Self-transformation narratives dominate precisely when institutional support collapses
Evidence
A therapeutic narrative of heroic selftransformation is the only story that makes sense in a world in which institutions can no longer be relied upon to support or nurture individuals. — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk, 1934
Categorization
- XREF: Echoes the individualization thesis of Ulrich Beck’s risk society and Barbara Ehrenreich’s critiques of positive-thinking ideology. — connects to: Collapse of institutional trust creates a narrative power vacuum that conspiracy ideologies fill — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 122; Neoliberalism transforms the self so that crises stop being read as system failures — Philip Mirowski, Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste, 302; Neoliberal crisis narratives redirect blame from structures onto individual psychology — Philip Mirowski, Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste, 433 (+3 more)
Broader Connections
- Collapse of institutional trust creates a narrative power vacuum that conspiracy ideologies fill
#expands(0.82) — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 122 - Neoliberal crisis narratives redirect blame from structures onto individual psychology
#exemplifies(0.80) — Philip Mirowski, Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste, 433 - Neoliberal abandonment forces a hardened self-reliance that blocks trust and long-term commitment
#expands(0.79) — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk, 1934 - Neoliberalism transforms the self so that crises stop being read as system failures
#qualifies(0.78) — Philip Mirowski, Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste, 302 - Individualized self-improvement solutions block collective confrontation of structural crisis
#exemplifies(0.76) — Naomi Klein, Doppelganger, 1074 - Ideologies that gain enough support become self-sustaining social realities.
#expands(0.72) — Leonard S. Newman and Ralph Erber (eds.), Understanding Genocide, 842