Slavoj Žižek

yes but a lot of these guys (not zizek per se) are just chiming in on topics they aren't experts in and people are listening to them purely because they're scientists or trusted public intellectuals, which kind of defeats the purpose. it's like saying "this dude is smart, hand it off to him". not saying this is across the board or even really applicable to this topic, as zizek is a pretty established philosophical force, but just responding to eugene's statement.

i do agree though, stimulation where there wasn't any is better than nothing. if it leads people to pursue actual study, great.

Oooh... I forgot I was posting on WATMM...

The "public intellectual" business is very despicable. Not the writing for broad audiences business, but the business of "being a public intellectual".

you mean like, Socrates?

Socrate's role can't be compared to Zizek, or Neil degrasse tyson, I hope you're joking

It's a horrible, black day when people compare Zizek to socrates

lol. black day indeed.

*cuts wrists*

  On 4/30/2013 at 3:16 AM, Joseph said:

Socrate's role can't be compared to Zizek, or Neil degrasse tyson, I hope you're joking

 

It's a horrible, black day when people compare Zizek to socrates

im not being mean here, honest.

can you explain to me in a rather clear statement, what exactly is your deal is with this thread? im not the biggest fan of zizek in philosophical terms, but the guy is entertaining,, and like many have said around here, as long as he gets people thinking about marxism, cultural shifts, or fuck even HEGEL HIMSELF in any fashion is a leg up from where we were before it. But despite my disagreements with him, im not going to disparage him merely for being a public figure.

Could you, for us layman idiots, please explain succinctly why Zizek is not worth our time, and perhaps suggest one or two individuals who might be better worth it?

  On 4/30/2013 at 4:20 AM, Smettingham Rutherford IV said:

 

Could you, for us layman idiots, please explain succinctly why Zizek is not worth our time, and perhaps suggest one or two individuals who might be better worth it?

 

my (incredibly idiotic) opinion of philosophy was that it was the joy of trying to answer, unanswerable useless questions.

for shits and giggles, basically.

these questions are absolutely worthwhile

I appreciate Slavoj Zizek because he highlights some really important questions and admits that there are still no practical alternatives to capitalism.. It's fun to see how his overclocked brain manifests its randomness as external ticks and overly-repeated gestures.. if he tried TM, his brain would implode I guess..

I's love to play Go with him. But I'm a bit afraid he'd mess up the board with one of those mannerisms.