I'm not all that familiar with him, just what I read here. On one level, he seems like a guy who has some really good insights, and then some dogshit ones. And lots of takes in between.

However... that description could be about lots of people. I also understand Zizek is (apparently) a brilliant philosopher. I've also read here somewhere that his approach to philosophy or ideas in general can make him frustrating to follow for regular Marxists. Like, he's operating on a different level from us or something. And that he doesn't always say what he means.

So what's the deal with Zizek? How should I approach his writings?

:zizek-joy:

  • viva_la_juche [they/them, any]
    ·
    3 years ago

    Zizek is a land of contrasts

    I mean it’s kind of as you said he has some good insights, he’s got some dodgy ones as well.

    I get the sense that his work in the 80s is peak good take zizek, or at least that’s the general take. The popular idea seems to be that he makes some controversial/incendiary takes these days in an effort to maintain relevance.

    Generally I think he’s at his best when critiquing capitalism or talking about how ideology effects how we view things or hampers us even but sometimes his takes on social situations are a bit goofy and I’ve seen him say shit that edges kinda close, for me personally anyway, to stupidpol/“we have to still say slurs or normal people won’t like us” territory wrt humor or other things.

    I think like anyone, take what seems good, read critiques on what seems bad. Just like anyone else

    Hish mannerizhms are exshtremely sniff funny and so on and so on however lol

    • Lundi [none/use name]
      ·
      3 years ago

      Generally I think he’s at his best when critiquing capitalism or talking about how ideology effects how we view things or hampers us even but sometimes his takes on social situations are a bit goofy and I’ve seen him say shit that edges kinda close, for me personally anyway, to stupidpol/“we have to still say slurs or normal people won’t like us” territory wrt humor or other things.

      :this: Zizek has recently been opting towards being a polemic figure and that has led to some really :jesse-wtf: takes. But he's really at his best when confronting chuds as seen in his debate vs Peterson, that was such a clean, thorough take down of the 'intellectual' right I'm not sure the academic fascism is ever going to be viable.

        • hcmscrotumhairs [comrade/them]
          ·
          3 years ago

          I remember him directly talking to the chud audience and directing them away from Peterson. While Peterson was preparing for the debate by only reading the communist manifesto, zizek took a nice long shit on capitalism. Zizek also called Peterson out by asking him to directly show him the cultural Marxists, which he obviously couldn't

          Overall it was decent in the debatebro framework, but still like all debate bro shit worthless? Idk