This panel seeks proposals for papers that reflect on uselessness as a motif in post-1960 Anglophone literature. What sorts of aesthetic, political, and/or ethical stances do contemporary texts frame as useless, and why? Is uselessness conceivable as a literary or political end in itself? Topics that might be specifically addressed include, but are not limited to: modernist vs. postmodernist approaches to uselessness (how do they differ? Where do they overlap?); the affect(s) of contemporary uselessness; uselessness as a product of (or response to) AI technologies; and the pedagogical value of uselessness. Submissions that contest the viability of "uselessness" as a ground for literary and political critique are also very welcome.   

This panel is being proposed as a Special Session at the 2026 MLA Convention in Toronto (January 8-11, 2026). To be considered for the panel, please submit your proposal (max. 300 words) and a brief academic bio (50-100 words) to d.bergman@utoronto.ca. The deadline for proposal submissions is March 22, 2025.