Why Theory

Exploring prequels in media, revenge narratives, character development, trauma, societal change, and Magneto's origin story. Dive into Better Call Saul's character evolution, time travel in films, and the ethical decisions of protagonists. Discussing the radical potential and ideological function of prequels in storytelling.

Exploring the evolution of endings in novels, sacrifice and redemption in 'A Tale of Two Cities', modernist themes in Dickens' 'Bleak House', analysis of modernism and post-modernism, immersive writing techniques, symbolism of cuts in literature, and Antonioni's connections to English rockers in 'Blow-Up'.

Exploring the significance of well-executed endings in media and audience perception. Discussing impactful conclusions in TV shows and movies like Golden Girls and M*A*S*H. Delving into narrative techniques and surprise endings in classic films. Connecting movie endings to psychoanalysis and audience expectations. Reflecting on the influence of digital technology on the concept of film endings. Delving into internal conflicts in Star Trek and societal influences on cinematic conclusions.

Ryan and Todd analyze Slavoj Zizek's ideas on the parallax view, conspiracy themes in films, controversial scenes in 'Wild at Heart', Stalinism vs. Nazism, Heidegger's legacy, freedom, impulses, and parallax in narrative interpretation.

Unpacking Lacan's Seminar 11, focusing on exclusion as a starting point and delving into subjectivity and objet a. Exploring student protests, authority in psychoanalysis, self-realization, the complexities of the gaze, satisfaction in a song, desire vs. drive, reflections in the mirror, sacrifice in historical narratives, and film recommendations.

Ryan and Todd analyze Lacan's Seminar VII, diving into concepts like das Ding, sublimation, and the ethics of desire. They explore the intersections of Kantian philosophy, debate Lacan's enigmatic nature, discuss the reality principle, and its relation to Dostin. The podcast also delves into the value of collecting objects, the Death Drive's creative connection, Antigone's act of sublimation, and ethics in society. The conversation is rich, diverse, and thought-provoking.

Hosts delve into Kant's critique of dogmatic metaphysics, explore analytic and synthetic judgments in philosophy, discuss Freud's perspective on extension, analyze truth and morality through film, and examine Kant's influence on modern philosophy. They also explore the interplay between black holes, Kant, and Hegel, and engage in a film critique and ranking discussion.

Exploring the Kantian dimension in David Lynch's 'Blue Velvet', the hosts discuss the complexities of Dorothy Valens as a character and Lynch's use of aesthetics to create profound moments. They compare the father figure in classic and neo-noir films, analyze the uncanny and sublimation in the film, and dissect Lynch's intriguing use of appearance to represent the tangible and unreachable beyond.

Ryan and Todd dissect Immanuel Kant's philosophy, exploring its influence on psychoanalytic thought and filmmakers like David Lynch. They discuss Kant's approach to metaphysical freedom, Lacan's Quilting Point concept, and the distinction between 'thinking' and 'cognizing'. The conversation touches on Kant's radical ideas, the challenges of interpreting his works, and the application of Kantian concepts in real-life scenarios.

The hosts explore the concept of symbolic castration in psychoanalysis, relating it to politics and culture. They discuss Lacan's perspective on castration, its implications for femininity and masculinity, and its prevalence in political figures. They also delve into the concept's connection to democracy, analyze its symbolism in films, and have a light-hearted discussion about favorite songs by Journey.