Transnational Comic Satire, Corporate Abuse in a Hyperglobalized Age, and the Footprint of Pathological Narcissism (critical component) and Triple Bottom Line (novel - creative component)

The satire of hyperglobalisation is an emerging field that engages not with a single target, but with the failings of engulfing systems, furtive movement, covert alliances, and interdependencies. Changing the focus of critique from single to multiple targets impacts how satire operates. I use the correlated construct of pathological narcissism to analyse the architecture, dynamics, and mobilisation of deflective tactics of exploited to disorient and deflect from blame. Through creative practice and critical research, I explore how the transnational satirist critiques these sprawling, more entangled structures through humour.

To explore the complexities of this emerging genre, I analyse the process of writing a multi-sited novel about the trade of coltan, a conflict mineral extracted in eastern Congo, used in the manufacture of mobile phones in China, supplied to European consumers. Desperate to hide some of the genocide-lite atrocities lurking in their supply chain, EyeHear’s UK Corporate Social Responsibility arm swings into action to fur-wash its activities. Apart from a primary focus on the armed protection of gorillas, the multinational also supplies latrines to militia-controlled miners to improve health and safety, and sends a business guru to victims of sexual assault to teach them how to thrive rather than just survive within a context of carnage. Great Wall, its manufacturing partner in China, offers to implement such philanthropy but mixes up the projects after multiple mistranslations across territories. Although gorillas are not vocal about getting toilets, the miners and women have more forceful reactions. Meanwhile, a micro supply chain of spicy, peppery meat favoured by foreigners is initiated in Congo: it is sourced from stock that cannot exactly be described as 100% animal.