Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 23:03:44 +0300 (EET DST)
Subject: Re: Jouissance in the Dark


On Mon, 23 Oct 2000, christopher brittain wrote:

> Yes, it is a dilemna - living one's private life as if it escapes the
> capitalist dynamic often does support capitalism, as it offers the
> individual the necessary brief relief required to make the system bearable.

True, but I was thinking more in terms of "authentic" life functioning as 
an obscene support of capitalism (i.e. as opposed to threatening it).

> But then if one concludes (with Zizek) from this that the truly subversive
> "act" is, therefore, to push the expectations of the system to the extreme
> (for example, the well known idea of feminine masquerade) simply does not
> follow for me. In fact, this conclusion could be charged with seeking an

I'm not sure whether that would be the only solution: what has been a 
worthwhile atgument for me is Zizek's insistence on refusing any set 
identity (e.g., 'an authentic life beyond capitalism') and instead 
insisting on self-criticism. In a sense, not being afraid of losing 
one's identity while dealing with the "truth out there" - so this is how a 
kind of authenticity can be maintained as long as one resists 
self-instrumentalization. As far asI know, the problem with the Cartesian 
cogito (for Zizek) is precisely that is becomes a substantial position (res 
cogitans), whereas Hegel is used to insist on the non-substantiality 
(sort of the outward turn) of subjectivity. 

> To me, von Trier's 'Golden Heart' trilogy clearly demonstrates the failure
> of feminine masquerade and the idea of subjective destitution. Do they not
> amount to spiritualized forms of resistance, which, effectively, change
> nothing? There is no way to avoid "instrumentalizing" oneself to some

Only if success is measured quantitatively rather than qualitatively.

> Are food co-ops, organic farming, and similar local initiatives to be
> considered as mere supports for the capitalist system, or (limited) efforts
> to develop alternative ways of living? 

Marx would probably have considered them to be supportive rather than 
subversive. That was Brecht's point in Mutter Courage - that she by 
patching up the soldiers actually helped maintain the war. This again is 
of course quantitative thinking.

Fred