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
21 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.
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.
