Our World Is Coming To An End | Aaron Bastani Meets Slavoj Žižek | Downstream

Slavoj Žižek is perhaps the most famous living Marxist philosopher. In 2023, he has written 3 books with topics ranging from the nature of freedom to his intensely pessimistic view of the future.

He sat down with Aaron to talk about Israel and Palestine, Deep Fakes and the legacy of Stalin.

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[MrRtm]

Zizek referring to BDS as "Boycott, Divest & So on" is surely some kind of exquisite self-parody

[JIrish]

Producer: 'Tell stories if you want...'
Slavoj: 'No, don't say this to a madman!'

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[hilmar]

Zizek: "What style are you used to here?"
Team: "Tell stories if you want..."

Zizek: "Don't tell this to a madman!" _proceeds to tell a story_ 😂

[jj]

I'm so happy to see Zizek still energetic and in good spirits.

[jonfin]

When I run a DnD game, one of my NPC wizards always speaks like Žižek. It's alway the most popular NPC. 😄

[penelopegreene]

Staying sober in this damned world just might be the best advice you can get.

[Taycatte]

I have never seen someone handle Zizek as a guest so well. He tends to go over the same points in every interview I find, but you managed to squeeze a lot of interesting things out of him that I haven't heard before. Well done.

[NagoyaHouseHead]

Zizek is so palpably excited about discussing ideas. He's like a child at play.

[mnmlst]

I'd love to watch an interview without a deadline to be finished, to see how long it lasts. Zizek is so passionate about talking about important topics, I think he would spend two days in a row speaking non stop. And I would totally listen to it.

[mbicer]

00:03 Juice should be valued and not threatened.
02:34 Stay sober and vigilant to recognize attacks.
07:32 We live in dangerous times and thinking is needed.
10:22 Revolutionary movements can have unintended consequences.
16:09 The film 'Oppenheimer' received backlash in India for the portrayal of Bhagavad Gita in a sexual context.
18:34 The left should focus on building a broad coalition instead of engaging in divisive censoring.
23:53 Safety of social order is essential for normal life.
26:23 Leftist should focus on changing power structure for real impact
31:37 Robespierre consciously risked his life to stop the horror of Terror
34:06 Violent measures can lead to a better state in the long run.
39:38 Violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can lead to catastrophic consequences for all sides.
42:19 Putin aims to create a perverted anti-Western coalition, using issues like feminism, homosexuality, and anti-Semitism to fight against the West.
47:33 The rise of European Jewry is intertwined with the idea of cosmopolitanism.
50:09 Leftist anti-Semitism is a sign of a problem with their leftism.
55:14 The result of granting full citizenship rights to Jews was a stronger form of anti-Semitism.
57:58 The legacy of modern Europe, with its strong sovereign nation-states, is a catastrophe today.
1:02:46 Modernization through controlled capitalism and national traditions
1:05:06 A new form of power is emerging in today's global economy, where conglomerates and mega corporations exploit both productive capitalists and workers.
1:10:10 Maintaining support for Ukraine to maintain the military stalemate is the best option.
1:12:24 Putin's view on Ukraine and his plans for decommunization
1:16:54 The decline of the United States may lead to the end of Western Civilization.
1:19:03 Global rise of extreme right-wing parties and the potential for a new form of fascist capitalism.
1:24:13 Socialism taught us that actual freedom requires certain material conditions.
1:27:08 Preparing for emergency states and addressing ecological catastrophes is crucial to counter right-wing authoritarianism.
1:31:36 The left analyzes underdevelopment caused by global capital, but fails to apply this analysis to the topic of occupation capitalist underdevelopment.
1:34:16 American intervention in Iraq led to the rise of ISIS and increased Iranian influence.
1:39:13 Be cautious of toxic relationships and false admiration for other cultures

[fxylady]

I love these Downstreams. Aaron floated the idea on Friday of a Novara history channel. It would be amazing. I hope it becomes a reality one day.

[vandrovka]

This is honestly the best interview with Zizek I’ve ever seen. You’re awesome, it’s good you let him speak and not rush him but also it’s clear you’ve done your research as your questions are really relevant and great to lead the discussion. Well done, subscribed!

[mattbonanza]

😂...I knew about this man already but in first minute he made me want to bow to him..."Never get drunk in public, world is a dangerous place and someone will use your moment of not being sober to undermine true.

[harryevans]

He repeats this Bhagwad Geeta story a lot while not disseminating why it is wrong, just because it was used by someone doesn't make it a horrific book, the direct conclusion is that the person's interpretation of it was horrific. This is something I wouldn't expect of a philosopher to do.

[Mastakilla]

A very *very* fruitful and addictive conversation in whicht many different topics were mentioned and analized.
Žižek has the same energy he had 10 years ago and you managed to let him speak out while still non-invasively guiding him.
Greets to Slavoj from his old homecountry.

[BCooperArtMind]

As a son to a Native American, and father to Native Amazonian children, we all say: Welcome to the End of the World, we've been waiting for you!

[anastasia-]

Can’t help but laugh every time Zizek says “my God”

[ryandudley]

One of the very rare occasions where Zizek is actually engaging with his interviewer and calmly going through his points

[euchrideucrw]

The interview starts at 7:40 but the fun starts at 0:00

[lakes]

Really really interesting conversation! Zizek's unconventional way of putting things in perspective (and sometimes a bit overwhelming lol!) is just amazing and you did a great job managing it Aaron. Things I wanted to hear from a leftie with honesty for a long time, and Zizek just delivered that so well.