The revolutionary power of diverse thought | Elif Shafak
Can Words Be Tasted?
The speaker reflects on a question posed by a teenage girl at a literary festival about tasting words and delves into the concept of synesthesia.
Can Synesthesia Influence Writing?
- The speaker discusses how synesthesia, the blending of senses, can influence writing.
- Personal experience with associating colors with letters and how it impacts flavor perception.
Exploring Emotional Intelligence in Politics
The discussion shifts towards emotions, political theory, and the need to enhance emotional intelligence in politics.
Importance of Emotions in Politics
- Emphasizing mixed emotions towards one's homeland and the global trend of similar sentiments.
- Critique on mainstream political theory neglecting emotions and the impact of collective sentiments on politics.
The Role of Feminism Across Borders
The speaker challenges stereotypes related to feminism based on geographical locations and highlights shifting global perspectives.
Challenging Geographical Stereotypes
- Reflecting on a conversation with an American scholar regarding feminism based on location.
Living in Liquid Times
The speaker reflects on the concept of living in liquid times, drawing inspiration from Zygmunt Bauman's idea of walking on moving sands.
Living in Liquid Times
- Women are more vulnerable during societal regressions into authoritarianism, nationalism, or religious extremism.
- The speaker used to feel demoralized witnessing the erosion of democracy and coexistence in Turkey.
- A shift occurred where more individuals worldwide started feeling worried about their nations' futures.
- Writers from various countries joined a group feeling concerned about global challenges and feeling like strangers in their own countries.
- Newcomers to the group felt even more depressed than those who had been despondent for a long time.
Challenges of Our Time
The speaker discusses the unprecedented challenges faced globally and the emotional responses that arise due to rapid changes and unfamiliarity.
Global Challenges
- High-speed change leads people to yearn for familiarity and simplicity, creating an environment ripe for demagogues.
- Demagogues exploit collective sentiments by promoting tribalism and sameness while despising plurality.
- Various demagogic figures worldwide share a common aversion to diversity and multiplicity.
Intolerance of Ambiguity
The speaker delves into how intolerance of ambiguity is pervasive in society today, leading to binary oppositions that deny complexity.
Intolerance of Ambiguity
- Society's intolerance of ambiguity is likened to an authoritarian personality trait according to Adorno.
- Binary oppositions prevail across different domains, denying individuals the right to embrace complexity.
Empathy Amidst Tribalism
The speaker explores how tribalism limits empathy and solidarity towards victims globally, emphasizing the importance of standing with all affected by violence.
Empathy Amidst Tribalism
- Expressing sorrow for victims globally is met with criticism rooted in tribalistic thinking that prioritizes certain regions over others.
The Power of Emotions and Identity
In this section, the speaker reflects on the loss of diversity in societies, drawing from personal experiences in Turkey and emphasizing the importance of embracing multiplicity within oneself.
Embracing Diversity
- The speaker highlights the erasure of individuality in society and emphasizes the significance of maintaining diversity within ourselves and our communities.
- Singular identities are deemed illusory as individuals possess a multitude of voices internally, suggesting that embracing multiplicity is essential for authenticity.
Personal Attachments and Identity
- Drawing inspiration from Hafiz, the Persian poet, the speaker discusses carrying ingredients for joy within one's soul and expresses attachment to various regions like Istanbul, Balkans, Aegean, Mediterranean, Middle East, Levant, Europe, and London.
- Describing herself as a global soul and world citizen with multiple attachments, she underlines that these connections give rise to diverse stories that shape individual identities.
Courage to Speak Out
This segment delves into the speaker's journey towards vocalizing personal truths despite societal taboos and fears of backlash.
Breaking Taboos
- The speaker reveals her advocacy for minority rights but admits hesitance in publicly acknowledging her bisexuality due to anticipated stigma and hatred.
- Despite fears of slander, she advocates against silence out of fear of complexity or societal judgment.
Emotional Resilience
Here, the discussion centers on navigating emotions such as fear and anxiety while recognizing their limitations.
Tipping Point
- Emphasizing emotional boundaries, the speaker shares insights on reaching a tipping point where one grows weary of negative emotions like fear and anxiety.
- Reflecting on personal anxieties while asserting that life is fluid not just in terms of gender or identity but also in its essence.
Unity Amidst Diversity
The focus shifts towards unity across borders amidst attempts to divide populations based on tribalism or dualities.
Embracing Complexity
- Advocating for a return to fundamental values amidst divisive narratives by highlighting interconnectedness beyond borders.