Acid Horizon
Acid Horizon
Emerging from affinities with post-structuralism, abolitionism, biopolitics, communism, critical metaphysics, critical mysticism, and ontological anarchy, Acid Horizon is a philosophy and theory podcast committed to thought in motion and political struggle. While these are our grounding currents, each episode opens out onto a wider constellation: ethics, politics, phenomenology, decolonial thought, queer theory, post-psychoanalysis, disability/crip theory, anarchism, Marxism, feminism, and analyses of the emergence of the new right.Comprised of a decentralized collective of friends and comrades, Acid Horizon cultivates a terrain of militant inquiry. From readings that span 20th-century French communism to new perspectives on German idealism, the collective has also undertaken forays into aesthetic experimentation, philosophical heresy, and the history of revolt. We seek the concepts and intensities that gesture toward new forms of life.Acid Horizon pushes theory beyond the academy through live engagements, collaborative reading groups, and collective interventions.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 10, 2026 • 1h 5min
Comrade Delta: Organisation, Theory, and the Failure of Britain's Biggest Revolutionary Party
David Renton, a historian and author, and Elane Heffernan, a former SWP member and activist, dive deep into the fallout of the Socialist Workers Party's infamous scandal. They explore the party's historical allure and the toxic culture that led to its decline, particularly its treatment of sexual assault complaints. Elane shares her personal journey of disillusionment, while David highlights structural issues and the failure to confront feminism’s role. Together, they discuss practical reforms for political organizations to prevent such failures in the future.
8 snips
Jan 4, 2026 • 1h 12min
Deleuze’s 'The Logic of Sense': Reversing Platonism and Affirming Philosophy with Jay Conway
In this thought-provoking discussion, philosopher Jay Conway delves into Deleuze’s work, focusing on 'Plato and the Simulacrum,' a key text for reversing Platonism. He addresses the challenges students face when engaging with Deleuze’s concepts and emphasizes the ethical implications of alcoholism as a form of actualization. The conversation explores the influence of Nietzsche and Bergson, and how Plato's maintenance of essence undermines difference. Jay ultimately argues for affirming creativity beyond representation as a way of perceiving true individuality.
11 snips
Dec 30, 2025 • 60min
5 Misconceptions About Friedrich Nietzsche (Will to Power, Übermensch, Fascism) with Devin Gouré
Devin Gouré, a philosophy podcaster and host of Moral Minority, joins to debunk common misconceptions about Friedrich Nietzsche. They explore the will to power as a life force, not mere domination, and discuss how slave morality distorts values. Gouré redefines the Übermensch as a creative ideal and contrasts Nietzsche’s views on nationalism with fascist misappropriations. He also delves into Nietzsche's complex thoughts on race and labor, while addressing myths surrounding his illness and the Turin horse legend.
Dec 13, 2025 • 35min
AHRC 2026: A Brief Hiatus & A Reflection on Vattimo’s “Beyond the Subject
Take a deep dive into Gianni Vattimo's concept of weak thought and its implications for interpretation and the sovereign self. Explore how Vattimo reinterprets Nietzsche’s Übermensch as a symbol of hermeneutic openness. Discover the influence of Bataille and the critique of Hegelian reconciliations. The conversation highlights a shift from traditional notions of subjectivity, emphasizing metaphors and interpretations as the bases of truth. It also critiques Deleuze’s metaphysical readings, showcasing a rejection of fixed meanings in favor of fluid hermeneutics.
5 snips
Nov 30, 2025 • 58min
Purging the Devil: Exorcism, Possession & Political Panic with Grafton Tanner
Join Grafton Tanner, an insightful author and cultural historian, as he dives into the uncanny connections between exorcism, possession, and contemporary political panic. Tanner explores how neoliberal collapse and social media revive satanic fears across the political spectrum. He discusses the historical roots of demonology, the interplay between possession narratives and property relations, and the emotional allure of conspiracy theories. This gripping conversation also touches on the ramifications of purification rituals and modern exorcisms as tools of social control.
Nov 23, 2025 • 1h 11min
The Revolt Eclipses Whatever the World Has to Offer: Idris Robinson on Martyrdom, Destituent Power, and Political Death
Idris Robinson, philosopher and author focused on revolt and martyrdom, explores the complex dynamics of insurrectionary politics. He delves into how the deaths of 2020 impacted his thoughts on martyrdom and memory. Robinson argues compellingly for valuing justice over mere survival in revolt and distinguishes between myths of black leadership and a genuine avant-garde. He introduces the concept of destituent power, advocating for non-state organized forces that challenge existing structures. The conversation highlights practical strategies for creating non-work networks and fostering meaningful engagement.
10 snips
Nov 6, 2025 • 58min
A Life in Rebellion: Up Against the Wall Motherfucker, Black Mask, and the Surrealist Struggle in 1960-70s New York
Ben Morea, a veteran radical artist and activist, shares his journey through Black Mask and Up Against the Wall Motherfucker, where he fused art with activism during the tumultuous 1960s–70s. Abigail Susick, a scholar of surrealism, reflects on the impact of political art, while Breanne Fahs connects feminism and sabotage to radical practices. They dive into guerrilla tactics, critique the commodification of art, and explore the role of psychedelics in consciousness. Their spirited discussion unveils the importance of humor and spontaneity in contemporary protests.
40 snips
Oct 30, 2025 • 1h 5min
Philosophy and Magic: Meredith Graves on the Politics of the Occult and Thinking Magically in a Disenchanted World
Meredith Graves, a researcher and practitioner at the crossroads of philosophy and magic, dives into the intricate ties between ritual and belief. She explores the definition of magic through Crowley’s lens, contrasting the perspectives of researchers and practitioners. The conversation touches on the impacts of disenchantment in our world, and how philosophy and magic can provide meaning. Meredith also challenges myths about the elitism of magic, offering practical insights and tools for newcomers while warning of the political implications of the 'good witch' archetype.
43 snips
Oct 23, 2025 • 1h 5min
Mark Fisher Meets James Hillman: Melancholy, Manic Culture & the End of Capitalist Realism (with Emma Stamm)
Emma Stamm, a researcher and writer focused on Mark Fisher and digital culture, dives into the connections between Fisher and James Hillman’s ideas on melancholy and mania. They explore how depression can be a collective mood reflecting societal malaise rather than a personal affliction. Discussion points include the potential of psychedelia to challenge capitalist norms and the political implications of privatized mental health. The conversation emphasizes the need for communal experiences that transform individual sadness into collective mourning.
Oct 17, 2025 • 49min
Witness to the Hellfire of Genocide: Wasim Said’s Testament from Gaza
Louis Allday, an editor at Liberated Texts, discusses the powerful work of Wasim Said, who documents the harsh realities of Gaza amid an ongoing war. They explore how literature serves as a form of resistance, with Wasim's writing transforming personal trauma into a call for action. The conversation dives into the emotional weight of the book, the collaborative effort behind its publication, and how the youth in Gaza embody wisdom despite their struggles. Allday emphasizes the importance of active engagement and solidarity in response to these testimonies.
