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The End of Dissatisfaction?

The End of Dissatisfaction?

By McGowan, Todd

Published by State University of New York Press

English 249 pages 2012
Estimated reading time: 4 h 34 min
PDF

About this book

Explains why the American cultural obsession with enjoying ourselves actually makes it more difficult to do so. Winner of the 2004 Gary Olson Award for best book in cultural theory presented by JAC Exploring the emergence of a societal imperative to enjoy ourselves, Todd McGowan builds on the work of such theorists as Jacques Lacan, Slavoj Zðizûek, Joan Copjec, and Theresa Brennan to argue that we are in the midst of a large-scale transformation-a shift from a society oriented around prohibition (i.e., the notion that one cannot just do as one pleases) to one oriented around enjoyment. McGowan identifies many of the social ills of American culture today as symptoms of this transformation: the sense of disconnection, the increase in aggression and violence, widespread cynicism, political apathy, incivility, and loss of meaning. Discussing these various symptoms, he examines various texts from film, literature, popular culture, and everyday life, including Toni Morrison's Paradise, Tony Kushner's Angels in America, and such films as Dead Poets Society and Trigger Effect. Paradoxically, The End of Dissatisfaction? shows how the American cultural obsession with enjoying ourselves actually makes it more difficult to do so.

Availability

The End of Dissatisfaction? is available as PDF at 9 online bookshops. Bookshops carrying it include Bajalibros Argentina, Bajalibros Latam, Bookshop Uruguay.

Language
English
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Frequently asked questions

In what formats is The End of Dissatisfaction? available?
The End of Dissatisfaction? is available as PDF at 9 online bookshops.
Where can I buy The End of Dissatisfaction??
You can buy The End of Dissatisfaction? at Bajalibros Argentina, Bajalibros Latam, Bookshop Uruguay. Compare every option in the list on this page.
How long does it take to read The End of Dissatisfaction??
At an average reading pace, The End of Dissatisfaction? takes about 4 h 34 min to read (249 pages).

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