review of Zizek ideas in NY review of books

[Matthew Cissell]

Thanks for sending this along, Paul. The piece is more measured than the one that came up not long ago (by one Johann Hari) but it still hits Z hard, which he deserves.

I read an article about 2 decades ago about Z. He was very open about being a scoundrel. It was the 90's and he started to be a big name (riding that cool theory wave) so he was in demand. This got him an invitation to teach at I forget which Uni in the US. He demanded a position for his wife as I recall - ok, fair enough. He would only teach one class (i don't think pay was mentioned, but is it necessary?) and they would provide him with accomodation. So far just a tough negotiator. Now the good part.

For the class he told his students that they didn't have to write anything, but if they did want him to evaluate their work, he would (imagine how this appeals to the slothful and intimidates the uncertain - genius). IN the case that someone wanted to talk to him they could only come in certain hours (understandable and standard) but they would have to come with their queries  and talking points written out (this avoids loose rambling students, so i can understand) and they would have to sign up on the list on his door. In the article he admitted to filling the list with false students names so that the others couldn't get in. I was shocked when I read that. It still sounds extremely low, even with  some years of teaching experience. I don't think I could bring myself to do that. It was then that I suspected that the man was running one on people who were ready to get taken in.
200 yrs later we still discuss Hegel, 100 yrs later we still read and talk about Joyce. I think we all know that no one will be studying Dan Brown in 100 yrs. And Zizek? What will be his legacy?
That jazzy stuff sure sells to some, but long ago I began to think that the sparks and obfuscation were covering something up.

mc otis - still damn sick


________________________________
 From: David Morris <fqmorris at gmail.com>
To: Paul Mackin <mackin.paul at verizon.net> 
Cc: "pynchon-l at waste.org" <pynchon-l at waste.org> 
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2012 5:50 AM
Subject: Re: review of Zizek ideas in NY review of books
 

Don't know Mr Z, but don't think I want to.

On Thursday, June 21, 2012, Paul Mackin  wrote:

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2012/jul/12/violent-visions-slavoj-zizek/?page=2
>
>I hope this works without a subscription but if not go to their web site nybooks.com
>
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