The Age of Insecurity by Astra Taylor

Flashcards created from lecture notes on Astra Taylor's work discussing social theory, insecurity, and capitalism.

Cura

The Roman goddess representing care, concern, anxiety, and worry.

Securitas

A Stoic state of mind meaning absence of worry, equanimity.

Existential insecurity

The state of being human characterized by vulnerability, dependency, mortality, and unpredictability.

Manufactured insecurity

A condition intentionally created by capitalism, benefitting from individuals' feelings of insecurity.

Commoning

A practice among commoners of sharing and managing resources collectively as a means of survival.

Promethean characteristics

Traits associated with risk-taking and technological innovation, derived from the myth of Prometheus.

Stoicism

An ancient philosophy emphasizing endurance of pain or hardship without the display of feelings and without complaint.

Enclosure movement

The historical process of enclosing common lands previously shared by communities, leading to new forms of social and economic insecurity.

Fractal inequality

A phenomenon where individuals feel insecure in their status relative to others, irrespective of their financial standing.

Solidarity

Unity and mutual support within a group, which can be a powerful form of security.