Desire + Capital

No Marx today!  Ryan and Jamie talk about the upcoming Dutch elections, dissecting the peculiar machinery of consensus politics, multi-party chaos, and norm-breaking coalitions. Ryan takes a crash course in things like lijstduwers, informateurs, and gedoogakkoorden, and we have some predictions for the election but of course we also have time for theoretical reflections about the state of Dutch politics. From the rise of norm-defying populism to the moral contortions of the liberal left, we talk about how the Dutch politics mirrors global trends—creeping authoritarianism, political short-termism, and the hollowing of the political imagination. We have a lot to get through so get your stemwijzer ready—set, GO!Dutch Elections · Consensus Politics · Housing Crisis · Coalition Chaos · Becoming Belgian · Political Vision

We're back—and this time it's all about labor. Guiding Ryan and Jamie's conversation is one of the sharpest voices on work, capitalism, and the platform economy: Ursula Huws. From living in a Situationist house with Guy Debord to breaking down today's gig economy and platform labor, Ursula has seen and done it all.Together, we dig into her typology of labor—paid, unpaid, productive, reproductive—and how these shifting categories help us understand the changes in our economic system. We ask: what does it mean when almost every aspect of life gets folded into capitalism? Is there a way out of the crisis of social reproduction? And what happens when everything, even the future, is up for rent?On your Marx, get set—let's go!Marx · Ursula Hews · Connecting the Dots · Gig Work · Platform Capitalism · Renting the Future · 400 Blows 

The US Election  · LIVE · Donald Trump sweeps · Aftermath and AnalysisWelcome, ladies and gentlemen, to another very special episode of Desire + Capital. We are doing it live @Arminius!This is our live coverage of the US Election at Arminius. Of course, we felt it was necessary to give some post-election analyses in order to put the outcome of the elections in some perspective.Also, thanks to the organisers @StudiumGenerale and @Arminius! Who put together a great evening, albeit with a less than great election result. So, on your Marx. Get set. Go!

The US Election  · How does it work?  · Kamala Harris  · Donald Trump  · Gerrymandering Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to this very special episode of Desire + Capital. It's difficult to get ready for what has been called the greatest show on earth by some and an empty gesture of feudal spectacle by others. But, we will be here with you through this Countdown to Civil War. Desire + Capital will be live on 5 November at the Arminius, so please join us for this historic event!For tickets: https://arminius.nl/programma/us-election-watch-party/So, on your Marx. Get set. Go!

In this episode, it's all about the music. Ryan and Jamie are joined by special guest Stevphen Shukaitis from the University of Essex.  They will be taking a short leave from Marx and talk about desire through the art of music.  We got a lot to get through, so on your Marx, get set, let's go!Stevphen is the editor-in-chief of Minor Compositions, a publisher of books and media drawing from autonomous politics, avant-garde aesthetics, and the revolutions of everyday life. Among other works, Minor Compositions has published The Undercommons by Fred Moten and Stefano Harney. For information, dope books and media, check out their website: Minor Compositions.Music · Mckenzie Wark · Stevphen Shukaitis· Desire · Ketamine Standard Time · Consumer Programming ·  Wu-Tang Clan · RZA · Polyphia · Sophia Black · Liquid Swords · Sleater-Kinney

In this episode, Ryan and Jamie talk about the theoretical framework called Queer Marxism. Guiding us through this subject is Gianmaria Colpani. He teaches feminist, queer, and postcolonial theories at the University of Utrecht.  We got a lot to get through, so on your Marx, get set, let's go!Karl Marx · Reification · Gianmaria Colpani · Queer theory · Marxism · Commodity  · Desire · Judith Butler · Kevin Floyd · Queer Marxism

In this episode, Ryan and Jamie talk about a central concept of Marx: the commodity. Guiding us trough this subject is Marxist and Literary scholar Viola Marchi.  We got a lot to get through, so on your Marx, get set, let's go!Karl Marx · Viola Marchi · Communism · Socialism · Revolution · Commodity · Commodity Fetishism · Scooby Do · Camera Obscura

In this episode, Ryan and Jamie talk with David van Putten about something nobody wants but everybody has: debt.  We got a lot to get through, so on your Marx, get set, let's go!Debt · Time belongs to god · Usury  · Margin Call  ·  Augustine ·  Luther  · CDO's · Nietzsche

Check out the new trailer for our second episode on debt with David van Putten.

In this episode, Ryan and Jamie talk about the god of commodities: money. Guiding us trough this subject is Marxist scholar Anitra Nelson.  We got a lot to get through, so on your Marx, get set, let's go!Karl Marx · Anitra Nelson · Communism · Socialism · Revolution · Real Value · Use Value · Exchange Value · Jeff Bezos ·  Mad Max Fury Road