"My God, I Talk Too Much" | Slavoj Žižek on Sex, Trump, and Freedom

[@CosmicSkeptic]

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[@DemainIronfalcon]

WhatsApp hates me, it sets it's will against me...😒

[@DemainIronfalcon]

I'm still locked in a clinch with WhatsApp... Help

[@savlecz1187]

I laughed out loud when he admitted to having pirated the Barbie movie. He truly is one of us Slavs.

[@JOAKINGtube]

😂 he's not alone ... south America

[@alb0zfinest]

Everywhere around the world people pirate movies. I was like 14 when I first did it. Not really a Slav thing.

[@savlecz1187]

@@alb0zfinest Sure. But not everyone is as vocal and nonchalant about it. Not saying it's exclusively a Slav thing, but for people in the UK and US, it may come as bit of a shock to be so brazen about it.

[@willytingles]

A man of the people! ✊🏾

[@kirktown2046]

@@alb0zfinest Since the earliest days of the internet, Slavs in particular have claimed and identified with the online piracy culture beyond what others might appreciate. It's not that everyone, especially nowadays, 30 years after the public started getting online, isn't pirating... It's that it was a point of major pride among slavs that they were able to use the internet to express themselves, to freely share music and information, and, sometimes, to "cleverly" steal from others to rise out of bleaks lives and stale alcoholic families in the post soviet era.

[@regalia_usa]

My favorite quote ever from Zizek: “There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel, let’s just hope it’s not another train coming our way”.

[@zeex5029]

the most logical man I know vs 2 hours of most obscure anecdotes from my fav dumpster diving racoon philosopher. Can't wait

[@zeex5029]

"Nut cracker" I knew it

[@AhmadAneeq]

ok computer

[@nyworker]

We love the racoon.

[@Ididor]

insane pfp

[@reptilejesus829]

The man wrote 55 books, is a polyglot and world renowned philosopher then mfrs in a KZbin comment call him a racoon smh

[@Nathanatos22]

1:18:57 “To cut things short, I propose a Hegelian reading” is something I can only imagine Slavoj Zizek saying

[@marios3427]

😭😭😭😭

[@australiancomposer]

As though a Hegelian reading could ever possibly be the short answer to any questions 😂

[@christopherlin4706]

Bro is aristotles reincarnation truly blessed

[@czarquetzal8344]

That's dialectic reading. Difficult.

[@UberNoober23]

One does not simply end a podcast with Žižek.

[@buttscooter420]

😂😂

[@tetrisbit]

and so on, and so on.

[@Bobo-k7s4s]

A Žižek is never late. He finishes topics precisely when he means to.

[@antondzajajurca7797]

@@Bobo-k7s4s Start your own (comment) thread with this sentence, because I think it is very witty, rather to have it lost in someone else's. :D

[@zacharyshort384]

@@antondzajajurca7797 He placed his sentence precisely where he meant to.

[@ionasmith1998]

I genuinely have the utmost respect for Alex for being able to keep a straight face during the ball crushing segment. What a man.

[@ganjaericco]

@@matthewbazeley2984 Exactly. Who TF is paying $15k? 😅

[@hihello-sx1sx]

Haven’t even watched it yet and this is the first comment I see, I’m in for a ride

[@jamesdavis3851]

Is that a metaphor or did Zizek talk about literal ball crushing for several minutes? I honestly can't remember (and neither can you)

[@tommerenator]

​@@jamesdavis3851Try both

[@g07denslicer]

Someone have a timestamp?

[@kiwicfruit]

1:19:38 To see Zizek say "cosmic skepticism" feels like those iconic moments where a character says the title of the series. It's incredible that Zizek has also done research on Alex.

[@miguelpereira9859]

I got the feel Zizek genuinely respects Alex which is really cool

[@michaelscofield-w7i]

​@@miguelpereira9859 ya man he disrespected him with respect.

[@gm2407]

Hasn't he done quite a few things with Alex for years though?

[@lebens_muede]

hey, that's the name of the show!

[@leonYoong]

I am the Morbius

[@bevindenson]

Glad to see Žižek as a guest, his logic and humor is unmatched.

[@manueljohn456]

Not logic in the conventional sense though... He sees patterns, and dances around them verbally to show them indirectly. The opposite of what a "logical" philosopher would do, but extremely insightful nonetheless (or dare I say, exactly for that reason).

[@nikolademitri731]

@@manueljohn456​​⁠​⁠I think too much has been said about the difference between continental philosophy and analytic/Anglo philosophy, but I do think some of that comes down to his immersion in the continental and Lacanian psychoanalytical traditions… I definitely know that, before I started to get far more interested in continental philosophical (and Marxism), that I thought he was full of it and nonsensical. I basically went along with the Chomsky line about his being a bit of a fraud, but found that I actually think Chomsky is being a bit of an anti-intellectual in that regard (which is quite ironic given how much he’s criticized American anti-intellectualism). Anyway, I don’t want to overstate the philosophical differences as being too meaningfully… I’m sure the language differences are part of it as well, as are his own personal ticks/traits. In the sense of being logical, be it in that analytical sense, or just in how he approaches topics, it’s definitely not as direct and clear as many would desire (including myself, though I enjoy him).

[@cww4888]

This guy is why to boring and too difficult to listen to. He sounds very uneducated and somewhat of a simpleton. Who really cares what he has to say about the books behind him. Commenting on the Barbie film without even seeing the film. This guy is a fraud.😊

[@HeyIntegrity]

​@@nikolademitri731chomsky said that about zizek?

[@nikolademitri731]

@@HeyIntegrity not that specifically, I don’t want to put words in his mouth, but Chomsky generally does think there’s a lot of BS in his work/reasoning, and I do think it comes down to reasons I gave regarding the “continental vs analytical”, being very general.

[@freerangefool3121]

Alex has GOD-level straight-faced skills.

[@hartyewh1]

He's IBS is keeping him grounded😅

[@L.I.T.H.I.U.M]

"I can't see your face". "Yeah, there's some connection issue".

[@annikinstarkiller600]

When he started talking about ball torture 😭

[@Quinceps]

I think it’s just standard for someone who ends his videos saying “did you enjoy my conversation? Then thanks, I’m glad”😂 But he did laugh a bit in between, even “through” the IBS symptoms.

[@jamesdavis3851]

I've heard it called "disinterest"

[@bolivarbelenosantos5967]

Slavoj wanted to hear Connor's opinon so bad. I think Slavoj came to the podcast with the impression of it being a discussion but Alex basically just interviewed him. He asked for Connor's stance on several proposals and each was met with "let me ask another question".

[@JOEARLOPO]

Dialectical dialogue, it's the one thing a philosopher wants

[@dwaynekeenum1916]

I think Alex wanted to listen

[@pneumonoultramicroscopicsi4065]

Usually alex talks more he was pretty quite in this one

[@Person0fColor]

he didnt know what to say yo.

[@mappingtheshit]

The main point of Zizek is that West is dying and Russia will replace it. What u westerners have to counter this?

[@hartyewh1]

Zizek greatest power is reviewing/analysing movies/books he hasn't seen/read and still have more to say than those who have😂

[@johnsullivan5101]

so he talks rubbish then, in a painful lisp ?

[@hartyewh1]

@@johnsullivan5101 Then? You need to read more slowly my guy.

[@snowforest1998]

@@johnsullivan5101pretty much 🫠hkw he became a world rebound philosophy is beyond me

[@mabusestestament]

@@johnsullivan5101 No because most of the time he actually has interesting views on the movies he hasn’t seen

[@dwaynekeenum1916]

@@johnsullivan5101stop

[@alanjmcc]

What a delightful hour and 47 minutes. For a long time I mistook Slavoj Zizek for a windbag, a bloviator who talked to hear the sound of his own voice. Since those early days, though, I have come to understand him as a man who picks through treasures, sometimes as if in an antique store, citing the ideas of Marx or Hegel, sometimes in a thrift shop. He delights in ideas and anecdotes which serve as parables. And he reveals in his final statement that he delights in half-formed ideas for their potential in being elaborated on and made into something better. He's not a judge but a thinker who focuses on the journey and not the destination, thinks for the sake of thinking. And Alex is a brilliant interviewer, one who knows how to let his guests roam free. What came through in this conversation was Zizek's respect for Alex's ideas, a much more senior philosopher who mentors beautifully and naturally, never condescending or patronizing. Listening to the two of them talk you have to ride the waves, waiting for the gems to be revealed. It matters a whole lot that the two speak with such respect, and even admiration for the other. It shows them both to be men of interesting ideas but also kindly by nature, people you come not only to respect over time, but care for, as well. People you want to listen to again and again.

[@cassif19]

I think that no one would enjoy listening to Zizek just to hear his voice including himself 😅

[@falconeshield]

Okay dude, Zizek has his own bs too

[@alanjmcc]

Sure, he's got b.s. He's a player. He plays with ideas. Sometimes he throws dumb (call them b.s.) ideas out there like spaghetti to the wall to see if they stick, if somebody else wants to play, pick them up and run with them. He finds a joy in life this way. It's unfair, you might say, with justification, to do this to other people, be we should all understand what the Buddhists understand, that ideas are not real things, and they can't hurt anybody if they don't take them in. He has become famous in recent times as a world intellectual, and he has found other world intellectuals to play with. That includes the likes of Jordan Peterson and Will Self, who also get a kick out of playing with ideas this way. Alex doesn't play idly, but he understands there are gems among the b.s. and is willing to go with the flow, knowing that in the end we'll have the gems and can filter out the b.s.

[@joannware6228]

@@alanjmcc Please explain how ideas are not real things? Also what are the real things that hurt people that are not ideas?

[@alanjmcc]

Guns and knives are real things that hurt people. The idea that if you were born under the astrological sign of Taurus you are likely to succeed in business is nothing more than an idea. It can't hurt you. It's part of a systemic body of thought that many people adhere to that neither "picks (their) pocket nor breaks (their) leg" to use Thomas Jefferson's wonderful way of dismissing ideas as such. As an idea, it's harmless. Only if somebody takes an idea like the Islamic claim that apostates are worthy of death and tries to put it into practice does it become dangerous. But even then it's not the idea, but the individual willing to kill, that is the danger. The overwhelming majority of people who are exposed to that idea (by reading the Qu'ran, for example) are not inclined, fortunately, to put it into practice.@@joannware6228

[@thomaspickin9376]

Always great to have Žižek on, you never know exactly where the conversation is going to go but you know it'll be good.

[@tramwaj7767]

I love how he went directly from the Barbie movie to hardcore porn and Freud.

[@gm2407]

You make it sound like he is a director had some Matel toys he was stop motion animating for his next x-rated project.

[@GospodinStanoje]

I've never seen Alex smile so sincerely! Awesome podcast. Thanks!

[@thewackenpilgrim]

Legends say Žižek may for once actually finish a sentence before sidetracking to something that "might surprise you" - 1:40 in, not loosing hope

[@bzenga5981]

L + Ratio + Will Never Achieve Geist

[@lenafelipe]

And it never surprises because he’s given the same example for the past 20 years!

[@lilalampenschirm3203]

He says it at 13:34 :D

[@510tuber]

"I'm beginning to feel that there's something a little bit pretentious about filming sat in front of books all the time" As Zizek is sitting in front of books 🤣

[@AK-jm1sc]

Zizek himself has written like 80 books so he gets away with it

[@Baes_Theorem]

This was a delightfully clever roast 😂

[@August_Camus]

@@Baes_TheoremThe only way it could be a roast is if zizek does not read books but he does and writes too, plenty of it.

[@jonathanmitchell6720]

I recall Zizek remarking he has at least two copies of each book he has written in each language. It appears those are his behind him.

[@adamts131]

This has been the funniest episode so far! I could listen to your conversation for hours

[@galindoof]

Alexs' face when Slavoj mentions the testicle crusher made my night. Great podcast

[@davidfoust9767]

I'm half listening while working. Need to listen again and watch the video. 🤣 I was cracking up through that part.

[@Termless]

Been refraining from watching the clips to watch it all at once!

[@JoshWiniberg]

A conversation between you two is just pure joy. Thank you!

[@iqgustavo]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 🌍 Slavoj Žižek discusses his choice of background for KZbin videos and the use of books as props. 03:09 🧐 Slavoj Žižek explains his interest in the film Barbie and the concept of commodity fetishism in our culture. 07:08 💑 Žižek discusses the complex relationship between fantasy, sexuality, and love. 16:14 🔄 Slavoj Žižek characterizes Donald Trump as a postmodernist due to his use of irony and cynicism. 24:30 💡 Žižek discusses the proliferation of extreme sexual paraphernalia and its connection to modern permissiveness. 29:45 🔄 Slavoj Žižek critiques cancel culture for its paradoxical practice of exclusion while advocating for diversity and inclusivity. 30:36 🤔 Self-analysis and denial of ego are paradoxically intertwined. 31:28 🔄 In an era of diversity and inclusivity, there is a paradoxical practice of excluding the other. 32:23 🔄 The self-critical spirit of emancipation and equality can lead to the self-destruction of the Western tradition. 33:05 📖 A group in Salt Lake City demanded the prohibition of the Bible in schools due to its content. 34:40 🔀 Modern society's relaxation of sexual ethics may lead to the need for more extreme practices to find excitement. 36:12 💬 People engaged in self-harming practices often emphasize their self-feeling and desires as the ultimate criteria. 37:14 💭 The position from which one speaks, the sense of identity, and self-feeling are essential aspects of the debate on sexuality and gender identity. 39:00 🧠 Psychoanalysis suggests that sexual identity involves a complex process of transition and self-discovery. 40:20 🔄 Trans ideologies sometimes neglect the Freudian unconscious and focus on self-identity as an unquestionable reference. 43:55 🔄 The concept of freedom is paradoxical, as it often requires obedience to various rules and constraints to maintain a stable society. 48:16 🔄 The more you try to regulate and control something, the more the regulation itself becomes the object of enjoyment and transgression. 51:11 🔄 The repression of desire often results in a desire for repression, leading to complex relationships with freedom and enjoyment. 57:30 🔄 True freedom might not be the absence of constraints but the ability to make choices within a structured framework. 01:01:18 🤔 Slavoj Žižek suggests that freedom often requires certain constraints, which can enable further freedom, contradicting the idea that constraints limit freedom. 01:02:27 😇 Introducing new regulations and restrictions, even in religious experiences, can paradoxically lead to a sense of freedom and liberation. 01:03:24 🧐 Žižek highlights the difference between totalitarianism and authoritarianism, emphasizing how totalitarian regimes justify their actions by claiming to act in the best interests of the people. 01:06:10 😯 Propaganda aims to control not just what you think, but what you think others think, contributing to the maintenance of appearances in totalitarian regimes. 01:11:51 😔 The discussion touches on the paradoxical nature of human desires, as people often seek security and the perception of freedom rather than absolute freedom. 01:19:07 😷 Concrete freedom, or actual freedom, requires certain conditions, such as social security and education, to enable individuals to realize their potential. 01:23:25 🌍 Žižek expresses concern about the potential need to reinvent the basic coordinates of freedom in times of social crisis, given the challenges of ecological, social, and political crises. 01:26:54 🤔 Slavoj Žižek discusses breaking out of formal constraints while preserving core Western values like liberalism and emancipatory movements. 01:27:36 🏳️ Slavoj Žižek highlights a troubling incident in Uganda where homosexuality was penalized in the name of anti-colonialism, emphasizing the need for new rules of concrete freedom. 01:28:44 🇺🇸 Slavoj Žižek expresses concern about the crisis in the United States, citing a growing divide between woke cancel culture and right-wing populism that could lead to a language of Civil War. 01:31:40 🤝 Slavoj Žižek advocates for being a moderate pessimist who confronts sad possibilities in theory but acts optimistically when there's still a chance. 01:33:47 🌍 Slavoj Žižek discusses the need to be prepared for new emergency situations, like ecological challenges, emphasizing the importance of both caution and action.

[@princewhiff]

Is this astute plain language summary your own or generated by an llm?

[@alwaysfutureneverpastmakep7307]

Thanks for the guide!

[@simonl.6338]

Great work man. Thanks for the summary

[@clothedwiththesun]

Thanx for the time you gave for these very precise descriptions xxx

[@nstamps6079]

"Extreme sexual paraphernalia" did not prepare me for his specific example

[@bigfat4172]

Watching a thinker almost exclusively inspired by thinkers of Analytic traditions have a conversation with someone primarily influenced by Continental philosophers and pyschoanalysis is always really weird and interesting.

[@DJWESG1]

I don't understand.

[@bigfat4172]

@@DJWESG1 what do you mean?

[@BurnigLegionsBlade]

@@DJWESG1 Alex is part of the Analytic school of philosophy(think Bertrand Russel, Wittgenstein) while Slavoj is part of the Continental one(Hegel, Marx). FOr more info look up the differences between analytical and continental philosophy

[@AntiTheBird]

Watching Kane Baker and Perspective Philosophy being completely incapable of communicating with one another was really funny

[@nyworker]

Trivial

[@shassett79]

Žižek fascinates me and I can only imagine what it would be like to hear him speak in another language where he's less inhibited by the work of translating everything into English.

[@supine2491]

Do you speak two or more languages fluently? Of course Zizek isn't doing this. The thought that I'd be translating anything when speaking my second or third language is silly -- any more than when I'm wondering what [English word] is in my native tongue, at least.

[@shassett79]

@@supine2491 Eh, perhaps I was clumsy in my phrasing. I'm suggesting that, fluency aside, one language or another likely suits Žižek's thought processes better than the others and that I'd enjoy hearing the most natural articulation of his ideas.

[@justrandomthings8158]

@@supine2491clearly not what they meant

[@supine2491]

​@@justrandomthings8158 Even reading the explanation, I have no idea what it could possibly mean. I guess it'd be interesting to hear about Hegel in Chinese or Lacan in Berber. Or something. Slavoj's most fluent language for philosophy, however, is English. He's written some 50 books in English, I don't know what to tell you. Far from being inhibited by it, he's trivially (he would tell you this) most comfortable with his professional work in his professional language. Other than Balkan insults, he's not translating anything (much less "everything") into English. Still, you may find Slavoj strutting his stuff in German, French and Slovene, if that's what you're looking for. You don't have to imagine this at all. In other words, I can only imagine what it would be like to have you write in another language where you're less inhibited by the work of translating everything into English.

[@justrandomthings8158]

@@supine2491 well that’s very surprising. He certainly sounds like he’s inhibited by needing to speak in English.

[@jameskolar9655]

A stylish interview, Alex drew out so many interesting facts from Slavoj, who I at first thought was bumbling along lisping away in his own confused state. On the contrary, it was me who was confused and bumbling. Fortunately, I listened on and thoroughly enjoyed this vid. All these realistic and genuine anecdotes from Slavoj was fascinating listening. Alex ,in his own gentlemanly way allowed the dialogue to flow and I feel enjoyed chatting with Slavoj. Thank you both.

[@Chris-ee9tf]

This is the best zizek podcast video i have ever seen. Thank you so much Alex

[@TCOphox]

Seeing Zizek being in KZbin podcasts in the Gen Z space is certainly a vibe that I was not expecting but neither am I opposed to. I love it

[@jagolago-bob]

I really enjoy listening to Zizek. I don't always agree with him, but i think his true value is how he is a bit contrarian, makes one see a different viewpoint, exposes hypocrisy, and hence think a little more. GReat interview. Be careful with the nut clamps, Alex! I think Ithink your curiousity was sparked a little.

[@ir8123]

Always top tier content with Zizek.

[@ghazalbeizavinejad7273]

I had never seen Žižek ask for anyone's opinion. but it's pleasurable to watch him geniunely try to communicate and engage Alex in dialogue. Great content

[@TheMrChugger]

I'm a sort of classical liberal. But I have to admit, I've truly learnt to love Zizek over the years. He's interesting, he makes fascinating points and observations about life and humanity in general. But above all else, he's respectful, humble, curious. He's a true intellect. The fact he's sayiing to Alex, someone who doesn't have name Zizek has 'please, I'm sorry, I really want to hear what you think'. Hitchens, take note, this is how you do interviews with the upcoming generation.

[@Talleyrandlover]

I expect more from you, sir MrChugger. I hope in these 8 months you have found yourself to be less a classical Liberal and more a communist scum.

[@Pugilist379]

Zizek is a mood. No matter who it is he’s debating, I try to never miss it. He has a way of being incredibly disarming and bring out the best in everyone.

[@TwoGish]

This was actually amazing. I feel that while Zizeks long-winded way of talking can be a bit exhausting, but he nevertheless pulls you along because ultimately, there are a lot of interesting thoughts in there. Plus, I feel like his attitude fits really well with Alex' style of moderation/interviewing. It was really nice to listen to this respectful conversation.

[@Alex-wh8xr]

I love zizek, but sometimes he feels like philosopher mixed with a golden retriever. You throw some intellectual ball and hes off chasing it for ages. And sometimes he's off and you havent even thrown the ball yet.

[@lenafelipe]

Good analogy! Hahahaha

[@Serios-hh7pt]

This is the most apt characterisation of Žižek I've ever read. ❤

[@spacelevator]

I don't think he has the same purity of intentions that a golden retriever has, but I see what you're getting at. I see him as a raccoon that delights in a piece of garbage he's just found in a dumpster

[@tj-co9go]

Yes he is cute and adorable in the same way. Also drooling all the time.

[@tehdii]

JP would reject your premise of the ball throwing, Peter Hitch would bark at you for throwing the ball for too long ;)

[@jeffwatkins352]

I'd have been ignorant of Žižek were it not for a book he co-wrote analyzing opera, my own particular interest. On the strength of it, I'm neither surprised nor disappointed by his keen insights into these pressing philosophical/political issues facing us today. And how remarkable, yet again unsurprising, that Mr. O'Connor should cadge such a brilliant colloquy. It's as enriching as it is humbling to enjoy two such brilliant minds in discussion.

[@fafolaw]

I really enjoyed this conversation and so on and so on

[@chilldude30]

Unstoppable force vs immovable object comes to mind with this one haha. What a duo. Can't wait to watch this

[@RandolfRichardson]

This was an interesting conversation between fascinating people. Thank you, @CosmicSkeptic, for hosting all of this wonderful and thought-provoking discourse. ♥

[@yootoob1001001]

I really enjoyed this. Really fun watch with you and Zizek.

[@lmaocetung]

I laughed so hard when imagining Slavoj Žižek scrolling down on Google after typing "testicular crashers" with his face being more and more disturbed

[@samaraisnt]

his face falls, as he doom scrolls and calls his wife in-“Honey!! You will not believe this!!” with a look of horror and delight. He starts stuttering and huffing, uh, uh-

[@lmaocetung]

@@samaraisnt honey th- this- this is the altimat perversion…

[@niclastname]

Man Zizek is always one of the most entertaining intellectuals to listen to lol. He's effortlessly funny and charming.

[@Enothrae]

It just struck me how pleasant and accommodating Zizek can be. I took away the message of think pessimistically, act optimistically.

[@ablejon1470]

I f@cling love Slavoj! Especially his constantly insisting they don’t have time to talk about what they are about to spend 20 minutes talking about.

[@discursion]

Slavoj is officially my new favourite philosopher.

[@luchochemmesvilches6163]

Slavojs brain is like 300 IQ on acid. He takes you to places your mind wouldve never reached alone.

[@tehdii]

on 300 acid :)

[@Kurosai]

That last bit where he tells you to use Cosmic Skeptic as your name with close friends made me smile so hard.

[@bcarroll03]

Legendary 5th timestamp

[@JM-st1le]

Truly legendary

[@Zrinko_Maloseja]

Total interview highjack. Samo naprijed, Slavoj :)

[@michaelduguay7698]

14:12 "I'm interested to hear if I'm going too far". Alex you had a chance to save yourself from 25:20

[@michaelduguay7698]

But we would've missed out on a great moment if we had

[@proudatheist2042]

From what little I know of Dr. Zizek, I disagree with your stance. By agreeing to an interview with Dr. Zizek, this testicle crushing "how far you squeeze your balls" contraception would have come up. Sniff sniff!

[@microzoo3775]

A very entertaining interview here. Thank you both.

[@Dr-Sardonicus]

I wonder if Alex will now do a deeper dive into more continental philosophy. I'd love to hear him do some work on Hegel.

[@L.I.T.H.I.U.M]

Hegel is a good tool to lower one's IQ by 16 points.

[@FBIopenup2390]

​@@L.I.T.H.I.U.Mwhat a well thought out critique

[@Dr-Sardonicus]

​@@L.I.T.H.I.U.Mif you're representative of Alex's audience, then this comment alone is a good case in favour of Alex exploring Hegel.

[@sufficientmagister9061]

​@@L.I.T.H.I.U.M I agree with you.

[@sufficientmagister9061]

​@@FBIopenup2390 Here is a well thought out critique: "If I were to say that the so-called philosophy of this fellow Hegel is a colossal piece of mystification which will yet provide posterity with an inexhaustible theme for laughter at our times, that it is a pseudo-philosophy paralyzing all mental powers, stifling all real thinking, and, by the most outrageous misuse of language, putting in its place the hollowest, most senseless, thoughtless, and, as is confirmed by its success, most stupefying verbiage, I should be quite right. Further, if I were to say that this summus philosophus [...] scribbled nonsense quite unlike any mortal before him, so that whoever could read his most eulogized work, the so-called Phenomenology of the Mind, without feeling as if he were in a madhouse, would qualify as an inmate for Bedlam, I should be no less right." - Arthur Schopenhauer, On the Basis of Morality (1840)

[@narcoticundertow]

Warms my heart to see Alex spending time with his Slovene grandfather

[@juanjoseescanellas3798]

Although for me of the hardest to follow -I'm so (and so on) far from being a philosopher- this was of the best program, I enjoy it very much.

[@madeoffireworks]

Geat interview Alex. Intimidatingly quick to adapt and ask the right questions without giving ground. I hate you now

[@jamesnelson227]

Great stuff Alex! It’s very cool to follow you on your intellectual journey

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

That was great, Alex. Slavoj is a gem

[@hoganholo99]

I'm continually surprised by the people you're able to get on here. You've become one of my go-to interviewers, for sure. Future considerations: Noam Chomsky, Richard D. Wolff, Yanis Varoufakis, Sam Seder (edit), Robert Sapolsky.

[@fabiantombers4966]

Yanis Varoufakis would be 100% absolutely based!

[@hritizgogoi3739]

Thomas Sowell

[@hoganholo99]

@@hritizgogoi3739 lmao

[@hritizgogoi3739]

@@hoganholo99 what's funny?

[@reversefulfillment9189]

If you do a search for eternal conversation, you'll hear Werner Herzog and Zlavoj Žižek talking forever using AI.

[@MoremItzum]

Thought this was a joke, now I'm a few minutes in and it already feels like eternity.

[@SZY_]

this is my dream blunt rotation

[@vishvarupa7948]

Holy shit it is real.

[@continentalbreakfast7421]

Thank God for subtitles. I could barely understand anything Alex was saying.

[@gottmituns813]

Thanks for this conversation, mate.

[@Timkast]

@Alex O’Connor: You were AMAZING in Renfield! I am a fan of all your talents! 🙏🏽❤

[@purplesoup2]

Did Alex kick off telling Slavoj people with bookcases in their screen backgrounds are pretentious while keeping a totally straight face?

[@plusixty8992]

i woulda thought the same but slavoj is a philosopher and you can tell that he has multiples of books, this is most likely to have one that underlines and one thats fresh. I thin Alex knows this and thats why he eluded to people have them who havent read them because thats his way of telling slavoj its a specific type of person and hes trying to stay away from that potential image. Slavoj isnt a youtuber so its not like hes using them as a prop.

[@memememe334]

I wish there was someone who would transcribe Zizek's videos and then would re-arrange the words and sentences in a syllogisms. The charm would go away, but boy would it be more productive

[@mortygoldmacher]

Sex without love is an empty experience. But as far as empty experiences go, it's one of the best. - Woody Allen

[@ionasmith1998]

This dude shagged his step-daughter

[@PauLtus_B]

That quote turned really sour after the dash.

[@hendrikstrauss3717]

I chose to listen to this when I was not able to fall asleep. I wish I could call it a big mistake, without relativizing it as I will do now, but my interest was caught, not that I expected less, but still, and I watched the whole thing through, and wow, what an amazing conversation. I find myself more present in the moment than when I started listening. Perhaps the sleepiness having given away to wakefulness hormones, and so and so forth, but also because the food for thought this episode provided touched upon so many things that are of a reoccurring, and unconsciously, perhaps, seminal concern to me. Thank you for this episode. I will wait for a second episode, and I will be very happy if it should arrive sooner, rather than later, old self control lacking consumer that I am. Regards Hendrik Strauss

[@lewis123417]

Did you tell chat GPT to write your comment in the style of slavoj zizek?

[@hendrikstrauss3717]

@@lewis123417 Nope, that night my whole brain got zizeked.

[@lewis123417]

@@hendrikstrauss3717 pmsl 🤣🤣

[@Efesus67]

"Cosmic skeptic" keeps following you hahaha. Great interview!

[@ChubbyChecker182]

The Map is Alex's progress in World Domination.

[@darkforcekiller]

Its his reminder that europe is the center of the world.

[@adrianarotaru4185]

Haha! Good one!

[@LoneOrca]

A conversation with Zizek appears to be an experience unto itself.

[@darrenr49]

CosmicSkeptic has been on my radar for YEARS but only a few days ago did I start watching Alex's Videos and I never knew how much I enjoyed philosophy!! Like, I don't understand any of the big words, but I enjoy hearing them being said allowing my brain to try to figure out their meaning in the context of the conversation. I can never really comprehend fully whats being said but I just about tag along for long enough that I enjoy the experience.

[@Jgp4xzdmqnmil]

I had to google the philosophy jargon. The same words come up over n over.

[@paramidge8935]

Use the chats here as a reference, then go to the original texts - do not expect to understand everything but pick up on what you can and over time you will become more adept at distinguishing between epistemological traditions and forms. Everyone should read broadly, it is not only the preserve of 'Ivory Towers'. Good luck.

[@tayw6466]

the end of this was so wholesome i almost died.... youre a treasure and youre guests are a treasure ....

[@deathmancerp]

alex's face when he starts talking about the industrial ball crushers.

[@tens0r884]

Dear god the joy I would get if I ever got hold of Zizek's search history

[@xZaibx]

This is the end result of a man who has come to know in full the unfathomable depths of Hegel.

[@nietzschescodes]

Fantastic conversation.

[@linkgrinmbn]

This episode had as many endings as Return of the King

[@piettroguedes8719]

Brilliant! Alex, I must suggest that you bring Dr. Iain McGilchrist to the podcast. He would be a wonderful guest.

[@jonathantrautman]

you two musing about singing always look on the brighter side as the nukes get launched, as the forests are cleared, as all of it ends in the biggest bubble of human history what a delight we'll all go together when we go how fitting to have it at the end what a great ending for you two thanks for the excellent interview true to form zizek will never respect a time limit

[@badmotorpetey]

Thanks to the editor who ensured we saw the look on Alex’s face when ball crushing came up.

[@diogocoelho3450]

I lost my shit with the back of the books being purchasable. What a beggining.

[@zgredczwartyniesamowity363]

I thought that he would turn around and take of fake books from one of the shelf's to present it. Hahaha

[@zAcroniX]

This was a great podcast episode to listen to and so on.

[@Lisdodde]

Loved it! I just had some follow up training on the method of philosophical counseling i practice and all the newer layers are based on Hegel (the older one’s based on Socrates with some Freud and Lacan mixed in), and the more I learn about him the more I feel the humanist religion I grew up in was probably based on Hegel as well, so it felt nice and familiar with a lovely side of critical logic and pessimism 😊

[@felixshetty4986]

My favorite part was zizek saying "not to loose time" But he is extremely unique in terms of points of view

[@LovisAnderson]

Alex is an amazing Interviewer!

[@ilyasyilgor]

Man these interviews are sooo good!

[@RenewedRS]

I love these two

[@beangobernador]

I truly love the confusing yet artistic way zizek talks and writes. He literally speaks exactly how he writes, it’s the same energy. For most writers it’s difficult because writing is more refined than speaking

[@sarahsf6940]

I loved how Alex reacted with a few seconds of delay to the cannibal joke, also needed that time to process it XD

[@RyanStrainMusic]

I'm looking forward to the Zizek signature model of diamond ball crushers with needle holes.

[@serversurfer6169]

"Pessimist in theory; optimist in action." I usually go with, "Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst." ✊

[@serversurfer6169]

@teamcoalhapcharcoal It's more like being confident of success while also ready for failure. 😅

[@50-50_Grind]

This interview with Sjavoj didn't go above my head too many times, therefore I like it.

[@perseus931]

We need to protect these men at all costs

[@darpanpatel8023]

The last 6 minutes are just charming!

[@afrofantom6631]

audibly yelled a "HELL YEAH, WOOHOO" and put on my "Im not a marxist, im a hegelian" shirt as soon as i saw this vid in my recommendations.

[@owabowa]

Worth to mention that Zizek has never said that he was not a Marxist, the most that he has ever said was that sometimes he would consider himself *more* of a Hegelian than a Marxist.

[@biologicalengineoflove6851]

Thanks for this, stupendous!!

[@acceptinglife6491]

Okay, who the heck is he... I'm infatuated just from the first few minutes, my kind of thinker 😭😍

[@DJWESG1]

Famous thinker/ philosopher , writer of many books, tends toward radical left-wing interpretations.

[@Xochitl-ii2cs]

@@DJWESG1and ball crushing

[@MrsBridgette2012]

Yes, pessimism is rewarding at the end because when things go right you feel so much better.

[@ishmael_03]

He is right about there being no such thing as freely falling in love.

[@HumblyQuestioning]

I absolutely love both of you. Amazing

[@lukaszfabianski969]

Slavoj was ready to talk for another 2 hours.