Published in Subject/Reflection·4 days agoEverydayness and the UnconsciousThe foundation of the unconscious In Franco Moretti’s brilliant book The Bourgeois, he uncovers one of the curious inventions of 19th century literature, the filler: Why fillers, in the nineteenth century? Because they offer the kind of narrative pleasure compatible with the new regularity of bourgeois life. They are to…Subjectivity5 min readSubjectivity5 min read
Mar 11Musing in Front of PaintingsIn defense of abstract art Strolling through the Clyfford Still museum in Denver with a friend, we reached a problematic. The museum is organized in a semi-structured manner in chronological order of the Still’s work, from the more impressionistic 1930s to the abstract 40s and 50s. Entering into the 1940s…Art Theory7 min readArt Theory7 min read
Published in Subject/Reflection·Mar 3Member-onlyTo Be CynicalCynicism and love in “Lady Windmere’s Fan” An ironist is someone who is unaware of the ground they are standing on; unaware of their position of enunciation. Oedipus is the archetypal ironic subject. Psychoanalysis reveals one’s persistent irony by excavating desire through mistakes in speech and other mechanisms. A cynic…Literature6 min readLiterature6 min read
Feb 17Does Psychoanalysis Work?On Psychoanalysis, 03 Efficacy of/in Psychotherapy Soon after Freud founded the practice of psychotherapy, he was called into question regarding whether or not his procedures worked. Despite his skepticism of such a project, early analytic institutes in the 1920s began collecting systematic data on the efficacy of their treatment. …Psychoanalysis7 min readPsychoanalysis7 min read
Feb 10Member-onlyOn ResponsibilityOne ship drives east and another drives west. / With the self-same winds that blow; / ’Tis the set of the sails / And not the gales / That tells them the way to go. …Philosophy6 min readPhilosophy6 min read
Feb 3Member-onlyThe Psychoanalytic Theory of SymptomsLessons in Psychoanalysis, 02 What is a symptom? A random event triggered by biological imbalances? A genetic structure? A behavior or set of behaviors which are somehow bothersome, somehow different from more acceptable behaviors? The psychoanalytic symptom is very precise, and it bypasses these other concepts of the symptom. Regardless…Mental Health8 min readMental Health8 min read
Jan 31Member-onlyWhat I’ve Learned From CoffeeSome Reflections on a wonderful beverage Coffee isn’t a wise teacher or a monk of good tidings. It’s a beverage, usually served warm. It’s bean water. And almost everyone drinks it every day around the world. I’ve been drinking coffee regularly since college. It started with the Keurig, and then…Coffee6 min readCoffee6 min read
Jan 27Member-onlyWhat is a Freudian Slip?Lessons in Psychoanalysis, 01 Pop culture has a tendency to borrow concepts from academic pursuits and butcher it to oblivion. The parapraxis — i.e., the “Freudian slip” — is just one among many of these concepts. Overdetermination To understand the dynamics of parapraxes, we must understand one of Freud’s most significant…Psychoanalysis5 min readPsychoanalysis5 min read
Jan 20Member-onlyWhat to Look for in a Mental Health ProfessionalA guide for people looking for some help There are a lot of confusing labels, titles, and licenses in the field of clinical mental health. I’ve had many friends and family members come to me asking how to start looking for a professional to talk to. Usually, I direct them…Mental Health9 min readMental Health9 min read
Jan 13Concerning NostalgiaA psychoanalysis of the nostalgic experience A little while ago, I co-wrote a video essay for the YouTube channel Internet Impact. The primary argument of the video was that contemporary urban planning movements on the web right now are operating on a certain psychology of nostalgia. That is, they represent…9 min read9 min read
