Dive into the fascinating world of rumors and gossip, as they unravel the implications of authority from Socrates to Trump. Kafka's The Trial serves as a backdrop to explore identity shaped by unverified claims. Discover how humor intertwines with gossip, influencing social norms and perceptions. The discussion highlights the powerful role of whispers in community dynamics and conspiracy theories, shedding light on truth's precarious relationship with deception. Expect laughter and profound insights on the intricate nature of communication!
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insights INSIGHT
Rumour's Power
Rumours and gossip can function as an alternate face of the big other, influencing us despite lacking truth.
Defending yourself against a rumour implies guilt, making you the subject of the rumour.
insights INSIGHT
Gossip as Language's Foundation
Gossip is the foundation of language, similar to how truth precedes lies.
There's no speech without gossip, just as there's no speech without truth, forming two sides of the same coin.
insights INSIGHT
Gossip vs. Rumor
Gossip and rumors have distinct functions and spread differently.
Gossip acts as a vehicle for rumor; rumor spreads through gossip and becomes conspiracy with sense-making appeals.
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In 'Hillbilly Elegy,' J.D. Vance recounts his life growing up in a dysfunctional family in Middletown, Ohio, with roots in Kentucky's Appalachia. The book details his experiences with poverty, addiction, and family violence, as well as his journey to joining the marines and eventually graduating from Yale Law School. Vance provides a personal and insightful look into the decline of the white working class in America, exploring themes of family, culture, and the loss of the American dream. The memoir also touches on the political swing of the region, particularly in relation to the 2016 presidential election and the appeal of Donald Trump to this demographic.
Rumors
Rumors
Mladen Dolar
Grooming, Gossip and the Origin of Language
Grooming, Gossip and the Origin of Language
Robin Dunbar
For they know not what they do
For they know not what they do
Slavoj Žižek
The Trial
Franz Kafka
The Trial, written by Franz Kafka, follows the story of Joseph K., a bank official who is unexpectedly arrested on his 30th birthday for a crime that is never revealed to him or the reader. The novel delves into the absurd and labyrinthine legal system, where K. is drawn into a world devoid of logic and transparency. As K. navigates this enigmatic system, he encounters various characters, including lawyers, court officials, and other defendants, which further complicate his situation. The novel explores themes of guilt, bureaucracy, and the individual's struggle against an incomprehensible and oppressive society, ultimately leading to K.'s psychological and emotional transformation. The book is a profound reflection on the human condition, illustrating how societal structures can alienate and render individuals powerless[1][2][5].
Alright...as you know Slavoj Žižek and Mladen Dolar are the founding members of the Ljubljana School of Psychoanalysis with Alenka Zupančič as part of their Troika, and this week we have our first episode of a new series we're doing on Mladen Dolar's upcoming book Rumors as part of the Theory Redux editions with Polity Press.
A little birdie told me that Tim is busy moving house and we're talking the general rumorization of society from Socrates to Trump, Franz Kafka's the Trial, Lacan's ethology, JD Vance and his couch, Castaways, and Cindy Crawford.
A lot of people are talking about it!
Thanks to everyone for all of the support and apologies for the episode delay...rumors abound!
Žižek And So On 
