Žižek & Peterson Debate – Happiness: Capitalism vs. Marxism (transcript of opening statement)

Below is the transcript of Zizek’s introductory statement. First, a brief introductory remark. I cannot but notice the irony of how Peterson and I, the participants in this duel of the century, are both marginalised by the official academic community. I am supposed to defend here the left, liberal line against neo-conservatives. Really? Most of… Continue reading Žižek & Peterson Debate – Happiness: Capitalism vs. Marxism (transcript of opening statement)

Why Secondary Contradictions Matter: A Maoist View

Already a quick glance at our imbroglio makes it clear that we are caught up in multiple social struggles: the tension between the liberal establishment and new populism, the ecological struggle, struggles for feminism and sexual liberation, ethnic and religious struggles, the struggle for universal human rights, struggles against the digital control over our lives… How to… Continue reading Why Secondary Contradictions Matter: A Maoist View

Are liberals and populists just searching for a new master?

The rise of populism, nativism and nationalism in recent years has challenged perceptions of what ordinary people want from politicians. Some see the anti-establishment trend as a rejection of centralised power. Others suggest the real hunger is for a moral authority that appears to be lacking in today’s capitalism. Among the latter group is Slavoj… Continue reading Are liberals and populists just searching for a new master?

Acheronta Movebo

The motto of every authentic radical change is the same as the quote from Virgil that Freud chose as the epigraph for his Interpretation of Dreams. It is Acheronta movebo – I will move the infernal regions. Dare to disturb the underground of the unspoken underpinnings of our everyday lives! There are two such “infernal regions” in our… Continue reading Acheronta Movebo

Steve Bannon’s Brussels plans threaten Europe’s liberal legacy

The American far right has spotted a gap in the European market, as the continent buckles from the fallout of mass migration and austerity. For liberals to maintain control, they must ally themselves with the radical left. Recently, it has been widely reported that Steve Bannon plans to establish a group to coordinate right-wing nationalist… Continue reading Steve Bannon’s Brussels plans threaten Europe’s liberal legacy

The philosopher who invented the word ‘idiosyncratic’, interview with Anja Steinbauer

Anja Steinbauer: So Professor Žižek – Slavoj Žižek: Don’t call me professor if you don’t want me to kill you. I feel so uneasy when someone calls me professor. Where is the professor? I have a deep problem with any official titles and so on. I’m not proud of it. When someone calls me professor I take it… Continue reading The philosopher who invented the word ‘idiosyncratic’, interview with Anja Steinbauer

Korean nuclear tension: Apocalypse… almost now

Korean nuclear tension: Apocalypse... almost now

The saber rattling and harsh rhetoric during the current nuclear standoff on the Korean Peninsula should remind mankind of something we have forgotten. Atomic weapons are terrifying things, and talk of using them should be a taboo subject. A week or so ago, I found myself reading Agatha Christie’s 80th, and penultimate, book, “Passenger to Frankfurt,” and… Continue reading Korean nuclear tension: Apocalypse… almost now

Zizek! (transcript/subtitles)

Zizek! (transcript/subtitles)

What would be my… how should I call it, spontaneous attitude towards the universe? It’s a very dark one. The first thesis would have been a kind of total vanity: there is nothing, basically. I mean it quite literally, like… ultimately…there are just some fragments, some vanishing things. If you look at the universe, it’s… Continue reading Zizek! (transcript/subtitles)

Refugees, Conservatism, and Cultural Incompatibility

[Transcript below video.] We who try to be decent people are bombarded by some kind of moral political pressure from two sides. First there is the worst one, of course, this anti-immigrant populist side; like, ‘why should we even allow refugees in; it’s their fault; third world travel and so on, there are enough poor… Continue reading Refugees, Conservatism, and Cultural Incompatibility