‘Thingification’

The article examines the concept of “thingification” through a historical and philosophical lens, comparing the colonization of India with current explorations of Mars. Just as colonizers reduced the identities of Indians to commodities, the modern exploration of new frontiers like Mars evokes similar questions about conquest and control. It highlights how British colonial powers constructed the identity of Indians by showcasing looted artifacts in museums, presenting them as objects of curiosity and domination. This process dehumanized entire populations, portraying them as mere possessions. The article sheds light on the future, questioning whether humanity’s drive to conquer new worlds will perpetuate this pattern of reducing the unknown to mere “things” for exploitation.

Overview:

The article underscores the parallels between historical colonial practices and modern space exploration. It emphasizes how colonizers “thingified” entire populations, reducing their identities to objects of fascination or control. Zakaria’s analysis warns that humankind’s pursuit of new frontiers might repeat this dehumanizing pattern, turning new discoveries into commodities rather than respecting them as realms with intrinsic value.

Notes:

The article draws a parallel between colonialism and modern space exploration, emphasizing how distant realms, once unknown, become subject to human conquest and domination. In the colonial era, British narratives constructed the identity of Indians through exhibits and artifacts, reducing them to objects of curiosity and domination—a process termed ‘thingification’ by Aimé Césaire. This dehumanization masked the violence of colonialism, presenting it as a civilizing mission. Museums like the East India Company’s India Museum played a key role in this, showcasing looted treasures to reinforce British superiority while ignoring the cultural and human context of the colonized. The author questions if humanity’s current quest for new frontiers, such as Mars, might repeat similar patterns, where technological achievements overshadow ethical considerations and the exploitation of others. The lesson from history is clear: true progress must avoid repeating the injustices of the past.

Relevant CSS Syllabus Topics:

• International Relations: Colonial Legacies and Modern Geopolitics: Impact of colonialism on global power dynamics and identity construction.
• Pakistan Affairs: Colonial Impact on the Subcontinent: Socio-political transformations and identity formation under British rule.
• Political Science: Theories of Colonialism and Post-Colonialism: Concepts like ‘thingification’ and cultural hegemony in shaping national identities.

Notes for Beginners:

“Thingification” refers to viewing people or cultures as mere objects, similar to how British colonizers reduced Indian identities to museum artifacts. For instance, Mars exploration raises questions about whether humanity will respect new frontiers or exploit them as mere possessions.

Facts and Figures:

• British Museum Exhibits: Tipu Sultan’s mechanical tiger and Ranjit Singh’s throne were showcased to project dominance.
• Space Exploration: NASA’s Mars rovers provide audio-visual data, symbolizing new frontiers for potential “conquest.”

In a nutshell, The article cautions against repeating colonial patterns in future explorations, urging ethical reflection and respect for new discoveries beyond mere commodification.

Difficult Words and Meanings: