#rp25 speaker Diedrich Diederichsen: History beyond generational thinking

‘Anyone who thinks in terms of generations has actually already given up on the concept of history,’ says Diedrich Diederichsen – criticising the fact that generations often serve as an explanatory model for cultural and historical developments. At re:publica 25, the cultural scientist, journalist and author talks about how we can think about history - and therefore also the concept of generations – differently.

Thinking in terms of generations transforms constructed processes into supposedly biological facts that feign order and naturalness. Concepts such as the Oedipus complex or patricide support this - and also reduce history to mechanical sequences of rebellion and renewal.

A look at the history of the pop music industry makes these mechanisms clear: similarly, change is often described as a sequence of technical innovations or rediscoveries rather than a dialectical process. 

What is often not reflected upon: Historiography always presupposes a philosophy of history. For Diedrich Diederichsen, the opposite idea, i.e. that the history of cultural forms can only be described as interrelated counter-designs, is also a mystification. At re:publica 25, he will share his perspective on history, generations and historiography.

Diedrich Diederichsen works as a freelance author – among other projects, he used to write for the music magazine ‘Sound’ and ‘Spex’. Moreover, he has worked as a professor since the 1990s – in Stuttgart, Offenbach, Pasadena, Vienna and Los Angeles. His most recent publications include: “Das 21. Jahrhundert” (‘The 21st Century’), ‘Aesthetics of Pop Music’ and ‘Cybernetics of the Poor’.