Episode 56 – Idioms of Normality hosted by Dr. Paul H. Mason

Failing normality

When things go wrong, do we fail normality, or has normality failed us? In this episode of Idioms of Normality, Paul speaks with Dr. Timothy Heffernan, an anthropologist at the University of New South Wales, who recently coedited the volume The Anthropology of Ambiguity published by Manchester University Press. As part of a special sub-series featuring contributors to this volume, Paul and Tim explore the complex relationship between normality and ambiguity, particularly during times of crisis.

Drawing from his fieldwork in Iceland, Tim discusses how ambiguity is deliberately constructed in political and social contexts to navigate economic collapse, deflect blame, and ultimately shape social recovery. The conversation also explores how the crisis-recovery nexus can be “queered,” challenging traditional notions of personhood and social transformation in the aftermath of collapse. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on how ambiguity reshapes normality and what this means for the future of social norms.

Find the book here: https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526173843/