Being a master of metaphors

In his political interventions, Jürgen Habermas is a first-class rhetorician. His writing style eloquent, polemical, rich in aperçus and metaphors, often affective, especially angry (see Möllers, 2021, p. 85). But there are also many metaphors contributions to philosophy, social theory, theory which he clearly restrains himself rhetorically. Metaphors appear at crucial points formation. Formulations like the dialogical give take of reasons “in kleiner Münze” (small coins), discursive “Verflüssigung” (liquefaction) traditions, “colonization” lifeworld, “center periphery” modern democracies, or their institutional “sluices”—a metaphor has adopted from Bernhard Peters—create suggestive images minds readers. The author, who insists on strict differentiation between day-to-day language, literary language sciences Habermas, 1990a), whose philosophical self-understanding “unforced force better argument” master evocative metaphors. This attribute alone makes it pleasure read texts. German edition new book does not disappoint those readers search either. Marxist tradition Marx, 2011), number borrowed sphere geology: “segments” (p. 33)1 population, “erosion” democracy 87), normative “slopes” 15), “crumbling” system 109), “solidified lava” anti-authoritarianism Silicon Valley 46). Some nautical “anchors” 16), theatre, “grimace” libertarian thought Only few them belong organic life: “root ground” culture 32), “Gleichursprünglichkeit” (co-originality) rule law 90), “nesting” expectations 14). Most Habermas’ vocabulary technical world: “building” 9), “centrifugal” forms communication 43), “architecture” constitutional “net historical memory” 30), “Sollbruchstelle” (predetermined breaking point) rights 92), “web attitudes” “social bond” 31), civil society as an “early warning system” 80)—and again “flow chart” its “filters” “sluices” 24, 100). One wait until last paragraph find military metaphor. Now time “den Spieß umzudrehen”2 109) fight coalition conspiracy theorists right-wing populists. Taking preference for into account, comes no surprise that speaks “echo chambers” 45) “fragmentation” critical analysis digital public sphere. spatial öffentlicher Raum (Raum can literally be translated unlimited space limited room) combined with systems-theory when mentions “input,” “throughput,” “output” components infrastructure (pp. 38–39). one passage book, even addresses problems metaphorical states “must overstated” 60). He may have written this sentence unfortunate experience. More than once become victim metaphor-rich critics claimed formulations “colonization lifeworld” too vague real analytical power field research. Another example term “ideal speech situation.” originally developed ideal situation 1970 On Pragmatics Social Interaction epistemological tool used test validity what essentially true actually case 2001). pushes back vehemently against “stubborn misunderstanding” 69) about term. First, out “this misleading expression” since 1972 essay theories truth. Second, catchy formulation was never meant blueprint institutions, but bundle pragmatic assumptions we always start enter discourse claims. Nevertheless, some early advocates revolution first half 1990s Howard Rheingold, Nicolas Negroponte, WIRED magazine authors John Katz notions unrestricted flow justification dreams virtual democracy.3 According them, World Wide Web incarnation situation. view, Internet matches all basic requirements close possible core deliberative democracy: communicative open, unlimited, universal, anti-hierarchical, complex interaction. To radical techno-optimists days, created model, offered universal access, freedom expression, agendas, uncoerced communication, participation outside traditional institutions. reminds big “emancipatory promise” “egalitarian unregulated” relationships were propagated beginning age. And indeed, positive qualities attributed by Rheingold other optimists electronic strikingly resemble Buchstein, 1997, pp. 250–251). Theory Communicative Action, defined “a virtually present network communication” (Habermas, 1987, 390) freed any spatiotemporally restricted context. Ten years later, outline democratic ideal, advocated “decentred society” “subjectless […] regulate deliberations” 1994, 7). him, “technologies make highly differentiated spheres” 1990b, 360), should consist “open inclusive overlapping, subcultural politics having fluid temporal, social, substantial boundaries” 1998, 306). such “discursive structuring networks arenas,” popular sovereignty “becomes anonymous” 171). describes technology third evolutionary stage development means following spoken word couple thousand ago introduction mechanical printing press modernity. Despite “revolutionary” 41) change caused technologies, (again) neutrality technologies. position—already taken late 1960s Herbert Marcuse—distinguishes argument two rival positions within Frankfurt School Critical Theory. hand, departs optimistic Walter Benjamin famous 1936 work art age reproduction Hans-Magnus Enzensberger's Baukasten zu einer Theorie der Medien (1970). distances itself Theodor W. Adorno's critique alienated consumer thesis essence been liquidated mass media post-liberal societies. stated 1992 strong influence difficult discern Structural Transformation Public Sphere 30 1992, 438). There element coquetry retrospective statement because already had made point consumerist capitalist could transformed more postbourgeois solution less known Encyclopedia article 1964 call intervention order create rational reorganization power” 1974, 55). brought “under mutual control organizations committed internal structure well relations state each other” sounds neo-corporatist expansion way TV organized West Germany days. Based neutralist position, very 60 subscribed strategy re-regulate system. considerations Action 1981 followed same pattern. Relying empirical research, argued—explicitly Adorno—that shifting sounds, media—movie, radio, TV—have turned apparatus completely dominates permeates everyday communication. Instead, emphasized “ambivalence” media. “unleashing” potential,” “built structures themselves,” set action measures. mentioned Hans Magnus vision “video pluralism” “television democracy” attempts overcome centralizing Since then, repeatedly both strengthen undermine rationality depending regulated 437). Thirty after published seminal “cause pessimistic assessment” 457) future itself. seems returned pessimism. repeats older statements importance accommodating, enlightened liberal necessary condition existence further order. optimism western democracies Between Facts Norms still based hypothesis long-term trend toward rationalization lifeworld. Thanks support post-conventional socialization patterns, families groups citizens higher cognitive moral face-to-face radiates As known, concept Andrew Arato Jean Cohen source progressive changes reasons, values, topics get transmitted via center described context discovery morally relevant questions arising thus assumed lifeworld advantage perception transported movements voluntary associations overly evaluation ignored fact pursued conservative, reactionary, populist, militant goals 107–108). question whether, extent, dominated provide realistic chance members bring changes. Norms, relatively possibility democratization. optimistic. puts emphasis “vulnerability” 30) results patterns precarious status democracies. “political regression” around world confidence reason growing pessimism nothing do current Zeitgeist, follows subtle theory. At glance, only updating organizational structural transformation. Both position state-intervention reform regulation found again. Once again, frames reflections democracy. argues legitimacy inclusiveness Mass indispensable function, they ensure common, albeit anonymous, Political opinions condense effective targeted decisions publicity Thus, imperative “enlightening quality” 23). centrifugal dissolution limits simultaneously accelerated participants distance “ambivalent explosive force” 43). Referring notes quality internet question” 40). “platform” 44) character “actually media” 44). words, enable potential users participate independent equal rights. longer depends journalists expert institution professional selection examination. services produced new, privately owned platforms neutral services” 53). They driven logic profit-making pressure “old adjust format. emancipatory today “übertönt” 45, sense dominated) “fragmented publics” 45), “bubbles” 62), 45). standards debate threatened lost. stakes high: integration risk. It looks reminder final paragraphs 1960s, presents includes three proposals (newly) alarming decline counts civic education: Citizens learn how deal reasonable way; (cf., 46–47). second consists media, example, private owners correct false information prevent hate speech. Finally, alternatives companies. proposes financial state-funded democratically controlled radio stations 51 67), (printed digital) newspapers fulfill certain 67).4 agenda conservative carry organization 1970s our 1962 glorified bourgeois glorifying past. I listed threefold provokes non-trivial question: How strengthens discussions legislative measures, regulations (at least democracies) result (less enlightened) communication? question, striking gains relevance before. change. produce just prospects characterization elected parliaments “deliberate decide together [emphasis original] according procedures” 24). will discuss problematic parliamentarism article, want original].” my understanding, indicates constellations, typical interaction different section explicitly praises parliamentary decision-making “face-to-face deliberations original]” 102). attests courts “comparatively high level rationality” 78), legal institutionalization due court hearings held face-to-face. vibrant emphasizes encounters” 39) life events. most intriguing sections speculates changing separation abolished. significant part understood neither nor private. Rather reserved then correspondences letter, bloated existence. produces “peculiar anonymous intimacy” 62) coins “Halböffentlichkeit” 65—semi-public sphere) echo chambers filter bubbles.5 However, speculation dilemma. conceptualized linguistically culturally stock interpretative form symbolic society. introduces correlation notion Baynes, 2016, 64–70). dilemma one: continues base assumption particular settings. provides plausible under conditions infrastructure, massive unlearning competencies among users. argued growth laws markets eventually extend penetrate “into substance works itself” 1989, 165). criticism compatible technology. maintain combines observations semi-public hybrid regressive effect “identity-preserving” 61) horizons reduces chances agenda. reforms likely win majorities (not mention enforce global scale). If follow line argument, end up much outlook himself. before taking books shelf research look moderate optimism. Could trapped “filter bubbles”? use Strukturwandel (structural transformation) problematic. did invent 1932, Otto Kirchheimer spoke Carl Schmitt's legality Kirchheimer, 2017, 381). Federal Republic Germany, lawyer Gerhard Leibholz justify financing parties Leibholz, 1958, 79–129). original dates 1950s Yos, 2019, 429–433). case, transmission Franz L. Neumanns's Funktionswandel 1937. Neumann phrase describe Neumann, 1937). consideration sphere, dealt history decline, substituted function. share methodological approach reconstruct societies unilinear sequence distinguishable stages. uses Strukturwandel, rudimentary, ornamental, weak fulfills function evoking analogy realm thought.6 conjures images. image design assembly, goes Latin structuram; elements building otherwise characterize main pattern object. component word—Wandel—evokes slight changes; conversion. transformation change, essential construction giving novel quality. book. later claim Blumenberg rightly thing metaphor-free Blumenberg, 1998). So, let us think sphere! What about—pace Marx—the geological “tectonic shifts”? paints picture. evokes idea simultaneity fundamental movements—after all, tectonic plates foundations living environment. Tectonic move directions. Their sometimes smooth therefore unnoticed. Sometimes, however, cause violent disturbances destroy old fell swoop. shifts affect everyone, ways. institutions seem successively today, but—to stay metaphor—as earthquakes volcanic eruptions. remain locally disruptive phenomenon initiate adjustment phase. Ultimately, these answered reluctant acknowledge 2009, 422–423). With regard dramatic normal cases shifts—readers probably suggestions metaphors—they accordance findings several researchers conclusion modes “Echo exceptions rather regular today's communication.7 addition, Hartmut Rosa convincingly argued, fragmentation online debates largely reflects offline late-modern Rosa, 2022).8 wrote self-critical comment book: “My diagnosis politically active withdrawn bad privacy [was] simplistic” (1992, Let hope 2022 simplistic. Hubertus University Greifswald.