Rotterdam philosophy reading group: Zizek, Like a Thief at Broad Daylight

On Like A Thief at Broad Daylight
In recent years, techno-scientific progress has started to utterly transform our world - changing it almost beyond recognition. In this extraordinary new book, renowned philosopher Slavoj Zizek turns to look at the brave new world of Big Tech, revealing how, with each new wave of innovation, we find ourselves moving closer and closer to a bizarrely literal realisation of Marx's prediction that 'all that is solid melts into air.' With the automation of work, the virtualisation of money, the dissipation of class communities and the rise of immaterial, intellectual labour, the global capitalist edifice is beginning to crumble, more quickly than ever before-and it is now on the verge of vanishing entirely.

But what will come next? Against a backdrop of constant socio-technological upheaval, how could any kind of authentic change take place? In such a context, Zizek argues, there can be no great social triumph - because lasting revolution has already come into the scene, like a thief in broad daylight, stealing into sight right before our very eyes. What we must do now is wake up and see it.

Urgent as ever, Like a Thief in Broad Daylight illuminates the new dangers as well as the radical possibilities thrown up by today's technological and scientific advances, and their electrifying implications for us all.

Want to have deep conversations on philosophy and life in good company, which always consist of at least one person with a good sense of humour? Then please join this reading group.

We aim at making this a kind and inclusive group, where everyone feels appreciated and warmly welcomed. No background knowledge or reading is obligatory; everyone is free to join and listen in or join the discussion we're having.

The purpose of this group is to delve into philosophical topics and classic and modern philosophers. Each month we read a book of a contemporary or old philosopher, which we dan delve into in an informal and accessible manner. As a philosopher I can guide these meetings if wanted or needed, but will do minimum lecturing, except if anyone feels like it.

A professor of mine said: 'Bring philosophy everywhere' and that is what I try to do, also to give away my philosophy degree for free to a group such as this.

I have more than a decade worth of teaching experience, which also consists in engaging in philosophical and Socratic dialogue in the university of applied sciences, highschool, primary school and in prison. I also used philosophy as a conversational tool in the field of social work in the past.

The events are free, but you can pay as you please, which would be much appreciated. I donate 10% of the revenue, as I do with all of my income, to effective charities that are recommended by the Effective Altruism Movement (see: https://www.effectivealtruism.org/).

You can send me a one-time donation on:
https://www.paypal.me/FBIJoeri

Or you can support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/filosofischbureauvoorinzichtsvergaring

For those that would like to see me speak about other philosophy stuff, see:

https://www.youtube.com/user/1986Joeri

For those that like to complement or replace their reading with audio-visual material, I will post these in the comments aforehand of the meeting.