Status Updates From Absolute Recoil: Towards A ...

"Neither the phenomenological (imaginary) nor neurobiological (real) .... can be cited as a constituting condition for this objective [symbolic viewpoint]". No, no, no. The neurobiolotical is not the Real; Laclau's critique is spot on again.

Note: A huge reading/critique of Badiou/Ruda is part of Chapter 1 and it doesn't necessarily assist Zizek's case. It's an interesting read for advanced readers familiar with both authors, it showcases their differences but in general it's an empty gesture.

And during this re-read, I decided to also start up "Plague of Fantasies". I'd never read the latter. It's stupid funny that Recoil has almost verbatim thematic copies from Plague in the first chapter. And so far the latter is much more engaging book. Although both bear marks of Zizek appropriating Lacan for his own project.

I am re-reading Absolute Recoil, very carefully combing through. Laclau is right, Zizek lets himself appropriate Lacanian concepts to justify subjective positions like crazy. In the first chapter, he equates gold reserves with "a little piece of the real", which from LTN we know is Yadlun, the less-than-nothing. There cannot be such an equation. The value of gold, yes, but not the government reserves.