[Seven by Nine Squares home page]
[The Destruction of Meaning]
[SMILE magazine path]
[Contents]
THE inclusion of the concept of 'Alienation' in the (pseudo) radical
critiques of society is a clear indication of the extent to which
these critiques have internalized the mechanisms for the propagation
of power. 'Alienation' describes a set of sensations common to all
individuals with 'the
leisure time' to develop
self-
consciousness.
The use of this word in the system of binary oppositions (language)
suggests that an 'unalienated' condition is possible. Although this
'unalienated'
culture
may have historically existed during periods of
zero leisure, to suggest that it is possible today is clearly a
manifestation of the imperative (under capitalism) for the existence
of an illusory and unreachable 'better world' (the 'other'
of Glamour).
Like Religion, which offers the lie of immortality, or fashion which
presents a 'better
life,'
the word 'alienation' is used to invert
the 'painful reality'
of 'life'
through the promise of an illusory
'cure.' 'Radicals' basing their critiques on this concept are
self-defeating: the vain attempts to heal 'alienation' only serve
to increase the separation between the 'image' of 'the self' and
its
'reality.'
Leisure is alienation.