Perversion (Instrument of the Big Other)
Lacanian distinction where hysteria is subversive (questioning the master's identification) and perversion is the dark side of power (knowing and sustaining the master's position).
In his words 22
“Hysteria is much more subversive than perversion. A pervert has no uncertainties, while the hysterical position is that of a doubt—which is an extremely productive position.”1:47:31 The Pervert’s Guide to Ideology (2012) · hysteria vs perversion
“A pervert knows; a hysteric doesn't know. The hysterical position is questioning.”12:59 Struggle Towards a New Master · hysteria versus perversion as subjective stances
“A pervert is not truly subversive. A pervert is always just the what I call inherent transgression, the obscene other side of the ruling ideology.”50:47 The Freedom of a Forced Choice · perversion as supplement of ideology, not subversion
The stories that teach it
the jokes and anecdotes he reaches for when he works in this idea, ranked by how many of its talks they turn up in; each card is one story, with every retelling on its page
Stalinist prohibition of the prohibition
Under Stalinism it was prohibited to criticize Stalin, but it was even more prohibited to publicly state 'in our country you are not allowed to criticize Stalin', the rule that enforces the prohibition cannot itself be named.
Starbucks ethical consumerism
Buying a Starbucks cappuccino is sold as supporting Guatemalan organic farmers and saving the planet; the owner appeared like Anthony Giddens calling Starbucks an ersatz place of collective experience. The sin of consumerism and its redemption are packaged together in the same…
Remote-controlled rat
Žižek describes experiments where rats are connected to machines and controlled like remote-control cars, illustrating the potential for direct neural control in humans without the subject feeling controlled.
Apartheid justified in multiculturalist terms
South African apartheid ideologists justified racial segregation by claiming it preserved precious local cultures (Hottentots, Bushmen), Žižek uses this to show that multiculturalism can serve racism.
Brassed Off coffee invitation
A woman invites a man up for coffee; he says he doesn't like coffee; she says she has none, the double withdrawal of coffee produces erotic meaning far more charged than a direct proposition.
Tom Cruise in Magnolia
Cruise's role as a crudely misogynist pickup artist in Magnolia is proposed as the key that reveals the truth of all his other (heroic) roles, the method of violent abstraction applied to Hollywood.
Where it comes up 45
53 moments located in the transcripts, click a timestamp to play from there