Episode 1 - Once you see it you can't unsee it: Neoliberal social media with Dr. L. Ayu Saraswati

IIn this conversation with Dr. L. Ayu Saraswati, professor at the University of Hawaii and award-winning author, we discuss neoliberalism, the impact of social media on emotional well-being, and the importance of emotional contracts in creating supportive structures. We explore the concepts of docile and defiant perception, and a vigilant eco-love that emphasizes community engagement and collective well-being. The discussion culminates in the idea of feminist enchantment, which encourages individuals to reconnect with their emotions and the world around them, fostering moments of delight and care.

Takeaways

-Neoliberalism emphasizes individualism, leading to disconnection.

-Emotional contracts can provide a framework for mutual support.

-Social media can alienate us from our true emotions.

-Vigilant eco love encourages community engagement and transformation.

-Feminist enchantment allows for moments of joy amidst struggle.

-Understanding docile vs. defiant perception helps us challenge harmful ideologies.

-The self is part of a larger ecological context.

-Activism can take many forms, including local community engagement.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

07:44 Neoliberalism, social media, and the selfie self

20:11 Self-love vs. emotional contracts

26:31 Docile vs. Defiant perception

36:19 Vigilant Eco-love

42:15 Feminist enchantment and community engagement

Dr. Saraswati’s website: https://drsaraswati.com/

Keywords: neoliberalism, social media, emotional contracts, self-love, institutional support, docile perception, defiant perception, vigilant eco-love, feminist enchantment

This conversation was recorded on August 6, 2025

*These show notes were generated with help from an AI