The Collective Unconscious and the Dancefloor

Callum Bell is the author of a recently published book 'Collective' which is about the impact and range of ideas of the collective unconscious and has a special focus on music.

It examines the way that the idea of the collective has persisted through different cultures, epochs and in philosophical and scientific theories.

Callum sets up the idea in stark contrast to the neo-liberal capitalism and materialism which dominate western society at the present time.

He also explores how the idea of the collective is deeply embedded in the rave, the shindig and other contemporary musical occasions. This is due to the unique Afro diasporic history which infuses these forms.

In sum, Callum will argue that the rebirth of the idea of the collective might be the antidote to our current malaise, and music events may be an important pathway via which we might reconnect with the best of our humanity again.