The Abbas Legacy: A Scholar Who Saw Hong Kong’s Disappearance in Advance

Ackbar Abbas’s passing on July 13 has left an intellectual void that will be felt far beyond academia, where he spent decades shaping culture and politics. His influence is a testament to the power of scholarship to shape culture and politics, benefiting those who knew him as well as those who only benefited from his work.

Abbas lived in the midst of change, observing firsthand the transformations that made Hong Kong a place where identity was constantly in flux. His 1997 book, Hong Kong: Culture and the Politics of Disappearance, may have been published nearly three decades ago, but its themes remain eerily relevant today. As Hong Kong hurtles towards an uncertain future, its residents are struggling to make sense of a city that seems to be simultaneously arriving, vanishing, and reinventing itself.

The concepts Abbas introduced – “déjà disparu” (anticipatory nostalgia) and “reverse hallucination” – spoke directly to the lived experience of Hong Kong’s people. “Déjà disparu” was a phenomenon he identified as peculiarly Hong Kong: a sense of loss that is felt before it even occurs. This reflects the city’s unique position at the crossroads of East and West, its economy driven by speculation, and its identity constantly in question.

Abbas’s work extended beyond academia; he had a profound impact on artists, filmmakers, writers, and thinkers who drew inspiration from his ideas. His influence was not limited to Hong Kong either – his concepts have been applied to other cities grappling with similar issues of identity and change. In this sense, Abbas was more than just a scholar; he was a cartographer of the human experience.

One of the most significant aspects of Abbas’s legacy is his commitment to “poor theory,” an approach that eschews rigid frameworks in favor of flexible ways of understanding culture. This methodology resonates today, where complexity and uncertainty are becoming increasingly prevalent. As we grapple with globalization, climate change, and technological disruption, Abbas’s ideas offer a much-needed alternative to grand narratives.

Abbas’s passing serves as a poignant reminder that Hong Kong is still grappling with its own identity crisis. The ongoing protests, fueled by concerns over democracy and autonomy, are a manifestation of the same existential questions that Abbas addressed in his work. As Hong Kong navigates this uncertain future, it would do well to remember the lessons of “déjà disparu” – that loss can be felt before it even occurs.

The power of scholarship to shape culture and politics is evident in Abbas’s influence on various fields – from anthropology and sociology to art and literature. His work serves as a testament to the enduring importance of intellectual curiosity and critical thinking, particularly in an age where information is increasingly curated and politicized. In this context, Abbas’s legacy offers a powerful reminder that true understanding can only be achieved through questioning and challenging assumptions.

As Hong Kong looks towards its future, it would do well to remember the scholar who saw its disappearance in advance – not just as a thinker but as a guardian of the city’s intellectual heritage. The void left by Abbas’s passing will be difficult to fill, but his work remains a testament to the power of ideas to shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.