Encountering Berlant part two: Cruel and other optimisms

• DOI: 10.1111/geoj.12493
• Publication Date: 2022-12-26T07:05:25Z
• Authors: Ben Anderson; Akanksha Awal; Daniel Cockayne; Beth Greenhough; Jess Linz; Anurag Mazumdar; Aya Nassar; Harry Pettit; Emma J. Roe; Derek Ruez; Mónica Salas Landa; Anna Secor; Aelwyn Williams
• Keywords: Flourishing; Ambivalence

Abstract Part 2 of Encountering Berlant amplifies the promise Lauren Berlant's influential concept ‘cruel optimism’. Cruel optimism names a double‐bind in which attachment to an ‘object’ holds out sustaining/flourishing, whilst simultaneously harming. The lines between harming, sustaining, damaging and flourishing blur, sometimes collapsing entirely. By holding together opposites exemplifies performs centrality ambivalence thought, as well their orientation overdetermination incoherence. Geographers others have found way understanding intersection affective political economies crisis‐present following 2008 financial crisis. Together with linked concepts such ‘crisis ordinariness’ ‘impasse’, cruel has offered why detachment can be so difficult how conditions endure. Contributors begin from these starting points, amplifying concept's promise: new researching writing about reproduction ordinary damage harm. diverse encounters work, they move multiple directions, juxtaposing it other optimisms across variety empirical scenes locations. result is repository what optimism, mode thinking‐feeling more broadly, offer geographers others.