Understanding Modernism, Postmodernism, and Metamodernism: Key Differences and Their Implications

Introduction

When discussing cultural and intellectual movements, three key terms often come up: modernism, postmodernism, and metamodernism. These movements represent different perspectives on reality, language, and the human condition. While they share some common ground in their rejection of absolute truth, they diverge significantly in their ultimate conclusions and implications.

Shared Premises

Both postmodernism and metamodernism start from similar foundational beliefs:

What I perceive is not necessarily the same as what you perceive. Words can mean different things to different individuals.

Postmodernism: Nihilism and Skepticism

Postmodernists embrace these premises and often adopt a nihilistic perspective in response:

Many postmodernists deny the existence of objective reality. They suggest that narratives can be subjective and that all narratives are equally valid.

This skepticism can lead to a broader questioning of truth, leading to a fragmented view of reality where there are no absolute answers. Here are some characteristics of postmodernist art and thought:

Self-referentiality. Nihilistic tendencies.

Metamodernism: A Rejection of Nihilism

Metamodernism, on the other hand, agrees with the premises of postmodernism but draws different conclusions:

Metamodernists believe that individual perceptions are subjective, but reality still exists and remains a constant. They emphasize the importance of imperfect human knowledge and the limitations of sensory perception.

Metamodernists often use self-referential art and literature to explore the complexity of human experience, while maintaining a focus on emotional truth and the significance of reality. They believe that while there may be multiple perspectives, there is still a core reality that matters.

Applications: Professional Wrestling as a Lens

To further illustrate these concepts, let's consider professional wrestling:

Modernism in Professional Wrestling

Modernist wrestlers, up until 1997 with the Montreal Screwjob, believed in and acted as if the matches were real:

Professional wrestlers maintained a strict code of kayfabe (keeping the behind-the-scenes business hidden). Acting and performing were paramount.

Their goal was to create a believable reality, even if it was fictional, emphasizing the importance of the illusion.

Postmodernism and Professional Wrestling

Postmodernist wrestlers acknowledge that the matches are not real, focusing on the entertainment value and individual responses:

They accept that the matches are fabricated but focus on the immediate reactions and fun of the performance. There is no continuity or deeper meaning beyond the moment.

This approach leads to high-energy and spontaneous performances but lacks any lasting significance.

Metamodernism and Professional Wrestling

Metamodernist wrestlers recognize that the matches are staged, yet they embrace the reality of their performances:

They perform their own stunts and live actions, making the performances as realistic as possible. Backstage politics become interesting as they are partially real.

Metamodernist wrestlers blend the staged performance with genuine human emotion and interaction, creating a complex and layered experience that is both artifice and reality.

Exploring Metamodernism Through Film

An excellent way to explore metamodernism is through the film Everything Everywhere All At Once.

Metamodernism in the Film

The antagonist of the film embraces postmodernist nihilism, claiming that since things could have gone any of thousands of different ways, none of them matter:

The protagonist, however, recognizes that despite the accidents and chances, many things do matter and acts accordingly. This encapsulates the core of metamodernism: recognizing the complexity of multiple perspectives while maintaining an understanding of reality.

Conclusion

While modernism, postmodernism, and metamodernism share some common beliefs, their ultimate conclusions and approaches are quite distinct. Modernism clings to the idea of a fixed reality, whereas postmodernism embraces the uncertainty and relativity of multiple perspectives. Metamodernism, however, finds a balance between these two extremes, recognizing the subjectivity of human perception while affirming the existence of a core reality that matters.

Related Keywords

Modernism Postmodernism Metamodernism