postpostmodern

Postpostmodernism, sometimes referred to as metamodernism, is a proposed philosophical and cultural stage that follows postmodernism. It is characterized by a complex and often paradoxical oscillation between modernist enthusiasm and postmodernist irony. Unlike postmodernism's embrace of fragmentation and relativism, postpostmodernism seeks to re-engage with grand narratives and sincerity, albeit with an awareness of their potential pitfalls.

This new stage is not a simple return to modernism, but rather a synthesis of modernist aspirations with postmodernist skepticism. It acknowledges the critiques of postmodernism regarding truth and universality, yet it still endeavors to find meaning and purpose. This can manifest in a re-emergence of earnestness, hope, and a desire for authenticity, often intertwined with a self-aware, ironic distance.

Key themes associated with postpostmodernism include a renewed interest in affect, emotion, and subjective experience. There's a recognition of the limitations of pure deconstruction and a tentative movement towards reconstruction and the construction of new, albeit provisional, meanings. This can be seen in various artistic expressions, literature, and social trends that blend irony with genuine sentiment, or embrace sincerity with a wink. The concept remains a subject of ongoing debate and definition within academic and cultural circles.