Why Theory

Ryan and Todd discuss Descartes' 'Discourse on the Method', exploring radical doubt, the influence of 'I think therefore I am', the debate between 'I think therefore I am' and 'I am thinking therefore I exist', animal ethics, the difference between humans and animals, Descartes, Sartre, and Lacan's views on subjectivity, and the comparison of Blade Runner to cartesian text in cinema.

The podcast explores the structure of envy, its relationship to jealousy, and its political implications. They reference Othello and Seven as notable explorations of envy, while discussing its distinction from jealousy and its role in stealing others' enjoyment. The concept of kettle logic is explored, along with the psychological functioning of envy and its harmful effects. The importance of considering the human element in immigration and the factors contributing to envy towards the wealthy are also discussed.

The hosts discuss the origins and evolution of science fiction cinema, its influence on the portrayal of AI, the impact of expressionism on films like Metropolis and Logan's Run, the exploration of class antagonism and fascism, the relationship between the working class and scientists, the influence of 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the compulsion to lie in society.

The hosts explore Leibniz's Monadology and its connection to later thinkers like Kant and Hegel. They discuss the concept of monads as the foundation for existence and examine the role of God and reason. They analyze the movie 'Heaven Can Wait' and its portrayal of a shared fiction. They also discuss the separation between God and possibility and critique the inclusion of God in the method. Finally, they engage in a discussion about various movies including 'Defending Your Life'.

Ryan and Todd analyze Machiavelli's The Prince and its influence on later political thinkers. They discuss Machiavelli's novelty and limitations, the relevance of his ideas in modern politics, the non-existence of the Other and the People in his work, his perspective on reading texts, and the concept of unthinkable ideas and winning decisively. They also touch on actor performances in movies, the question of Machiavelli's thesis, and the limitations of contemporary politics.

The podcast explores the concept of surplus enjoyment and its ties to capitalism. It discusses the disappearance and revival of the term 'lekon' in seminars. The podcast also delves into the connection between surplus enjoyment and perversion, Trump's embodiment of surplus enjoyment, and the connection between right-wing populism and capitalism. It further explores the historical development of the current system and its impact on society, as well as comparing action movies from the 80s to recent films.

Unpacking Marx's concept of surplus value and its role in capitalist society, including its relationship to profit. Examining the disparity between labor value and wages, as well as the exploitation of workers in various sectors. Discussing the lack of customer service and exploitation of workers by companies like Spectrum and Netflix. Exploring the significance of surplus value in capitalism and its translation into profit. Analyzing scenes from a film and discussing mental production. Discussing the limitations of Marx's theory and the idea that for a theory to be valid, it should include a place for the theorist themselves.

The hosts discuss Christopher Nolan's film Oppenheimer, focusing on its form and content. They explore the political implications of the hero's depiction and compare it to Nolan's other films. They also discuss the success and impact of Oppenheimer, the consequences of the atomic bombings, and the portrayal of women in Inception. They analyze the representation of Oppenheimer and the strengths and weaknesses of biopics.

Ryan and Todd interpret the film Barbie while responding to both leftist and rightist critiques of the film. They discuss the film's exploration of fantasy, its highlighting of contradiction, and its emphasis on the role of desire in politics.

Ryan and Todd analyze Freud's essay "Creative Writings and Daydreaming." They look first at the theory of fantasy that Freud develops in this essay and then turn to his conception of what generates the work of art, discussing it in terms of the current strike in Hollywood. In their concluding remarks, they deal with problems that Freud runs into in his theorizing here.