Alain Badiou on Being Happy

Nexus Conference 'How to Change the World?'
Keynote lecture Alain Badiou, part 2
2 December 2012, Amsterdam
Revolution is of all times. Man in revolt, who fights against the injustice of those in power and aims for a better world, has always existed. In our world, we see the rekindling of the revolutionary fire: movements such as Occupy, the Arab Spring and the South European indignados rebel against the powers that be. The same goes for populist political parties and groups like the Tea Party. Which ideal is worth fighting for? And why should the world be changed?
During the 2012 Nexus Conference, prominent international speakers discuss the question how we can change the world. Is a better world really possible? Is man truly free, or does he allow those in power to manipulate him, and commercialism to corrupt him all too easily? How can change be achieved? And what should our world come to look like?
www.nexus-instituut.nl

[@metamorphosis_77]

I have watched many interviews with philosophers but Badiou is another level.

[@vassilimi4076]

Are you kidding me? This is lit.

[@kidkarvi]

LOL yeah fr

[@edwardferry8247]

He is saying happiness is not mere settling of what is culturally determined as satisfactory.. but rather happiness lies within the subjective results emerging through our deliberate actions toward change (without initial motivation toward ‘happiness’) the decision is to either accept satisfaction as our life or to go beyond into what is absent (Rimbaud) and pay the price for what that result (good or bad) may contain. He is associating happiness with being fully alive (not merely satisfied) in all of its dangers and possibilities but our agreement to be willing to pay the ultimate price for that risk is crucial.

[@CromwellGovt]

thank you for this! this is an excellent summary

[@Rude_keed]

how am i a carti fan watchin alain videos in zimbabwe africa .

[@Z1ddee]

Badiou is for everyone! Let's change the world friend!

[@erma6663]

"happiness is the subjectivity to organise the consequences of some event" - totally hear that.

[@MrBezagreen]

I have a theory that people who speak more than one language can understand more clearly when others have accents.I find him perfectly understandable. It says a lot that this man at his age can speak 3 languages and yet many on this page are asking for subtitles.

[@MrBezagreen]

Alan Badiou and Zizek have similar ideas regarding social involvement and purpose

[@Jo-bv3uc]

@6:38 - "un simulacre de vie"? First time ever seeing this video. I loved it. I understand if some have a hard time picking up all his words, but a good portion of them seem clear enough. I feel lucky to get his message, as it can help many nowadays. Will come back to this without a doubt.

[@popmop1234]

Could you please add English subtitles?

[@honeyh7639]

amazing

[@whiterabbitization]

this would have been more coherent and pleasant in french with english subtitles

[@orkydea15]

All the comments are about his accent? really people??

[@tinabertoncelj4541]

I love his accent 😍

[@chuchuchimlumlumli20]

na, Im not into it. Have you heard a Ghanaian accent?

[@LaLasta]

you are the only person i've ever heard of who even likes badiou's accent lol

[@henrix999]

beautiful bouquet

[@robertatonazzi4716]

could you correct english subtitles? they're more confusing than badiou's accent

[@LaLasta]

happiness ... mmm ...

[@leylahussein5299]

Can the Institute post the text please? Thanks!

[@CaptPoco]

I learned French while listening to this video.

[@internetuglies2218]

santa is here

[@EasaYahiya]

maybe the real communism was the friends we made on the way

[@anherika3600]

What he says: happiness What I hear: "a penis"

[@countchocula2169]

Anherika choose the new a penis and pay the proce

[@lneasy2]

I had to look up proce...and I found it in The Urban Dictionary. I must be getting old.

[@version191]

hes not that bad, its just his accent is so strong

[@spahbed7150]

Best English worst accent