Author Interviews: Slavoj Žižek On His New Book “Hegel In A Wired Brain”
Slavoj Žižek is a Slovenian philosopher and writer whose vast catalogue of work has earned him celebrity status across the globe. A radical leftist, his work encompasses everything from psychoanalysis and political theory to art and film criticism.
Described as “the leading Hegelian of our time”, he speaks to Georgina Godwin about his latest book, ‘Hegel in a Wired Brain’, which is an evaluation of the German philosopher’s relevance in the 21st century that ties in with the 250th anniversary of his birth.
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of G.W.F. Hegel, Slavoj Žižek gives us a reading of the philosophical giant that changes our way of thinking about our new posthuman era. No ordinary study of Hegel, Hegel in a Wired Brain investigates what he might have had to say about the idea of the ‘wired brain’ – what happens when a direct link between our mental processes and a digital machine emerges. Žižek explores the phenomenon of a wired brain effect, and what might happen when we can share our thoughts directly with others. He hones in on the key question of how it shapes our experience and status as ‘free’ individuals and asks what it means to be human when a machine can read our minds.
With characteristic verve and enjoyment of the unexpected, Žižek connects Hegel to the world we live in now, shows why he is much more fun than anyone gives him credit for, and why the 21st century might just be Hegelian.
Food & Dining: “How A Michelin Star Restaurant Will Cope Post Covid-19”
After months in lockdown, restaurants are back. But they’re coming out of hibernation into a strange new world shaped by the coronavirus pandemic. In the first in a new series of films, food writer Tim Hayward and the FT’s Daniel Garrahan visit Lyle’s in east London to see how a Michelin star restaurant has pivoted from fine dining to pizza.
Legendary Food: “An Ode To Manny’s Deli, Chicago”
I’ve had lunch with politicians, clergy, reporters and people who’ve just been indicted at Manny’s Cafeteria and Delicatessen in Chicago, and there’s a code of silence over the clatter: it doesn’t count.
The schmear of cream cheese thick enough to be a ski jump? No calories! Potato pancakes hefty as manhole covers?
No calories!
But the weeks of the shutdown became months. Even as businesses reopened, multitudes still work from home.
“That can’t pay our rent, insurance, our payroll,” says Dan Raskin. “We can’t go on like that.”
When a family business is forced to close, people lose their livelihoods, families lose support, and a city loses revenue and vitality. A landmark like Manny’s is also a link to history. You can point to where Barack Obama talked politics over pastrami, Oprah had apple sauce on her latkes, and where your grandfather went when he got tired of dieting.
Online Streaming: “How Spotify Came To Dominate Digital Music” (CNBC)
Streaming has become this decade’s preferred way of listening to music. It’s an $11 billion dollar industry, making up 47% of global music industry revenues, and Spotify has become the clear winner globally in terms of paid subscribers. Taking on behemoths like Apple, Amazon and Google, Spotify has dominated the global streaming music industry with about 130 million premium subscribers world-wide. Recently, Spotify secured distribution deals with Joe Rogan and Kim Kardashian West to produce podcasts for the platform. Watch CNBC’s deep-dive into how Spotify started, how it became the audio leader, and where what’s to come next.
World’s Top Architecture: “Atelier Alice Trepp” In Switzerland By Mino Caggiula Architects (2019)
Atelier Alice Trepp, located in Origlio, a small and stunning village, is an atelier designed for Alice Trepp, an Ecuadorian sculptress. The site is characterized by a gentle descending slope, the view of the pastures and of Monte Tamaro, and the coolness given by the lake.
The site resembles the Greek theatres that used to lie on hill slopes, often in locations that offered a fascinating view and a spectacular perspective. The concept of lying on a natural slope gave the idea for Atelier Alice Trepp.
The shape develops from the analysis of the contour lines and the folding of two of them upwards, under which the building is inserted by cutting out sinuous spaces and movements. The volumes take shape like leaves lifted from the ground, so that the architecture actually seems to be a part of Earth itself.
The symbiosis with the context is emphasised by the continuous and essential presence of the vegetation, that transforms the villa into a large expanse with an opening. It resembles a natural cave with its open-air cenote into which the light and the evanescent green dive, reflecting and refracting in a pool of water that creates light shows, vibrations and sounds.
Architecture Podcasts: Editor Interviews -“AD Spain” And “Dreamscapes”
Monocle 24’s ‘The Stack’ speaks with Enric Pastor, editor-in-chief of ‘AD Spain’. Plus: ‘Dreamscapes & Artificial Architecture’ from Gestalten and we meet the founder of travel publisher Wildsam.
- Enric Pastor – Editor-in-chief of ‘AD Spain’
- Elli Stuhler – Editor of Gestalten title ‘Dreamscapes & Artificial Architecture’ and discuss a new trend in publishing
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Taylor Bruce – Founder of travel publisher Wildsam, which specialises in guides for cities in the US.
World News Podcast: Stocks And Covid-19 Cases Rise, Catalonia Lockdown
The Economist reviews the world’s top headlines including Blackrock’s earnings, new Covid-19 cases rise in America and other countries, airline industry updates and more.
Top New Travel Videos: “This Is China” (2020)
After months of being on high alert, life in Beijing has largely returned to normal. Shops and cafés have reopened – although you still have to wear a mask to enter, and get your temperature checked. Children can be heard playing outside, and traffic jams are back. Until things return to normal in your neighbourhood, enjoy a sneak peak at this populous, ancient capital from the comfort and quiet of your home.
Political News: “Shields & Brooks” On The Latest In Washington (PBS Video)
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Amna Nawaz to discuss the week in politics, including the growing rift between President Trump and Dr. Anthony Fauci, what GOP criticism of Trump means for his reelection bid, the latest primary election results and poll numbers and the ongoing debate over mail-in ballots.
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