Difference between revisions of "The Desert of the Real"
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<p>Christopher Isherwood, an Englishman who became an American, once | <p>Christopher Isherwood, an Englishman who became an American, once | ||
gave | gave | ||
− | expression to the unreality of American daily life, exemplified in | + | expression to the unreality of American daily [[life]], exemplified in |
the motel room: “American motels are unreal! … They are deliberately | the motel room: “American motels are unreal! … They are deliberately | ||
− | designed to be unreal. … The Europeans hate us because we’ve retired | + | designed to be unreal. … The Europeans [[hate]] us because we’ve retired |
− | to live inside our advertisements, like hermits going into caves to | + | to live [[inside]] our advertisements, like hermits going into caves to |
contemplate.” | contemplate.” | ||
</p><p></p> | </p><p></p> | ||
− | <p> The Wachowski brothers’ 1999 hit film The Matrix brought this | + | <p> The Wachowski brothers’ 1999 hit [[film]] The [[Matrix]] brought this |
− | logic to its extreme climax: The material reality we all experience | + | [[logic]] to its extreme climax: The [[material]] [[reality]] we all [[experience]] |
− | and see around us is a virtual one, generated and coordinated by | + | and see around us is a [[virtual]] one, generated and coordinated by |
a gigantic mega-computer to which we are all attached. When the | a gigantic mega-computer to which we are all attached. When the | ||
− | hero, played by Keanu Reeves, awakens into the | + | hero, played by Keanu Reeves, awakens into the “[[real]] reality,” he |
sees a desolate landscape littered with burned ruins—what remained | sees a desolate landscape littered with burned ruins—what remained | ||
− | of Chicago after a global war. The resistance leader Morpheus utters | + | of Chicago after a [[global]] war. The [[resistance]] [[leader]] Morpheus utters |
the ironic greeting: “Welcome to the desert of the real.”</p> | the ironic greeting: “Welcome to the desert of the real.”</p> | ||
− | <p> Was it not something of a similar order that took place in New | + | <p> Was it not something of a similar [[order]] that took [[place]] in New |
− | York on September 11? As we were introduced to the “desert of the | + | York on [[September 11]]? As we were introduced to the “desert of the |
real,” the landscape and the shots we saw of the collapsing towers | real,” the landscape and the shots we saw of the collapsing towers | ||
could only remind us of the most breathtaking scenes from innumerable | could only remind us of the most breathtaking scenes from innumerable | ||
− | Hollywood disaster movies. The unthinkable had been the object of | + | Hollywood disaster movies. The unthinkable had been the [[object]] of |
− | fantasy. In a way, America got what it fantasized about, and this | + | [[fantasy]]. In a way, America got what it fantasized [[about]], and this |
was the greatest surprise.</p> | was the greatest surprise.</p> | ||
<p> It is precisely now, when we are dealing with the raw reality | <p> It is precisely now, when we are dealing with the raw reality | ||
− | of a catastrophe, that we should bear in mind the ideological and | + | of a catastrophe, that we should bear in [[mind]] the [[ideological]] and |
− | fantasmatic coordinates that determine its perception. If there | + | [[fantasmatic]] coordinates that determine its [[perception]]. If there |
− | is any symbolism in the collapse of the World Trade Center, it is | + | is any [[symbolism]] in the collapse of the [[World]] Trade Center, it is |
− | not that the Twin Towers stood for capitalism per se, but of virtual | + | not that the Twin Towers stood for [[capitalism]] per se, but of virtual |
− | capitalism, of financial speculations disconnected from the sphere | + | capitalism, of financial speculations [[disconnected]] from the sphere |
− | of material production. The towers symbolized, ultimately, the stark | + | of material production. The towers [[symbolized]], ultimately, the stark |
− | separation between the digitized First World and the Third World’s | + | [[separation]] between the digitized First World and the [[Third]] World’s |
“desert of the real.”</p> | “desert of the real.”</p> | ||
<p> The American sphere of safety is now experienced by its citizens | <p> The American sphere of safety is now experienced by its citizens | ||
− | as being under threat from an Outside of terrorist attackers who | + | as [[being]] under [[threat]] from an [[Outside]] of terrorist attackers who |
− | are ruthlessly self-sacrificing and cowards, cunningly intelligent | + | are ruthlessly [[self]]-sacrificing and cowards, cunningly intelligent |
− | and primitive barbarians. Whenever we encounter such a purely evil | + | and [[primitive]] barbarians. Whenever we [[encounter]] such a purely [[evil]] |
− | Outside, we should gather the courage to remember the Hegelian lesson: | + | Outside, we should gather the courage to [[remember]] the [[Hegelian]] lesson: |
In this evil Outside, we should recognize the distilled version | In this evil Outside, we should recognize the distilled version | ||
− | of our own essence. For the past five centuries, the (relative) | + | of our own [[essence]]. For the [[past]] five centuries, the (relative) |
prosperity and peace of the “civilized” West was bought by the export | prosperity and peace of the “civilized” West was bought by the export | ||
− | of ruthless violence and destruction to the “savage” Outside. It’s | + | of ruthless [[violence]] and [[destruction]] to the “savage” Outside. It’s |
a long story, from the conquest of America to the slaughter in Congo.</p> | a long story, from the conquest of America to the slaughter in Congo.</p> | ||
<p> Cruel and indifferent as it may sound, we should also, now more | <p> Cruel and indifferent as it may sound, we should also, now more | ||
than ever, bear in mind that the actual effect of these attacks | than ever, bear in mind that the actual effect of these attacks | ||
− | is much more symbolic: In Africa, every single day more people die | + | is much more [[symbolic]]: In Africa, every single day more [[people]] die |
of AIDS than all the victims of the attacks on the World Trade Center | of AIDS than all the victims of the attacks on the World Trade Center | ||
and the Pentagon, and their deaths can and could have been easily | and the Pentagon, and their deaths can and could have been easily | ||
− | minimized with relatively small financial means. The United States | + | minimized with relatively small financial means. The [[United States]] |
got a taste of what goes on around the world on a daily basis, from | got a taste of what goes on around the world on a daily basis, from | ||
Sarajevo to Grozny, from Rwanda and Congo to Sierra Leone. If one | Sarajevo to Grozny, from Rwanda and Congo to Sierra Leone. If one | ||
− | adds to the situation in New York rape gangs and a dozen or so snipers | + | adds to the [[situation]] in New York rape gangs and a dozen or so snipers |
blindly targeting people who walk along the streets, one gets an | blindly targeting people who walk along the streets, one gets an | ||
− | idea of what Sarajevo was like a decade ago.</p> | + | [[idea]] of what Sarajevo was like a decade ago.</p> |
− | <p> Now, we are forced to strike back, to deal with real enemies in | + | <p> Now, we are [[forced]] to strike back, to deal with real enemies in |
the real world … but whom to strike? Whatever the response, it | the real world … but whom to strike? Whatever the response, it | ||
− | will never hit the right target, bringing us full satisfaction. | + | will never hit the [[right]] target, bringing us [[full]] [[satisfaction]]. |
− | The spectacle of America attacking Afghanistan would be just that: | + | The [[spectacle]] of America attacking Afghanistan would be just that: |
− | If the greatest power in the world were to destroy one of the poorest | + | If the greatest [[power]] in the world were to destroy one of the poorest |
countries, where peasants barely survive on barren hills, would | countries, where peasants barely survive on barren hills, would | ||
− | this not be the ultimate case of the impotent acting out? Afghanistan | + | this not be the ultimate [[case]] of the impotent [[acting out]]? Afghanistan |
is already reduced to rubble, destroyed by continuous war during | is already reduced to rubble, destroyed by continuous war during | ||
the past two decades. The impending attack brings to mind the anecdote | the past two decades. The impending attack brings to mind the anecdote | ||
about the madman who searches for his lost key beneath a street | about the madman who searches for his lost key beneath a street | ||
light; asked why he searches there, when he actually lost the key | light; asked why he searches there, when he actually lost the key | ||
− | in a dark corner, he answers: “But it is easier to search under | + | in a dark corner, he answers: “But it is easier to [[search]] under |
strong light!” Is it not the ultimate irony that Kabul already looks | strong light!” Is it not the ultimate irony that Kabul already looks | ||
like downtown Manhattan?</p> | like downtown Manhattan?</p> | ||
<p> To succumb to the urge to retaliate now means precisely to avoid | <p> To succumb to the urge to retaliate now means precisely to avoid | ||
− | confronting the true dimensions of what occurred on September 11—it | + | confronting the [[true]] dimensions of what occurred on September 11—it |
means an act whose true aim is to lull us into the secure conviction | means an act whose true aim is to lull us into the secure conviction | ||
− | that nothing has really changed. The true long-term threats are | + | that [[nothing]] has really changed. The true long-term [[threats]] are |
− | further acts of mass terror in comparison to which the memory of | + | further [[acts]] of mass [[terror]] in comparison to which the [[memory]] of |
the World Trade Center collapse will pale—acts less spectacular, | the World Trade Center collapse will pale—acts less spectacular, | ||
− | but much more horrifying. What about biological warfare, the use | + | but much more horrifying. What about [[biological]] warfare, the use |
− | of lethal gas or the prospect of DNA terrorism—the development | + | of lethal gas or the prospect of DNA terrorism—the [[development]] |
− | of poisons that will affect only people who share a determinate | + | of poisons that will [[affect]] only people who share a determinate |
genome? Instead of a quick acting out, one should confront these | genome? Instead of a quick acting out, one should confront these | ||
difficult questions: What will “war” mean in the 21st century? Who | difficult questions: What will “war” mean in the 21st century? Who | ||
will be “them”?</p> | will be “them”?</p> | ||
− | <p> There is a partial truth in the notion of a “clash of civilizations” | + | <p> There is a [[partial]] [[truth]] in the [[notion]] of a “clash of civilizations” |
− | attested here. Witness the surprise of the average American: “How | + | attested here. [[Witness]] the surprise of the average American: “How |
− | is it possible that these people display and practice such a disregard | + | is it possible that these people display and [[practice]] such a disregard |
for their own lives?” Is the obverse of this surprise not the rather | for their own lives?” Is the obverse of this surprise not the rather | ||
sad fact that we, in the First World countries, find it more and | sad fact that we, in the First World countries, find it more and | ||
− | more difficult even to imagine a public or universal cause for which | + | more difficult even to imagine a [[public]] or [[universal]] [[cause]] for which |
one would be ready to sacrifice one’s life?</p> | one would be ready to sacrifice one’s life?</p> | ||
− | <p> But a brief look at the comparative history of Islam and Christianity | + | <p> But a brief look at the comparative [[history]] of [[Islam]] and [[Christianity]] |
− | tells us that the | + | tells us that the “[[human]] rights record” (to use an anachronistic |
term) of Islam is much better than that of Christianity: In past | term) of Islam is much better than that of Christianity: In past | ||
− | centuries, Islam was significantly more tolerant toward other religions | + | centuries, Islam was significantly more tolerant toward [[other]] [[religions]] |
than Christianity. It was through the Arabs that, in the Middle | than Christianity. It was through the Arabs that, in the Middle | ||
Ages, Western Europeans regained access to the ancient Greek legacy. | Ages, Western Europeans regained access to the ancient Greek legacy. | ||
We are not dealing with a feature inscribed into Islam as such, | We are not dealing with a feature inscribed into Islam as such, | ||
− | but with the outcome of modern socio-political conditions. This | + | but with the outcome of modern socio-[[political]] [[conditions]]. This |
notion of the “clash of civilizations” has to be thoroughly rejected: | notion of the “clash of civilizations” has to be thoroughly rejected: | ||
− | What we are witnessing today are rather clashes within each civilization.</p> | + | What we are witnessing today are rather clashes within each [[civilization]].</p> |
− | <p> Indeed, every feature attributed to the Outside is already present | + | <p> Indeed, every feature attributed to the Outside is already [[present]] |
in the very heart of the United States. Murderous fanaticism? What | in the very heart of the United States. Murderous fanaticism? What | ||
about the rightist, populist “fundamentalists” who also practice | about the rightist, populist “fundamentalists” who also practice | ||
− | a terror of their own, legitimized by (their understanding of) Christianity? | + | a terror of their own, legitimized by (their [[understanding]] of) Christianity? |
− | Since America is in a way “harboring” them, should the U.S. Army | + | Since America is in a way “harboring” [[them]], should the U.S. [[Army]] |
have punished its own country after the Oklahoma City bombing? And | have punished its own country after the Oklahoma City bombing? And | ||
what about the way Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson reacted to the | what about the way Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson reacted to the | ||
− | attacks on September 11, perceiving them as a sign that God had | + | attacks on September 11, perceiving them as a [[sign]] that God had |
lifted his protection because of the sinful lives of Americans, | lifted his protection because of the sinful lives of Americans, | ||
− | putting the blame on hedonist materialism, liberalism and rampant | + | putting the blame on hedonist [[materialism]], [[liberalism]] and rampant |
− | sexuality, and claiming that America got what it deserved?</p> | + | [[sexuality]], and claiming that America got what it deserved?</p> |
<p> It is still too early to tell how the events of September 11 will | <p> It is still too early to tell how the events of September 11 will | ||
be symbolized or what acts they will be evoked to justify. Even | be symbolized or what acts they will be evoked to justify. Even | ||
now, in these moments of utmost tension, this link is not automatic | now, in these moments of utmost tension, this link is not automatic | ||
− | but contingent. We already see the first bad omens, like the sudden | + | but [[contingent]]. We already see the first bad omens, like the sudden |
− | resurrection, in the public discourse, of the old Cold War term | + | resurrection, in the public [[discourse]], of the old [[Cold War]] term |
− | “free world”: The struggle is now the one between the “free world” | + | “free world”: The [[struggle]] is now the one between the “free world” |
and the forces of darkness and terror. The question to be asked | and the forces of darkness and terror. The question to be asked | ||
here is: Who then belongs to the unfree world? Are, say, China or | here is: Who then belongs to the unfree world? Are, say, China or | ||
Egypt part of this free world?</p> | Egypt part of this free world?</p> | ||
− | <p> The day after the attacks, I got a message from a journal that | + | <p> The day after the attacks, I got a [[message]] from a journal that |
− | was just about to publish a longer text of mine on Lenin, telling | + | was just about to publish a longer [[text]] of mine on [[Lenin]], telling |
me that they decided to postpone its publication—they considered | me that they decided to postpone its publication—they considered | ||
it inopportune to publish a text on Lenin immediately after the | it inopportune to publish a text on Lenin immediately after the | ||
terrorist attacks. Does this point toward ominous ideological rearticulations | terrorist attacks. Does this point toward ominous ideological rearticulations | ||
− | to come, with a new Berufsverbot (prohibition to employ radicals) | + | to come, with a new Berufsverbot ([[prohibition]] to employ radicals) |
− | much stronger and more widespread than the one in the Germany of | + | much stronger and more widespread than the one in the [[Germany]] of |
the ’70s? </p> | the ’70s? </p> | ||
<p> These days, one often hears the phrase that the struggle is now | <p> These days, one often hears the phrase that the struggle is now | ||
the one for democracy—true, but not quite in the way this phrase | the one for democracy—true, but not quite in the way this phrase | ||
− | is usually meant. Already, some leftist friends of mine have written | + | is usually meant. Already, some [[leftist]] friends of mine have written |
me that, in these difficult moments, we had better keep our heads | me that, in these difficult moments, we had better keep our heads | ||
down and not push forward with our agenda. Against this temptation | down and not push forward with our agenda. Against this temptation | ||
− | to duck out the crisis, one should insist that now the left should | + | to duck out the crisis, one should insist that now the [[left]] should |
− | provide a better analysis. To not do so is to concede in advance | + | provide a better [[analysis]]. To not do so is to concede in advance |
− | the left’s political and ethical defeat in the face of acts of quite | + | the left’s political and [[ethical]] defeat in the face of acts of quite |
genuine heroism on the part of ordinary people—like the passengers | genuine heroism on the part of ordinary people—like the passengers | ||
− | who, in a model of rational ethical action, apparently overtook | + | who, in a [[model]] of [[rational]] ethical [[action]], apparently overtook |
the hijackers and provoked the early crash of the fourth plane over | the hijackers and provoked the early crash of the fourth plane over | ||
Pennsylvania.</p> | Pennsylvania.</p> | ||
<p> So what about the phrase that reverberates everywhere, “Nothing | <p> So what about the phrase that reverberates everywhere, “Nothing | ||
will be the same after September 11”? Significantly, this phrase | will be the same after September 11”? Significantly, this phrase | ||
− | is never further elaborated—it’s just an empty gesture of saying | + | is never further elaborated—it’s just an [[empty gesture]] of saying |
− | something “deep” without really knowing what we want to say. So | + | something “deep” without really [[knowing]] what we [[want]] to say. So |
our reaction to this phrase should be: Really? Or is it rather that | our reaction to this phrase should be: Really? Or is it rather that | ||
− | the only thing effectively changed was that America was forced to | + | the only [[thing]] effectively changed was that America was forced to |
realize the kind of world it is part of?</p> | realize the kind of world it is part of?</p> | ||
<p> Such changes in perception are never without consequences, since | <p> Such changes in perception are never without consequences, since | ||
the way we perceive our situation determines the way we act in it. | the way we perceive our situation determines the way we act in it. | ||
− | Recall the processes of collapse of a political regime—say, | + | [[Recall]] the [[processes]] of collapse of a political regime—say, |
− | the collapse of the Communist regimes in Eastern Europe. At a certain | + | the collapse of the [[Communist]] regimes in Eastern [[Europe]]. At a certain |
− | moment, people all of a sudden became aware that the game was over, | + | [[moment]], people all of a sudden became aware that the [[game]] was over, |
that the Communists had lost. The break was purely symbolic, nothing | that the Communists had lost. The break was purely symbolic, nothing | ||
changed “in reality”—and, nonetheless, from that moment on, | changed “in reality”—and, nonetheless, from that moment on, | ||
− | the final collapse of the regime was just a question of days.</p> | + | the final collapse of the [[regime]] was just a question of days.</p> |
<p> What if something of the same order did occur on September 11? | <p> What if something of the same order did occur on September 11? | ||
− | We don’t yet know what consequences in economy, ideology, politics | + | We don’t yet [[know]] what consequences in [[economy]], [[ideology]], [[politics]] |
− | and war this event will have, but one thing is sure: The United | + | and war this [[event]] will have, but one thing is sure: The United |
States, which, until now, perceived itself as an island exempted | States, which, until now, perceived itself as an island exempted | ||
from this kind of violence, witnessing these kind of things only | from this kind of violence, witnessing these kind of things only | ||
− | from the safe distance of a TV screen, is now directly involved. | + | from the safe distance of a TV [[screen]], is now directly involved. |
So the question is: Will Americans decide to further fortify their | So the question is: Will Americans decide to further fortify their | ||
sphere, or risk stepping out of it? America has two choices. It | sphere, or risk stepping out of it? America has two choices. It | ||
can persist in or even amplify its deeply immoral attitude of “Why | can persist in or even amplify its deeply immoral attitude of “Why | ||
should this happen to us? Things like this don’t happen here,” leading | should this happen to us? Things like this don’t happen here,” leading | ||
− | to even more aggression toward the Outside—just like a paranoiac | + | to even more [[aggression]] toward the Outside—just like a [[paranoiac]] |
acting out. Or America can finally risk stepping through the fantasmatic | acting out. Or America can finally risk stepping through the fantasmatic | ||
screen separating it from the Outside world, accepting its arrival | screen separating it from the Outside world, accepting its arrival | ||
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ensure that it will not happen here again is to prevent it from | ensure that it will not happen here again is to prevent it from | ||
going on anywhere else. America should learn to humbly accept its | going on anywhere else. America should learn to humbly accept its | ||
− | own vulnerability as part of this world, enacting the punishment | + | own vulnerability as part of this world, enacting the [[punishment]] |
− | of those responsible as a sad duty, not as an exhilarating retaliation. | + | of those [[responsible]] as a sad [[duty]], not as an exhilarating retaliation. |
Even though America’s peace was bought by the catastrophes going | Even though America’s peace was bought by the catastrophes going | ||
on elsewhere, the predominant point of view remains that of an innocent | on elsewhere, the predominant point of view remains that of an innocent | ||
− | gaze confronting unspeakable evil that struck from the Outside. | + | [[gaze]] confronting unspeakable evil that struck from the Outside. |
− | One needs to gather the courage to recognize that the seed of evil | + | One [[needs]] to gather the courage to recognize that the seed of evil |
is within us too.</p> | is within us too.</p> | ||
− | <p> In his campaign for the presidency, George W. Bush named Jesus | + | <p> In his campaign for the presidency, George W. [[Bush]] named [[Jesus]] |
− | Christ as the most important person in his life. Now he has a unique | + | [[Christ]] as the most important person in his life. Now he has a unique |
− | chance to prove that he meant it seriously. For him, as for all | + | [[chance]] to prove that he meant it seriously. For him, as for all |
− | Americans today, | + | Americans today, “[[Love]] thy neighbor” means “Love the Muslims.” Or |
it means nothing at all. | it means nothing at all. | ||
==Source== | ==Source== | ||
− | * [[The Desert of the Real]]. ''In These Times''. October 29, 2001. <http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/1588/> | + | * [[The Desert of the Real]]. ''In These [[Times]]''. October 29, 2001. <http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/1588/> |
Latest revision as of 00:36, 21 May 2019
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