The podcast explores the concept of surplus enjoyment and its ties to capitalism. It discusses the disappearance and revival of the term 'lekon' in seminars. The podcast also delves into the connection between surplus enjoyment and perversion, Trump's embodiment of surplus enjoyment, and the connection between right-wing populism and capitalism. It further explores the historical development of the current system and its impact on society, as well as comparing action movies from the 80s to recent films.
Surplus enjoyment is the psychic dimension underlying capitalist relations and provides an explanation for the support of capitalism even by those who do not directly gain surplus value.
Surplus enjoyment, introduced by Lacan, adds a necessary dimension to Marx's theory of surplus value by addressing the psychic dimension of capital and the perversion associated with surplus enjoyment within capitalist society.
The disconnection between individuals and the labor behind commodities, facilitated by reification, is crucial for the functioning of capitalism as it allows individuals to focus on the enjoyment derived from consuming goods rather than the labor involved.
Deep dives
Surplus enjoyment as a driving force of capitalism
Surplus enjoyment is introduced by the podcast as a term that could potentially explain the functioning of capitalism. The podcast suggests that surplus enjoyment is the psychic dimension underlying capitalist relations. While surplus value is seen as the cause of capitalism, surplus enjoyment adds an additional layer by highlighting the satisfaction and enjoyment that individuals derive from the system. This surplus enjoyment is not limited to the capitalists themselves, but extends to all individuals within the capitalist structure. The podcast argues that this surplus enjoyment provides an explanation for why even those who do not directly gain surplus value are invested in and support capitalism.
The connection to marks and the concept of surplus value
The podcast explores the connection between the concept of surplus enjoyment and Karl Marx's theory of surplus value. It suggests that Lacan views surplus value as insufficient in explaining the workings of capitalism. By introducing surplus enjoyment, Lacan aims to address the psychic dimension of capital. The podcast points out that surplus enjoyment is explicitly linked to perversion in the seminar, although this connection becomes less prominent in subsequent seminars. However, the podcast questions whether it is accurate to view capitalist society as entirely perverse, arguing that it fails to capture the normalization and internalization of surplus enjoyment within the capitalist structure.
Reification and the disconnection from labor
The podcast highlights the phenomenon of reification, where the labor involved in the production of commodities becomes invisible, leading to a disconnect between individuals and the labor that goes into the goods they consume. It suggests that this disconnection is essential for the functioning of capitalism, as individuals disavow the labor embedded in commodities and focus on the enjoyment derived from consuming them. The podcast analyzes the relationship between knowledge and enjoyment, emphasizing how the ability to enjoy commodities is contingent upon not seeing or acknowledging the labor behind them. Additionally, it explores how the capitalist system creates divisions and exclusive in-groups, further reinforcing the link between surplus enjoyment and the capitalist structure.
The connection between right-wing populism and capitalism
Right-wing populism in connection with capitalism is a way of mobilizing the surplus enjoyment that capitalism promises but fails to deliver. The enjoyment that right-wing populism provides, such as violence against reporters or targeted attacks on certain groups, is seen as delivering on the enjoyment promised by capitalism. This link between right-wing enjoyment and foolishness is crucial. It suggests that knowledge acts as a barrier to enjoyment, and that surplus enjoyment is sustained by a lack of knowledge or naivete.
The role of surplus enjoyment in capitalist society
Surplus enjoyment, closely tied to surplus value, is identified as the driving force of capitalist society. The surplus enjoyment arises from the inutility or lack of usability of certain products, making useless or extravagant things highly valued. Capitalism prioritizes production over reproduction, leading to the neglect of sustainability and the environment. The enjoyment of excess and the pursuit of pleasure supersede concerns about survival or the greater good. Addressing the issues created by capitalism requires simultaneously tackling surplus enjoyment and surplus value, which are intrinsically linked.
Ryan and Todd explore the idea of surplus enjoyment as the basis for a theory of capitalism. They consider the psychic hold that capitalism has in terms of the surplus enjoyment that it both promises and provides.
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