Virus as a figure of geontopower or how to practice Foucault now?

This article is an interview with Elizabeth A. Povinelli, a philosopher and anthropologist, discussing her work on colonialism within liberalism and her engagement with Michel Foucault's ideas. Povinelli explores the concept of "geontopower," which refers to the discourse, affects, and tactics used in late liberalism to shape the relationship between Life and Nonlife. She also discusses the Virus as a figure of geontopower, highlighting its ability to disrupt existing arrangements and divert energies. Povinelli connects this concept to the COVID-19 pandemic and the global effects of the virus. The interview emphasizes the empirical connection between Povinelli's readings of Foucault and her lived experiences with indigenous communities. It also highlights her approach to political consequences without relying on binary thinking and her focus on recognizing neglected existences and political imaginations. [Extracted from the article]