Zizek vs Kriss

[Art Vandelay]

For anyone interested, here are links to the ongoing exchange between Slavoj Zizek and Sam Kriss on the refugee crisis.

Zizek: The Non-Existence of Norway.

http://www.lrb.co.uk/2015/09/09/slavoj-zizek/the-non-existence-of-norway

Kriss' original critique: Building Norway.

https://samkriss.wordpress.com/2015/09/11/building-norway-a-critique-of-slavoj-zizek/

Zizek responds: In the Wake of Paris Attacks the Left Must Embrace Its Radical Western Roots.

http://inthesetimes.com/article/18605/breaking-the-taboos-in-the-wake-of-paris-attacks-the-left-must-embrace-its

Kriss' latest critique: In Defence of Fantasy.

http://inthesetimes.com/article/18615/in-defense-of-fantasy-a-response-to-slavoj-zizek

[Spectre of Spartacism]

Do you mind providing a summary of the debate so we can determine whether it is worth our attention?

[Aslan]

Ok..so well?

[Art Vandelay]

Do you mind providing a summary of the debate so we can determine whether it is worth our attention?

I haven't been able to read all of it yet, as I just came across these yesterday and have had a busy weekend so far. In particular, Zizek's second article is quite long and I haven't had the chance to wade through it (although I plan on doing so, since it appears to be the most controversial). From what I can gather, both Kriss and Zizek are self proclaimed Marxists, with a psychoanalytic bent. Kriss, along with a lot of other people, are claiming that Zizek's line on the refugee crisis is nothing but a parroting of conservative talking points, if not downright reactionary.

I came across one of the articles while lurking over at libcom and figured I'd toss them up over here, in case anyone was interested.

[Guardia Rossa]

Unsure. Zizek's criticism of post-modernism and neo-liberal culture is strong but he doesn't give a strong, materialist solution either. Never heard of this Kriss guy. Superficially he does the good old postmodern fallacy of equating all criticism of postmodernism with reactionary bullshit, but his deeper analysis about the "clash of cultures" Zizek say is happening I think is correct.

After reading his critics I think as correct my idea that Zizek is starting a transition into something undefined, but still has a good bit of postmodern bullshit in his discourse, more evident in the practical solutions he attempts to provide us.