Surreality

Surreal

[ suh-ree-uhl, -reel ]

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of surrealism, an artistic and literary style; surrealistic, having the disorienting, hallucinatory quality of a dream; unreal; fantastic: surreal complexities of the bureaucracy

The phrase “fantastic: surreal complexities of the bureaucracy” describes a situation where the bureaucratic system is so intricate and convoluted that it seems almost dreamlike or unreal. Here’s a breakdown of the terms:

• Fantastic often refers to something that is extraordinarily good or attractive; however, in this context, it likely means something that is hard to believe (as it is 'faked', or 'manufactured'.)

• Surreal means having the qualities of surrealism, an artistic movement that aims to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind by the irrational juxtaposition of images. It can describe something that is bizarre or dreamlike, with a disorienting, hallucinatory quality.

• Complexities refer to the state of being complex, with many different and connected parts.

• Bureaucracy is a system of government or management that is characterized by many rules and procedures, which can sometimes result in inefficiency and rigidity. (*refer a to the NDZ 'No Drone Zone' post description: "pervasive influences of conformity, control, and exploitation perpetuated by societal institutions and systems.")

So, when someone refers to the “surreal complexities of the bureaucracy,” they are likely commenting on how the bureaucratic process can be so overly complicated and irrational that it feels like something out of a dream or a work of surreal art. It’s a way of expressing frustration or amazement at the labyrinthine nature of bureaucratic systems (and the exploitative and controlling mechanisms that underpin these systems.) The sentence captures the complex and often frustrating nature of bureaucratic systems, likening them to surreal art to emphasize their irrationality.​​