Liquid Love: On the Frailty of Human Bonds

Written in the same spirit of his other works, with material that also overlaps these, the author of this book endeavors to paint a picture of what human relationships are like in modern "liquid" society. One could summarize the authors characterization as saying that life today is "liquid" because social hierarchies do not have enough time to form or dissolve immediately when they do, because ideology or ideas have only a transient impact, and because marketing strategies targeting consumers are only effective for moments, never long term. Life today is liquid because its elements, i.e. the things it depends on, are always being jostled around, like the molecules in a liquid, and finding stability or solidity is as elusive as ever. One cannot therefore acquire a "meaningful" relationship when confronted with such volatility, and even the desire for this has either vanished or suffered considerable diminution. The author writes that the goal of forming relationships in modern life is one where the delights of such are not to be intermixed with the downside, and finding fulfillment must be accomplished without bearing any burdens. This attempt at "squaring of the circle" he states has resulted in a burgeoning "counseling" industry, the members of which are all too eager to perpetuate the creation of such. This cynical commentary is not established scientifically, and no examples are given, but in this work, as in his others, statistical or scientific justification is absent, only opinions proliferate. But these opinions are interesting, even titillating, and could perhaps motivate some readers to consider to what degree the author is being accurate in his characterizations of modern life.Relationships that are configured to "terminate on demand" are perhaps abundant, and finding agreement with the author is straightforward, as there are many anecdotal examples of his assertions. Sexual adventures, both "inside" and "outside" of marriage are frequent, and the flow of semen remains unabated in the modern world, if not increasing in rate. Swinging lifestyles, pornographic films and literature, and adulterous relationships are greatly assisted by technology and it seems there is a drive more for sexual creativity rather than procreation or self-indulgent pleasure. "Life is short" proclaims one website, so therefore "have an affair." Religion used to dissuade such adventures, and still does to some degree, but its hold, like other ideologies, even those of a scientific bent, is proving tenuous in the twenty-first century.If the author commits any sin in this book it is because he seems to claim to speak for all, and forgets there are some who do not find the liquidity of modern life in any way burdensome. Far from considering living in this century an "exhausting chore" these individuals embrace uncertainty and find it immensely exhilarating. We find relationships, and sex, their immediate corollary, proving to be better, not worse for exactly the reason the author finds them troublesome or contradictory. Thankfully the traditions of the past have been supplanted by the uncertainty of the present, making life both more interesting and requiring more conceptual and physical alertness. We take nothing for granted in our relationships and we work diligently to both maintain and end them if necessary. The volatility of romance and sex are not a source of anxiety but instead a fascinating scenario that models the roller coaster ride of contemporary human relationships. To paraphrase Boris Pasternack, we are certainly all pygmies before the monstrous machine of change in the twenty-first century, but its ambiguities, along with its terrors, creates ample opportunities and awesome incentives.

The concept is not an interesting but this is just a Ramblin collection of unconnected essays. I think the fellow had lost the plot when he wrote this one.

Highly recommended

Good

It's worth reading it.

Well written in a very thoughtful and insightful way. Highly recommended for contemplative study and understanding. Great gift to those who are having confusion in their lives!

Reads like nonsense.

I think his life and background give way to a paranoia on what he views as love.

"Liquid Love", leider im Gegensatz vieler anderer Bücher von Zygmunt Bauman nur auf Englisch erhältlich, befasst sich ausgiebig mit dem kulturellen Einfluß der Konsummentalität unserer Zeit auf die Verhaltensweisen in romantischen zwischenmenschlichen Beziehungen.Nach Baumann, der leider dieses Jahr verstorben ist, führt das kulturelle Leitbild des Konsums (Consumption als Ideologie) dazu, dass Alleinstehende und in einer Partnerschaft Lebende eine romantische Beziehung unter den Aspekten der "Wirtschaftlichkeit" sehen.Liebe ist eine Ware, welche den marktwirtschaftlichen Regeln unterworfen ist."Investment", die ständige Verfügbarkeit von endlosen Alternativen (u.a. durch Dating Websites und -Apps wie Tinder) und der "Return of Investment" führen dazu, dass Beziehungen ihren tradierten, historisch bedingten Zusammenhalt verlieren und so volatiler werden.Indem das Individuum nicht mehr den klassischen Leitlinien "bis das der Tod uns scheidet" folgt, unterliegt er der Illusion, im "Freien Markt" alternative Investionen finden zu können, und erodiert so die Fähigkeit, eine feste und langlebige Beziehung aufzubauen und zu erhalten.Auch die persönliche Identität, heutzutage sichbar durch die "Gender Studies", ist mehr denn je wandelbar und wenig gefestigt, da das Individuum sich selbst als Ware definiert und so die eigene Identität liquide sieht.Bauman ist in seiner scharfen Analyse, welche mit wiss. Fussnoten wie ein Essay aufgebaut ist, weder Richter noch Ankläger. Mit wachem Verstand versucht er wertfrei die aktuelle Mentalität des Datingmarkets zu analysieren.Äußerst lesenswertes Buch, welche viele gesellschaftlichen Probleme aufdeckt und analysiert. Allerdings recht anstregend zu lesen.Als weiterführende Empfehlung möchte ich noch das auf deutsch erschienene Essayband "Leben als Konsum" vom selbigen Autor anbringen, der das Weltbild unserer modernen, westlichen Gesellschaft analysiert.5/5 Sterne

Bien

I was very pleased to find this book on the kindle store. It is well worth. The text is well written. The theme is quite something when it comes to reflect the nature of human relationships. I think Zygmund Bauman is not only a good Psychologist but, also an excellent crític of Human behaviour. I suggest as a good thought provoking read.

Bauman is insightful as always. Interesting format - kind of Wittgensteinian in structure.

I consider the book approaches one of the most important aspect of relationships nowadays. This made me buy it. I haven't read much of it though, because already the tone of it is pretty bitter. Accurate and correct, yet it makes one feel very sad while reading. So I gave 2 stars not necessarily for the content itself (which actually might be very good, I didn't read very much of it, as I said). Another related book is Sex 3.0 and that one is written in a very humourous way, it reflects as well where we are as society, but it also leaves the reader with a feeling that "despite things are as they are, we can still find what we want, happiness, etc".