Alejandro Dolina con Darío Sztajnszrajber | #DemasiadoHumano - Ep.1 2023

The Philosophy of Deconstruction

In this section, the speaker discusses the concept of deconstruction and its disruptive nature in writing.

Deconstructive Writing

• Deconstruction is a form of writing that disrupts traditional sentence structure.

• This type of writing can be difficult to interpret but is still appreciated for its poetic nature.

• The speaker suggests that disrupting language can create a more emotional connection with the reader or listener.

• The speaker proposes the idea of everyday language being poetized to create a more impactful message.

Balancing Poetic and Concrete Language

• While poetic language can be powerful, it should not completely replace concrete language in communication.

• A balance between poetic and concrete language is necessary to avoid oversaturation.

Radio as an Art Form

• There is debate over whether radio can be considered an art form.

• The speaker believes that radio can be artistic when done by skilled artists.

• A radio host must find a balance between being too poetic (and therefore crazy), or too mundane (and therefore unbearable).

Understanding the Ethics of Lying

In this section, the speaker discusses the concept of lying and how it is not simply a matter of truth versus falsehood. He explains that lying involves an intention to deceive or withhold information, and that it is an ethical issue rather than just an informational one.

The Nature of Lies

• The speaker references a text called "History of Lies" in which the author argues that lies and truth are not opposites. Rather, lies involve intentional distortion or withholding of information.

• The speaker explains that someone can say something false without lying if they believe it to be true. Conversely, someone can lie by telling the truth if they use it for deceptive purposes.

• The speaker emphasizes that lying is an ethical issue because it involves a decision to deceive or withhold information from others.

Distortion in Art and Communication

• The speaker notes that art often involves distortion of language and communication. For example, poets may use words in ways that differ from their literal meanings.

• The speaker also mentions "noise" as a factor in communication distortion. This refers to any interference or distraction that affects how a message is received.

• The speaker suggests that even after accounting for noise and other factors, human brains are still susceptible to being deceived or misled.

Lying as a Developmental Tool

• The speaker cites research indicating that children as young as three years old frequently lie. He suggests this may be because lying can be an effective way for children to navigate social situations and protect themselves from negative consequences.

• However, the speaker cautions against assuming that all lies are harmless or justified. He emphasizes that lying is an ethical issue that requires careful consideration of the consequences for oneself and others.

The Incomprehensibility of Lies

In this section, the speaker discusses how lies are often difficult to prove and that most liars get away with it. He shares a personal experience of encountering death for the first time.

Encounter with Death

• At 18 years old, the speaker encountered death for the first time when he was asked to care for his dying great-aunt.

• The speaker struggled to comprehend the reality of death and questioned whether the person in front of him was truly dead.

• The experience left a lasting impression on him and sparked an interest in philosophical questions about mortality.

Philosophical Reflections on Death

In this section, the speaker delves deeper into his thoughts on death and how it affects our lives. He discusses how we try to avoid thinking about our own mortality by distracting ourselves with everyday activities.

Coping Mechanisms for Mortality

• The speaker reflects on how philosophers have grappled with questions about their own mortality throughout history.

• He suggests that people engage in various activities such as falling in love or cheering for sports teams as a way to distract themselves from thinking about their own mortality.

• However, he acknowledges that ultimately everyone must confront their own mortality at some point in their lives.

Dealing with Death and Lies

In this section, the speaker talks about his personal experiences dealing with death and lies. He reflects on how people use lies to make life more bearable.

Coping with Death

• The speaker describes feeling a "tragic sense of life" at a young age when he first learned about death.

• He reflects on how people use lies to make the world seem more bearable, such as his grandmother lying to him about death.

Coping with Lies

• The speaker discusses how people often lie to themselves and others as a way of coping with difficult situations.

• He explains that this concept is related to the idea of "post-truth," where people are more likely to believe things that align with their preconceived notions rather than objective facts.

The Paradox of Self-Deception

In this section, the speaker discusses the paradox of self-deception and how it relates to truth and lies.

Self-Deception and Truth

• Self-deception is a way of lying to oneself.

• If one convinces themselves of their own lie, then it becomes true for them.

• This creates a paradox where the person who is lying to themselves is also telling the truth.

Paradoxes in Literature

• The speaker references Don Quixote's Insula Barataria, where a man is asked a question and answering either truthfully or falsely results in his death.

• The speaker mentions Epimenides' paradox, where he states that all Cretans are liars, but as he himself is Cretan, it creates a paradox.

Nietzsche's Philosophy on Truth

In this section, the speaker discusses Nietzsche's philosophy on truth and how it relates to lying.

Truth as Efficient Lies

• Nietzsche believed that telling the truth was actually the most efficient form of lying.

• He believed that what was considered true was simply what people believed to be true at any given time.

Functionality Over Morality

• The speaker references legal scholar Hans Kelsen's belief that what made an order just was not its morality but rather its functionality.

• The speaker questions whether death is simply the end of bodily function or if there is something more beyond our physical bodies.

The Question of Death and the Soul

In this section, the speaker discusses their personal beliefs on death and whether there is something beyond our physical bodies.

Science vs. Metaphor

• The speaker believes in the scientific explanation of death but wonders if there is something more beyond our physical bodies.

• They criticize metaphors such as the soul for being harmful and not providing any real answers.

Seeking Consolation

• The speaker asks if the interviewer seeks consolation in these questions about death.

• They admit to being anguished by thoughts of their own mortality but ultimately believe in science over metaphor.

The Appetite for Immortality

In this section, the speakers discuss the concept of immortality and its relationship with boredom. They reference Borges' story "The Immortal" and Plato's belief that love is connected to the search for immortality.

The Problem of Boredom in Immortality

• The idea of immortality is often met with skepticism due to the potential for boredom.

• Borges' story "The Immortal" explores the idea that even an immortal being will eventually become bored.

• The speakers discuss how some people may pretend to be bored or unenthusiastic about life as a way to cope with their mortality.

Love and Immortality

• Plato believed that love was connected to the search for immortality, either through reproduction or creating works of art.

• The speakers suggest that writing is a way to achieve a form of immortality by creating works that will outlast oneself.

• One speaker suggests that love has a value superior to all other forms of consolation, despite its idealization.

Overvaluing Love?

• The speakers discuss how love is often overvalued and idealized, leading to frustration when it fails to live up to expectations.

• One speaker expresses fear at the idea of loving one person forever, suggesting it would lead to boredom similar to what Borges describes in "The Immortal."

• The speakers suggest that societal pressures may contribute to the idealization of eternal love as a means of preventing mass suicide.

The Death of God and the Institutions of Love

In this section, Alejandro discusses how the legislation surrounding love has nothing to do with what actually happens in relationships. He argues that it is the institutions of love that have failed, not love itself. Alejandro also explores the idea that the death of God and its shadow can be compared to the death of monogamy.

Love Legislation vs Reality

• The legislation surrounding love has nothing to do with what actually happens in relationships.

• It is the institutions of love that have failed, not love itself.

• The death of God and its shadow can be compared to the death of monogamy.

The Religious Nature of Love

• Love has something deeply religious about it.

• To be truly free from God, we must also free ourselves from his shadows - which are idolatries we still follow.

• Monogamy is a form of religious appropriation.

Imagining a Non-Monogamous Society

In this section, Alejandro discusses how difficult it is to imagine a non-monogamous society due to our current legal system and societal norms. He uses examples from literature and anthropology to illustrate this point.

Difficulty Imagining Non-Monogamy

• Politically, it may be possible but imagining a non-monogamous society is difficult.

• Crisis is always a crisis of imagination because revolutions are first imagined.

• It is easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism because we have naturalized capitalism.

• Monogamy is a form of appropriation.

Examples from Literature and Anthropology

• Robert Graves' book "The Search for the White Goddess" illustrates how difficult it is for patriarchal societies to imagine matriarchal ones, and vice versa.

• Malinowski's ethnography in Papua New Guinea shows how difficult it was for men in a matriarchal society to understand how women knew who their children's fathers were.

The Logic of Indigenous Beliefs

In this section, the speaker talks about how indigenous beliefs have a different way of understanding cause and effect.

Understanding Indigenous Beliefs

• Indigenous beliefs invert the relationship between cause and effect.

• The speaker gives an example of how men in a tribe provide food for both pregnant women and embryos by penetrating them with their semen.

• The speaker notes that from a logical perspective, this belief system works perfectly well.

Birthdays and Superstitions

In this section, the speaker discusses his own birthdate and how it was recorded incorrectly due to superstitions.

Recording Birthdates

• The speaker's mother wanted him to be born in Baigorrita but he was actually born in Morse.

• To avoid conscription, someone suggested recording his birthdate as May 25th instead of May 20th.

• Despite being false, these records were used for many years until the speaker joined the Navy and had to use his real birthdate.

Astrology vs. Psychoanalysis

In this section, the speaker discusses his thoughts on astrology and psychoanalysis.

Thoughts on Astrology

• While he admits that astrology may have some influence on our lives, he finds it hard to believe that anyone can accurately predict it.

• He compares astrology to psychoanalysis as both are hermeneutic devices that allow for interpretation but not necessarily scientific fact.

• However, he finds psychoanalysis fundamental in helping him understand himself better.

Truth and Identity Construction

In this section, the speaker talks about truth and identity construction in relation to psychoanalysis.

Truth and Identity Construction

• The speaker believes that psychoanalysis is fundamental in helping him construct his identity.

• He notes that there is a difference between truth as it relates to epistemology and the discourses that shape our identities.

• While he finds astrology interesting, he does not believe it speaks any truth to him.

Tarot Reading and Music

In this section, Alejandro Dolina talks about his tarot reading and music.

Tarot Reading

• Alejandro Dolina talks about how he likes to have his tarot cards read while he is in therapy.

• He mentions that they are starting a new season and thanks the audience for their support.

• He expresses his appreciation for the interviewer's work but also says that he does not like what she is doing.

Music

• Alejandro Dolina talks about working with thoughts and how it can be good news.

• He mentions a song by Charly Garcia that he likes, which is interpreted by the Trío Sin Nombre.

• The interview ends with music playing in the background.

There are no significant insights or steps mentioned in this section.