Politics of Anger | Film and Discussion

A revival of authoritarian leadership paired with nationalism, a disappearing moderate political centre, and a public sphere that is both cruel and sentimental. Social media, once the promise to give voice to the disempowered, now makes money off a culture of trolling and hyper-moralization. Algorithms, programmed to generate outrage, feed isolated information bubbles and produce what many call the era of post-truth politics. Incels, Brexit, and ‘Yellow Vests’ - an era where both majorities and minorities scream for recognition of their identity and victimhood.

How did we enter this toxic state? Are these developments a response to neoliberal structures, secularism and globalization eroding the basic solidarities in our society? Are resentment and hatred also more than clickbait or has the spread of social media limited our ability to soberly deal with conflicting life worlds? When is anger justified? Have both the left and the right given in to a form of politics where moralization and mockery outdo collective visions of the future?

After Princeton and Yale, the documentary ‘The Toxic Reigns of Resentment’ will have its European premiere at Erasmus University Rotterdam. After the screening, Merijn Oudenampsen and Sjoerd van Tuinen will discuss aspects of resentment with the audience. With a column by Floris van der Pol. Moderation: Eveline de Groot.

Organized by Studium Generale, the Erasmus Institute for Public Knowledge, the Philosophical Faculty Association ERA and the Erasmus School of Philosophy.