After 1945

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Since 1945, humanity has grappled with a legacy shaped by a transformed experience of time. Once viewed as an agent of change, time now feels inundated by technology, preserving the past while presenting a future filled with threats like nuclear annihilation and global warming. This overwhelming sense of an ever-expanding present reflects a broader mood of "latency" that emerged in the post-World War II era. Gumbrecht explores how this shift affected his own generation, particularly those born in Germany, who wished to move beyond the catastrophic past but found that possibility elusive. The literatures and cultures of the postwar years illustrate a shared predicament, marked by unfulfilled promises and a pervasive sense of confinement. Gumbrecht's inquiry transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries, blending autobiography with German history and world-historical analysis. He offers insightful reflections on figures like Samuel Beckett and Paul Celan, alongside an examination of Martin Heidegger and Jean Paul Sartre's philosophies. Additionally, he draws surprising connections to cultural phenomena such as Edith Piaf and the Kinsey Report. This personal and philosophical exploration of the last century resonates with our contemporary identity, highlighting the enduring impact of the past on our present.