I'm not all that familiar with him, just what I read here. On one level, he seems like a guy who has some really good insights, and then some dogshit ones. And lots of takes in between.
However... that description could be about lots of people. I also understand Zizek is (apparently) a brilliant philosopher. I've also read here somewhere that his approach to philosophy or ideas in general can make him frustrating to follow for regular Marxists. Like, he's operating on a different level from us or something. And that he doesn't always say what he means.
So what's the deal with Zizek? How should I approach his writings?
:zizek-joy:
i view him as a polemic philosopher like baudrillard and in his own words he said writing a book every year feels like a civic duty. Books are usually good and more thought out than any knee jerk interviews he has on contemporary issues. He's a shitposter through and through as well which is why he will stay famous as a meme at least for his JP interview with "where are the marxists?" and perhaps he views shitposting as a way of staying relevant and relevancy is the most valuable currency in today's age of social media. Heard someone else call him "a gateway drug to philosophy" and i think that fits.
Being a popular media philosopher is the only way to avoid being a hungry philosopher. I can't blame the man for being theatrical.