THE RACIST FANTASY (w/ Todd McGowan)

[@O.G.Rose.Michelle.and.Daniel]

An excellent discussion, and I find it very interesting to think of racism today as unique in character under Modernity. The irony of how we like “obstacles” is also paramount: we claim we want to overcome them, but we gain enjoyment in not overcoming them. I also liked the reference to Zupančič’s thinking on how sex is “an ontological impasse.” As useful, a great discussion, and it's always great to hear from McGowan!

[@PhilosophyPortal]

This is an important reflexive note, Daniel re: "the irony of how we like obstacles". One of the great insights that I am carrying with me into the What Is Sex? course is the idea that Alenka emphasises that sexuality is paradoxically structured in such a way that it creates obstacles even when there are no objective external obstacles. Our libidinal drive/motivational systems seem to need to incorporate the obstacle as such into the drive, to enjoy the circling of the obstacle as such. Well, you move/dance well in that regard... to the future!

[@O.G.Rose.Michelle.and.Daniel]

​@@PhilosophyPortal Very well put, and I think that insight is critical for understanding libidinal drives and motivations. We self-efface without something to circle.

[@TheDangerousMaybe]

I'm so stoked for this! Good call on focusing on this book and not "Enjoyment Right and Left" (both of which I love), since the latter has outshadowed the former. "The Racist Fantasy" deserves the spotlight for a change. Well done, Cadell!

[@PhilosophyPortal]

haha, that was exactly my logic, Mikey. And I have you in part to thank for it, since I've noticed you giving it some love a few times online. I think it is a crucial topic, and hope this video gives the book a bit more attention!

[@w1nterblind]

Where on earth is that Zupančič essay ("The libidinal is the political") from? The only reference I can even find to that phrase is from an unrelated article on a music blog. 1:17:36

[@PhilosophyPortal]

Its because the actual title is "Sexual is Political". In: Jacques Lacan: Between Psychoanalysis and Politics edited by Samo Tomšič, Andreja Zevnik. Available on Google Scholar.

[@IM2L84F8]

Great work, gentlman!

[@pikpikman1]

on the side note of top porn categories, I think its important that the most popular transgender porn is specifically trans-women, even more specifically trans women with no bottom surgery (women with a penis essentially). Makes me think of castration anxiety or some sort of phallic fetish....

[@PhilosophyPortal]

Its a good point, that many of these lists express their categories very generally, and this can obfuscate some of the specific nuances that would be helpful in identifying the model-obstacle at work in their enjoyment. Thanks for clarifying!

[@John_Malka-tits]

The phallus is the symbol of castration.. Wouldn't a phallus fetish necessarily be a castration "fetish" ((fixation))?

[@rama_lama_ding_dong]

i wonder how does desire fit into the scheme? in relation to enjoyment and obstacle, etc.

[@EMC2Scotia]

This point on the 'unanalysable perverse subject' seems to pop up fairly often in critical theory conversations. I'm surprised someone so well connected as TM here hasn't sought to explore this further with actual analysts. Stephanie Swales for example wrote a whole book on the Lacanian theory of the perverse structure/subject, that has a large portion of the book dedicated to treatment in this space, whilst Bruce Fink wrote a very detailed and useful case study of an analysis of a perverse subject circa 2003.

[@epoche6327]

I wonder if there is a historical connection between the invention of racist other and the disappearing of spiritual other that manifests itself in passion, longing, trance and spirit possession from a spiritual discourse? It seems to me that they share the same function, jouyssance, though the spiritual other is internal contrary to racial other.

[@PlatonsArm]

Unpack and cleave are two English words that can mean their own opposites.

[@sereneintegral]

Upper left development can lead the change we want to see.