From: jimruttshow8596
Hanzi Freinacht, a philosopher and writer, is known as one of the main developers of the ideas of metamodernism [00:00:36]. His work, including “The Listening Society” and “The Nordic Ideology,” has significantly influenced the Game B community and the broader “liminal web of radical social changers” [00:01:20]. Freinacht’s latest book, “12 Commandments for Extraordinary People to Master Ordinary Life,” serves as a response to and engagement with Jordan Peterson’s “12 Rules” books [00:01:58].
A Metamodern Response to Societal Issues
Freinacht’s philosophical journey began in a postmodern sociology department, where he engaged with critical perspectives on power relations, language, and the social construction of reality [00:02:22]. While appreciating postmodernism’s moral sensibilities, he sought to move beyond mere critique to constructive approaches [00:03:05]. This led him to integral Theory and developmental psychology, which he combined with cultural analysis to form his vision of metamodernism [00:03:20].
The core idea is that for societies to be “sane” or “sustainable,” they must support the inner growth of human beings, influencing personalities, relationships, goals, values, and institutions [00:04:40]. Freinacht views Jordan Peterson’s work, which gained significant traction, as a “step back” to classical liberalism and conservatism, rather than a “step forward” into metamodernism [00:06:15]. Peterson’s critique of postmodernism was timely but lacked the progressive content and moral sensibilities necessary for true advancement [00:08:16]. Freinacht aims to provide a metamodern response, particularly in the realm of self-help, by baking in a different life philosophy [00:09:38]. This new approach offers a more “laid back” and hopeful vision, which is simultaneously “more secular and skeptical” and “more deeply spiritual or religious” [00:10:37].
The “Meaning Crisis” and the Rejection of Two-World Thinking
A central theme in Freinacht’s work is the rejection of a “two-world model,” magic, and the supernatural [01:16:12]. He aligns with what he calls “radical enlightenmentism,” believing the world is “entirely devoid of all magic and all miracles” [01:15:32]. This stance addresses the “meaning crisis” [01:15:52], acknowledging that relinquishing traditional supernatural beliefs can leave people feeling lost [01:16:21].
However, Freinacht notes a paradox: magical thinking often appears more in highly developed individuals [01:17:14]. This occurs because direct phenomenological experiences (experiencing the world as richer, more whole, vibrant, and alive) can outpace cognitive capacities to explain them [01:17:50]. This “gap” between rational and spiritual capacities is then filled with magical thinking [01:19:01]. Conversely, if cognitive capacities exceed phenomenological experience, the world can feel “dead matter” or mundane, leading to reductionism and an anti-spiritual stance [01:20:51].
The solution lies in oscillating between these poles: skepticism (irony) and spiritual experience (sincerity) [01:22:15]. This “metamodern sense” allows for the integration of both, eventually moving beyond mere oscillation into a “superposition where both are true simultaneously” [01:25:23]. The more rigorous one is in scientific scrutiny, the “farther you can safely travel into the magical realm and into spiritual experience” [01:25:40].
Subjective States and Modern Challenges
Freinacht introduces the concept of “state” as a fundamental developmental dimension, referring to “first-person reality” or phenomenology [01:28:49]. This encompasses the full range of human experience, from terror to intense beauty [01:29:36]. He highlights “State 7” as the common experience in modern life: “you’re okay… but there’s a little tension in your back, there’s a little worry in your mind” [01:31:22]. He contrasts this with “State 8,” a genuine sense of “okayness” and feeling “at home,” which he posits was more common in pre-civilized societies [01:32:05].
State 7 vs. State 8
The tendency to remain in State 7 (a pervasive sense of slight unease) in modern, late-stage Game A society [01:36:44] is a significant challenge. Freinacht argues that mastering one’s own subjective states becomes paramount as global pressures (complexity, geopolitical shifts, climate change, demographic crunch) increase [01:37:04].
Becoming masters of subjective states is crucial for personal and social resilience [01:38:31]. This allows individuals, especially those in the “transnational creative class” or “Triple H population (hippies, hipsters, and hackers),” to respond more productively to challenges and avoid making things worse [01:39:10].
The 12 Commandments: A Guide to Metamodern Living
Freinacht’s “12 Commandments” offer practical guidance for “extraordinary people to master ordinary lives,” emphasizing “sober radical” living [01:14:56].
1. Live in a Mess Moderately [00:40:50]
This commandment directly challenges Peterson’s “clean your room” [00:40:56]. Freinacht argues that one doesn’t owe a neat home or a perfectly ordered life to society to contribute valuably [00:41:00]. He critiques “individualist reductionism,” where societal issues are incorrectly framed as purely individual responsibilities [00:43:03]. While personal responsibility is important, true societal change may require addressing systemic issues rather than simply cleaning one’s room [00:43:36].
2. Fuck Like a Beast [00:43:51]
This command, linked to “cosmo-eroticism,” is about reconnecting to one’s body and animal nature [00:45:11]. It emphasizes getting over inhibitions, often by addressing traumas and emotional blockages [00:46:09]. By successfully processing pain and emotional discomfort, individuals can unlock a deeper sense of aliveness, enabling them to “speak without inhibition,” “think without inhibition,” and live more passionately [00:48:41]. This process of facing and resolving difficulties leads to greater freedom and an improved subjective state [00:48:15].
3. Live Sincerely Ironically [00:49:11]
This concept is central to metamodernism, integrating scientific skepticism (irony) with spiritual experience (sincerity) [00:50:36]. Irony allows for holding multiple stances and being aware of the hypothetical nature of reality, preventing rigid adherence to beliefs [00:51:05]. However, sincerity without irony can lead to “hysteria” or cult-like behavior, as seen with figures like Ken Wilber [00:53:10]. True sincerity requires being “ironic enough to check your facts” and acknowledge the possibility of being wrong [00:54:54]. Developing “intelligent defenses” or a well-thought-out stance [00:57:05] allows for greater authenticity and expression, as one is less afraid of criticism [00:57:17].
4. Quit [00:59:12]
This commandment challenges the cultural norm that valorizes persistence above all else [01:01:07]. Freinacht argues that the ability to quit is the “basis of freedom” [01:01:44]. Knowing one can quit means choices (relationships, projects, habits) are truly chosen, leading to greater engagement [01:01:59]. While quitting in personal relationships should be approached carefully, practicing the skill of quitting less important things builds the courage and understanding necessary to make significant changes [01:02:47]. Quitting frees up time and energy, allowing for new opportunities and more optimized paths that align with one’s evolving self [01:03:39].
5. Do the Walk of Shame [01:04:39]
This refers to an internal “walk through your own gallery of shameful memories” [01:05:18]. Shame is an inhibitory feeling that “locks you down” and “paralyzes your body” [01:05:48]. By taking an inventory of these memories and “feeling through the shame until you get used to it,” one can release its grip and unlock aliveness [01:06:50]. This process allows for re-evaluating past experiences, recognizing when shame was unwarranted (e.g., violating an “idiotic” local convention) [01:08:09]. A similar process applies to guilt, though guilt often requires deeper digging due to our tendency to “trick ourselves that we weren’t actually guilty” [01:08:56].
6. Sacrifice Immortality [01:10:54]
This commandment addresses the fear of death, which Freinacht believes is a deeply ingrained and often inescapable aspect of the human mind [01:14:19]. It links this fear to the historical stages of religious and cultural development, where concepts of hell and eternal damnation were universal [01:14:50]. Even with secularization, a “slight risk” or lingering background fear can remain [01:16:35]. The concept of “reverse death therapy” is also introduced: instead of pondering what you would lose, consider what would be left of you if you lost your gifts and successes [01:17:56]. This practice, along with overcoming the “slave morality” that can lead to being ashamed of one’s strengths, virtues, and talents [01:12:44], helps unblock inner potential.
7. Heal with Justice [01:21:40]
This is a pivotal commandment, linking inner personal healing with social justice [01:23:45]. Freinacht argues that personal growth and addressing internal blockages (shame, guilt, fear) are prerequisites for becoming a “righteous rebel” [01:19:08]. Justice, in this context, means “wholeness” and ensuring “social relations are put into proportion” [01:19:53]. When social relationships are asymmetrical or based on false premises, they cause hurt and inhibit aliveness [01:20:06].
Healing with justice involves aligning words, actions, perceptions, and emotions in transpersonal space [01:20:52]. The world is full of “disalignments” and “cracks in social reality” [01:21:42]. To heal the world is to fight for justice, which provides a “true north” that transcends specific political systems or group conflicts [01:21:56]. This aligns with Carl Rogers’ concept of “congruence,” where deep values are lived, not just held [01:23:33]. The main problem with much social justice today is hypocrisy [01:25:24]; Freinacht aims to create a basis for “non-hypocritical social justice from within” [01:26:10]. A useful “tell” for injustice is the overuse of adjectives in discourse, as solid arguments require less linguistic manipulation [01:27:47].
8. Burn Your Maps [01:28:39]
“Maps” refer to one’s fundamental worldview or cognitive schema [01:28:45]. We all operate with limited maps, and there’s a human tendency to believe one’s own map is the “best possible map,” which is “exceedingly unlikely” [01:34:26]. This commandment encourages actively challenging and refactoring one’s worldview [01:31:17]. Not burning one’s map can lead to investing decades in a flawed understanding of the world, potentially causing harm [01:31:51].
By addressing inner blockages, individuals gain “inner spaciousness” to hold their maps less “hysterically” [01:32:06], allowing them to “sincerely ironically imagine other possible worlds” [01:32:20]. This active process of seeking new perspectives and being open to being surprised, particularly by those very different from oneself, is crucial for continuous growth [01:33:08].
9. Kill Your Guru and Find Your Others [01:36:29]
This commandment criticizes the “guru game,” where individuals seek “secret knowledge” from a single authority figure [01:36:39]. Freinacht suggests that excessive devotion to one guru, like Jordan Peterson, indicates being “Guru enthralled” [01:37:59]. While learning from others is valuable, triangulating different perspectives is more productive [01:38:11]. Following a guru can be a form of “pseudo participation,” where one looks to someone else’s actions rather than deeply engaging in one’s own life and unique gifts [01:39:26].
Instead of seeking gurus, the emphasis is on finding “others” – loyal friends and collaborators “on the same wavelength” [01:42:08]. Unlike gurus, who sell themselves, friends must be “created” and maintained through relationships [01:42:16]. This collaborative approach fosters exponential power, as it leverages diverse skill sets and promotes true coherence within a team, avoiding the pitfalls of hierarchical worship [01:43:05].
10. Play for Forgiveness [01:43:45]
This final commandment is the culmination of the book’s arc, bringing the individual home to the world [01:51:04]. It’s not about being forced to forgive, especially in situations of ongoing harm, but rather to “play for forgiveness” as the ultimate “measure of success” and conclusion to life’s story [01:45:32]. Forgiveness, in this context, means that a past event “no longer has a grip on your soul” [01:46:22].
Forgiving the World
An accomplished life involves forgiving the world for its imperfections, unfairness, and difficulties [01:46:34]. Holding resentment against reality, creation, or God, is a futile fight [01:47:18]. This is framed as “reverse Christianity”: instead of God forgiving our sins, we should forgive God (or the highest principle/totality) [01:47:49]. The more capable we are of forgiving reality, the more “peace of mind” and “higher goal for the soul” we achieve [01:48:15]. The chapter breaks down forgiveness into sub-steps, starting with self-forgiveness and progressing through forgiving situations, honest mistakes, and finally malicious acts [01:49:19]. The ultimate step is to realize “there is nothing to forgive,” seeing a “primordial wholeness” where things simply played out [01:50:08]. Living a life where one can truly forgive leads to coming “home to this world” [01:51:04].