Slavoj Žižek and Stuff.

Ramble on: Just talking about stuff. Response friends’ post on Facebook, slightly edited. 

From a Facebook friend's page: “Experts are by definition the servants of those in power. They don't really THINK. They just apply their knowledge to problems defined by the powerful.” ― Slavoj Žižek.

SLAVOJ ZIZEK is a Slovenian philosopher, cultural theorist and public intellectual. Žižek and his thoughts have been described by many commentators as "Hegelo-Lacanian.” In his early career, Žižek claimed "a theoretical space molded by three centers of gravity: Hegelian dialectics, Lacanian psychoanalytic theory, and contemporary criticism of ideology, designating the theory of Jacques Lacan" as the fundamental element.

In 2010, Žižek instead claimed that for him Hegel is more fundamental than Lacan—"Even Lacan is just a tool for me to read Hegel. For me, always it is Hegel, Hegel, Hegel.”—while in 2019, he claimed that "For me, in some sense, all of philosophy happened in [the] fifty years" between Immanuel Kant's “Critique of Pure Reason” (1781) and the death of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1831). Alongside his academic, theoretical works, Žižek is a prolific commentator on current affairs and contemporary political debates.

ZIZEK's thoughts pose many contradictions but it requires more readings to get to know WTH he's rambling about. But I ride with some of his observations. Example, that communism died in 1990. Which is after the Tiananmen revolt (1989) which eventually cut down the Gang of Four and before 1991, disintegration of the USSR, but not necessarily the end of Cold War, judging by the current geopolitics. Yet as 21st century marched in, Beijing economically flourished and its (global) trade expansionism (based on Deng Xiaoping's blueprint in early 1970s) is effectively pursued sans military invasion. 

       But I definitely disagree with Zizek's assertion that China is a "ruthless capitalism" yet I'd rather call it modified communism or communism/capitalism interface. I usually try to avoid tossing a harsh criticism or confectionery superlative when "describing" a superpower nation. "Ruthless" may apply to Russia but Russia is a popular target of hate trajectory as many refuse to shake the fog of biased self-righteousness (sic) in their description of the West's traditional rival/s. 

       Anyhow, after 1991, Moscow or Kremlin calmed its hardline apparatchik girth to diversify its economic persona as anchored on its massive oil/natural gas (Russia entered WTO in 2012, 11 years after China). And so with its energy exports, Russia conquered Europe sans armed hostility. Middle East powers also effectively interfaced with capitalism but the rest is per individual political/ideological and cultural dogma. Saudi Arabia is a vivid example of a favorite dartboard target. (Anyone jealous of the economic success of non-Western power call them "ruthless," sure.) 

       I concur with Zizek's description of him as a conservative communist. I feel that way as well but this needs to be elaborated. Zizek is a brilliant dude but also a candidate to end in a mental asylum for the gifted, LOL! 😏😒🤨

Photo: JSTOR Daily.