What is Metamodernism?

Summary

Metamodernism is an emerging worldview that offers a way forward in the face of the 21st century's complex crises. It transcends and includes elements of Modernity's optimism and Postmodernity's relativism, creating a synthesis that addresses global challenges like climate change, mental health, and political instability. Metamodernism embraces irony and sincerity, aiming for meaningful connection without falling into cynicism. It promotes a balance of progress, hierarchy, and grand narratives, offering a fresh, playful approach to tackling existential problems. Ultimately, it serves as a bridge-builder in a fragmented world, fostering trust and collective action.

Takeaways

• 😀 Metamodernism is a new worldview emerging in response to the complexities and crises of the 21st century, offering a path forward beyond Modernity and Postmodernity.
• 😀 Modernity was characterized by an optimistic belief in progress, grand narratives, and reason, while Postmodernity challenged these ideas with skepticism, irony, and relativism.
• 😀 Metamodernism synthesizes aspects of both Modernity and Postmodernity, transcending and including them to address today's global challenges.
• 😀 The 'meta' in Metamodernism comes from the Greek word 'Metaxis', meaning 'in-betweenness', reflecting its position between Modernity and Postmodernity, but not simply as a middle ground.
• 😀 The world today faces a meta-crisis, including existential challenges like climate change, mental health issues, AI disruptions, and geopolitical tensions, which require a new worldview to navigate.
• 😀 Metamodernism is about integrating the audacity of Modernism with the nuance of Postmodernism to transcend the gridlock between them and offer practical solutions to contemporary crises.
• 😀 Metamodernism embraces progress, hierarchy, sincerity, spirituality, and grand narratives while avoiding the extremes of cynicism and nihilism.
• 😀 The tone of Metamodernism is characterized by 'ironic sincerity', combining irony with deep emotional honesty, as seen in cultural works like Bo Burnham’s 'Inside'.
• 😀 'Ironic sincerity' allows for meaningful emotional expression in a culture where earnestness often feels inauthentic, creating a way to communicate genuine feelings without 'cringe'.
• 😀 Metamodernism offers a more playful, pragmatic approach to meaning and connection, acknowledging our limits and fallibility while striving for something greater.
• 😀 As the world faces interconnected crises, Metamodernism proposes a framework that integrates humor, trust, and critical thinking, enabling people to collaborate and work toward solutions like combating climate change.

Q & A

What is Metamodernism and why is it considered important in today's world?

Metamodernism is a worldview that seeks to transcend and include elements from both Modernity and Postmodernity. It is considered crucial today as it offers a way forward in a world facing numerous complex crises, including climate change, political tensions, and mental health issues. Unlike previous worldviews, it acknowledges progress and grand narratives while avoiding the extremes of cynicism and nihilism.

How does Metamodernism relate to the ideas of Modernity and Postmodernity?

Metamodernism emerges as a synthesis of Modernity and Postmodernity. Modernity was characterized by a belief in progress, reason, and grand narratives, while Postmodernity was defined by skepticism towards grand narratives and an emphasis on relativism. Metamodernism integrates the best aspects of both, accepting progress and grand narratives, but with a more nuanced and ironic approach to sincerity and meaning.

What is the Hegelian dialectic, and how does it relate to Metamodernism?

The Hegelian dialectic refers to the process of historical development through a conflict between opposing forces (thesis and antithesis) that results in a new synthesis. In the case of Metamodernism, Modernity represents the thesis, Postmodernity the antithesis, and Metamodernism is the synthesis that emerges from this conflict, offering a new worldview that transcends both.

What are the 'meta-crises' that Metamodernism seeks to address?

The 'meta-crises' refer to a range of interconnected existential crises facing humanity, including the climate crisis, meaning crisis, mental health crisis, technological disruptions (e.g., AI and robotics), political conflicts (such as a new Cold War), and rising inequality. Metamodernism aims to provide a framework for addressing these complex, overlapping challenges.

How does Metamodernism differ from Postmodernism in terms of worldview and tone?

Metamodernism differs from Postmodernism by embracing a more optimistic view of progress and development while acknowledging the value of multiple perspectives. It moves beyond Postmodernism's skepticism, cynicism, and irony, offering a tone of 'ironic sincerity'—a blend of humor and deep sincerity that allows for genuine emotional expression without falling into the pitfalls of performativity.

What role does 'ironic sincerity' play in Metamodernism?

'Ironic sincerity' is a central aspect of Metamodernism. It involves using irony to deliver deep sincerity, acknowledging the limitations and absurdities of life while still striving for meaning. This concept allows people to engage with complex issues and express emotions in a way that avoids the disingenuousness often found in Postmodern discourse, making it possible to address serious topics without sounding 'cringe.'

Can you give an example of 'ironic sincerity' in Metamodernism?

An example of 'ironic sincerity' is the opening song of Bo Burnham's special *Inside*. In the song, Burnham humorously apologizes for his absence, acknowledging his mental health struggles in a way that is both ironic and sincere. The irony softens the emotional weight, making the apology feel authentic without becoming overly earnest or uncomfortable.

Why does Metamodernism advocate for a 'grand narrative'?

Metamodernism advocates for a 'grand narrative' because, in the face of the multiple crises of the 21st century, humanity needs a unifying vision to guide collective action and provide hope. While acknowledging the complexity and limitations of such narratives, Metamodernism seeks to create a narrative that is both flexible and aspirational, transcending the disillusionment of Postmodernism while offering a path forward.

What is the significance of 'playfulness' in Metamodernism?

Playfulness in Metamodernism is about embracing our fallibility and limitations while continuing to strive for meaning and progress. Instead of being paralyzed by the knowledge that perfection is unattainable, Metamodernism celebrates the process and the effort, finding beauty in the attempt rather than focusing solely on the outcome.

How does Metamodernism propose to address the issues of trust and collective action?

Metamodernism suggests that irony can be a tool for building trust, particularly in complex social situations. By using humor and self-awareness, Metamodernism creates space for authentic connection and collective action. Trust built on self-knowledge, humor, and critical thinking is essential for uniting people around a meaningful cause, such as tackling the climate crisis or other global challenges.