Theory Underground

LACAN 101: Holistic Ego vs. Barred Subject

As a way of launching 2023 Theory Underground is publishing short episodes on introduction to Lacan and Žižek. These conversations are between Michael Downs and David McKerracher AKA Mikey from The Dangerous Maybe Blog and Dave, who formerly went by Theory Pleeb. Consider this a refresher for the upcoming course Mikey is teaching with Dave on Žižek's For They Know Not What They Do: https://theory-underground.com/courses/FTKNWTD

Why PMC critique matters

There are good reasons to hesitate using the term "PMC." There are also a lot of people who need to think more about the designation of this term. The subject-matter is ideology at a level deeper than most people tend to go. The assumptions, habits, and general mode of the PMC are distinguishable from the rest of the working class. The "Professional Managerial Class" is not just a cluster of professionals and managers, but specifically an analysis of the way that class society is reproduced. It is essential for understanding capitalism today, but simultaneously serves as a critique for a lot of purported "alternatives" to capitalism. Socialism, fascism, and New Deal liberalism, are all three different flavors of managerial control correcting for certain contradictions that Marx had thought would destine it to ruin. It is hardly surprising that Marx left the PMC, its existence and role, out of his analysis; he was writing at a time when most of its current roles did not exist or were being carried out by either the capitalists or the workers themselves. But Marxists aren't the only ones who need to take the PMC critique seriously. Liberals and conservatives do as well. Revolutionary or reformist, left or right, insofar as you want to think seriously about what constitutes society, much less positive ways of changing it, PMC critique is something you will need to think through. I am being joined by my friend and colleague Elton L.K. of Working Class Intelligentsia podcast in leading a series of lectures and discussions on the topic of the PMC, its critique and consciousness. The course begins on the 25th of January, so two weeks from today. Think about enrolling today! If you want to hear more about this idea or get a sense for what the conversational part of this series will be like, then check out this conversation we did tonight: Starts next weekend! Sign up here https://theory-underground.com/courses/pmc/ABOUT / CREDITS / LINKS Welcome to the Theory Underground. Theory Underground aims to make challenging philosophical and theoretical work accessible, not by summarizing, but by aiding those who seek to engage in this work as a way of life. The website will be seeing big time improvements every day. If you want to help out, you can try using it and give me feedback at theorypleeb@gmail.com If you take a course or join a discussion, there will be a group with dedicated forums on the website. Because fuck Discord. We want to honor quality questions, not bury them. We want to honor people who actually read as opposed to staying glued to their phones all day, so we aren't going to become reliant on a "community" app that is so attention-demanding. Forums give people time to think and come back later to ask questions or add to discussions. Help beta trial this at https://theory-underground.com/ Check out the courses, patron tiers and books, as well as events listed at these links: https://theory-underground.com/courses https://theory-underground.com/support https://theory-underground.com//events Also the Theory Underground instagram and TikTok are both where it's happening: https://www.instagram.com/theory_underground/ https://tiktok.com/@theory_underground MUSIC CREDITS Logo sequence music by https://olliebeanz.com/music https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/legalcode

LACAN 101: The Unconscious + Mikey speed runs everything so far

As a way of launching 2023 Theory Underground is publishing short episodes on introduction to Lacan and Žižek. These conversations are between Michael Downs and David McKerracher AKA Mikey from The Dangerous Maybe Blog and Dave, who formerly went by Theory Pleeb. Consider this a refresher for the upcoming course Mikey is teaching with Dave on Žižek's For They Know Not What They Do: https://theory-underground.com/courses/FTKNWTD

Intro to Karl Jaspers’ positive critique of the University!

Karl Jaspers' The Idea of The University is a POSITIVE critique. How is that possible? Find out from three educators who have a vested interest in bettering social institutions committed to education for its own sake, beyond profit and politics. Dave, Bryan, and Ann are teaching The Idea of the University. This primary work is short, relatively accessible, and absolutely essential. What better way to kick off the new year than by beginning and finishing a short work?” Starts next weekend! Sign up here https://theory-underground.com/courses/tiotu/ABOUT / CREDITS / LINKS Welcome to the Theory Underground. Theory Underground aims to make challenging philosophical and theoretical work accessible, not by summarizing, but by aiding those who seek to engage in this work as a way of life. The website will be seeing big time improvements every day. If you want to help out, you can try using it and give me feedback at theorypleeb@gmail.com If you take a course or join a discussion, there will be a group with dedicated forums on the website. Because fuck Discord. We want to honor quality questions, not bury them. We want to honor people who actually read as opposed to staying glued to their phones all day, so we aren't going to become reliant on a "community" app that is so attention-demanding. Forums give people time to think and come back later to ask questions or add to discussions. Help beta trial this at https://theory-underground.com/ Check out the courses, patron tiers and books, as well as events listed at these links: https://theory-underground.com/courses https://theory-underground.com/support https://theory-underground.com//events Also the Theory Underground instagram and TikTok are both where it's happening: https://www.instagram.com/theory_underground/ https://tiktok.com/@theory_underground MUSIC CREDITS Logo sequence music by https://olliebeanz.com/music https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/legalcode

LACAN 101: Lack, objet petit a, jouissance

As a way of launching 2023 Theory Underground is publishing short episodes on introduction to Lacan and Žižek. These conversations are between Michael Downs and David McKerracher AKA Mikey from The Dangerous Maybe Blog and Dave, who formerly went by Theory Pleeb. Consider this a refresher for the upcoming course Mikey is teaching with Dave on Žižek's For They Know Not What They Do: https://theory-underground.com/courses/FTKNWTD

LACAN 101: The symbolic, prohibition (castration) and ”Lacanian analysis”

As a way of launching 2023 Theory Underground is publishing short episodes on introduction to Lacan and Žižek. These conversations are between Michael Downs and David McKerracher AKA Mikey from The Dangerous Maybe Blog and Dave, who formerly went by Theory Pleeb. Consider this a refresher for the upcoming course Mikey is teaching with Dave on Žižek's For They Know Not What They Do: https://theory-underground.com/courses/FTKNWTD

LACAN 101: ”Libidinal economy” and capitalism + The Unary Trait

As a way of launching 2023 Theory Underground is publishing short episodes on introduction to Lacan and Žižek. These conversations are between Michael Downs and David McKerracher AKA Mikey from The Dangerous Maybe Blog and Dave, who formerly went by Theory Pleeb. Consider this a refresher for the upcoming course Mikey is teaching with Dave on Žižek's For They Know Not What They Do: https://theory-underground.com/courses/FTKNWTD

IN DEFENSE OF SLAVOJ ŽIŽEK Feat. Young Žižekians + Guests Cadell Last & Michael from Žižek & So On

Žižek came under harsh criticism this week. This happens every couple years. Usually the theory people in academia just tuck their heads down and keep on trucking. But not us. The Young Žižekians assemble to set the record straight. Not because we think he needs us to, but because we, as four vocal supporters doing public and independent philosophy, feel the need to make sure anyone new to theory doesn't get our reasons or interest twisted. We love Žižek, but that does not mean he is beyond criticism. It is just a sad reality that the "criticism" aimed at him is not of quality. Whether you are working a wage labor job, working out in the gym, playing video games, driving, or whatever, join us for this livestream. It's going to be a riot. If you missed the last time we did a stream over on the Que Vuoi channel, you can go watch that here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO4ztWebQEE&t=12sABOUT / CREDITS / LINKS Welcome to the Theory Underground. Theory Underground aims to make challenging philosophical and theoretical work accessible, not by summarizing, but by aiding those who seek to engage in this work as a way of life. The website will be seeing big time improvements every day. If you want to help out, you can try using it and give me feedback at theorypleeb@gmail.com If you take a course or join a discussion, there will be a group with dedicated forums on the website. Because fuck Discord. We want to honor quality questions, not bury them. We want to honor people who actually read as opposed to staying glued to their phones all day, so we aren't going to become reliant on a "community" app that is so attention-demanding. Forums give people time to think and come back later to ask questions or add to discussions. Help beta trial this at https://theory-underground.com/ Check out the courses, patron tiers and books, as well as events listed at these links: https://theory-underground.com/courses https://theory-underground.com/support https://theory-underground.com//events Also the Theory Underground instagram and TikTok are both where it's happening: https://www.instagram.com/theory_unde... https://tiktok.com/@theory_underground MUSIC CREDITS Logo sequence music by https://olliebeanz.com/music

LACAN 101: Ideal ego, ego ideal, and the structural Oedipus Complex (+ Bob from Twin Peaks)

As a way of launching 2023 Theory Underground is publishing short episodes on introduction to Lacan and Žižek. These conversations are between Michael Downs and David McKerracher AKA Mikey from The Dangerous Maybe Blog and Dave, who formerly went by Theory Pleeb. Consider this a refresher for the upcoming course Mikey is teaching with Dave on Žižek's For They Know Not What They Do: https://theory-underground.com/courses/FTKNWTD

LACAN 101: Imaginary, Symbolic, and Real (The Three Registers) - Dave and Mikey

As a way of launching 2023 Theory Underground is publishing short episodes on introduction to Lacan and Žižek. These conversations are between Michael Downs and David McKerracher AKA Mikey from The Dangerous Maybe Blog and Dave, who formerly went by Theory Pleeb. Consider this a refresher for the upcoming course Mikey is teaching with Dave on Žižek's For They Know Not What They Do: https://theory-underground.com/courses/FTKNWTD