AI will only supercharge this. Perhaps if we were more willing to consider the psychological dimension, we might better be able to employ this technology in constructive rather than pernicious ways? /End
November 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
AI will only supercharge this. Perhaps if we were more willing to consider the psychological dimension, we might better be able to employ this technology in constructive rather than pernicious ways? /End
He notes a number of principles by which The Matrix operates: agglomeration and replication of beta-elements, mimicry of normality, and attacks on awareness of its simulated quality. The online world too follows similar principles, w/ its echo chambers, going viral, mods, bots and trolls, etc. /6
November 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
He notes a number of principles by which The Matrix operates: agglomeration and replication of beta-elements, mimicry of normality, and attacks on awareness of its simulated quality. The online world too follows similar principles, w/ its echo chambers, going viral, mods, bots and trolls, etc. /6
organising an alternative version presumably free of ambiguity and loss. Cyberspace assists in this, offering fragments of thoughts and simulated exps which are ultimately empty and meaningless, cut-off from their human origins, but which can be organised in apparently reasoned and coherent ways. /5
November 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
organising an alternative version presumably free of ambiguity and loss. Cyberspace assists in this, offering fragments of thoughts and simulated exps which are ultimately empty and meaningless, cut-off from their human origins, but which can be organised in apparently reasoned and coherent ways. /5
in this way or tolerated and worked-through by a non-psychotic personality trying to make sense of reality. Cartwright speculates that beta-elements can also be used by a “psychotic” (in inverted commas) part of the personality in order to bypass the suffering associated w/ lived reality... /4
November 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
in this way or tolerated and worked-through by a non-psychotic personality trying to make sense of reality. Cartwright speculates that beta-elements can also be used by a “psychotic” (in inverted commas) part of the personality in order to bypass the suffering associated w/ lived reality... /4
Beta-elements were theorised by Wilfred Bion to make sense of the act of projection, in which others appear aggressive, rude, persecuting etc. because of intolerable feelings in the observer which are unconsciously projected into them (e.g. “Quiet piggy!”). Beta-elements can be evacuated... /3
November 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Beta-elements were theorised by Wilfred Bion to make sense of the act of projection, in which others appear aggressive, rude, persecuting etc. because of intolerable feelings in the observer which are unconsciously projected into them (e.g. “Quiet piggy!”). Beta-elements can be evacuated... /3
Cartwright interprets the code which makes up this virtual world as “beta elements”, proto-mental sense impressions prior to their being synthesized into meaningful exps or thoughts. The Matrix acts as a beta-screen, in which beta-elements are not transformed but instead used to mimic reality. /2
November 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Cartwright interprets the code which makes up this virtual world as “beta elements”, proto-mental sense impressions prior to their being synthesized into meaningful exps or thoughts. The Matrix acts as a beta-screen, in which beta-elements are not transformed but instead used to mimic reality. /2
Yes, Andreas Reckwitz calls doctrine apertistic (opening, un-bounding) liberalism. It has both an economic (neo-liberal) & cultural side (progressivism). Dominates from 1980-2010; now cannot solve problems arising from eco & cultural de-regulation. Mamdani reps new regulatory form of liberalism.
November 20, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Yes, Andreas Reckwitz calls doctrine apertistic (opening, un-bounding) liberalism. It has both an economic (neo-liberal) & cultural side (progressivism). Dominates from 1980-2010; now cannot solve problems arising from eco & cultural de-regulation. Mamdani reps new regulatory form of liberalism.
In a very real sense, this form of domination strips workers of their capacity for independent thought. In the film, it results in the sadomasochistic hell of what psychoanalyst Donald Meltzer called the claustrum. /End
amontin.medium.com/containing-s...
amontin.medium.com/containing-s...
Containing States of Mind in Triangle of Sadness
In his book Containing States of Mind, Duncan Cartwright explores the ideas of the British psychoanalyst Wilfred Bion (1897–1979), and in…
amontin.medium.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:37 PM
In a very real sense, this form of domination strips workers of their capacity for independent thought. In the film, it results in the sadomasochistic hell of what psychoanalyst Donald Meltzer called the claustrum. /End
amontin.medium.com/containing-s...
amontin.medium.com/containing-s...
P.S. In the film “Triangle of Sadness”, the “Yes sir! Yes ma’am!” speech of the chief stewardess alludes to akrasia: it is only by giving the passengers whatever they desire (satisfying the market) that the stewards might get a big tip (their work will be valued). /8
November 17, 2025 at 3:37 PM
P.S. In the film “Triangle of Sadness”, the “Yes sir! Yes ma’am!” speech of the chief stewardess alludes to akrasia: it is only by giving the passengers whatever they desire (satisfying the market) that the stewards might get a big tip (their work will be valued). /8
they are as constrained by the demands of the market as anyone else, imposed from “behind their backs” by an anon collective machine which cannot be challenged or reasoned with. For Hickel this machine depends on growth, which he argues is incompatible w/ addressing climate change. /7
November 17, 2025 at 3:37 PM
they are as constrained by the demands of the market as anyone else, imposed from “behind their backs” by an anon collective machine which cannot be challenged or reasoned with. For Hickel this machine depends on growth, which he argues is incompatible w/ addressing climate change. /7
Marx called this sensitivity to prices “commodity fetishism”, because it takes priority in practical judgements over rational deliberation and moral considerations re. others. This idea of domination favours Hickel’s side of the debate. It doesn’t matter what capitalists prefer... /6
November 17, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Marx called this sensitivity to prices “commodity fetishism”, because it takes priority in practical judgements over rational deliberation and moral considerations re. others. This idea of domination favours Hickel’s side of the debate. It doesn’t matter what capitalists prefer... /6
This results in a general state of "akrasia", weakness of will or acting against one’s better judgement. For socialists such as Marx, but also more recently Honneth, akrasia is a form of unfreedom because it prevents an individual realising their moral sense of self-worth. /5
November 17, 2025 at 3:37 PM
This results in a general state of "akrasia", weakness of will or acting against one’s better judgement. For socialists such as Marx, but also more recently Honneth, akrasia is a form of unfreedom because it prevents an individual realising their moral sense of self-worth. /5
the imperatives of the market affects capitalists and laborers alike. In the market, a producer’s decision making is constrained by the “unchallengeable choices of anonymous others,” imposed “without any need to justify themselves, and without any possibility of being contested.” /4
November 17, 2025 at 3:37 PM
the imperatives of the market affects capitalists and laborers alike. In the market, a producer’s decision making is constrained by the “unchallengeable choices of anonymous others,” imposed “without any need to justify themselves, and without any possibility of being contested.” /4
I just wanted to note that from a Marxist pov, capitalism is an *impersonal* form of domination, but not because capitalists are constrained by non-capitalist demands. In Marx’s Inferno, William Clare Roberts reads the opening chaps of Capital as a political theory in which... /3
November 17, 2025 at 3:37 PM
I just wanted to note that from a Marxist pov, capitalism is an *impersonal* form of domination, but not because capitalists are constrained by non-capitalist demands. In Marx’s Inferno, William Clare Roberts reads the opening chaps of Capital as a political theory in which... /3
Mason says later “The ruling class does not rule,” meaning that as dominant as the capital process of accumulation may be, capital-owners cannot merely impose their will but must balance their pursuit of profits w/ other concerns like social stability & relations w/ the state etc. /2
November 17, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Mason says later “The ruling class does not rule,” meaning that as dominant as the capital process of accumulation may be, capital-owners cannot merely impose their will but must balance their pursuit of profits w/ other concerns like social stability & relations w/ the state etc. /2
Since the 90s*, Aus has had offshore processing and detention, boat turn-backs and resettlement overseas for asylum seekers who arrive illegally (*except for a short period under Rudd 1). Both main parties are committed to lower immigration in the light of a housing crisis w/ vacancies @ 1.2%.
November 17, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Since the 90s*, Aus has had offshore processing and detention, boat turn-backs and resettlement overseas for asylum seekers who arrive illegally (*except for a short period under Rudd 1). Both main parties are committed to lower immigration in the light of a housing crisis w/ vacancies @ 1.2%.
which then informs the output of public opinion, namely how they are received and talked about on the local level which then influences elections. It is the degradation at the level of throughput that Higgins' argument properly highlights, rather than the issue of immigration itself as an input./End
November 16, 2025 at 3:02 PM
which then informs the output of public opinion, namely how they are received and talked about on the local level which then influences elections. It is the degradation at the level of throughput that Higgins' argument properly highlights, rather than the issue of immigration itself as an input./End
The topic of immigration ties together ordinary people's exp of real issues such as loss of community, decline of political efficacy, lack of housing, degradation public services, etc. which of course cosmopolitan elites on Bluesky barely notice. Untangling these ought to be job of mass media.../4
November 16, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The topic of immigration ties together ordinary people's exp of real issues such as loss of community, decline of political efficacy, lack of housing, degradation public services, etc. which of course cosmopolitan elites on Bluesky barely notice. Untangling these ought to be job of mass media.../4
Dismissing the topic of immigration as a legitimate input, when the issue is the lack of professional filters compromising the throughput, says more about the perspective of the commentator than whether immigration is a "grounded priority". /3
November 16, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Dismissing the topic of immigration as a legitimate input, when the issue is the lack of professional filters compromising the throughput, says more about the perspective of the commentator than whether immigration is a "grounded priority". /3
as part of the infrastructure undermines the deliberative quality of public opinion by using algorithms for its gatekeeping role instead of specialists, shouldn't be confused w/ the inputs, which depend on opinion makers etc being sufficiently receptive discovering problems in need of action. /2
November 16, 2025 at 3:02 PM
as part of the infrastructure undermines the deliberative quality of public opinion by using algorithms for its gatekeeping role instead of specialists, shouldn't be confused w/ the inputs, which depend on opinion makers etc being sufficiently receptive discovering problems in need of action. /2
I think Higgins is talking about the deliberative quality of public opinion rather than public opinion itself. Otherwise, who decides what constitutes"grounded priorities"?
November 16, 2025 at 2:31 PM
I think Higgins is talking about the deliberative quality of public opinion rather than public opinion itself. Otherwise, who decides what constitutes"grounded priorities"?