Notes for Group Seminar

Daggett (2018), “Petro-masculinity: Fossil Fuels and Authoritarian Desire”

Keywords

Petro-masculinity: It is a term used in the article to describe the intersection of fossil fuel
systems, white patriarchal rule, and authoritarianism. This concept suggests that masculinity can
be reaffirmed through an allegiance to oil and fossil fuel systems. The term encompasses the
symbolic association of fossil fuels with traditional ideals of masculinity, autonomy, and self-
sufficiency. It reflects the author's argument that fossil fuel consumption serves as a performance
of masculinity, providing a sense of power and control.

Authoritarianism: The article explores the link between authoritarianism and the perceived threat
to fossil-fueled privilege. Fossil fuels are posited as motivators for authoritarian practices to
safeguard economic interests and privileged ways of life. The analysis draws on psychological
studies of authoritarianism, emphasizing gender anxiety, sadomasochism, and the desire for
power in understanding the authoritarian personality.

Fossil Fuel: Fossil fuels, including oil and coal, are central to the analysis. The article suggests
that the aesthetics of fossil fuels, such as oil, can be recoded as expressions of sexualized power
and satisfaction. Fossil fuel industries are shown to capitalize on gendered associations,
presenting coal as an icon of masculinist empowerment.

White Patriarchal Rule: The article discusses how fossil fuels have become potent symbols of
conservative values, particularly in regions like Appalachia or Texas. Fossil capitalism is seen as
contributing to the establishment of a white masculine order. The author suggests that the
failures of fossil capitalism to sustain this order intensify a sense of collective impotence, leading
to authoritarian practices to maintain dominance.

Gender: Gender anxiety and the fear of masculine weakness are discussed as common traits in
authoritarian movements. The article asserts that patriarchal ideals, particularly hyper-
masculinity, are proclaimed to mask an underlying fear of the social fragility of masculinity. The
analysis connects gendered anxieties with authoritarian traits and behaviors.

Climate Change: Fossil fuel systems are implicated in climate change, and the article argues that
climate denial is driven by desires associated with maintaining fossil fuel lifestyles. Refusal to
accept climate change is portrayed as an active and aggressive stance that aligns with
authoritarian politics, reinforcing the status quo of petrocultures.

Ecomodernism: While not explicitly mentioned in the article, the article critiques the
ecomodernist perspective, which often seeks technological solutions for environmental
challenges. The author argues that a deeper understanding of desires and psycho-political
dimensions is necessary, challenging the ecomodernist approach.
Notes/Summary

The article delves into the intricate relationship between fossil fuels, masculinity, and
authoritarianism. Termed "petro-masculinity," the concept unravels the psychological and
political ties that bind the fossil fuel industry to notions of power, gender, and control.

The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of changing economic landscapes, where fossil fuels
no longer align with economic interests, yet their symbolic power persists. Regions like
Appalachia and Texas embrace fossil fuels not merely for economic reasons but as potent
symbols of autonomy and self-sufficiency, especially linked to a particular brand of masculinity.

The article weaves through psychological studies, emphasizing the gender anxiety prevalent in
authoritarian movements. It suggests that masculine identity, often threatened by economic
downturns, finds solace in authoritarian practices. This theme of rigidity, paralleled with fossil
capitalism, is explored, drawing parallels with historical fascist movements.

"Petro-masculinity" emerges as a key term, illustrating how masculinity seeks reaffirmation

through submission to oil. Fossil fuels, particularly oil, become metaphors for contradictory
desires - both rigid and flowing, representing both strength and vulnerability.

The narrative takes a sharp turn, examining contemporary manifestations of fossil-fueled

masculinity, citing examples like the Proud Boys and the phenomenon of "rollin' coal" – a
practice turning diesel trucks into symbols of power and pollution. The article contends that, in
the era of climate change, these acts serve as compensatory practices of violence.

The conclusion ties together the threads of fossil violence, misogyny, and authoritarianism. It
argues that fossil fuel consumption, often viewed as a patriarchal performance, is deeply
intertwined with desires to maintain a specific way of life. The refusal to acknowledge climate
change is portrayed as an active desire to cling to petro-cultures, even at the expense of
authoritarian politics.

Wilson (2016). The Infrastructure of Intimacy

Infrastructure: The article extensively discusses the concept of infrastructure, emphasizing its
role as the connective tissues and circulatory systems of modernity. It explores how
infrastructure shapes and is shaped by societal conditions, becoming a background element in
daily life. The article delves into the ideological aspects of infrastructure, its invisibility, and its
association with modernity through a postcolonial lens.

Neoliberalism: This is a key theme in the article, particularly in the context of how it affects
infrastructure. The text highlights the decline of government investment in public infrastructure
as a hallmark of neoliberalism. It explores the shift towards public-private partnerships and the
impact of neoliberal policies on the provisioning of public goods.
Globalization: The article connects infrastructure to globalization, illustrating how global flows
of capital are generated by infrastructures of law, capital, and labor configurations. It emphasizes
the differences in infrastructure norms between the developed world and the Global South,
providing a postcolonial perspective on the role of infrastructure in marking divides between
developed and undeveloped places.

Inequality: Inequality, both social and spatial, is a recurring theme in the article. The discussion
covers how infrastructure, or its lack, contributes to class, race, and regional inequalities. The
text explores the concept of "splintered cities" and the uneven distribution of infrastructural
resources, affecting sociality and producing material dimensions of inequality.

Public-Private Partnerships: The article discusses the shift towards public-private partnerships as
a result of neoliberal policies. It explains how reduced budgets and pro-business sentiment lead
governments to invest in infrastructure through partnerships with private entities. The funding
for such projects, including infrastructure, is sourced from workers' retirement plans,
contributing to the concept of "pension fund capitalism."

Decay and Failure: The concept of decay and failure in public infrastructure is explored in the
article. It discusses how the decline of government expenditure on infrastructure is indicative of
neoliberalism and how failed infrastructure becomes a setting for everyday life. The text
provides examples of the ruins of infrastructure and their transformation into resources for
everyday living.

Notes/Summary

This thought-provoking article is about the complex world of infrastructure, exploring its hidden
ideological underpinnings and the stark inequalities it perpetuates. Using the metaphor of
"connective tissues and circulatory systems of modernity," the article unravels how infrastructure
shapes and is shaped by societal conditions, ultimately becoming a backdrop to our daily lives.

Wilson emphasizes the dual nature of infrastructure—initially a symbol of awe in colonial

projects, now a subtle, often unnoticed force in the background. The term "infra," meaning
"below," reflects the intentional concealment of infrastructure from most users, positioning it as
pipes beneath the ground or wires behind walls.

Neoliberalism takes center stage as the article unravels the global decline of public infrastructure.
The author argues that the shift from public to private funding, marked by reduced budgets and
pro-business sentiments, has transformed infrastructure into a tool primarily serving security and
profit-driven motives rather than public well-being.

The decay of public infrastructure is not uniform, as the article introduces the concept of
"unbundling." This process, described as the breaking apart of standardized infrastructure into
competitive elements, leads to a "splintered city" globally, where resources are unevenly
distributed, favoring elite business sectors and their workers.
The author highlights how infrastructure plays a pivotal role in materializing and perpetuating
social inequalities. From public restrooms to public pay phones, the distribution of infrastructure
affects various aspects of social life, influencing where people can go, how they connect, and
even how they experience intimacy.

In conclusion, the article contends that failed infrastructure isn't merely a symbol of decay but
also a resource for everyday life. The ruins of failed systemic networks become part of the social
fabric, with people creatively repurposing abandoned spaces. In essence, the article prompts us to
rethink infrastructure beyond its physical manifestations, urging us to consider its ideological
implications and its role in shaping the social and intimate landscapes of our modern world.
Siemiatycki et. al. (2020). “The Gendered Production of Infrastructure”

Infrastructure Production: It is not just a technical and engineering endeavor but also a deeply
political project involving the creation and communication of information. The production of
infrastructure involves symbolic meanings, narratives, and aesthetic aspects that shape social and
cultural content.

Gendered Meaning-Making: The article discusses the gendered aspects of infrastructure planning
and production. It highlights how the narratives, aesthetic choices, and symbolic imageries
associated with infrastructure projects contribute to gendered outcomes, affecting both the built
environment and broader social relations.

Infrastructure Ideal: The concept of the "infrastructure ideal" is explored, referring to the
Enlightenment ideals of a world defined by the unhindered movement of people, goods, and
ideas. Infrastructure projects historically embodied imperial ambitions and continue to reflect
universal connectivity and progress, often influenced by masculinist perspectives.

Mega-Projects and Masculinity: The article delves into the characteristics of infrastructure mega-
projects, describing them as colossal, captivating, costly, controversial, complex, and subject to
issues of control. Masculine sense-making dominating infrastructure production often leads to
bold, revolutionary proposals that reinforce power hierarchies and prioritize the "insatiable ego"
of mega-projects.

Symbolism and Imagery: The article explores the symbolic imageries constructed for
infrastructure projects and how they contribute to the framing of normative assumptions about
the public good, social and cultural behavior, and prevailing systems of race and gender. The
naming, narratives, and visual cues associated with infrastructure projects create views of society
that support existing power structures.

Community Activism and Gender: The article acknowledges the role of women and racial
minorities in community activism related to infrastructure. It highlights instances where women
have been central to social movements opposing discriminatory or environmentally harmful
infrastructure policies. The analysis considers how gender intersects with class, race, ethnicity,
and indigeneity in activism around infrastructure issues.
Notes/Summary

The article explores infrastructure production, uncovering hidden layers beyond the mere
physical construction. It argues that infrastructure is not just about roads and buildings but a
potent political and symbolic entity, brimming with gendered meanings and societal narratives.
Imagine infrastructure as a blockbuster movie, where the flashy visuals (roads, bridges) are only
part of the story. The article reveals that beneath the surface lies a complex plot of power
struggles, gender biases, and symbolic messaging. Infrastructure, it claims, is a political
chessboard where names, stories, and myths shape our views of society and influence power
dynamics.

The 'poetics of infrastructure' is explored, highlighting how these structures communicate

cultural content and contribute to gendered outcomes. From the imperial ambitions of historical
projects to today's smart cities, infrastructure has been a canvas for showcasing masculine ideals
of progress and power. The narrative takes a fascinating turn to explore how mega-projects, often
driven by male-dominated decision-making, become symbols of ego and hubris. It questions
whether our relentless pursuit of bigger, faster, and bolder projects is, in fact, a masculine
endeavor that may lead to unintended consequences. But the article doesn't stop there; it sheds
light on the heroes and heroines of infrastructure activism. Women and minorities, often
sidelined in the industry, emerge as leaders in community struggles against discriminatory or
environmentally harmful projects.

In a nutshell, the article challenges us to question the narratives behind the concrete and steel,
urging a closer look at the gendered scripts that shape the infrastructure stories we tell.