DeepSummary
In this episode of the Left Anchor podcast, Ryan Cooper and Alexei the Greek interview Astra Taylor, an activist and author, about her book 'The Age of Insecurity: Coming Together as Things Fall Apart'. They discuss the concept of insecurity, how it is essential to the functioning of capitalism, and how it manifests both objectively in socioeconomic conditions and subjectively in people's emotions and psychological states.
Taylor argues that insecurity is not just an unfortunate byproduct of inequality, but is actively generated and perpetuated by the capitalist system to motivate people and maintain a constant state of precarity. She contrasts this 'manufactured insecurity' with an 'existential insecurity' that is inherent to being human and mortal.
The conversation also touches on topics like the Canadian welfare state, the possibility of a more secure economy under a different system, and the toxic effects of extreme wealth and fractal inequality on individuals at the top. Taylor advocates for building solidarity across classes to challenge the status quo and imagine alternative economic models based on care and mutual vulnerability.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Insecurity exists on both objective socioeconomic levels and subjective psychological levels, and is actively produced by capitalism rather than just a byproduct.
- The Canadian welfare state, often held up as a model, has significant flaws and insecurities of its own that undermine its effectiveness.
- Extreme wealth and 'fractal inequality' are toxic not just for society but for the ultra-wealthy individuals at the top.
- Building solidarity across class lines is necessary to challenge the capitalist system and its reliance on insecurity.
- Alternative economic models should be based on mutual care, solidarity stemming from shared vulnerability, and positive conceptions of security.
- The insecurity inherent to capitalism undermines even those it supposedly benefits in theOwner/investor class.
- The concepts of 'existential insecurity' (inherent to being human) and 'manufactured insecurity' (produced by capitalism) are contrasted.
- The pursuit of 'security' through military force and violence is challenged in favor of recognizing mutual vulnerability.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I think insecurity is really foundational and constitutive of the economic paradigm that we now live in.“ by Astra Taylor
- “So I fully endorse what you've just said. And the quote. I mean, I think that's one of the arguments in this book, is that the system actually isn't working, even for the people that it's supposedly working for.“ by Astra Taylor
- “I think, actually, we need, we need to mobilize middle class people and affluent people to recognize the harm that is being done by this economy, not just to other people and to the least off, but to them, too. And for them to maybe begin to imagine how more robust forms of public security would actually benefit them more than a model of just private provisioning and private wealth hoarding.“ by Astra Taylor
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Episode Information
Left Anchor
Ryan Cooper & Alexi the Greek
1/3/24
We're taking the week off, so enjoy our episode with Astra Taylor speaking about her book The Age of Insecurity: Coming Together as Things Fall Apart. We discuss how modern capitalism came to produce insecurity on a personal scale, who benefits from it, whether a modern economy can be run with a secure population, and more.