Liquid Times: Living in an Age of Uncertainty

Social commentary of late has been extremely emotional and in many instances harsh in its critique of contemporary times. Out-of-control technology is frequently blamed for the malaise and uncertainties in life and work. It would seem that many are intimidated by the rapid social change that hyper-accelerated technological advance induces. The author of this book should not be classified as one of these, even though he might eventually become one. A careful reading of this book gives ample evidence that he will be making the transition in the near future. But for now, his commentary is interesting and rich, if sometimes overly abstract and excessively dramatic. His justifications certainly do not qualify as scientific, for no attempt is made to identify which samples of people do indeed have the attitudes he imputes to them. Pure opinions therefore proliferate, which may irritate some readers while titillating others.The author's thesis, loosely stated and following a rough analogy to the phase transitions of physical theory, is that "developed" areas of the world are undergoing a transition from a "solid" to a "liquid" phase. The solid phase can be characterized as one that the modern conservative has extreme nostalgia for: social structures or "community" that constrain individual behavior, that encourage uncritical adulation of social hierarchies, and that quickly suppress any attempt at alteration of these structures. The liquid phase is characterized by institutions that are always changing, and fail to keep their form for a long enough time to induce respect or comfort the humans who dwell in them. Personal commitments are short-lived or non-existent. There is simply not enough time to maintain them consistently. The liquid phase induces uncertainty and therefore anxiety: humans the author seems to believe cannot deal effectively with such rapid change.If one is to have opinions without supporting evidence, it is easy to believe the author's thesis. Indeed, it seems today's workplace has every sign of melting down, of making the transition to the liquid phase: one does not have a career, but rather a collection of tasks to be completed. One cannot own a home, or anything like furniture or dishes, but rent from month to month (or week to week). One must always be ready to move at a moment's notice, not to take a new job or start a new career, for "career" is a concept of relevance only to the solid phase, but to take up a new collection of tasks. These tasks may be completely different than the ones before them, and require expertise or insight that must be obtained rapidly or on-the-fly. Success is therefore piecemeal, and one cannot rely on history as a guide. Indeed, following history may be more of a detriment than a prescription for action.The author of this book calls people who seek novelty and adventure "hunters" and he invites the reader to consider that such individuals do so in order to seek a "radical cure for the sorrows and pains of the human condition." By making this statement, among others, the author seems to give evidence of his (odd) belief that human reality is oppressive and nightmarish. Indeed, throughout the book he refers to the "existential uncertainty" that gives birth to contemporary fears and also a weird kind of xenophobia that he calls "mixophobia." This is supposed to stand for the modern propensity of city dwellers to avoid strangers or environments that are not "uniform." This is to be contrasted with "mixophilia" which is a giving in to the "novelty and surprise" of the city.But some readers will take up this characterization with pride: "hunters" we are and "hunters" we will be, and the "liquid phase" of uncertainty is not to be a source of anxiety but rather of exhilaration. Uncertainty and the quest for its elimination demands innovation and that consequently induces more change. This gives impetus to more innovation so as to accelerate decision-making and the resolution of ambiguities. Technology assists in this goal and is in fact its powerful feedback motor. As the temperature of technological innovation increases we reach the "gaseous phase", where the past is continually forgotten, where social hierarchies cannot maintain rigidity even for a short period of time, and where human beings must become part of the technology in order to deal with it. Such is life in the twenty-first century. To paraphrase the author, it is an "infinite volume of possible permutations". It is indeed the most incredible and most desirable time to be alive.

"Liquid Times" offers a brilliant series of thoughts about postmodern life by master philosopher/sociologist Zygmunt Bauman. This accessible book succinctly introduces the reader to Mr. Bauman's theories about the passage from the "solid" phase of welfare statism to the "liquid" phase of neoliberalism which have rightly earned the author international acclaim and recognition, particularly among activists in the anti-globalization movement. In this highly rewarding book, Mr. Bauman shares some of his knowledge gained from over eighty years of high-level scholarship and diverse life experiences, rewarding the reader with a number of unique, compelling and penetrating insights into our postmodern condition.Mr. Bauman contends that as multinational corporations have wrested economic power from state control, individuals have born the cost of change: the evisceration of the social safety net compels individuals to sink or swim. Mr. Bauman describes how urban elites have become disconnected from the working class, residing in tightly-controlled enclaves of security while the masses have been left behind to fend for themselves in slums or crime-ridden shantytowns. As globalization depletes resources and produces prodigious amounts of human waste, the author believes that refugee camps represent only the most severe manifestation of the permanency of transience, as unwanted populations are forever stranded in a 'nowhereville' of non-citizenship.Indeed, Mr. Bauman asserts that the state finds newfound legitimacy in law enforcement and militarization. While the reality of increasing economic insecurity has compelled many individuals to assuage their anxieties by increasing discipline over mind, body and physical environment, the state incarcerates those who are unable to adopt and attacks others who might threaten us. In this manner, the state serves the interests of the powerful by protecting property rights; meanwhile, the social rights that are most needed by the poor are almost never seriously considered.In the final chapter, Mr. Bauman discusses how consumerism offers individuals the illusory utopia of the endless pursuit of self-realization. Mr. Bauman contrasts the "hunter" who lives within this fantasy with the "gardener" who attempts to cultivate a more humane and sustainable world for all. Discovering that the utopian concept is today most often seized upon by marketers than by idealists, the author brilliantly connects the seduction of the market economy with public passivity and a general lack of outrage within the industrialized nations for what the advent of corporate rule has come to mean for most of the world's people.I give this masterwork the highest possible recommendation.

I couldn't put this book down as I started reading it, and have read it twice now, and ordered others from the same author to better understand his framework. It is a very intriguing analysis of present times, that applies to multiple disciplines as a true work of sociology should. After reading the other books from Bauman, I would consider this a quick and inexpensive way to get introduced to the author, although the liquid modernity theory gets developed earlier and in more detail in his writings. Nevertheless this book is a primer to Bauman that anyone should be able to enjoy no matter what their profession is. The insight into current times and the unique perspective it provides will bring together many people regardless of their political or ideological beliefs and where they live.

Bauman is a genius. His writing is exquisite and eye-opening. Not an easy read, but well worth the effort. I had to go back and forth and reread passages several times to help concepts sink in, but doing it was edifying and pleasurable.

Bauman well describes the human condition with no certain escape from the hell we have created. Bauman suggests that Capitalism is responsible for the hell, but it has not of itself created the hell. Communism’s liquid hell still has left over ashes in the furnace of humanity. Humanity’s greed is the real human problem that can be solved only by a transcendent power.

This is not an easy book to read. The author seems to leap from one topic to another, leaving the reader to wonder what he missed. The book also seems to assume that you have read some of Bauman's earlier works since he makes reference to ideas that were not well explained in the book. In general, I was somewhat disappointed in the book.

If you have read Bauman's Liquid Modernity you'll find this short book very different - far shorter, much less sociology and more polemic. It's an excoriating dissection of the world we have created for ourselves, which systematically destroys security in favour of competition and anxiety.

Great book. Easy to read and about topics which affect us all deeply on an everyday basis. Absolutely advise to read.

Not for the faint-hearted. Superb take on post modern globalised life. Few answers but lots of insight. A world run by 'hunters'? One hopes not, but Liquid Times suggests it could be for some time.

When I read it was published ten years ago i only skimmed it, then put it on the shelf.Good concepts within, but it feels like digital age has well and truly shifted our realities....as has the obvious 2020 situations.

I'll libro era buono... è arrivato in tempoNiente delle complicazioniPagamento andato bene pure.Non era nuovo e eccelente come aveva detto l'informazione... comunque va bene