Introdução ao aceleracionismo - Nick Land e o CCRU de Warwick

Summary

This video provides an in-depth introduction to the philosophy of Nick Land, focusing on his thoughts on accelerationism, capital dynamics, and cybernetics. It explores his intellectual evolution from the 1990s, detailing his involvement in cultural studies at the University of Warwick and how his ideas bridge post-structuralism, libertarianism, and anti-humanism. The script highlights Land's shift toward the far-right, discussing his controversial embrace of accelerationism and its implications for politics and capitalism. His work blends philosophy, science fiction, and technology, ultimately presenting a unique perspective on global economic and social change.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker discusses the challenges of recording videos due to external pressures, but emphasizes the importance of content determination and the focus of the video.
• 😀 The main theme of the video revolves around the philosophy of Nick Land, a prominent thinker in the field of accelerationism, and his evolving ideas throughout the decades.
• 😀 The speaker introduces Nick Land's philosophical journey, starting with his academic background in the 1980s, moving into a deeper and more solid philosophical framework in the 1990s.
• 😀 The video is structured around four key themes that the speaker believes are essential for understanding Land's thought, including his work at the CCR (Center for Cultural Cybernetics Research).
• 😀 Land's work is influenced by a variety of cultural, social, and political changes in the 1990s, including the end of the Cold War and the rise of cyberpunk as a cultural movement.
• 😀 The CCR was a research unit created at the University of Warwick in the 1990s, focusing on interdisciplinary studies, including philosophy, cinema, art, and music, particularly techno and cyberpunk aesthetics.
• 😀 A central idea in Land's philosophy is the concept of capitalism's acceleration, which he views as a revolutionary force. His work is rooted in a critique of humanism and an exploration of the relationship between desire and economic systems.
• 😀 Land's thinking incorporates elements of post-structuralism, particularly the work of Deleuze and Guattari, and explores how capitalism decodes and restructures human desire.
• 😀 Land critiques traditional humanism, believing that the regulation of human desires by systems like the state suppresses the more radical, libidinal forces of the human unconscious.
• 😀 The speaker highlights Land's later turn to far-right politics, including his embrace of accelerationism within a right-wing framework, particularly after the 2000s, when he became associated with more extreme views and movements.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the video?

The video focuses on exploring the concept of accelerationism, particularly its relationship to the philosopher Nick Land, his work on cybernetics, and how his ideas evolved over time, especially in the 1990s.

How does the video define accelerationism?

Accelerationism is a philosophical and political concept that suggests that accelerating the processes of capitalism and technological development will lead to radical change. In the case of Nick Land, it is closely tied to his views on capitalism, cybernetics, and the transformative effects of technology.

What role does the CCR (Cultural Cybernetic Research) play in Land's philosophy?

The CCR was a research unit created in the 1990s at the University of Warwick, where Nick Land was involved. It was influential in developing interdisciplinary studies that merged philosophy, cybernetics, and cultural research, reflecting the intellectual climate of the 1990s and the rise of cyberpunk culture.

How does the concept of cyberpunk relate to Land's work?

Cyberpunk, as a science fiction genre that emerged in the 1980s, heavily influenced Land's philosophy. It predicted a technological and globalized future, aspects of which Land incorporated into his work on accelerationism and the role of cybernetics in shaping society.

What is the connection between Nick Land's work and post-structuralism?

Nick Land's work, particularly in the 1990s, is heavily influenced by post-structuralism, especially the works of thinkers like Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari. His exploration of desire, anti-humanism, and the critique of traditional humanist ideas aligns with post-structuralist thought.

What is the significance of zero in Land's philosophy?

In Land's philosophy, the concept of 'zero' is crucial as it represents a foundational contradiction in his thinking. Zero is not merely a negation but is also an affirmation of a new potential, symbolizing the break from traditional philosophical categories and humanism.

What is the role of capitalism in Land's philosophy?

Capitalism, in Land's view, is seen as a revolutionary force that decodes desires and drives historical change. He suggests that the acceleration of capitalism, particularly through technological and economic means, will lead to a radical transformation of society.

How does Land's philosophy address the concept of desire?

Land's philosophy ties desire to economics and the field of libidinal economy. He integrates influences from Freud and Deleuze to argue that desire is suppressed by societal structures, particularly through capitalism and state control, but can be liberated through a more radical engagement with desire.

What is meant by 'desterritorialization' in Land's work?

'Desterritorialization' refers to the process by which traditional social and political structures are dismantled, allowing for new forms of organization and thought. It is a central concept in Land's critique of capitalism, where the capitalist system is seen as both decodifying and pushing boundaries to create new, potentially radical, movements.

How does Land's work evolve in the 2000s?

In the 2000s, Land's philosophy takes a more controversial turn, particularly with his alignment to far-right ideologies. His work during this period, including texts like 'Dark Enlightenment', promotes ideas of accelerationism within the context of extreme-right politics and a critique of modernity and humanism.