Understanding Cultural Anorexia

Franz Kafka's significant work, "A Hunger Artist," published in 1922, offers a poignant reflection on our society's relationship with desire. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, "fasting artists," who were often mere shadows of their former selves, drew crowds at fairs and circuses. In Kafka's narrative, the protagonist, a suffering hunger artist, loses the audience's attention and is replaced by a formidable panther.

This cycle of fascination and indifference embodies what René Girard describes as a cultural allegory, reflecting our societal struggles with desire. Girard noted that the trends observable in 1922 hinted at the deeper issues that would later manifest as physical anorexia and bulimia, indicative of a cultural malaise much more profound than mere fads.

Lately, I've been pondering the frequent claims that social media is detrimental to our society. This perspective might serve as a modern scapegoat. While social media has its downsides, it also fulfills a fundamental human need. However, exploring that aspect will be reserved for another discussion.

The challenge of nurturing deeper, sustainable desires is increasingly pressing in our mimetically thin world, where superficial rivalries and "Hot Take Artists" dominate discourse.

Education

Contemporary education is overly focused on new initiatives and standards, with entrepreneurs eager to disrupt traditional systems while universities prioritize self-preservation. The essence of personalized education — which centers on the individual — is becoming increasingly obscured. Our current educational framework is one of the most significant mimetic systems, fostering superficial desires and obscuring true identity.

Institutions

I align with Girard’s view of cultural institutions as mechanisms for restraining violence. Surprisingly, our institutions, such as NATO, appear more fragile than anticipated, struggling to withstand the aspirations of influential figures like Vladimir Putin. Beneath the surface, these institutions are composed of individuals with complex desires that often go unrecognized.

Politics

In today’s political landscape, the left and right mirror one another, each horrified by their reflections. Over the past five years, many have sacrificed their authentic selves in the relentless mimetic game. Genuine desires have been overshadowed by superficial urges, such as impressing political figures with provocative statements online.

Technology

Technology, especially social media, simultaneously amplifies and disperses mimetic desires. The excess of information available can obscure our understanding of its implications, much like an uncontrolled money supply. While social media has its merits, it often stretches our moral capacities. As C.S. Lewis observed, we create individuals without depth and then expect them to embody virtue.

In the video "My Battle With Anorexia | Dave Chawner | TEDxClapham," Dave Chawner shares his personal journey with anorexia, shedding light on the societal pressures surrounding body image and desire.

Sexuality

Pornography has become a pervasive issue, especially among the youth, acting as a model for desire that leads to self-degradation. Each viewing reinforces a mimetic model, directing desires underground, where they manifest in unhealthy ways. The allure of pornography lies not in its explicitness but in its failure to represent the full humanity of its subjects.

Work

The recent wave of dissatisfaction with traditional work arrangements signals a flicker of hope. People are beginning to rethink the meaning of work, transitioning from a mere means to an end toward a more fulfilling purpose. My favorite meme, "Do the Work," aptly captures this sentiment, encouraging individuals to engage deeply with their endeavors.

Art

While my newsletter is titled "Anti-Mimetic," this does not imply a rejection of imitation. Learning from worthy models is essential for growth. Girard criticized the obsession with radicalism in art, highlighting how each new generation of artists discards traditional practices while paradoxically imitating their predecessors.

Media

The media landscape is evolving, with factions creating echo chambers free from opposing viewpoints. Ironically, these new constructs only exacerbate existing problems, leading to increased polarization. The traditional media continues to produce content that demands sharper, more provocative expressions, reflecting the tumultuous ground realities.

In conclusion, understanding and fostering authentic desires across these domains is critical for reclaiming our humanity in a world increasingly defined by superficiality and rivalry.

In the video "Hope for Eating Disorders — with Chrissy Kirkman and Allie Marie Smith," the discussion focuses on recovery and the importance of nurturing genuine desires in the face of societal pressures.