Topics discussed include Argentine libertarianism, the illusion of separating economy and state, fear of death in secular life and religion, retreating from the flame and the working class alliance, the rise of nihilistic politics, destruction and collective organization, the motivation for war, the continuity of change, and shaping native intelligence and positive experiences.
The bourgeois middle class desires a transformative event that would redeem the world, but their goals differ from the left due to their material comfort and lack of connection to the working class.
Privatization does not fundamentally change the dynamic or function of the state, but rather decreases its effectiveness and efficiency by replacing government sectors with contractor sectors at a higher cost.
Liberal subjectivity is driven by a schizophrenic and masochistic bourgeois mind that constantly strives for completion and satisfaction but is fundamentally at war with itself, failing to address the ultimate annihilation and contradictions inherent in bourgeois subjectivity.
Deep dives
The Bourgeois Mind and its Fantasies
The speaker explores the mindset and motivations of the bourgeois middle class, discussing their desire for action, annihilation, and a war that would redeem the world. They highlight how the bourgeois mind is a schizophrenic combination of consumer and product, constantly at war with itself. The speaker also delves into the right-wing desire for an apocalyptic confrontation and the left's paralysis in the face of crisis. They argue that both sides are driven by a longing for a transformative event, but their goals and actions differ due to their material comfort. Ultimately, the speaker suggests that without collective action and a connection to the working class, both the left and right will remain trapped in their own ideological fantasies.
The Illusion of Libertarianism
The speaker critiques libertarian ideas of privatization and the dismantling of the state, highlighting how these actions often lead to inefficiencies and increased costs. They argue that privatization merely replaces government sectors with contractor sectors that carry out the same functions at a higher expense. The speaker emphasizes that the libertarian vision of government is as eschatological and millenarian as the left, as it seeks to fundamentally break things that make capitalism work. They conclude that privatization does not change the dynamic or function of the state, but rather decreases its effectiveness and efficiency.
The Liberal Horizon and the Bourgeois Subjectivity
The speaker discusses the liberal horizon and its vision of individual subjectivity and progress towards social harmony. They highlight how liberal subjectivity is based on a schizophrenic and masochistic bourgeois mind that constantly strives for completion and satisfaction but is fundamentally at war with itself. The speaker explores how the pursuit of bourgeois subjectivity in a consumer society is driven by a lack and a void at its core, leading to a constant need for treats and consumption. They argue that while liberalism promises a peaceful and gradual transformation of society, it fails to address the deeper contradictions and ultimate annihilation inherent in bourgeois subjectivity.
The Right's Desire for an Apocalyptic Conclusion
The speaker delves into the right-wing desire for an apocalyptic conclusion and the struggle between the reactionary and liberal elements within the middle class. They explore how the right embraces the idea of a collapse of the system and the destruction of democracy, believing that it will lead to a rebirth of their own desired subjectivity. The speaker discusses how this desire for an apocalyptic confrontation stems from the fear of losing control and the longing for a war that would grant them the power to determine who survives and who perishes. They argue that the right's yearning for action and an existential conflict is fueled by their material comfort and the belief that they can survive and reshape the world according to their own ideals.
The Flawed Middle Class Subjectivity
The podcast explores the flawed middle class subjectivity and its inability to acknowledge the impending catastrophe of the current political horizon. The speaker highlights how this flawed mindset leads to stasis, misery, and pathological behavior among people who consider themselves leftist. The podcast emphasizes the need to accept the premise of an inevitable catastrophe and to act politically out of a genuine desire for positive change rather than self-punishment or passive political engagement.
The Vacuum of Middle Class Culture
The podcast critiques the cultural vacuum created by a neurotic middle class subjectivity and its obsession with individual achievement and validation. The speaker asserts that true art and culture emerge from transformative experiences and connections with truth, which are stifled by the shallow, money-driven nature of mass media. The speaker argues against the right-wing nostalgia for hierarchical societies and emphasizes the need for a dynamic and diverse culture fueled by connections with grassroots subjectivities and new forms of consciousness.
