Acid Horizon

Karen Houle, an expert in critical vegetal studies, discusses the notion of becoming-plant to challenge the traditional image of thought. Topics include the ethical implications of becoming-plant, its potential uses in addressing climate crisis and racial oppression, the pleasure of writing poetry that incorporates philosophical concepts, exploring the complex aspects of the abortion debate, the importance of considering plants in ethical thinking, delving into the question of being, and the power of attunement and participating in the world.

Benjamin Noys discusses aesthetics and politics in relation to techno, black metal, and communization. Topics include the correlation of techno with capitalism and urban decay, the evolution of techno in the 2000s, the appropriation and effectiveness of subcultures in political communication, decelerated forms of electronica, Bataille's ideas on art and politics, the changing political context and role of nostalgia, and exploring alternatives for a sustainable future.

Taylor Adkins of Theory Talk joins the show to explicate a seminar by Felix Guattari entitled “The Four Unconsciouses”. Taylor recently translated this seminar into English, which is available on his blog, Fractal Ontology. He has also recently translated a two-volume set of works by Gilbert Simondon. Individuation in Light of Notions of Form and Information I & II are available for purchase on University of Minnesota Press’ website.  In the episode, we discuss the concepts of faciality, white walls, black holes, diagrams, tensors, and a host of other terms familiar to Guattari’s schizoanalysis. Simondon and Laruelle also appear variously throughout our discussion.Support the showSupport the podcast:Current classes at Acid Horizon Research Commons (AHRC): https://www.acidhorizonpodcast.com/ahrc-mainWebsite: 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 platform: https://pod.link/1512615438 LEPHT HAND: https://www.patreon.com/LEPHTHANDHappy Hour at Hippel's (Adam’s blog): https://happyhourathippels.wordpress.com​Split Infinities (Craig’s Substack): https://splitinfinities.substack.com/​Music: https://sereptie.bandcamp.com/ and https://thecominginsurrection.bandcamp.com/

In this pre-episode content, the hosts discuss their plans to explore Deleuze and Guattari's work on the unconscious and highlight key aspects such as its materiality and social connection. They also introduce upcoming seminar discussion with Taylor. The speakers present a typology of different unconsciouses and contrast systems of representation in Freudian, Jungian, and Laconian unconscious with Guattari's approach based on semiotic redundancy. They explore Deleuze and Guattari's concept of black holes as traps for subjectivity and discuss how subjectification can be repurposed for escape. They delve into the impact of German language on Kafka's world and explore tensors as a means of surpassing normative tendencies in language. They discuss the concept of delirium, its connection to social investment, and the idea of the social unconscious as a matrix of investments.

Matt Colquhoun, an author and photographer, joins the podcast to discuss his book 'Egress: On Mourning, Melancholy, and Mark Fisher.' They explore concepts like postcapitalist desire and Mark Fisher's unfinished manifesto on acid communism. They also touch on the works of Bataille, Blanchot, Deleuze & Guattari, Kant, Freud, Ray Brassier, Nick Land, and others.

This podcast explores Foucault's ideas on medicalization, Enlightenment thought, and their relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. It discusses the transformation of medicine in the 18th century, social divisions in healthcare, surveillance technologies, and the relevance of Foucault's work for social theory and Marxism.

This bonus episode offers a detailed reading of Foucault's concept of docile bodies from 'Discipline and Punish'. It explores power and governance in the classical era, the creation of docile bodies, and technologies of discipline that shape various spaces.

More than twenty years from its initial publication, we examine Hardt & Negri's Empire.  In this episode we attempt to unpack the authors' notion of 'postmodernization' or 'informatization'. We also speculate on the relevance of this work against the backdrop of a  post-covid world.Support the showSupport the podcast:Current classes at Acid Horizon Research Commons (AHRC): https://www.acidhorizonpodcast.com/ahrc-mainWebsite: 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 platform: https://pod.link/1512615438 LEPHT HAND: https://www.patreon.com/LEPHTHANDHappy Hour at Hippel's (Adam’s blog): https://happyhourathippels.wordpress.com​Split Infinities (Craig’s Substack): https://splitinfinities.substack.com/​Music: https://sereptie.bandcamp.com/ and https://thecominginsurrection.bandcamp.com/

This special episode of the podcast focuses on Georges Bataille's metaphilosophy as discussed in his Theory of Religion. It explores the challenge and possibility of philosophy, encourages mobile thought, and discusses the difference between science and philosophy.

Deleuze and Foucault discuss theory, power, and activism in this podcast. They explore the roles of intellectuals, the tension between academia and power, and the formation of subjects. The episode also covers the challenges of working in a prison, the impact of COVID-19 on incarcerated individuals, and the importance of political praxis. The speakers reflect on privilege and the need to create spaces for marginalized voices.