be correctly oriented and treated at the first available opportunity in order to do the remedial work with the luxury of time and resources.
Last edited:
