poor k-punk... bearing the brunt of everything i disagree with the theoretical approach and what i dislike about "these sorts of people"...
the discourse exists in a symbiotic relationship with it's supposed enemy.
more specifically, i think the kind of symbiosis here is parasitic.
OK.
"We" are all in this together (both dissident types as well as the rest of the population of the first world, who, at the risk of being condescending, maybe do not realize the extent of their slavery) -- we all want less injustice, less dehumanization, less "mind control"; and for those of us who are a bit more extreme, to more or less "destroy capitalism".
what makes these theory types think their "work" is so effective toward this goal? what is K-Punk's ultimate approach - to cleverly mope in isolation?
theory is excellent at describing the problems in detail and meta-detail. not much else.
seems to me it takes not only the mind and its analytical faculties, which are actually in some ways probably less useful to the task at hand, but also the heart and the "soul".
Capitalism is not so much afraid of reason. reason it can absorb easily. i think empathy and intuition and re-connection with ourselves and each other, through which we realize that we actually don't need all the bullshit Capitalism makes us think we need, i think this is what the system is afraid of.
finally, image of our enemy as an invincible, omni-present and omnipotent entity which is impossible to defeat, encompassing every aspect of reality, so much so that there is no more an "outside" -- i think this is giving Capitalism a little too much credit.
sure the permissiveness of neo-liberalism is not what it seems, sure pluralism in the arts signal a fake freedom, all of these things i agree with, and enjoy reading the dissection of these dynamics -- but sometimes it really is as simple as switching off the TV. giving up driving. and spending one's time not working and not consuming.
there are loads of things people can do, and they ARE doing them, to defy the way of life pushed onto them ---- EVEN PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT READ POST-STRUCTURALISM.
and this is what i mean by these theory types not being interested in what they claim to be interested in (destroying capitalism) -- if you just sit and do nothing and try to empty your mind 1 hour each day, you can immediately start to wake up from the hypnosis of Capitalism. it takes dedication and discipline, but it can be as simple as that, to start pushing away psychic vampiric forces, and to re-claim your Self. -- but these theory types would never realize or admit to this simple truth, preferring to blah blah blah on and on in circles.