https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Fisher
Cybernetic Culture Research Unit (CCRU, sometimes typeset Ccru)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cybernetic_Culture_Research_Unit
Bibliography
- The Resistible Demise of Michael Jackson (editor). Winchester: Zero Books, 2009. ISBN 978-1-84694-348-5
- Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative? Winchester: Zero Books, 2009. ISBN 978-1-84694-317-1
- Ghosts of My Life: Writings on Depression, Hauntology and Lost Futures. Winchester: Zero Books, 2014. ISBN 978-1-78099-226-6
- Post-Punk Then and Now (editor, with Gavin Butt and Kodwo Eshun). London: Repeater Books, 2016. ISBN 978-1-910924-26-6
- The Weird and the Eerie. London: Repeater Books, 2017. ISBN 978-1-910924-38-9
- Flatline Constructs: Gothic Materialism and Cybernetic Theory-Fiction (foreword by exmilitary). New York: Exmilitary Press, 2018. ISBN 978-0-692-06605-8
- k-punk: The Collected and Unpublished Writings of Mark Fisher (2004–2016)(edited by Darren Ambrose, foreword by Simon Reynolds). London: Repeater Books, 2018. ISBN 978-1-912248-29-2
- Postcapitalist Desire: The Final Lectures (edited and with an introduction by Matt Colquhoun). London: Repeater Books, 2020. ISBN 978-1-913462-48-2
What are the main points of “Postcapitalist Desire: The Final Lectures” (Mark Fisher, 2020)? (2026-4-20)
Mark Fisher’s Postcapitalist Desire: The Final Lectures (2020) is a collection of the last five lectures he delivered at Goldsmiths, University of London, before his untimely death in 2017. These lectures serve as a bridge between his earlier work, Capitalist Realism, and his unfinished project, Acid Communism. They delve into the intricate relationship between desire and capitalism, exploring how our yearnings are shaped, co-opted, and potentially liberated.
Main Themes and Insights
1.
Reframing Postcapitalism
Fisher begins by questioning the term “postcapitalism,” probing whether it signifies a genuine alternative or merely a rebranding of existing systems. He challenges the audience to consider if our desires are truly aligned with a postcapitalist future or if they remain entangled within capitalist frameworks. This inquiry sets the stage for a deeper exploration of how desire operates under capitalism.
2.
Desire and Capitalism
Drawing from thinkers like Jean-François Lyotard, Fisher examines how capitalism doesn’t just fulfill desires but actively produces and manipulates them. He discusses the concept of “libidinal economy,” where desire is harnessed to perpetuate capitalist structures. This analysis raises critical questions about the possibility of redirecting desire towards emancipatory ends.
3.
Countercultural Movements and Consciousness
Fisher reflects on historical countercultural movements, such as the 1960s and 1970s psychedelia, assessing their successes and failures in challenging capitalist norms. He emphasizes the importance of “consciousness-raising” as a tool for collective awareness and potential transformation. By revisiting these movements, Fisher seeks to uncover strategies for cultivating desires that resist capitalist co-optation.
4.
Accelerationism and Leftist Strategy
The lectures touch upon the controversial concept of accelerationism—the idea that intensifying capitalism’s contradictions might lead to its demise. Fisher explores whether elements of capitalist infrastructure, particularly its technological advancements, can be repurposed for progressive ends. He remains cautious, acknowledging the risks of such an approach while recognizing its potential.
5.
Towards a Postcapitalist Desire
Central to Fisher’s exploration is the notion of cultivating a “postcapitalist desire”—a form of yearning that isn’t merely a reaction against capitalism but a proactive envisioning of alternative futures. He encourages the development of desires that are not only oppositional but also constructive, aiming to build new forms of social relations and collective well-being.
Conclusion
Postcapitalist Desire offers a profound and unfinished meditation on the possibilities of transcending capitalism by reimagining and reclaiming desire. Fisher’s lectures serve as both a critique of the present and a call to envision new futures, urging us to consider how our deepest yearnings might be redirected towards collective liberation.
If you’re interested in exploring these ideas further, I can provide a curated reading list of the theorists and texts Fisher engaged with in these lectures.
