THE DISAPPEARANCE OF RITUALS: A TOPOLOGY OF THE PRESENT by Byung‐ChulHan, translated Daniel Steuer, Polity, Cambridge, 2020, pp. 104, £12.99, pbk

More than might be realised, sociology and kindred disciplines are shaped by superstars, prophets, seers whose works generate tribal affiliations much exegesis. These rise fall from the stratospheres they occupy where their visions transcend discipline affiliations. Even with growth of Internet, each can publisher critic on Youtube, blogs, other outlets, those stellar still shine forth. Luminaries such as Bauman, Bourdieu, Foucault, and, course, that idiosyncratic genius, Slavoj Žižek, often unknown to public, fill assembly halls universities hundreds coming just see them. It said Han is one superstar rise. himself a Polish Jew living in Leeds, England, argued displacement exile were necessary qualifications for intellectual distinction, In regard, seems well qualified. Coming Seoul, South Korea, he teaches at University Arts (UdK), Berlin. Much engaged German culture, author twenty books, fifteen which have been translated into English. This study confirm his ascendance. First published 2020, it has reprinted twice then three times 2021. Unusually, BBC Radio 3 had series five talks, entitled ‘The End Ritual?’ devoted themes this study. philosopher operating media studies notably dealing digital society. He uses lively titles studies, covering power, eros, violence, beauty, art lingering. Very widely read, concerns exhaustion society, illusions transparency, entrapment. His diagnosis fateful modernity, its cul-de-sacs, exit signs religion disappeared. To degree, though not self-designation, very post-secular thinker. follows long heritage going back Baudelaire chronicling emptiness boredom modernity. As critics dark unfolding there an odd pre-lapsarian property writing, yet manages duck potential charges nostalgia. The novelty work lies Han's elevation ritual status exemplary setting communal recognition symbols. Notably, concerned performance ritual, or indeed, memory it, but instead deals precarious elusive rightful dispositions proper appraisal reception. Indicative unexpected telling critique compulsion authenticity (chapter 2). Likewise, striking, reverence powers encapsulate closure, enable openings emerge 3). Detached theological superintendence, slightly anthropomorphic analysis. Revitalisation analysis, Deity. Creatively, claims rituals make, command attend, re-set context critiques society ways both innovative credible. Easily dispersed, these properties restraint justifications conservation read rites rightly. sense, paean loss delicacy regard deserve, now lost, hence disappearance. Although early background Catholic theology 1980s moved initial degree metallurgy, few liturgical sources book. apart brief reference Durkheim, invisible title suggest it. Given exclusions, why review book? For disciplines, wealth conceptual innovation mine. If superstars come go, so too do concepts. Thus, two decades ago, references community discounted sociologists useless, given numerous conflicting definitions salutary re-centres importance. past decades, centre pivotal term. theology, term associated deadening hand rubrics, arcane Tridentine regulations generated dead ceremonies rite overturned renewal. But what liturgists scorned, embraced, them, revealed governing rules enactment characterised rites. anthropologist, Victor Turner, led way discovering uses. Recognising dangers nostalgia, (also ripe present papal condemnation) treats issue disappearance means reading pathologies times, especially erosion community. conceived terms gatherings, treated symbolic acts bind together. outcome move concern topology social ecology, need face erosion. networking interaction digital, oxygen thinning; avoid receiving last By implication, presented source resuscitation, however, archaic, artificial, regressive seem. transposed being site set draw out symbols recovery fragile also resistant capacities counteract seemingly endless digital. So here, usurp these. There notable first relates style, almost aphoristic, containing remarkable conciseness insight. text sparkles energy some noted, reads like manifesto. Secondly, unusual sharpness suggests connection immediate. expressed diversity chapter first, ‘the production’ last, ‘from seduction porn’. reflect overall issues excess, pathology ‘too much’ (p. 89). Thirdly, topics charge ‘essayism’, disparate unintegrated narrative, perhaps reflecting fragmentary basis times. Attendance generates needs sacrifice integration concerns. Increasingly, interface study, possible write conclusion. makes notion relegare, attend interests lingering, waiting 45). Productivity, flexibility undermine incentive linger. lingering facilitates thresholds ‘temporally intense transitions’ 35). world, him, no place silence, sacred (pp. 37–39). Sites profaned when reduced sights. 7, empire signs’, domain ‘ritual cannot assigned determinate meaning’ understood superabundance, hence, enigmatic 62). dismissal intelligibility symbol collides more central dispute over transparency ritual. English work, Transparency Society (2015) mystery curiosity. turns conventions liturgy head, suggesting should inaccessible, implicit meaning, unapologetic demanding make. was ambition held reforms Vatican II presumed manifest facilitated accessibility. An enormous literature gathered around ambiguities conceals, disguise dark. disenchantment, magic (this echoes Weber) applied art, renders Protestant. words, argues that: imperative fosters animosity form. Art becomes transparent meaning. longer seduces. veil cast off. forms themselves talk’ 25). vice age. overproduction data 82–83). 10, pornography ‘a phenomenon transparency’ making all apparent, sex killed 86). Liturgists never did learn exercise magnetic stewardship fixedness, capacity unfixed, indifference facilitating capricious re-arrangements characterises suggests, ‘in life, things serve stabilizing resting points. Rituals same purpose. Through self-sameness. repetitiveness, stabilize life. They make life last’ Perhaps icons, unoriginality grace. many recent works, late, death looms 5. aptly entitled: ‘A Game Life Death’. Sharing, recognising, above seeking intangible depths mark ambitions work. fundamental, resources domesticated. follow definition, involve ‘symbolic techniques oneself home world. transform being-in-the world being-at home. turn reliable place’ earlier reflects Peter L. Berger's Homeless Mind. Far nostalgic complacent, strong case benefits them rooted familiar. stabilised, properly unfold. telegraphic nature stimulating highly original riddled sociological implications. sophisticated philosophical channelled sense contact immediate, stimulating. rare encounter rich material insightful. At time appropriates communication, drawing selected sources, necessity points prices