The AutSide Podcast

Episode 469: The Topology of Estrangement—Distance as Geometry


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Today’s episode introduces a reimagined perspective on estrangement, shifting the focus away from moral failure or personal blame. Rather than viewing the end of a relationship as a betrayal, the author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, describes it as a topological reality where the paths of two individuals simply no longer intersect. This framework suggests that distance occurs when the material conditions of life, such as time and energy, prevent meaningful connection. By viewing this separation as attenuation rather than rupture, Dr. Hoerricks removes the need for culprits and accusations. Ultimately, this approach advocates for an ethic of distance that preserves personal coherence whilst acknowledging the natural divergence of human lives. This perspective allows individuals to process loss without the added burden of assigning or accepting guilt.

Here’s the link to the source article: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/the-distance-at-which-we-live-on

Let me know what you think.

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The AutSide PodcastBy Jaime Hoerricks, PhD