Why Chasing The Good Life Is Holding Us Back With Lauren Berlant

For most Americans, the driving force in their personal and public life is a desire to attain the “good life”. But what if our attachment to that desire is the very thing holding us back? Lauren Berlant is a theorist and English professor at the University of Chicago and the author of “Cruel Optimism” a book about when you're attached to forms of life that fundamentally get in the way of the attachment you brought to them.
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Story and Full Transcript: news.uchicago....
Berlant has been writing about finding attachment and belonging in America her entire career. But she says the Presidency of Donald Trump has completely shattered our understanding of what it means to have a public and a shared connection as citizens. But she wants to try and reshape things.
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[@madsvindal8347]

There is such a beauty at the core of Berlant's thinking

[@sarius103]

24:10 i thought my phone was vibrating tht took me a while to realize it was the music wow ... anyways great podcast this is super interesting and well edited

[@evgeny9965]

I am retired and the thoughts of a good cup of coffee gets me out of bed.

[@martyprice8371]

Excellent commentary!

[@vKarl71]

Berlant is an very important thinker. I found the gimmicky editing really annoying and disrespectful of both audience and Ms Berlant: short segments seemingly designed for people with attention spans too short to actually consider these ideas, and distracting background music under the speaker. Music is used in film/video to manipulate the viewers' feelings. There's no place for that here, especially since the manipulative element has no apparent goal, other than to divert attention away from the speaker's message toward a kind of audio logo - prioritizing branding over substance.

[@PeepsILoveEllie]

I have a short attention span and I think it was great. you're making it seem as if people with short attention spans were somehow less interested in learning. I also liked the suspenseful music because that too helped my concentration. I agree that it's usually found in TV documentaries, but I really liked it here. I do understand that the editing is not everyone's cup of tea. I thought it was great.

[@vKarl71]

@@PeepsILoveEllie I'm really glad the editing didn't distract you from Ms Berlant's important ideas! I probably have more trouble staying focused than you do.

[@fytrdkcvt]

Thank u a lot!

[@HoratioTalbot771_a]

My Great Uncle Harold Foote Gosnell started the Political science department at the University of Chicago in 1923 with Charles Meriam

[@MH-vc9su]

appreciate the moment don't spend your life chasing happiness

[@PartisanGamer]

Absolutely not the point

[@remotefaith]

There is no escaping desire

[@onlyhousestarklivesmatter]

God I can't stand neoliberals. 🙃

[@BobRooney290]

time for the Red tide to roll in.

[@keplergelotte7207]

Guaranteed basic income = failed experiment
When you accept assistance you should also have the gift of thanking your benefactor.

[@richwilliams1863]

She has a habit of using too many long words and overly technical language when ordinary ones will do.

[@krisjoy2]

too bad berlant’s writing is incoherent posturing....its like watered down Zizek

[@leoman1919]

I wouldn't go so far but for sure she isn't nearly as lucid in her writing as in her talks. Strange isn't it?

[@krisjoy2]

leoman1919 lmao you sound like a pretentious college freshman at BU

[@leoman1919]

Not even close. Just exploring a dissonance that yo dumb ass ain't willing to consider.

[@JaguarVitamin]

this is one reason why i love berlant. she has all the mumbo jumbo academic swordfighting skills, but also teaches and talks at the level of students and the public

[@krisjoy2]

@@leoman1919 deep lol