Slavoj Zizek: The Man, The Film
Posted by Box Daddy
San Francisco, CA -- Went over to see Slavoj Zizek tonight at San Francisco's Roxie, 16th and Valencia.
For those not in the know, Slavoj Zizek is a Slovenian philosopher who garners much street cred among academics and would-be leftist revolutionaries.
First, there was an above-average film directed by an Astra Taylor. You felt that you learned something about the man's thinking.
Second, Zizek himself appeared. He took some questions and made a brief statement. Most interesting point: that the right wing in the USA is the most obvious continuation of the radical revolutionary groups of the early 1970s, the Red Army Faction, Red Brigades, Weather Underground and Black Panthers. Zizek lamented that the left had entirely lost its connection to these groups while the right had perfected a new kind of revolutionary, disciplined mentality. The right is now the radical party in the USA: blowing up buildings, threatening judges, waving weapons and calling people traitors. Zizek traced this moment back to John Brown's actions in Kansas pre-civil war: righteous anger in the service of a morally-superior cause.
According to Zizek, the American left lacks a sense of sacrifice and it is far too interested in personality and self-expression. Tend to agree with all of Zizek's musings.
I am happy to report that Box Daddy sat next to Michael M., former guiding force behind the twentieth century's gift to music, Glasstown.
San Francisco, CA -- Went over to see Slavoj Zizek tonight at San Francisco's Roxie, 16th and Valencia.
For those not in the know, Slavoj Zizek is a Slovenian philosopher who garners much street cred among academics and would-be leftist revolutionaries.
First, there was an above-average film directed by an Astra Taylor. You felt that you learned something about the man's thinking.
Second, Zizek himself appeared. He took some questions and made a brief statement. Most interesting point: that the right wing in the USA is the most obvious continuation of the radical revolutionary groups of the early 1970s, the Red Army Faction, Red Brigades, Weather Underground and Black Panthers. Zizek lamented that the left had entirely lost its connection to these groups while the right had perfected a new kind of revolutionary, disciplined mentality. The right is now the radical party in the USA: blowing up buildings, threatening judges, waving weapons and calling people traitors. Zizek traced this moment back to John Brown's actions in Kansas pre-civil war: righteous anger in the service of a morally-superior cause.
According to Zizek, the American left lacks a sense of sacrifice and it is far too interested in personality and self-expression. Tend to agree with all of Zizek's musings.
I am happy to report that Box Daddy sat next to Michael M., former guiding force behind the twentieth century's gift to music, Glasstown.
1 Comments:
We were at the Zizek show, too, and we linked to your comments over at Daily Pepper.
We've never seen this blog before - but the name is great!
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