Zygmunt Bauman died this past January. I found out about it from a student’s presentation and almost burst down in tears. It’s very inconsiderate of Bauman to just go and die on us right when the world is ready to hear what he’s been saying for decades. He could have taken a better care of his health and not smoked like a chimney, for instance. His life didn’t belong just to himself. And yes, he was 91 when he died, so what? 91, 101 – he could have dragged it out first the sake of humanity.
This is turning into an unwelcome trend. First, novelist Rafael Chirbes kicks the bucket way too early. Then philosopher Ulrich Beck bites it prematurely. And now it’s lights out on Bauman. And if I sound not too serious about it, that’s because I’m too upset to be serious.
I have decided to start a Bauman collection. I’m buying and reading everything he’s written (that has been translated into English, of course.) If there’s no more Bauman to provide insights (and nobody else of his stature I know of), I’ll have to become a Bauman onto myself and figure shit out for myself.
Clarissa's Blog 
I went to a public lecture of his a good number of years ago back in Lithuania, which I think he mostly did as a favour to Leonidas Donskis, one of the best public intellectuals we’ve produced – sadly now also dead.
There was a nearly concert hall sized room filled to the brim and bursting with all the people who came there to listen to him talk on the nature of violence in modernity. I remember wanting to fiercely debate him on every point he made while also feeling a great disparity on the level of learning I’d need to achieve to even try.
Most of his audience then were people in their twenties, so they’ll be reaching an age where they can actually do something with what they’ve learned.
He made an impact, and you are not alone.
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You are so lucky to have been there!
And that’s how I feel about Bauman, too. I want to argue against everything he says, I cover each page with angry question marks – and still feel the enormous pull of his ideas.
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The lecture (interview? conversation?) is in English and on youtube, if you’re interested:
And huh, it wasn’t even that long ago. Feels like an entirely different life.
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Thank you so much!!!
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