Fuel Emergent Meaning by Unlearning Dominant Narratives
It'll take time, but I can offer you some shortcuts
In a world driven by speed, productivity, and the constant pursuit of clarity, we often feel compelled to quickly assign meaning to our experiences and interactions. Yet true meaning seldom arises in this hurried state. It tends to emerge in moments of pause—when we give ourselves the space to allow insights to develop naturally.
This process of letting meaning evolve is intricately connected to the practice of unlearning: the shedding of ingrained beliefs, habits, and societal structures that no longer serve us. Thinkers like Michel Foucault, Judith Butler, and David Graeber offer critical frameworks for understanding how unlearning societal assumptions can lead to more meaningful lives.
This essay (an homage to my own “unteachers”) explores how unlearning entrenched ideas creates room for emergent meaning, allowing for deeper self-reflection, creativity, and a more authentic existence.
The Necessity of Unlearning
Creating space for emergent meaning begins with recognizing the need to unlearn the narratives and structures that shape our lives. Michel Foucault argued that power is embedded in societal norms and institutions, influencing how we perceive ourselves and the world. To create space for new meaning, we must unlearn these power structures and the societal expectations that shape our behaviors and thoughts. By questioning these external forces, we can become more aware of how they shape our inner lives. This awareness allows us to free ourselves from limiting beliefs, creating room for new meanings to emerge.
Judith Butler’s work on gender further illustrates the importance of unlearning. Butler argues that gender is not an inherent truth but a performative construct reinforced by repeated societal actions. Unlearning these prescribed performances allows individuals to explore a more fluid and authentic sense of identity. This principle applies beyond gender to all societal roles and expectations. The act of unlearning opens possibilities for emergent meaning by enabling us to question, reject, and redefine the roles and expectations imposed on us.
Being Compassionate About the Time and Space to Unlearn
It's crucial to be compassionate toward ourselves in this process. Unlearning deeply ingrained beliefs and habits requires time, space, and, above all, patience. It’s easy to feel pressured to rush through this process, to find immediate clarity or force meaning to arise quickly. However, granting ourselves the time and space to truly unlearn and let new meanings emerge is an act of self-compassion. This means allowing ourselves the choice to explore at our own pace, without judgment or external pressure.
At the same time, it’s important to recognize that there are moments when shortcuts to this process do exist. Insights may strike suddenly, or a powerful experience might catalyze a rapid shift in perspective. l
The path of unlearning is not always linear or slow—it can be dynamic, full of unexpected breakthroughs. But those shortcuts only become meaningful when we’ve given ourselves the grace to engage in the broader, ongoing process of unlearning, creating a foundation for these moments of insight.
Unlearning the Glorification of Work and Productivity
Our cultural fixation on work and productivity is another barrier to creating space for emergent meaning, as critiqued by David Graeber. Graeber’s concept of "bullshit jobs" highlights how much modern labor is focused on tasks that are ultimately unfulfilling and alienating. Unlearning the glorification of constant work and efficiency is essential to allowing ourselves the time and space needed for deeper reflection. In a system that equates productivity with personal worth, it becomes difficult to engage in the non-linear, organic thinking that leads to emergent meaning.
By unlearning the pressure to constantly produce and perform, we reclaim time for reflection and exploration without the expectation of immediate results. Mark Fisher’s critique of capitalist realism argues that under capitalism, alternative ways of living and working are obscured. Fisher calls for unlearning the belief that capitalism is the only viable system, which opens up the possibility of imagining futures that prioritize well-being and creativity over profit.
In this reclaimed space, meaning can emerge on its own terms, free from the constraints of external expectations.
Letting Go of Certainty: Embracing Uncertainty for Emergent Meaning
A major theme in the work of these thinkers is the recognition that certainty is often an illusion. Noam Chomsky’s critique of media and authority encourages us to unlearn our trust in narratives presented by those in power.
Similarly, Jean Baudrillard’s deconstruction of reality shows how much of what we accept as “real” is mediated by symbols and signs, detached from true experience. By unlearning the need for immediate clarity or definitive answers, we open ourselves to a more nuanced and evolving understanding of the world.
Allowing space for emergent meaning means embracing uncertainty. When we unlearn our need for certainty and definitive answers, we invite complexity, fluidity, and the organic unfolding of meaning over time.
As Byung-Chul Han critiques the culture of overexposure and productivity, he advocates for a return to contemplation—stepping back from the constant demands for visibility and action. In doing so, we create the time and space for new ideas, connections, and meanings to emerge naturally, rather than forcing them into pre-defined structures.
The Role of Collective Unlearning and Community
Unlearning is not solely an individual process; it is also collective. Angela Davis and Dean Spade both emphasize the importance of unlearning individualism and legalism as primary approaches to achieving justice. In Davis’ framework, collective liberation can only occur when we unlearn the belief that individual success equates to collective progress.
Spade critiques the reliance on legal systems to deliver justice, encouraging community-based solutions and mutual aid as more meaningful forms of resistance. By creating space for emergent meaning in our personal lives, we contribute to the creation of collective meaning rooted in solidarity, care, and cooperation rather than competition or hierarchy.
This collective unlearning paves the way for emergent meaning at a societal level. When we reject top-down narratives of history, as Howard Zinn advocates, we see the role everyday people play in shaping the world. Meaning emerges from grassroots movements and the contributions of communities that have been marginalized or erased from dominant narratives.
Practical Steps for Creating Space
Practically, giving ourselves space for emergent meaning requires active unlearning in various aspects of life. Here are a few ways to begin:
Disconnect from the productivity narrative – Resist the pressure to constantly be productive. Set aside time for activities without a clear goal or measurable outcome. This could include journaling, meditating, or spending time in nature.
Challenge societal norms and roles – Reflect on the roles and expectations you’ve internalized. Are they serving you? By questioning and unlearning these scripts, you can discover a more authentic version of yourself, free from imposed identities.
Engage in collective unlearning – Seek out communities committed to challenging oppressive systems and narratives. Whether through activism, mutual aid, or discussion groups, collective unlearning fosters shared meaning and purpose.
Embrace uncertainty – Practice sitting with uncertainty without rushing to assign meaning or find answers. Allow yourself time to reflect and let meaning emerge in its own time.
Cultivate silence and reflection – As Byung-Chul Han suggests, reclaim periods of silence and contemplation. Through mindfulness, intentional rest, or disconnecting from media and technology, quiet space is essential for emergent meaning.
The Gift of Space for Emergent Meaning
Ultimately, giving yourself space for emergent meaning is a process that requires patience, reflection, and compassion for yourself. By critically engaging with thinkers like Foucault, Butler, and Graeber, we begin to see the possibilities that arise when we let go of rigid structures and imposed meanings. In this space, new meanings can take root—meanings that are more authentic, fluid, and aligned with our true values and experiences.
As we continue to unlearn, we open ourselves to deeper connections with ourselves, others, and the world around us.
This is not a passive process but an active engagement with life’s uncertainties and complexities. The more space we create for emergent meaning, the more we uncover the richness that comes from embracing the unknown and allowing new understandings to grow organically.
In a world that demands clarity and certainty, gifting yourself this space is not only an act of resistance but an invitation to live a more meaningful, creative, and liberated life.