While the perception of South Africa lapsing into a dystopian society exists, research into the posthuman condition proves that a multitude of systems are present and an awareness of their flexibility and fluidity grows with each passing day.
Decay, as an overarching theme, is established as the defining factor whereby systems, perceptions and mindsets rise and fall in a perpetual cycle to be replaced by new systems, paradigms and perceptions.
As part of the process of decay within a posthuman dystopian society, former fixed perceptions surrounding identity are subject to the same decay exerted on systems and mindsets. Whereas liberal humanism perceives the identity of man to be fixed and cast in stone, the posthuman dystopia views the concept of identity as fractured, flexible and fluid. The process of decay of the fixed identity is not catastrophic but rather signals the opportunity for growth and the opening of new paradigms.
The catastrophic influence of human greed on both the natural environment and human identity serve as an undercurrent for the negative manifestations of decline evident in a contemporary dystopian society. The point is made that decay of previous systems and paradigms is not necessarily catastrophic to the posthuman dystopian society, but rather signals the turning of the tides. Yet the human impulse to consume and destroy (driven by human avarice) may lead to an apocalyptic end. This nuance is established as a subtle motive to serve as a warning that a posthuman dystopian society should not be feared but that the human avarice that perpetuates the view of humanity as master and dominator of all things, should be.
The research also proves that the decay evident in contemporary society provides rich soil for the growth of a dystopian zeitgeist. Thus decay, in both physical and psychological terms, provide a dynamic metaphor for the aesthetic interpretation of the dystopian zeitgeist. What is viewed as a dystopian zeitgeist does not necessarily signal an apocalyptic end but the fall of the liberal humanist system and the dawn of the new posthumanist age. Furthermore, what is perceived as negative manifestations of the dystopian zeitgeist: crime, racism, xenophobia etc. is the reaction of humanity, driven by avarice at the end of the humanist era and is, therefore, a metaphorical
kicking against the pricks.
©2019 by Laurette de Jager