Affect Imaginaries

Affect imaginaries refer to the collective emotional images and symbols that shape how groups or societies perceive and experience specific issues or concepts. They are the shared feelings, stories, and visual representations that influence our understanding without relying solely on facts. For example, the way society visualizes and emotionally responds to climate change or immigration involves affect imaginaries—these collective feelings can shape attitudes, policies, and behaviors. In essence, affect imaginaries are the cultural and emotional frameworks that create meaning around complex topics, guiding perception through shared affective imagery rather than objective data alone.