As an unprecedented global pandemic sweeps the planet, who better than the supercharged Slovenian philosopher Slavoj iek to uncover its deeper meanings, marvel at its mind-boggling paradoxes and speculate on the profundity of its consequences?
We live in a moment when the greatest act of love is to stay distant from the object of your affection. When governments renowned for ruthless cuts in public spending can suddenly conjure up trillions. When toilet paper becomes a commodity as precious as diamonds. And when, according to iek, a new form of communism - the outlines of which can already be seen in the very heartlands of neoliberalism - may be the only way of averting a descent into global barbarism.
Written with his customary brio and love of analogies in popular culture (Quentin Tarantino and H. G. Wells sit next to Hegel and Marx), iek provides a concise and provocative snapshot of the crisis as it widens, engulfing us all.
We live in a moment when the greatest act of love is to stay distant from the object of your affection. When governments renowned for ruthless cuts in public spending can suddenly conjure up trillions. When toilet paper becomes a commodity as precious as diamonds. And when, according to iek, a new form of communism - the outlines of which can already be seen in the very heartlands of neoliberalism - may be the only way of averting a descent into global barbarism.
Written with his customary brio and love of analogies in popular culture (Quentin Tarantino and H. G. Wells sit next to Hegel and Marx), iek provides a concise and provocative snapshot of the crisis as it widens, engulfing us all.
Table of Contents
Introduction: Noli Me Tangere 1
1. We're All in the Same Boat Now 5
2. Why Are We Tired All the Time? 17
3. Toawrds A Perfect Storm in Europe 29
4. Welcome to the Viral Desert 37
5. The Five Stage of Epidemics 47
6. The Virus of Ideology 53
7. Calm Down and Panic! 61
8. Monitor and Punish? Yes, Please! 71
9. Is Barbarism With a Human Dace Our Fate? 83
10. Communism or Barbarism, as Simple as That! 95
11. The Appointment in Samara: A New Use for Some Ild Jokes 107
Appendix: Two Helpful Letters from Friends 129
