How soon is too soon to begin introducing basic theory and Lacanian self-definition to an infant? A primer.
ME: what do we need to understand before we can understand post-structuralism
BABY: fnehhh
ME: very good
we need to understand structural linguistics
now what does “fnehhh” mediate between
BABY: fnehhh
ME: that’s right
it mediates between abstract ideas and reality
BABY: fnehhh
ME: you’ve made your point, don’t belabor it
ME: show me the red block
BABY: gehh
ME: show me the red block
BABY: [gnaws on blue block]
ME: good
interrogate the binary oppositions of the supposed system
ME: what do we say to critics who argue that post-structuralism is concomitant with nihilism
BABY: [spits up]
ME: that’s right
ME: wake up
wake up
BABY: [sleeps]
ME: HAVE YOU DESTABILIZED ANYTHING YET TODAY
BABY: [sleeps]
ME: PASSIVITY IS AN ACTIVE CHOICE IN ITSELF; YOU CANNOT ISOLATE YOURSELF FROM THE SYSTEM
BABY: [sleeps]
ME: i may disagree with you but i admire your commitment to this position
ME: what does this plate symbolize, baby
BABY: [picks up a single Cheerio]
ME: that’s right
HEGEMONY
what do we think of hegemony
BABY: [smashes chubby baby fist against Cheerios]
ME: thats right
WE SMASH IT
BABY: want book
ME: where is the book
show me where the book is
BABY: [points at book]
ME: very good
now show me where the author is
BABY: [puts finger in mouth]
ME: VERY GOOD
now i’ll read to you about sheep
BABY: want juice
bring juice
ME: the juice is here
this is your opportunity to synthesize something
BABY: give juice?
ME: use the means at hand
what are the instruments you find at your disposition?
BABY: [slowly grasps bottle]
ME: BRICOLEUR
BABY: (grows up)
ME: ugh how campbellian
need more thumbs. fat baby thumbs for thumbs ups.
When my friends start having babies, I swear that this series of articles will provide the only unsolicited parenting advice I will ever give them.
So swear we all.
Or just show them https://vimeo.com/17431354. “Fuck your father, fuck his narrative, fuck his authority, and fuck his essential structure.”
“Poststructuralism is like ‘Motherfucker, you can’t step outside of history'” YES BEST VIDEO
“Post-structuralism need to know which good old days you talkin’ about.”
Post-structuralism is like “YOU ARE THE FATHER”
HOLY FRICK, THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO! *.*
This is everything that was lacking my whole life.
I want a TED talk from this gentleman, posthaste.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_jp9wAig4E
You’re welcome.
Is… is that one of the rappers from Plastic Little? It’s a small Internet after all.
Yes. It’s Jayson Musson, in the guise of his online art-project persona, “Hennessy Youngman.”
I did not expect the Devil Wears Prada reference.
But I thought I was never to bring a post-structuralist into this house?
Now, it might be my seminar on Derrida talking, but that last one brings me to tears of laughter.
favorite series.
Baby is actually doing what’s expected of it for once!
now show me where the author is
BABY: [puts finger at butt]
that’s how i feel about franzen tbh
or more relevant to the topic at hand:
now show me where the author is
BABY: [puts finger at cemetery]
This is remarkably similar to how I run a first-year seminar. Note to self: Incorporate more juice boxes into lectures. We already have plenty of cats.
This is remarkably similar to how I run a first-year seminar. Note to self: Incorporate more juice boxes into lectures. We already have plenty of cats.
I want a TED talk from this gentleman, posthaste.
Is… is that one of the rappers from Plastic Little? It's a small Internet after all.
Yes. It's Jayson Musson, in the guise of his online art-project persona, "Hennessy Youngman."
They’re so cute when they’re in the mirror stage! But true, they don’t destabilize things then. They think they’re all whole and complete and stuff.
Now I wish they did one on How to Talk to Babies About Hero's Journey 😀