Metamodernism

Metamodernism is a cultural and philosophical concept that emerged in the early 21st century, often described as a successor to postmodernism. It attempts to reconcile seemingly contradictory aspects of modernism and postmodernism. While postmodernism often emphasized irony, skepticism, and deconstruction, metamodernism suggests a renewed sincerity, hope, and engagement with grand narratives, albeit with a self-aware understanding of their potential limitations.

Key characteristics of metamodernism include a oscillation between modernist enthusiasm and postmodernist irony, a desire for meaning and authenticity alongside a recognition of constructed realities, and a embrace of affect and emotion after postmodernism's cool detachment. It can be seen as a search for truth and purpose in a world saturated by media and information, where the boundaries between the real and the virtual, the sincere and the ironic, are increasingly blurred.

Metamodernism is not a rigid doctrine but rather a sensibility or a mood that permeates contemporary art, literature, film, and social discourse. It allows for the possibility of genuine belief and commitment without necessarily succumbing to naive idealism. Thinkers associated with metamodernism, such as Timotheus Vermeulen and Robin van den Akker, highlight this dynamic and fluid approach to cultural production and understanding.