Žižek And So On The Cambridge Introduction to Lacan Part 2 w/ Todd McGowan
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Aug 4, 2025 Todd McGowan, Professor of English at the University of Vermont and author of The Cambridge Introduction to Jacques Lacan, dives deep into Lacanian theory. He details the vital distinctions between concepts like the master signifier and the quilting point. The conversation touches on the 'Joy Machine' at airports as a metaphor for consumer desire, alongside insights on gambling theory. McGowan also explores modern identity's tensions, the role of AI as the ultimate big other, and the fascinating interplay of authority and desire in today’s world.
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Master Signifier vs Quilting Point
- The master signifier and quilting point serve fundamentally different roles in Lacanian theory.
- The master signifier is a foundational zero meaning signifier, while the quilting point fixes meaning by halting the slide of signification.
Das Ding and Objet Petit a Difference
- Das Ding represents absence while objet petit a is an obstacle structuring desire.
- Lacan's concept of objet petit a draws philosophically from Fichte's notion of the obstacle or Anstos.
The Airport "Joy Machine" Example
- The "Joy Machine" at an airport dispenses balls with discount slips, introducing an element of chance to shopping.
- This gamification example captures objet petit a's role as a barrier making commodities more desirable.
