Libidinal Economy in America

2022/12/31

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The tweet above is an Afghan refugee commenting on the food received in Fort Bliss, and some of the comments from (assumed) Americans are particularly offensive, but I think reveal the the values of the idea of the libidinal economy.

These are people that have never experienced any sort of food situation aside hyperabundance for the most part, and ultimately, the libido part, it only matters to them in so far as it gives them joy it seperates them from those without (e.g. Afghans refugees). The assumptions here involve that this person from Afghanistan has no concept of a good, full meal and instead should put that all aside for the vague idea that "he's lucky".

The luckiness is particularly funny to me given the self-reflection never happens the other way for most Americans where the assumption is anyone in power has earned it.