Slavoj Zizek reflects on the current political and social situation, arguing that history is not moving toward a predetermined outcome such as liberal democracy or communism. Instead, the world is in a moment of uncertainty similar to a “quantum superposition,” where multiple possible futures coexist. Global crises—such as ecological disaster, war, and mass migration—could lead either to new forms of socialism or to what he calls “soft fascism,” a system combining capitalism with strong authoritarian states supported by traditional ideologies.
He also warns that many modern states increasingly rely on illegal violence or semi-legal actors, which undermines their own legal and ideological foundations. The future therefore remains open and unpredictable.
The speaker discusses artificial intelligence, suggesting that debates about whether AI can “think like humans” miss the point. What may truly distinguish human beings are meaningless daily rituals and the ability to express frustration through language, such as swearing, which reflects our uneasy relationship with language itself.
Finally, he criticizes the growing lack of shame in public life, where actions and statements that were once unacceptable are now openly justified. For him, restoring a sense of shame and ethical limits is a crucial challenge in contemporary society.
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