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
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.
37 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.
37 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.
9 snips
Oct 11, 2025 • 54min
Deleuze vs Hegel: Beyond Kant and Representation with Henry Somers-Hall
In this lively discussion, Henry Somers-Hall, an expert on Hegel and Deleuze, dives into the philosophical clash between these two giants. He explores how both thinkers challenge Kantian representation, with Hegel focusing on dialectics and Deleuze on a pre-representational field. Somers-Hall traces Deleuze's journey through Kant and Sartre, highlighting the emergence of the ego versus Deleuze's self-organizing field. The conversation also delves into the politics of Kantian thought and the innovative concept of a body without organs. It's a thought-provoking exploration of philosophical boundaries!
Sep 28, 2025 • 1h 7min
The Politics of Ghosting: Dominic Pettman on Absence, Intimacy, and Digital Life
Dominic Pettman, a cultural theorist and author of "Ghosting: On Disappearance," dives deep into the phenomenon of ghosting, exploring its roots beyond dating into friendships and family dynamics. He discusses how hyperconnectivity and the attention economy normalize ghosting, connecting it to emotional fallout like paranoia and depression. Pettman uncovers the psychoanalytic dimensions of absence and its impact on identity. He also critiques the ethical implications of blocking and offers insights on reclaiming genuine social interactions in our digitized world.
14 snips
Sep 19, 2025 • 58min
Western Marxism vs. Stalinism: Domenico Losurdo’s Controversial Legacy with Ross Wolfe
In this enlightening discussion, Ross Wolfe, a history teacher and writer known for his critical analyses of Marxist theory, dives into Domenico Losurdo's contentious legacy. They unpack the implications of Losurdo's claims about Western Marxism and its relationship with defeat and imperialism. The conversation covers the intersections of neo-Stalinist politics with far-right ideologies, and challenges the misreadings of critical theory. Wolfe also critiques Losurdo's anti-utopian revisions of socialism, sparking a thought-provoking dialogue on radical politics and contemporary relevance.
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.
