The Affect Theory Reader

This field-defining collection consolidates and builds momentum in the burgeoning area of affect studies. The contributors include many of the central theorists of affect—those visceral forces beneath, alongside, or generally other than conscious knowing that can serve to drive us toward movement, thought, and ever-changing forms of relation. As Lauren Berlant explores “cruel optimism,” Brian Massumi theorizes the affective logic of public threat, and Elspeth Probyn examines shame, they, along with the other contributors, show how an awareness of affect is opening up exciting new insights in disciplines from anthropology, cultural studies, geography, and psychology to philosophy, queer studies, and sociology. In essays diverse in subject matter, style, and perspective, the contributors demonstrate how affect theory illuminates the intertwined realms of the aesthetic, the ethical, and the political as they play out across bodies (human and non-human) in both mundane and extraordinary ways. They reveal the broad theoretical possibilities opened by an awareness of affect as they reflect on topics including ethics, food, public morale, glamor, snark in the workplace, and mental health regimes. The Affect Theory Reader includes an interview with the cultural theorist Lawrence Grossberg and an afterword by the anthropologist Kathleen Stewart. In the introduction, the editors suggest ways of defining affect, trace the concept’s history, and highlight the role of affect theory in various areas of study. Contributors. Sara Ahmed, Ben Anderson, Lauren Berlant, Lone Bertelsen, Steven D. Brown, Patricia Ticineto Clough, Anna Gibbs,Melissa Gregg, Lawrence Grossberg, Ben Highmore, Brian Massumi, Andrew Murphie, Elspeth Probyn, Gregory J. Seigworth, Kathleen Stewart, Nigel Thrift, Ian Tucker, Megan Watkins This Field-defining Collection Consolidates And Builds Momentum In The Burgeoning Area Of Affect Studies. The Contributors Include Many Of The Central Theorists Of Affect - Those Visceral Forces Beneath, Alongside, Or Generally Other Than Conscious Knowing That Can Serve To Drive Us Toward Movement, Thought, And Ever-changing Forms Of Relation. As Lauren Berlant Explores 'cruel Optimism,' Brian Massumi Theorizes The Affective Logic Of Public Threat, And Elspeth Probyn Examines Shame, They, Along With The Other Contributors, Show How An Awareness Of Affect Is Opening Up Exciting New Insights In Disciplines From Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Geography, And Psychology To Philosophy, Queer Studies, And Sociology. In Essays Diverse In Subject Matter, Style, And Perspective, The Contributors Demonstrate How Affect Theory Illuminates The Intertwined Realms Of The Aesthetic, The Ethical, And The Political As They Play Out Across Bodies (human And Non-human) In Both Mundane And Extraordinary Ways. They Reveal The Broad Theoretical Possibilities Opened By An Awareness Of Affect As They Reflect On Topics Including Ethics, Food, Public Morale, Glamor, Snark In The Workplace, And Mental Health Regimes. The Affect Theory Reader Includes An Interview With The Cultural Theorist Lawrence Grossberg And An Afterword By The Anthropologist Kathleen Stewart. In The Introduction, The Editors Suggest Ways Of Defining Affect, Trace The Concept's History, And Highlight The Role Of Affect Theory In Various Areas Of Study.-- Publisher Description. Happy Objects / Sara Ahmed -- The Future Birth Of The Affective Fact : The Political Ontology Of Threat / Brian Massumi -- Writing Shame / Elspeth Probyn -- Cruel Optimism / Lauren Berlant -- Bitter After Taste : Affect, Food, And Social Aesthetics / Ben Highmore -- An Ethics Of Everyday Infinities And Powers : Félix Guattari On Affect And The Refrain / Lone Bertlesen And Andrew Murphie -- Modulating The Excess Of Affect : Morale In A State Of Total War / Ben Anderson -- After Affect : Sympathy, Synchrony, And Mimetic Communication / Anna Gibbs -- The Affective Turn : Political Economy, Biomedia, And Bodies / Patricia T. Clough -- Eff The Ineffable : Affect, Somatic Management, And Mental Health Service Users / Steven D. Brown And Ian Tucker -- On Friday Night Drinks : Workplace Affects In The Age Of The Cubicle / Melissa Gregg -- Desiring Recognition, Accumulating Affect / Megan Watkins -- Understanding The Material Practices Of Glamour / Nigel Thrift -- Affect's Future : Rediscovering The Virtual In The Actual / Lawrence Grossberg (interviewed By Gregory J. Seigworth And Melissa Gregg). Edited By Melissa Gregg And Gregory J. Seigworth. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This field-defining collection consolidates and builds momentum in the burgeoning area of affect studies. The contributors include many of the central theorists of affectthose visceral forces beneath, alongside, or generally other than conscious knowing that can serve to drive us toward movement, thought, and ever-changing forms of relation. As Lauren Berlant explores cruel optimism, Brian Massumi theorizes the affective logic of public threat, and Elspeth Probyn examines shame, they, along with the other contributors, show how an awareness of affect is opening up exciting new insights in disciplines from anthropology, cultural studies, geography, and psychology to philosophy, queer studies, and sociology. In essays diverse in subject matter, style, and perspective, the contributors demonstrate how affect theory illuminates the intertwined realms of the aesthetic, the ethical, and the political as they play out across bodies (human and non-human) in both mundane and extraordinary ways. They reveal the broad theoretical possibilities opened by an awareness of affect as they reflect on topics including ethics, food, public morale, glamor, snark in the workplace, and mental health regimes. The Affect Theory Reader includes an interview with the cultural theorist Lawrence Grossberg and an afterword by the anthropologist Kathleen Stewart. In the introduction, the editors suggest ways of defining affect, trace the concepts history, and highlight the role of affect theory in various areas of study. Contributors Sara Ahmed Ben Anderson Lauren Berlant Lone Bertelsen Steven D. Brown Patricia Ticineto Clough Anna Gibbs Melissa Gregg Lawrence Grossberg Ben Highmore Brian Massumi Andrew Murphie Elspeth Probyn Gregory J. Seigworth Kathleen Stewart Nigel Thrift Ian Tucker Megan Watkins Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 An Inventory of Shimmers 14 One - Impingements 40 1. Happy Objects 42 2. The Future Birth of the Affective Fact: The Political Ontology of Threat 65 3. Writing Shame 84 Two - Aesthetics and the Everyday 104 4. Cruel Optimism 106 5. Bitter after Taste: Affect, Food, and Social Aesthetics 131 6. An Ethics of Everyday Infinities and Powers: Félix Guattari on Affectand the Refrain 151 Three - Incorporeal/Inorganic 172 7. Modulating the Excess of Affect: Morale in a State of ‘‘Total War’’ 174 8. After Affect: Sympathy, Synchrony, and Mimetic Communication 199 9. The Affective Turn: Political Economy, Biomedia, and Bodies 219 Four - Managing Affects 240 10. Eff the Ineffable: Affect, Somatic Management, and Mental Health Service User 242 11. On Friday Night Drinks: Workplace Affects in the Age of the Cubicle 263 12. Desiring Recognition, Accumulating Affect 282 Five - After Affect 300 13. Understanding the Material Practices of Glamour 302 14. Affect’s Future: Rediscovering the Virtual in the Actual 322 Afterword: Worlding Refrains 352 References 368 Contributors 394 Index 398 Happy objects / Sara Ahmed The future birth of the affective fact : the political ontology of threat / Brian Massumi Writing shame / Elspeth Probyn Cruel optimism / Lauren Berlant Bitter after taste : affect, food, and social aesthetics / Ben Highmore An ethics of everyday infinities and powers : Félix Guattari on affect and the refrain / Lone Bertlesen and Andrew Murphie Modulating the excess of affect : morale in a state of "total war" / Ben Anderson After affect : sympathy, synchrony, and mimetic communication / Anna Gibbs The affective turn : political economy, biomedia, and bodies / Patricia T. Clough Eff the Ineffable : affect, somatic management, and mental health service users / Steven D. Brown and Ian Tucker On Friday night drinks : workplace affects in the age of the cubicle / Melissa Gregg Desiring recognition, accumulating affect / Megan Watkins Understanding the material practices of glamour / Nigel Thrift Affect's future : rediscovering the virtual in the actual / Lawrence Grossberg (an interview with Gregory J. Seigworth and Melissa Gregg).