Acid Horizon

Richard Gilman-Opalsky, an author and philosopher from the University of Illinois at Springfield, delves into the power of utopian thinking and the intersections of Marxism and anarchism. He argues that communism is not a distant goal but is reflected in everyday acts of resistance and care. The conversation critiques the failures of liberal capitalism, emphasizes the significance of imagination in envisioning alternatives, and highlights the revolutionary potential of small, transformative actions in the face of modern challenges.

Jasper Bernes, author of 'The Future of Revolution', dives into revolutionary history and theory, linking the Paris Commune to the George Floyd protests. He explores how workers' councils could shape future movements and the complexities of achieving true revolution. Bernes discusses revolutionary strategies, critiquing contemporary reformist approaches and emphasizing community engagement in areas like healthcare. He also highlights the dangers of misusing constituent power in revolutionary movements, pushing for a deeper understanding of systemic challenges.

Follow Vintagia now: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/acidhorizon/vintagia-i-ching-oracle-for-psychogeographers-and-creativesWhat if capitalism isn’t just an economic system—but a transcendental structure that configures our very experience? In this episode, philosopher Henry Somers-Hall helps us unravel Deleuze and Guattari’s enigmatic claim that capitalism is an axiomatic system. Drawing from Kant, set theory, and the metaphysics of representation, we explore how capital binds and rebinds flows—subjects, territories, even revolt itself. Together we ask: what becomes of revolution when even resistance can be axiomatized?Henry's paper: https://henrysomershall.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/somers-hall-binding-and-axiomatics.pdfSupport the showVintagia Pre-Launch: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/acidhorizon/vintagia-i-ching-oracle-for-psychogeographers-and-creatives Support the podcast:https://www.acidhorizonpodcast.com/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/acidhorizonAcid Horizon on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/acidhorizonpodcast Boycott Watkins Media: https://xenogothic.com/2025/03/17/boycott-watkins-statement/ Join The Schizoanalysis Project: https://discord.gg/4WtaXG3QxnSubscribe to us on your favorite podcast: https://pod.link/1512615438Merch: http://www.crit-drip.comSubscribe to us on your favorite podcast: https://pod.link/1512615438 LEPHT HAND: https://www.patreon.com/LEPHTHANDHappy Hour at Hippel's (Adam’s blog): https://happyhourathippels.wordpress.com​Revolting Bodies (Will's Blog): https://revoltingbodies.com​Split Infinities (Craig’s Substack): https://splitinfinities.substack.com/​Music: https://sereptie.bandcamp.com/ and https://thecominginsurrection.bandcamp.com/

Craig offers an enticing peek into upcoming projects, including the innovative Vintagia, which fuses creativity with intuitive practice. Exciting live events are on the horizon, featuring artist residencies and experimental seminars. A new reading group focused on philosophical friendship is set to launch soon. Additionally, the return to Durations Festival promises thrilling collaborations, ensuring a vibrant community engagement that listeners won't want to miss.

Follow Vintagia: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/acidhorizon/vintagia-i-ching-oracle-for-psychogeographers-and-creativesIn this special crossover episode of LEPHT HAND and Acid Horizon, we explore the radical mysticism of François Laruelle through his essay Vision-in-One or Unlearned Knowing. Laruelle proposes a mysticism stripped of transcendence and doctrine—one grounded in solitude, immanence, and the irreducibility of lived experience. Our guest, translator Jeremy R. Smith, helps unpack Laruelle’s challenge to Neoplatonism, dialectics, and the pedagogical authority of philosophy. Along the way, we consider how this "unlearned knowing" might offer tools for thinking mysticism on the left, beyond both theology and theory.Vision-in-One or Unlearned Knowing: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n-i7-kfCt_ykSxrMrUIeNxLwLKcCzcl3LbSJCR_etVQ/edit?tab=t.0 Support the showVintagia Pre-Launch: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/acidhorizon/vintagia-i-ching-oracle-for-psychogeographers-and-creatives Support the podcast:https://www.acidhorizonpodcast.com/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/acidhorizonAcid Horizon on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/acidhorizonpodcast Boycott Watkins Media: https://xenogothic.com/2025/03/17/boycott-watkins-statement/ Join The Schizoanalysis Project: https://discord.gg/4WtaXG3QxnSubscribe to us on your favorite podcast: https://pod.link/1512615438Merch: http://www.crit-drip.comSubscribe to us on your favorite podcast: https://pod.link/1512615438 LEPHT HAND: https://www.patreon.com/LEPHTHANDHappy Hour at Hippel's (Adam’s blog): https://happyhourathippels.wordpress.com​Revolting Bodies (Will's Blog): https://revoltingbodies.com​Split Infinities (Craig’s Substack): https://splitinfinities.substack.com/​Music: https://sereptie.bandcamp.com/ and https://thecominginsurrection.bandcamp.com/

In this episode, Will reads Maurice Blanchot’s essay Friendship, a haunting reflection on the impersonal and ineffable nature of true friendship. Blanchot challenges the idea of friendship as mutual understanding, revealing instead a relation marked by silence, distance, and exposure. This reading anticipates our upcoming "Philosophers and the Friend" reading group beginning May 18, featuring works by Blanchot, Foucault, Derrida, and more.Reading group syllabus: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VF7IZDocnkoK-vgwFNRFEXCOseBvNQJA/viewSupport the showVintagia Pre-Launch: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/acidhorizon/vintagia-i-ching-oracle-for-psychogeographers-and-creatives Support the podcast:https://www.acidhorizonpodcast.com/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/acidhorizonAcid Horizon on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/acidhorizonpodcast Boycott Watkins Media: https://xenogothic.com/2025/03/17/boycott-watkins-statement/ Join The Schizoanalysis Project: https://discord.gg/4WtaXG3QxnSubscribe to us on your favorite podcast: https://pod.link/1512615438Merch: http://www.crit-drip.comSubscribe to us on your favorite podcast: https://pod.link/1512615438 LEPHT HAND: https://www.patreon.com/LEPHTHANDHappy Hour at Hippel's (Adam’s blog): https://happyhourathippels.wordpress.com​Revolting Bodies (Will's Blog): https://revoltingbodies.com​Split Infinities (Craig’s Substack): https://splitinfinities.substack.com/​Music: https://sereptie.bandcamp.com/ and https://thecominginsurrection.bandcamp.com/

Cameron Carsten, a blogger at Camtology, delves into Baudrillard's concept of 'absolute advertising' and its pervasive influence on culture and communication. The conversation reveals how advertising distorts reality and shapes societal norms, leading to techno-fascism. They explore the absurdity of modern advertising, the commodification of labor, and the impact of social media on identity. From culinary innovations like air fryers to the paradox of publicity, this discussion unearths the intricate ties between consumerism, identity, and contemporary life.

In this insightful discussion, Dr. Ben Morsa, a clinical psychologist and psychoanalytic thinker, explores Melanie Klein's views on symbol formation and ego development. He examines how Klein's controversial case study links to modern perspectives on autism and neurodiversity. Morsa also delves into the complexities of sadism, love, and loss within psychoanalysis, advocating for a therapeutic approach that honors individual experiences. His work at Tide Pools emphasizes inclusivity and challenges traditional diagnostic labels.

Taija Mars McDougall, author of "King Ketamine," dives into the intriguing world of ketamine use among tech elites like Elon Musk. She discusses how this substance acts as a catalyst for disassociation and reflects the bizarre realities of billionaire culture. McDougall explores the political implications of drug use on social movements, critiques AI's ethical dilemmas, and shares her own experiences with altered states of consciousness. The conversation touches on everything from hallucinations to the intersection of psychoanalysis and American culture.

In this engaging discussion, guest Tiger Liu, a fan favorite known for their insights on extinction and philosophy, dives into the serious implications of proposed closures at the Centre for Research in Modern European Philosophy. They highlight the battle to preserve humanities in UK academia, emphasizing its broader societal importance. The conversation critiques the shift towards vocational training, explores the emotional toll on the academic community, and underscores the necessity for collective action to advocate for critical thought and community engagement.