Once you see it you can't unsee it: Neoliberal social media with Dr. L. Ayu Saraswati
In this conversation with Dr. L. Ayu Saraswati, professor at the University of Hawaii and award-winning author, we discuss neoliberalism, the impact of social media on emotional well-being, and the importance of emotional contracts in creating supportive structures. We explore the concepts of docile and defiant perception, and a vigilant eco-love that emphasizes community engagement and collective well-being. The discussion culminates in the idea of feminist enchantment, which encourages individuals to reconnect with their emotions and the world around them, fostering moments of delight and care.
Takeaways
-Neoliberalism emphasizes individualism, leading to disconnection.
-Emotional contracts can provide a framework for mutual support.
-Social media can alienate us from our true emotions.
-Vigilant eco love encourages community engagement and transformation.
-Feminist enchantment allows for moments of joy amidst struggle.
-Understanding docile vs. defiant perception helps us challenge harmful ideologies.
-The self is part of a larger ecological context.
-Activism can take many forms, including local community engagement.
Chapters
00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMpFUri8waw&list=PLWuTe1RLY2OvUYa9nj-X_d-6ZypeGQihZ&index=1] Intro
07:44 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMpFUri8waw&list=PLWuTe1RLY2OvUYa9nj-X_d-6ZypeGQihZ&index=1&t=464s] Neoliberalism, social media, and the selfie self
20:11 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMpFUri8waw&list=PLWuTe1RLY2OvUYa9nj-X_d-6ZypeGQihZ&index=1&t=1211s] Self-love vs. emotional contracts
26:31 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMpFUri8waw&list=PLWuTe1RLY2OvUYa9nj-X_d-6ZypeGQihZ&index=1&t=1591s] Docile vs. Defiant perception
36:19 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMpFUri8waw&list=PLWuTe1RLY2OvUYa9nj-X_d-6ZypeGQihZ&index=1&t=2179s] Vigilant Eco-love
42:15 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMpFUri8waw&list=PLWuTe1RLY2OvUYa9nj-X_d-6ZypeGQihZ&index=1&t=2535s] Feminist enchantment and community engagement
Dr. Saraswati’s website: https://drsaraswati.com/ [https://drsaraswati.com/]
Keywords: neoliberalism, social media, emotional contracts, self-love, institutional support, docile perception, defiant perception, vigilant eco-love, feminist enchantment
This conversation was recorded on August 6, 2025
*These show notes were generated with help from an AI
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