Technically though technically this city shouldn't even exist. It should have collapsed years ago but it didn't. The illiteracy, poverty, rape, scandal, pollution, dirt, bribery and deceit should have spilled out and over it. It shouldn't function. It shouldn't wake up every afternoon. It shouldn't bounce back every single time.
But it does.
So what does that make it then?
The only word I can think of is 'postmodern'
postmodernism "cannot on its own principles ultimately justify itself any more than can the various metaphysical overviews against which the postmodern mind has defined itself."
ReplyDeleteTrue enough.
ReplyDeleteUnless you think of it like this
'Postmodernism involves the belief that many, if not all, apparent realities are only social constructs, as they are subject to change inherent to time and place. It emphasizes the role of language, power relations, and motivations; in particular it attacks the use of sharp classifications such as male versus female, straight versus gay, white versus black, and imperial versus colonial. Rather, it holds realities to be plural and relative, and dependent on who the interested parties are and what their interests consist in.'
^that was me.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I agree with everything you stand for/you defined as postmodern (and it seems like all conversations I've been having lately come down to social constructs), you hit on an interesting point. I sometimes question the idea of total free/contextual perception. See, that would, essentially imply a society absolutely rule-less. But the fact remains that definitions are universal. Their context changes, yes, but their social definition (male vs. female, straight vs. gay) is linear. And if you take even that away and say such definitions are unnecessary, where does that leave us? Do we need the systems we've created to really function - does the fact they exist say something about us inherently or just something about the phenomena of having been brought up with no other choice? And saying that only the context of the definitions is relative doesn't make sense because then there are lines to be drawn and everything becomes even more blurry. This is more a discourse I've been struggling with lately --- with myself - but it's interesting that you brought this up. However this is definitely a much longer/non-comment conversation I would love to have someday.
Sorry! Just saw this. Social constructs are imperative to a discussion on anything really. I think however, that here in Karachi, definitions are more fluid than anywhere else. The lack of system and, arguably, structure, should have rendered us a 'failed' state years ago. But yes, a conversation for another time :)
ReplyDeletei'm really hating pomo right now, so i will not comment on it.
ReplyDeletebut your post sounds like the prologue of a comic book. watchmen-style!