Distraction Therapy – Addressing Symbolic Free Fall

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At Radio Lear, we believe that metamodernism is not just a theoretical framework, but a lived experience. We aim to explore and express the metamodern condition through our diverse and innovative programming, featuring artists, writers, philosophers, and activists who are engaged with the challenges and opportunities of our time. We invite our listeners to join us in oscillating between opposites, finding beauty in paradox, and seeking new forms of meaning and connection in a complex and uncertain world. Metamodernism is not a fixed or final destination, but a dynamic and ongoing journey, and we hope to inspire and empower our audience to embark on their own metamodern adventures.

Metamodern cultural thinking seeks to address and reconcile the feelings of symbolic free fall and dissolution commonly associated with postmodernism by reintroducing elements of hope, sincerity, and meaning into the cultural narrative. Where postmodernism is characterised by a sceptical and often cynical view of grand narratives, truth, and meaning, leading to a sense of disorientation and fragmentation, metamodernism proposes a more constructive and integrative approach.

Here are some ways metamodernism accounts for these feelings:

Oscillation Between Opposites: Metamodernism is defined by its oscillation between modernist and postmodernist sensibilities. This means it embraces the uncertainty and fragmentation of postmodernism but counterbalances it with a renewed pursuit of meaning, coherence, and truth, albeit in a tentative and provisional manner. This dynamic interplay allows for a more nuanced engagement with the world, acknowledging complexity without succumbing entirely to nihilism.

Constructive Pastiche: While postmodernism often employs pastiche in a manner that highlights fragmentation and irony, metamodernism uses it more constructively. It blends various cultural elements, genres, and styles in a way that seeks to create new meanings and connections. This approach allows for a reintegration of disparate cultural fragments into a more cohesive, albeit multifaceted, whole.

Re-engagement with Grand Narratives: Postmodernism’s scepticism towards grand narratives led to a cultural landscape where overarching stories and ideals were viewed with suspicion. Metamodernism, while still cautious, re-engages with the possibility of grand narratives. It does so in a manner that is self-aware and critical, recognising the limitations and potential pitfalls of such narratives, but also appreciating their ability to provide a sense of purpose and direction.

Affective and Sincere Engagement: One of the hallmarks of metamodernism is its affective and sincere engagement with the world. This stands in contrast to the irony and detachment often associated with postmodernism. Metamodernism encourages a re-engagement with emotions, empathy, and genuine connections, fostering a sense of community and shared human experience that can counteract feelings of isolation and disillusionment.

Hope and Pragmatic Idealism: Metamodernism embraces a form of pragmatic idealism, where hope and aspiration are tempered by a realistic understanding of the world’s complexities and challenges. This balance allows for a forward-looking perspective that is both hopeful and grounded, offering a sense of direction and possibility without falling into naïve utopianism.

Integrative Thinking: Metamodernism advocates for integrative thinking that transcends binary oppositions and simplistic dichotomies. By recognising and incorporating multiple perspectives and approaches, it seeks to create a more holistic and interconnected understanding of the world. This integrative approach helps to mitigate the sense of fragmentation and disintegration that is often felt in a postmodern context.

Metamodern cultural thinking addresses the symbolic free fall and dissolution associated with postmodernism by fostering a more hopeful, sincere, and integrative cultural landscape. It balances the critical insights of postmodernism with a renewed commitment to meaning, connection, and constructive engagement, providing a framework that seeks to re-establish a sense of coherence and purpose in the contemporary cultural milieu.

Track listing:

• Tomas Nordmark – Words
• Tom Adams – Freefall (Rob Pemberton Remix)
• Mauel Zito – Yoyo
• Fripp and Eno – Wind On Water
• Time for Three – I. The Call
• Pendant – To All Sides They Will Stretch Out Their Hands
• Leopold Ross & Nick Chuba – Still, On the Surface – The Girl From Plainville
• Moire – Sour Site
• Brian Eno – Alternative
• Voka Gentle – Miasma Field Modulator (Trafalgar Square 3.3.2020) ± F∝V + Field Recs
• Swaya – Methods of Protection.
• Ssiege – Meteora
• Blue Voice – Ex Uno Plures
• Sun Rain – Ideas of Light (Marenn Sukie Remix)