I HATE TALKING: Conversation about polarization, emotions, and politics

12.12.2024
19:30 – 21:00
De Balie Amsterdam
Tickets

We invite you to join us for a conversation between philosopher Bart Brandsma and Julian Hetzel about polarisation, emotions, and politics, moderated by Merlijn Geurts.

Public debate is becoming harsher, with emotions like fear and anger increasingly driving our interactions. Why can’t I stand your opinion? Why can’t we speak without getting angry? How do we coexist with people who hold entirely different worldviews? Julian Hetzel and Bart Brandsma will examine these questions at De Balie.

With the recent election victories by far-right parties in mind, we explore the boundary between constructive polarisation and unproductive conflict. Is polarisation and extremism best addressed from a moderate position, or does radicalism require a radical response?

This programma is the first in a series of thought-provoking encounters, dialogues, round table talks and artistic interventions by Studio Julian Hetzel and de Balie Amsterdam. The events deal with the relation between politics and emotions like love, hate, anger and fear. The events are part of the research for Three Times Left is Right, Studio Julian Hetzel’s new performance that will premiere on 17 May at Wiener Festwochen, Vienna (AT). The Dutch premiere is on 29 May at SPRING Performing Arts Festival Utrecht.

About Bart Brandsma:

Bart Brandsma is a philosopher and polarisation expert. In 2016, he published the book Polarisation: Understanding the Dynamics of Us-Them Thinking. He advises and organises training sessions in management and leadership for police, justice officials, ministers, teachers, journalists, and mayors who want to learn how to navigate the growing dynamics of us-them thinking.