Žižek And So On

Todd McGowan, a Professor of theory and culture at the University of Vermont, dives deep into Lacanian theory while discussing his book, The Cambridge Introduction to Jacques Lacan. He challenges conventional views on Lacan as merely a psychoanalyst, presenting him as a philosopher. The conversation highlights Lacan’s ideas on the non-relation and the Borromean knot, the interplay between psychoanalysis and quantum mechanics, and critiques traditional interpretations of his concepts, emphasizing inclusivity and accessibility for new learners.

Alright this is a PATREON PREVIEW & this week we’re back again with our series on Slavoj Žižek’s Against Progress with PART TWO of the long-awaited conversation with theorist and friend of the show Michael Downs, author of the Dangerous Maybe Blog on Medium and his new book Capital Vs Timenergy: A Žižekian Critique of Nick Land to discuss Žižek’s essay Accelerationism.LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE HERE!We’re talking Lacan’s theory of language and the co-evolution of the brain and the Big Other, Žižek’s dialectical method, the difference between Land’s and Žižek’s conceptions of the death drive, Cute Accelerationism and so on and so on. See you in Paris,Ž&...Also check out Pods Against Tomorrow hosted by Hugh Manon Professor of Screen Studies at Clark University and Abe Doubleday-Bush where they reinvestigate the noir genre one film at a time. I joined them the other day to discuss Joseph Losey and Dalton Trumbo's down-and-dirty 1951 cult noir, THE PROWLER. Which you can listen to...HERE!

Michael Downs, an insightful theorist and author of the Dangerous Maybe Blog, joins to delve deep into accelerationism and its implications. He discusses Žižek's critique of progress, contrasting accelerationism with degrowth communism. The conversation touches on cyber-positivity, the zero point of modernity, and the philosophical horror of AI. They explore the tensions of nostalgia in politics and examine how accelerationism is reshaping ideology in our tech-driven world, probing the complex relationship between modernity and humanity’s future.

Joining the discussion is Jack Black, an associate professor and author of 'The Psychosis of Race,' known for his unique Lacanian approach to racism. The conversation dives into Slavoj Žižek's insights on quantum physics and history, unraveling how these ideas challenge conventional narratives of progress. They explore the complexities of language, authority, and swearing, revealing how they shape identity and social structures. Jack also shares intriguing stories likening philosophical musings to the quirks of his mother’s expressive language, making for a thought-provoking dialogue.

LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE HERE!Alright, we’re back with another Patreon SHORT SESSION and this week Tim is at the shops buying a Tickle Me Elmo and we’re taking a look at some aspects of laughter in a few different ways.SHORT SESSIONS, variable length sessions, however you wanna put it, in these episodes we’ll wrap them up because of something that is said, rather than the tyranny of the clock.So what’s so ticklish about the ticklish subject? Can it tickle itself?We’re talking Žižek’s totalitarian laughter, Adam Phillips on the erotic grammar of tickling, Trump as the David Brent of Empire, Romanian orphanages and Rhesus monkeys, and the dialectic of cringe and tickling.Whatever you do, don’t google "competitive tickling".Check out Aaron Schuster's piece on tickling here.Jamil Khader's RELOADING LAUGHTER: ŽIŽEK AND A THEORY OF COMEDYSee you in Paris,Ž&...

Alright, this week Tim is still away and certainly not obsessed with Anomancy a truth procedure which involves reading the folds and wrinkles of someones anus to discover profound insights into health, love, and destiny…he is rather off the wagon only to run someone down and will be back soon.In the meantime we’re talking to Alfie Bown author of Post-Comedy which is Alfie's latest book in the same series as Mladen Dolar, Alenka Zupancic, Helen Rollins and many others.Get a copy of Post-Comedy here!We’re talking anxiety, ideology, the form of comedy today, and the ontology of laughter.We’re getting into the disappearance of the laugh track, cringe comedy, crowd work & platform capitalism, the politics of offence, didactic humour, and how since comedy is surprises, if you're intending to make somebody laugh and they don’t laugh...that’s funny too.See you in Paris,Ž&...LOLAlso, check out the new series on Little Hans by Kate Merritt and Manuel Gabbert which you can find on YouTube and the Everyday Analysis page as well as all everything else going on at @everydayanalysis

To listen to the FULL EPISODE head to our PATREONAlright, we’re back from the LACK Conference at Otterbein University and Tim’s still at the airport screaming that the queue is the destination. Great to see so many friends— Jack Black, Neo Winter Scott, Jon Hegglund, Matthew Flisfeder, Clint Burnham, Katherine Everitt, Todd McGowan, Anna Kornbluh, Russell Sbriglia, Ryan Engley, Derek Hook, Mikey Downs and the crew…too many to name and of course, Žižek himself.In this SHORT SESSION, we’re diving into the extended version of my LACK presentation The Shit of History: No Fickle Matter—a theory of waste in capitalism as structural, not accidental.We’re talking Adrian Johnston’s coprophagic capitalism, Slavoj Žižek’s violence typology, offshore detention, DOGE, plastic recycling, human waste, and James Mcann’s public toilet analysis.Big thanks to our PATREONS for the ongoing support and to James Donald Forbes McCann!You can find his special here! ...or find him on YouTube and everywhere else.⁠Support us on PATREON and get access to our Discord, interviews, extra episodes each month, and our SHORT SESSIONS series for $5/month.⁠See you in Paris,Ž&…

In this discussion, filmmaker Helen Rollins, an expert in film and psychoanalysis from Northern Ireland, shares insights from her groundbreaking book, Psychocinema. She explores how watching films is a psychoanalytic experience, revealing hidden truths about desire and subconscious cues. Topics include the tension between personal creativity and capitalism, the evolving nature of cinematic storytelling, and the intersection of class and the 'gaze' in film. Rollins critiques the commodification of art and sheds light on the challenges faced by independent filmmakers today.

LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE HERE!Alright, we’re back with a new PATREON EPISODE while Tim's still on an island painting a face on a volleyball & we're taking another look at Todd McGowan's new book Pure Excess.Capitalism promises things beyond their usefulness, the enjoyment of a useless excess, an excess which is presented as pure when it is necessarily impure — there is always a hidden sacrifice.We're talking Jackie Kennedy's fake pearl necklace selling for $200,000, Paper Water and the Resnick's, Trump's Air Rights, and why we can't have McDonalds at home. Big thanks to our ⁠PATREONS⁠ for the ongoing support!⁠⁠Support us on PATREON and get access to our Discord, interviews, extra episodes each month and our new SHORT SESSIONS series for $5 a month!⁠⁠See you in Paris, Ž&…

Todd McGowan, author and expert in psychoanalysis and capitalism, dives into the enchanting world of commodities and their excess. He critiques how capitalism reveals human desires while overshadowing practicality. The conversation touches on the temptations of consumer culture, ethical dilemmas surrounding products like eggs, and the paradox of organic versus non-organic choices. McGowan also explores the vital role of 'useless excess' in creating enjoyment amidst a frustrating socio-economic landscape, challenging listeners to rethink their consumption.