Disruptive Play: The Trickster in Politics and Culture

by Shepherd Siegel

Description

"Disruptive Play: The Trickster in Politics and Culture journeys from ancient folkloric appearances of Tricksters such as Raven and €s-?Elegba, to their confined role in Western civilization, and then on to Trickster's 20th century jailbreak as led by dada and the hippies. Disruptive Play bears witness to how this spirit informs social progress today, whether by Banksy, Burning Man, or Bugs Bunny; or by unrevealed mischief-makers and culture jammers. Such play is revolutionary and lights show more the path to a transformed society. Disruptive Play draws on knowledge from mythology, folklore, popular culture, art, politics, and play theory to make its case, that to be playful means not taking power seriously. At critical mass, power collapses and leaves us swimming about in the waters of the amoral Trickster. New values emerge and could lead to some version of the dystopia that currently drenches popular culture. Or, if people can discern between the authentic contact and exhilaration of play, and branded, mediated, alienated pleasure, then we just might stumble and frolic our way to the Play Society. If you are examining the progress of the human condition and searching to understand and engage with the current irrationality, then grab the insights of Disruptive Play and take to heart its hopes for the Play Society."--Page 4 of cover. show less