Mark Fisher's Works: Exploring the Themes of Race, Gender, and the Anthropocene

Introduction

Mark Fisher (1968-2017) was a British writer and professor. His works focus on the impacts of the capitalism that has caused on us in different aspects including culture, politics and society. We are going to research on two of his books which are “Capitalist Realism” and “Ghost of My Life”, and how these books relate to the themes of race, gender and the Anthropocene.


Capitalist Realism

“Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative?” is his first book by Mark Fisher. In this book he argues that capitalism has become so universal that it has become our only viable option. He created the term "capitalist realism" to describe the popular belief that capitalism is the only working economic and political system.

Fisher believes this ideology penetrates every aspect of our culture, including art, education, and healtcare. As a result, he argues, we have become a society that we cannot imagine a future that is different from the present. For this reason, Fisher believes that capitalist realism is a form of cultural hegemony that limits our ability to imagine and create alternatives to capitalism.

Fisher also explores the concept of "depressive hedonia". It is defined as a sense of pleasure that results from activities that do not provide a real sense of accomplishment or meaning. He believes that the penetration of depressive hedonia is a result of the capitalist system that encourages individuals to pursue the pleasures of consumption and the endless pursuit of materials.

Issues of race and gender are not central to "Capitalist Realism," but Fisher touches on them briefly. He argues that capitalism perpetuates inequality and discrimination by emphasizing individualism and meritocracy. He suggests that this focus on the individual can make systemic issues and prevent us from addressing issues of inequality and discrimination.


Ghost of My Life

“Ghosts of My Life: Writings on Depression, Hauntology and Lost Futures” is an essay collection by Fisher published in 2014. In this essay collection, Fisher studies the cultural impact of neoliberalism and how it affected our relationship with time and space. He argues that neoliberalism has resulted in a culture that clings to the past but unable imagine a future.

Fisher introduces the concept of "hautonlogy", which he defines as "ghosts" or remnants of past cultural forms that cling in the present. He suggests that the inability to create new cultural forms is a result of clinging to the past and fear of the future.

Fischer also explores the concept of the Anthropocene, which refers to the current geological era when human activity has greatly impacted the Earth. He argues that the Anthropocene represents the failure of modernist projects and the need to serach new ways of life that are sustainable and just.

Fisher doesn't really mention race or gender in Ghosts of My Life, but he suggests that an obsession with the past and a fear of the future will limit our ability to imagine new forms of cultural expression that challenge dominant cultural narratives and power structures.


Conclusion

Mark Fisher's works are powerful critiques of the impacts of capitalism on our culture, politics and society. His ideas on capitalist realism, depressive hedonia, hauntology, and lost futures offer valuable insights into our current cultural moment and the challenges we face as a society.

Although Fisher's works do not really mention race or gender, he does suggest that dominant cultural narratives prolonged by capitalism can cause inequality and discrimination. His work highlights the need to imagine new cultural forms and ways of living that challenge dominating structures and promote sustainability and equity.


Reference

Fisher, M. (2009) Capitalist realism: Is there no alternative? Alresford: Zer0 Books.

Fisher, M. (2004) Ghosts of my life: Writings on depression, Hauntology and lost futures. Winchester, UK: Zero Books.

Mark Fisher (2020) authorstoknow.wordpress.com. Available at: https://authorstoknow.wordpress.com/portfolio/mark-fisher/ (Accessed: February 27, 2023).

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