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
13 snips
Sep 9, 2025 • 54min
Wilhelm Reich, Fascism & Work Democracy: Philip Bennett & David Silver at Orgonon
Join David Silver, the executive director of the Wilhelm Reich Museum, and Philip Bennett, a professor and author focused on Reich's social and political influence. They delve into Reich's fascinating journey from Freud's student to a radical thinker challenging repression and authoritarianism. The conversation covers his ideas on work democracy, mass psychology, and the impact of his controversial experiments at Orgonon. Their insights offer a fresh perspective on how Reich's legacy resonates in today's socio-political climate.
16 snips
Aug 31, 2025 • 1h 1min
From Blake to Bataille: Romanticism, Communism, and the Commons with Joseph Albernaz
In this conversation, Joseph Albernaz, author of "Common Measures: Romanticism and the Groundlessness of Community," delves into the intricate ties between Romanticism and contemporary political issues. He explores how figures like Blake and Hölderlin influenced ideas of communal existence and identity, offering a radical rethinking of ownership. The discussion also touches on Bataille’s views on energy and the philosophical implications of inoperativity, urging listeners to see poetry as a transformative tool for community and environmental awareness.
7 snips
Aug 23, 2025 • 1h 9min
LEPHT HAND - Myth, Nostalgia, and Liberation: Federico Campagna’s 'Otherworlds: Mediterranean Lessons On Escaping History'
Federico Campagna, a philosopher and writer, dives into the transformative power of myth in the context of liberation struggles. He challenges the notion of myth as mere escapism, instead revealing its potential as a force for solidarity and political imagination. The discussion touches on Mediterranean narratives, the interplay of myth and materialism in leftist politics, and the ethics of nostalgia. Campagna emphasizes personal resilience and the complexities of societal narratives, urging listeners to find dignity amid chaos.
13 snips
Aug 17, 2025 • 1h 16min
Identity on Credit: Ajax, Achilles, and the Modern Self with Fredrik Westerlund
In this discussion, philosopher Fredrik Westerlund, who is exploring the existential challenges of modernity, joins returning guest Nicholas de Warren. They delve into the idea of 'identity on credit,' exploring how our self-worth is often predicated on future recognition rather than present realities. The conversation weaves through classical references from Ajax to Nietzsche, examining themes of honor, madness, and the psychological impacts of social hierarchies. They also tackle the commodification of identity in contemporary capitalism and its implications for personal fulfillment.
Aug 14, 2025 • 1h 14min
From Chaos to Creation: Deleuze, Francis Bacon, 'On Painting', and 'The Logic of Sensation' with Charles J. Stivale
Charles J. Stivale, a translator and scholar of Deleuze's works, dives into the philosophical depths of painting and chaos. He discusses how Deleuze's insights from his 1981 seminar reshape art's expressive forms, particularly through the lens of Francis Bacon. Stivale shares challenges faced while translating Deleuze's complex ideas, emphasizing the intricacies of bringing his thoughts to English audiences. The conversation traverses the intersections of chaos, catastrophe, and digital art, illustrating how these themes continue to influence contemporary artistic discourse.
22 snips
Jul 28, 2025 • 1h 16min
How Did Analytic Philosophy Become the Ruling Class of Thought? Christoph Schuringa Explains
Christoph Schuringa, an author known for his work "A Social History of Analytic Philosophy," dives deep into the political undercurrents of analytic philosophy. He reveals how its claims of neutrality are often undermined by hidden ideological influences and class dynamics. The discussion touches on its complex relationship with continental philosophy and the implications for AI ethics. Schuringa also tackles the shadows of McCarthyism, providing insights into how historical crises shaped this philosophical realm.
4 snips
Jul 17, 2025 • 59min
Becoming Worthy of the Event: Deleuze, Nietzsche, and Revolutionary Ethics with Justin
Dive into the idea of becoming worthy of events through the lenses of Deleuze and Nietzsche. The discussion highlights revolutionary ethics and the need to overcome resentment to fully embrace life. By emphasizing playfulness and the impact of childhood education, the conversation reveals how emotional well-being can foster societal change. Explore the interplay between chance, transformation, and individuality as philosophical tools for action. Joy and engagement emerge as keys to redefining our relationship with the world.
39 snips
Jul 6, 2025 • 39min
Fanon and Sartre: Rethinking Praxis, Race, and Revolution
Tyrique Mack-Georges, a graduate student at Penn State exploring critical philosophy for race, engages with the transformative relationship between Sartre and Fanon. Exciting insights arise on how Sartre’s dialectical reasoning sheds light on Fanon’s revolutionary ideals. They discuss the concept of 'group infusion' as a means for collective action in confronting racial capitalism. The conversation further navigates the challenges of isolation in today's digital landscape and emphasizes the necessity of uncomfortable truths for meaningful change.
12 snips
Jun 29, 2025 • 1h 7min
The Roots of 'Gender-Critical' Fascism: White Supremacy, Reactionary Feminism, and the Far Right
Join Alex Charnley and Michael Richmond, co-authors of 'Fascism and the Women's Cause', as they dive into the murky waters of feminism's complex history. They reveal how certain strands of white feminism have historically aligned with far-right movements, from the suffragettes to the KKK. The conversation critiques the dangerous crossovers between liberalism, transphobia, and today’s so-called 'gender-critical' movements, calling for a feminism that truly opposes fascism and champions inclusivity.
28 snips
Jun 21, 2025 • 1h 44min
Georges Bataille’s 'On Nietzsche': War, Chance, and the Collapse of Meaning with Stuart Kendall
Stuart Kendall, a translator known for his work on Georges Bataille, dives deep into Bataille’s 'On Nietzsche,' a philosophical gem penned during World War II. They discuss how Bataille uses Nietzsche as a companion to navigate themes of sovereignty and death amidst chaos. The conversation touches on existential fragility, the ethics of risk, and the concept of 'The Will to Chance' as a response to societal upheaval. Additionally, the emotional resonance of Bataille's work is examined, shedding light on the intricacies of trauma and human experience.
