review of Zizek ideas in NY review of books

[Prashant Kumar]

Wow and here I was about to defend him! I can never bring myself to trust
people who treat students badly. Such a concerted attempt to quash
discussion is shameful, and invites obvious questions.

Prashant

On Friday, 22 June 2012, Matthew Cissell wrote:

> 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 <javascript:_e({}, 'cvml',
> 'fqmorris at gmail.com');>>
> *To:* Paul Mackin <mackin.paul at verizon.net <javascript:_e({}, 'cvml',
> 'mackin.paul at verizon.net');>>
> *Cc:* "pynchon-l at waste.org <javascript:_e({}, 'cvml',
> 'pynchon-l at waste.org');>" <pynchon-l at waste.org <javascript:_e({}, 'cvml',
> '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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