AEWCH 263: WHY DOES WILHELM REICH MATTER NOW? feat. JAMES STRICK
May 7, 2024
auto_awesome
Psychoanalyst James Strick discusses Wilhelm Reich's radical experiments, orgone energy, cloudbusters, and challenging societal views on sexuality. They explore Reich's character armor concept, bioelectricity, cancer treatment experiments, and the controversy surrounding the organ energy accumulator.
Reich challenged societal norms with his views on sexuality and pleasure, sparking debates on autonomy vs. control.
Reich's emphasis on physical libido as a psychoanalytic entity disrupted traditional views, urging holistic approaches to understanding human desire.
Reich's legacy continues to provoke discussions on the interplay of personal pleasure, political structures, and societal norms, advocating for liberation from oppressive systems.
Reich's experiments with bions and orgone energy revealed potential therapeutic effects, stirring controversy and intrigue in the scientific community.
Deep dives
The Interplay of Science and Rebellion in Wilhelm Reich's Work
Wilhelm Reich, a figure whose work challenged the norms of science, politics, and psychoanalysis, stood out as a scientific rebel determined to push the boundaries of conventional thinking. His endeavors spanned from developing a profound understanding of human sexuality to questioning the origins of societal oppression. Reich's exploration extended to the intersection of Freudian concepts, Marxist theories, and the essential role of pleasure in human life, revealing a complex interplay of science and rebellion in his work.
Political Resistance: Reich's Clash with Socialist Parties
Wilhelm Reich's revolutionary views on sexuality and pleasure led to confrontations with socialist parties, ultimately resulting in his expulsion due to his refusal to adhere to orthodox Marxist principles. His dedication to integrating sexual liberation into political discourse posed a challenge to the conventional power structures within these parties, highlighting the tension between promoting pleasure and maintaining political control.
Challenges to Traditional Orthodoxy in Psychoanalysis
Reich's divergence from established psychoanalytic norms and his emphasis on the tangible nature of libido as a physical entity challenged the orthodox views prevailing in the field. By advocating for a deeper exploration of human pleasure and desire, Reich broke away from traditional psychoanalytic practices, shedding light on the limitations of existing theories and the need for a more holistic approach to understanding the human psyche.
The Disrupted Unity of Science and Politics in Reich's Legacy
Wilhelm Reich's legacy resonates in the modern discourse through his disruptive influence on the unity of science and politics. By addressing the critical link between personal pleasure, political structures, and societal norms, Reich's work continues to provoke discussions on autonomy, repression, and the potential for individual and collective liberation. His relentless pursuit of questioning established norms underscores the transformative power of embracing pleasure and challenging oppressive systems.
Rudolf Steiner's Perspective on Leadership
Rudolf Steiner contends that being an economist is a crucial element of effective leadership. Although approached with derision, Steiner emphasizes the significance of understanding economy and labor in shaping leaders.
The Link Between Mass Psychology and Donald Trump
The discussion reveals parallels between Donald Trump's administration and the mass psychology of fascism described by Reich in the 1930s. Students were struck by the application of Reich's insights to the contemporary political landscape, highlighting Trump's conduct resembling aspects of fascist psychology.
Wilhelm Reich's Concept of Character Armor
Reich's concept of character armor delves into how individual character traits act as defense mechanisms originating from past traumas. By observing facial expressions and body postures, Reich linked character traits to internal conflicts, establishing a connection between emotional suppression and physical manifestations.
Experimental Work on Bions and Orgone Energy
Reich's experiments explored bions as primal life forms emerging from disintegrating organic matter. These bions emitted a mysterious form of energy termed orgone, leading Reich to develop the orgone energy accumulator. Through trials on cancer patients and mice, Reich observed potential therapeutic effects of orgone energy, sparking controversy and intrigue in the scientific community.
I do a deep dive on the work of scientist, psychoanalyst, Marxist, and criminal, Wilhelm Reich... both on my own and with Dr. James Strick. It's a whole episode examining Reich's theories and experiments, as part of my series of episodes on how science intersects with our daily lives!
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
