¡Subversión!

by Srećko Horvat, Alfie Bown

«Vamos a partir del acuerdo de que no hay nada fuera; no existe ninguna salida a la situación en la que nos encontramos. Aunque nos vayamos a la isla más lejana, ¿podemos estar seguros de que no nos están vigilando, de que alguien desde otra isla no nos observa con Google Earth o con un dron? No hay forma de salir, vayamos donde vayamos. Si conseguimos ponernos de acuerdo en este punto, podemos retomar el concepto de subversión y la pregunta de cuál es su significado concreto. (?) Para subvertir algo es necesario comprenderlo. Para subvertir la máquina o la red, debemos introducirnos en ella. Si no somos capaces de entender qué está ocurriendo en la actualidad, no vamos a poder subvertir ni cambiar nada. Por lo tanto, la única forma de cambiar algo es entender el mundo que nos rodea, el futuro que ya está aquí. Por eso la filosofía es más importante que nunca: porque nos ofrece la posibilidad de comprender. Y, si comprendemos las cosas, tal vez podamos cambiarlas.»

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2019

About the author

Srećko Horvat is a Croatian philosopher, author and political activist.

Reviews

[Jonfaith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of three interviews was almost shockingly mundane. The final interview regarding technology was by far the best. The opening section on politics was almost childish with the Croatian philosopher asserting that the war in Syria began because Syria had discovered natural resources and that Syria alone in the entire Middle East lacked significant debt--as if the IMF felt compelled to arm dissidents to Assad. I'm sorry but as an adult I have to call bullshit. Horvat also asserts that the refugee crisis, fears of terrorism (this is all 2016) and subsequent nationalist/populist reaction mark what Giorgio Agamben terms stasis or an ongoing civil war. The citizens of Syria will no doubt be relieved that they weren't the only ones involved with ongoing conflict. Students in Milan and Reading--with their Oxfam pins and Rothy's Sustainable Shoes--are on the front lines as well. I'm sorry I must have missed the reports of the barrel bombs used against the Gottingen chapter of PETA.

The second interview regards love and it offers a synopsis of a The Radicality of Love a book that has garnered him considerable attention as of late, including a glowing (fawning?) interview in last weekend's Guardian. I suppose I can say I saved myself the trouble for that expenditure. We receive two film reviews (Her and Ex Machina) thoughts on Che which leads to technology. This final section almost redeemed the entire endeavor.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully thoughtful and elegantly organized series of exchanges with one of the most committed and sophisticated thinkers of our times.

[Frank Karioris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating insights in clear language that strikes upon some of the major elements/themes of our age.

[Subliminal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief overview of Srecko Horvat's core beliefs. Worth reading but no miss if you don't.