lacansmirror, Harvey

The ideas and examples of modernity that Harvey discusses seem to parallel the same ideas that we are experiencing today.  Global trade, travel, technology, and other advances have changed our lives to become "modern".  These developments have added more ideas, goods, and experiences to the maelstrom Harvey explains.  The maelstrom is a great way to describe modernism because it is constantly evolving and more can be added to it as people adapt.  Naturally, the capitalist world market is an easy example of a modern maelstrom because many different necessities are thrown together to have successful commerce on a global scale. 

Even though Marx and Nietzsche might not have imagined the current trade complexities to get an Amazon order manufactured, packaged, and shipped half way around the world in under two days, their theories can still be applied.  In addition, they both "asserted faith in a new kind of man -- the man of tomorrow" (23).  Nietzsche said "we are in the midst of our bliss only when we are most in danger" (23).  These theorists were living in a time of change and fear of conservatives, yet they supported change and modernism.  They envisioned the opportunities created from modernism.  Even if life was different, it would still be better for the lives of those shaping the changes.  Nietzsche and Marx were curious to see the "vibrant energy" and "imaginative richness" created from modernism.  Most importantly, when people steered their way though these modern differences, they would be able to find themselves more easily.  I think their focus on self-discovery is an important element in modernism.  Without the ability to discover one's self, there isn't a way to think differently and add to the modern maelstrom.  Original content and innovations need to continue in order for modernism to continue.  So far, ideas like air travel, Facebook, computers, cars, and modern medicine have changed the way we live and I believe have added to our modern maelstrom.