The chapter "Cold Intimacies: The Making of Emotional Capitalism" by Eva Illouz explores the evolution of emotional capitalism and its impact on modern society. It begins with an examination of Freud's influence on the Clark lectures, highlighting the emergence of a new emotional style characterized by a communicative ethic that underpins corporate culture. The chapter then delves into the concept of emotional fields and emotional habitus, discussing how these concepts shape individual and collective experiences. Illouz also examines the self-realization narrative and the pragmatics of psychology, which contribute to the formation of emotional capital. The section on "Romantic Webs" explores the romanticization of the internet, virtual meetings, and the process of ontological self-presentation, along with the complexities of fantasy and disappointment. The chapter concludes with a reflection on a new Machiavellian move in the context of emotional capitalism.The chapter "Cold Intimacies: The Making of Emotional Capitalism" by Eva Illouz explores the evolution of emotional capitalism and its impact on modern society. It begins with an examination of Freud's influence on the Clark lectures, highlighting the emergence of a new emotional style characterized by a communicative ethic that underpins corporate culture. The chapter then delves into the concept of emotional fields and emotional habitus, discussing how these concepts shape individual and collective experiences. Illouz also examines the self-realization narrative and the pragmatics of psychology, which contribute to the formation of emotional capital. The section on "Romantic Webs" explores the romanticization of the internet, virtual meetings, and the process of ontological self-presentation, along with the complexities of fantasy and disappointment. The chapter concludes with a reflection on a new Machiavellian move in the context of emotional capitalism.