I begin this week’s blog with an unnerving uncertainty. Somehow that seems fitting given all this talk of postmodernism, metanarrative-destruction, and navigating the general nebulousness that is our sorry human existence.
Postmodernism and I have a bit of a love-hate relationship, I’m afraid. One second I’m rejoicing in its recognition of marginalized minorities, and the next I am perplexed by its ability to contradict its own theories. (As in: “But isn’t Lyotard’s story about disbelief in metanarratives just another metanarrative?” Yeah, explain that! Wait, you’re not going to explain it?! You’re just gunna say “Yes.” and move on?!?!?! WTF??!??!)
The entire realm of Postmodern thought seems determined to tear one from his/her mental footholds and hurl one, flailing, into a great abyss of ambiguity and conjecture. It’s rather unsettling, I must say.
Now, I consider myself a bit of a thrill-seeker; few things give me more pleasure than the squirm of my stomach during a drop on a rollercoaster, the cheering of an audience after making it through a live performance in one piece, or even the surprised looks of friends and family after getting an extreme hair cut. ( ;{D ) But even in these instances, I have some sort of safety line protecting me from total desolation; rollercoasters are carefully planned and built so that margin of error is infinitesimally small, performances are preceded by hours (sometimes years) of practice and training, and I had pictured myself with short hair for so long that I wasn’t too shocked by what I saw when it came time for the actual cut. When it comes to my world view, my Christianity is my safety line—my metanarrative, if you will—and I refuse to abandon it for more reasons than I am able to name at this point in time. So where does that leave me in regards to Postmodernism—a way of thinking that demands one leave all the absolutes at the front door?
This is a remarkably thoughtful post. And I love the rollercoaster metaphor.
ReplyDeleteWhen you say that you have certain narratives that give your life meaning (Christianity), I would have to say that it a good thing and not to be forsaken. None of us can live without narratives in our life (literally). From my perspective, what Lyotard is talking about is the trouble that arises when we feel we have to dominate others who don't subscribe to our particular belief system (i.e. jihad, Crusades, etc.). In other words, we have our own "local" or personal narratives and are able to coexist with others who subscribe to different realities/discourses. It is along the lines of not demanding that everyone pray to the same god in schools, because that would obviously marginalize who don't subscribe to the same grand narrative.
Anyhow, I was intrigued by your post . . .