On election day I was ecstatic and I read reactions to the election voraciously. I especially appreciated all the articles in the Nov. 17 edition of the New Yorker (especially Remnick's "Joshua Generation"), and Suskind's article in the New York Times Magazine of last Sunday. I was less impressed by the ruminations of philosophers:
Simon Critchley:
http://www.harpers.org/archive/2008/11/0082235
Judith Butler:
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/11/05/18549195.phpr
Slavoj Zizek:
http://www.lrb.co.uk/webonly/14/11/2008/zize01_.html
Yeah, the Butler was circulating around my department last week. Way to suck the air out of the room, Judy.
Posted by: Tracey | November 22, 2008 at 10:37 AM
My thoughts about the Obama election are here: http://www.demonstratr.org/2008/11/19/obama-some-thoughts/.
But, what strikes me as odd is that someone would respond to an article with the title "Uncritical Exuberance?" with anger about it quashing or questioning the exuberance.
If you really didn't have reservations about an Obama administration before, surely now that Larry Summers and Robert Gates, and... the list goes on... have been tapped for cabinet positions you are thinking differently.
But honestly, Obama was clear about his policy positions from the beginning. He's not a liar - he's a liberal.
Posted by: brandon | December 03, 2008 at 01:30 PM
The "philosopher" who wrote this book was very very pleased that Obama was elected. Pointing out that Obama represented the possibility of something new emerging.
The other side representing an INEVITABLE extension of all the current psycho-pathologies.
http://www.ispeace723.org
Posted by: John | February 10, 2009 at 04:19 AM
@brandon - I couldn't agree less with your views. The link you gave is down, however. I'd be interested in reading more on what you have to say.
Posted by: Philosophy | November 27, 2009 at 07:29 PM