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Žižek And So On
Infinite Greed w/ Adrian Johnston
Sep 1, 2024
Adrian Johnston, a thought-provoking author, delves into his latest book on capitalism's inhuman selfishness. He paints a vivid picture of capitalism as a consumer of its own detriment, comparing it to absurd scenarios involving waste. The discussion links psychoanalysis to economic thought, questioning the essence of selfishness within capitalism. Insights into the moral dilemmas faced by CEOs depict the conflict between ethics and economic pressures, shedding light on wealth inequality and capitalism's failures in addressing the needs of the marginalized.
55:37
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast highlights capitalism's self-destructive nature, likening it to cyclical waste consumption, revealing deep psychological implications of infinite greed.
- It examines how toilet designs metaphorically reflect national characteristics, illustrating the intertwining of culture, ideology, and economic systems in waste disposal practices.
Deep dives
The Role of Psychoanalytic Marxism
Psychoanalytic Marxism challenges conventional understandings of capitalism by exploring its deeper psychological implications. It compares the capitalist system to a person engaging in self-destructive behaviors, emphasizing how capitalism consumes its own resources while denying its wasteful nature. For instance, the metaphor of a snake eating its tail illustrates the perpetual cycle of capitalism, suggesting that similar to the Japanese scientist creating edible waste products, capitalism must find new ways to utilize its 'waste' to sustain itself. This exploration of consumer behavior vis-à-vis waste disposal reflects broader societal dynamics where our relationship with consumption is permeated by the capitalist drive for infinite accumulation.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode