An American Utopia: Fredric Jameson in Conversation with Stanley Aronowitz

Eminent literary and political theorist Fredric Jameson, of Duke University, gives a new address, followed by a conversation with noted cultural critic Stanely Aronowitz, of the Graduate Center. Jameson, author of Postmodernism: The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism and The Political Unconscious, will consider the practicality of the Utopian tradition and its broader implications for cultural production and political institutions. Co-sponsored by the Writers' Institute and the Ph.D. Program in Comparative Literature.

[offnazareth]

I return to this every so often, still finding incredible insights I have missed from the last time. It is unthinkable to me that such a titan of thought has died while we still have yet to live up to the task he set before us here.

[billybradleyful]

To be here listening to Frederic Jameson speak is almost unbelievable for a twinkly eyed undergrad, and despite the temporal, spacial and digital removal it makes being alive right now feel like an honour.

[HypatiaMuse]

I started out tonight revisiting a Mark Fisher lecture- he mentioned Fredric Jameson, who I've never read or heard speak. I'm glad I searched his name on YouTube, this is a great conversation.

[GhostCharacter]

This is a great audience. They strike a perfect balance between comedic response to Prof. Jameson's subtle jokes and serious attention to his rallying cry.

[dionysianapollomarx]

Good talk. It's as if there's something here that converges upon ideas similar to that of Murray Bookchin and the Christian anarchists of Basque that led to Mondragon Corporation and of Leo Tolstoy.

[trakal]

53:12 is Charles Fourier (not Jean Ferrier) - error in subtitles

[vaprtranz]

This universal army as utopia seems mad. It seems mad but given Jameson's approach it is a shock-and-awe argument. It's utopia, afterall. The older I get the faster the clock ticks, and the less time I give for naivety. Jameson is worth some time. Youthful "mad" optimism, yes. Immature "mad" dogmatism, no. Wishing for political paradise does not conjure it into being. But I appreciate Jameson's critique. He grabs ideas by the jugular and struggled whether to squash socialism and postmodernism or let them run their course. Letting the Left spiral apart sounds condescending but it is what it is. Jameson's shock-and-awe argument (as the practical versus theoretical antagonism) hints at the unspoken concern of the militant politic, whether Left or Right. And to be real, every Vet I know is happy they won't die in the army. The army may embody ideas as purpose to die for but is not a social institution to die _in_. So religion, Jameson's previous utopian option, is where I landed. Religion can be (and has been) violent like a military, but religion is the vehicle to transcend beyond this social reality. Ironically, critiques of religion recognize that it fulfills various utopian ideas, like the "therapy" that Jameson says his universal army would provide. Religion satisfies the reality of the here and pushes through the madness of the future, as Tolstoy said. That practical realization happened for me as people I loved passed away beyond the veil, and they reminded me the end of my time ticked nearer. RIP Jameson.

[Punctuator]

"Everyone their own bureaucrat."

[alexchambers]

Who's the writer he mentions at 45:18 re. the concept of development? Robert Courts?

[gLittle]

This discussion of utopia landed in the territory of very urgent & practical matters...

[aljackson]

Does anyone have an idea of the text this talk by FJ is based on?

[perrymccallum]

So is the goal de-growth, destroy, and then rebuild in a nutshell?

[thegeneralstrike]

Rather prophetic considering "Operation Warp Speed."

[feikes]

Did I hear micky mouse at 16:45 - 16:50?

[aldenchan]

every comment on this video except mine is wrong. i am very smart.

[ciocioYN]

Does anyone have an image of the political cartoon FJ talks about around the 26:00 mark?

[AudioPervert]

This is a great lecture to share with anyone who (still) believes in cápitalism, communism and infinite economic growth ... Smashed the hoaxes

[holgerhn]

I was expecting Jameson, homme d´lettre, instead I got Commandante Jameson. At least he tricked me into thinking this for a moment - scholar and entertainer that he is.

[xilin]

When people are able to work to serve to sustainable, not for employed, exploit and exploited. People are able to sense and access the collective practical information and wisdom knowledge for self-awareness and qualified qualities.

[OsirusHandle]

I agreed almost entirely with Jameson and disagreed almost entirely with the second speaker.