Srsly Wrong – Episode 281: “Graeber’s Pirate Enlightenment (W/ Andrewism)
Shawn and Aaron are joined by Video Essayist Andrewism to discuss David Graeber’s second posthumous book- “Pirate Enlightenment”
In this episode of the Seriously Wrong podcast, the speakers describe Pirate Enlightenment, or the Real Libertalia as a provocative exploration of the argument that the Enlightenment was the product of a global conversation rather than solely a European phenomenon. Ideas from various cultures ricocheted across the planet, contributing to the Enlightenment, and pirate cultures also played a significant role in this exchange. According to the speakers, the book presents a bottom-up Enlightenment, emerging from the margins and involving commoners, unlike most dominant historical narratives focusing on the victors.
Why it matters: In the podcast, the speakers delve deeper into the significant works of David Graeber. They focus on how Graeber’s work challenges traditional historical narratives. They not only highlight the global origins of the Enlightenment as discussed in the book, but also show how the historical insights in Pirate Enlightenment can be used to understand contemporary issues. For example, citing the concept of “pretend king,” the speakers discuss the role of narratives in contemporary movements.