Thanks for Commenting: On Zizek and Opus Dei
In reference to the post connecting Zizek and Opus Dei, Hernanii comments:"Ivo, you see? This is what I mean when I say that the progressive approach to consumerism is just as puritan and repressed and conservative as the religious one: you shouldn't enjoy yourself. For LHG it's a funny coincidence, for me it's a signal that progressive philosophy, the one that championed the sex revolution, gay rights and the legalization of drugs, now wants us all to be monks."
"Wants us all to be monks." That's well put. But LHG isn't sure it should be seen as something negative. The sexual revolution rebelled against the hypocrisy and repression of a Victorian morality - it was clearly countercultural. Today, however, sex finds its way into practically every consumer good, and is perhaps even the primary consumer good. Sex, therefore, is an intrinsic part of dominant culture today. When every revolutionary ideal has been incorporated and turned into a consumer good, what path is left for those who seek more radical social and cultural change? The LHG is reminded of Marcuse, who once said that the beginning of revolutionary change will begin when one day people decide they're not going to work...
PS. Heranii, LHG apologizes for taking your comment and using it as a post, but it saves the staff from having to come up with a new idea.
"Wants us all to be monks." That's well put. But LHG isn't sure it should be seen as something negative. The sexual revolution rebelled against the hypocrisy and repression of a Victorian morality - it was clearly countercultural. Today, however, sex finds its way into practically every consumer good, and is perhaps even the primary consumer good. Sex, therefore, is an intrinsic part of dominant culture today. When every revolutionary ideal has been incorporated and turned into a consumer good, what path is left for those who seek more radical social and cultural change? The LHG is reminded of Marcuse, who once said that the beginning of revolutionary change will begin when one day people decide they're not going to work...
PS. Heranii, LHG apologizes for taking your comment and using it as a post, but it saves the staff from having to come up with a new idea.
posted by elivo at 4:41 PM
2 Comments:
Ivo,
I don't mind you used my comment as a post, but i'd say I was very sad to read your reply. To say that the current sexual environment is a "consumer good" is a very mean thing to say. I'm sure you don't tell gay people that their sexuality is a "consumer good".
Another thing: the people championing the sexual revolution thought their approach to sex was "better" than the repressed and myth-prone approach their parents had, not just "different" or "countercultural". if tolerance and openness are dominant now, that is a GOOD thing.
plus: the unbelievable smugness of this expression: "those who seek more radical social and cultural change".
Hey what a great site keep up the work its excellent.
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