Dystopia and quarantined markets – an interview with James Fitchett

Abstract

ABSTRACT We present an invited interview with Professor James Fitchett (University of Leicester) on the idea of dystopia and dystopic tendencies in the historical moment of the Covid-19 pandemic. 1 1 The discussion is based on a transcript of the recording Quarantined Market Podcast (episode 8) that has been edited for publishing in textual form. The podcast episode can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/qmp-790368337/qmp8-dystopia-with-james-fitchett. Essays based on this and other podcasts in the series also appear in The Dictionary of Coronavirus Culture published by Repeater. With his wonderfully nuanced background in psychoanalytic theory and a keen interest in understanding market phenomena critically through ideology, paradox, fantasy, simulation, narcissism and sadism among others, James provides a sweeping and sometimes surprising account of how utopia can be both quite selfish and mundanely bland, and how dystopia can be vastly attractive and deeply desired in consumption.