# Peter Wessel Zapffe, The Last Messiah - Diversion As A Suppression Mechanism - Sadler's Lectures

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/sadler-s-lectures-233636/peter-wessel-zapffe-the-last-messiah-diversion-as-a-suppression-mechanism-sadler-s-lectures
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/sadler-s-lectures-233636/peter-wessel-zapffe-the-last-messiah-diversion-as-a-suppression-mechanism-sadler-s-lectures.md
Podcast: [Sadler's Lectures](https://stenobird.com/podcast/sadler-s-lectures-233636)
Published: 2026-04-21T13:36:28+00:00
Episode link: https://soundcloud.com/gregorybsadler/peter-wessel-zapffe-the-last-2
Audio file: https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/2293653659-gregorybsadler-peter-wessel-zapffe-the-last-2.mp3
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Duration seconds: 829

## Resource

This lecture discusses key ideas from the 20th century pessimist philosopher and environmentalist Peter Wessel Zapffe's "The Last Messiah" It focuses specifically on the third of the four "suppression mechanisms" that he identifies, which he calls "diversion". It might also be accurately called "distraction", and involves keeping our attention and consciousness occupied by a succession of changing contents. He discusses a number of ways in which we engage in this ranging from entertainment to projects, even religious life and commitments. To support my ongoing work, go to my Patreon site - www.patreon.com/sadler If you'd like to make a direct contribution, you can do so here - www.paypal.me/ReasonIO - or at BuyMeACoffee - www.buymeacoffee.com/A4quYdWoM You can find over 3500 philosophy videos in my main YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/user/gbisadler Get Zapffe's The Last Messiah - https://openairphilosophy.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/OAP_Zapffe_Last_Messiah.pdf

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