Žižek’s Squashed Birds episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 13, 2026 · 54 MIN

Žižek’s Squashed Birds

from The Great Dangerous Books Podcast · host gdbookspodcast

In this episode, we explore Slavoj Žižek's critique of progress, authority, and the dialectical process, drawing on his latest book 'Against Progress'. We discuss the illusions of linear progress, the role of authority in shaping society, and the inevitable excess and contradictions embedded in historical development. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and New Beginnings 01:31 Exploring Zizek's 'Against Progress' 13:24 Rethinking Progress and Its Consequences 29:08 The Nature of Excess and Humanity 30:56 Understanding History Through Holographic Perspectives 32:55 The End of History: A Critical Examination 34:50 The Role of Freedom in Human Decisions 38:11 Authority: A Deep Dive into Its Nature 41:40 Kierkegaard and Hegel: The Intersection of Authority and Morality 44:43 The Paradox of Authority in Christian Theology 49:31 The Role of Language and Authority 52:53 The Dangers of Non-Authoritarian Progress 55:40 Zizek's Critique of Superficial Leftism

In this episode, we explore Slavoj Žižek's critique of progress, authority, and the dialectical process, drawing on his latest book 'Against Progress'. We discuss the illusions of linear progress, the role of authority in shaping society, and the inevitable excess and contradictions embedded in historical development. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and New Beginnings01:31 Exploring Zizek's 'Against Progress'13:24 Rethinking Progress and Its Consequences29:08 The Nature of Excess and Humanity30:56 Understanding History Through Holographic Perspectives32:55 The End of History: A Critical Examination34:50 The Role of Freedom in Human Decisions38:11 Authority: A Deep Dive into Its Nature41:40 Kierkegaard and Hegel: The Intersection of Authority and Morality44:43 The Paradox of Authority in Christian Theology49:31 The Role of Language and Authority52:53 The Dangers of Non-Authoritarian Progress55:40 Zizek's Critique of Superficial Leftism

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In this episode, we explore Slavoj Žižek's critique of progress, authority, and the dialectical process, drawing on his latest book 'Against Progress'. We discuss the illusions of linear progress, the role of authority in shaping society, and the...

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