Surrealpolitik - Surreality and the National Security State

Surrealpolitik is a cultural theorist's challenge to expose capitalist realism as a dense hallucinatory web of mediated spectacles, transgressing taboos, revealing biases, testing assumptions, and investigating the extent to which the real is a fungible projection of our unconscious expectations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2022
Publisher: John Hunt Publishing

In our times, the world we inhabit has taken on a truly surreal quality. It is a culture that is characterized by paranoia, authoritarianism, and a pervasive sense of unreality. The lines between what is real, presumed, and purported have become blurred, creating a dense and hallucinatory web of mediated spectacles. Surrealpolitik emerges as a response to cultural theorist Mark Fisher's challenge to expose capitalist realism as nothing more than a façade. By adopting a surrealist mode of inquiry, we transgress taboos, reveal biases and inconsistencies, test assumptions, and delve into the extent to which the real is, much like our dreams, a mutable projection of our unconscious expectations.

The surrealpolitik of the title finds its essence in the intricate nexus of dreams, hyperreality, paranoia, totalitarianism, terror, art, myth, and culture. It is a realm where reality and fantasy intertwine, where the boundaries between the two are blurred and where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Surrealpolitik invites us to explore the depths of our subconscious desires, fears, and aspirations, challenging us to confront the darker aspects of our society and to envision a more liberated and imaginative future.

In this surreal world, the political landscape is transformed. The traditional frameworks of power and authority crumble under the weight of surrealist ideas. The ruling elites are no longer able to maintain their grip on the narrative, as surrealist imagery and symbolism subvert their control. Ordinary people, armed with the power of imagination and creativity, rise up to challenge the status quo and to create a world that is more in tune with their deepest desires and aspirations.

Surrealpolitik is not merely a theoretical concept but a lived experience. It is a call to action, a rallying cry for those who are tired of the mundane and who seek to transcend the limitations of our current reality. It is a movement that embraces the power of imagination, the beauty of chaos, and the potential for transformation that lies within us all.

As we navigate this surreal world, it is important to remember that the power of surrealism lies not in its ability to shock or disgust but in its ability to inspire and awaken. It is a tool that can be used to challenge the status quo, to break down barriers, and to create a more inclusive and equitable society. By embracing the surreal, we can tap into our collective unconscious and unlock the full potential of human creativity and imagination.

In conclusion, our times are indeed surreal, but they also offer us a unique opportunity to embrace the power of surrealism and to create a more liberated and imaginative world. Surrealpolitik is a movement that challenges us to transgress taboos, reveal biases and inconsistencies, test assumptions, and investigate the extent to which the real is, like our dreams, a fungible projection of our unconscious expectations. By embracing the surreal, we can unlock the full potential of human creativity and imagination, and create a world that is more in tune with our deepest desires and aspirations.

Weight: 164g
Dimension: 139 x 216 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781785359491