Pedro Lemebel’s writing is wonderfully provocative, providing insight into Chilean queer cultures, specifically loca and travestis cultures, in the lePedro Lemebel’s writing is wonderfully provocative, providing insight into Chilean queer cultures, specifically loca and travestis cultures, in the lead-up to and following the AIDs pandemic. Lemebel’s writings were almost two short for me to fully embrace—ending almost as soon as they start, making this book better served as a bottle of fine wine that is slowly savored rather than a book to be downed like a shot of tequila in a single sitting....more
Vol. 2 of Ultimate X-Men continues the slice of life style while leaning more into a Junji Ito direction. I feel that the gap in time that has passed Vol. 2 of Ultimate X-Men continues the slice of life style while leaning more into a Junji Ito direction. I feel that the gap in time that has passed since I read volume 2 worked against some of this book’s impact on me, but I have yet to leave a Momoko book feeling disappointed....more
Similar to Lost Dimension, The Aesthetics of Disappearance explores how modernity’s emphasis on speed negatively impacts human relationships with the Similar to Lost Dimension, The Aesthetics of Disappearance explores how modernity’s emphasis on speed negatively impacts human relationships with the surrounding world. While good, the book does blur together with some of Virilio’s other work....more
Not necessarily transformative, but, nonetheless, insightful into the ways meaning is preserved in a culture and the impact technology complicates thaNot necessarily transformative, but, nonetheless, insightful into the ways meaning is preserved in a culture and the impact technology complicates that preservation....more
I might better appreciate Derrida’s work on Condillac if I was better familiar with the author referenced in this work’s subtitle, yet Derrida’s reconI might better appreciate Derrida’s work on Condillac if I was better familiar with the author referenced in this work’s subtitle, yet Derrida’s reconstructive approach does encourage reflection on the ways ephemera conveys meaning....more
A meditation on epistemology that evokes the limits of Foucault’s heterotopia and modernity’s propensity to pursue knowledge for the sake of knowledgeA meditation on epistemology that evokes the limits of Foucault’s heterotopia and modernity’s propensity to pursue knowledge for the sake of knowledge—again, not free from Virilio’s Luditism, but an insightful companion to Administration of Fear and Ngugi Wa Thiongo’s Decolonizing the Mind....more
The Lost Dimension feels weaker than (and slidghtly redundant in comparison to) some of Virilio’s other work, though his exploration of spatial collapThe Lost Dimension feels weaker than (and slidghtly redundant in comparison to) some of Virilio’s other work, though his exploration of spatial collapse in the advent of technology is interesting....more
An incredibly accessible book that may not convey a myriad of groundbreaking ideas for scholars whose work focuses on hegemony in some capacity, but mAn incredibly accessible book that may not convey a myriad of groundbreaking ideas for scholars whose work focuses on hegemony in some capacity, but manages to convey important, relevant ideas that are crucial to withstanding totalitarian influences in our culture....more
I read the first four chapters years ago for a grad school class on Postcolonialism, but revisiting Necropolitics in the current moment, Mbembe’s workI read the first four chapters years ago for a grad school class on Postcolonialism, but revisiting Necropolitics in the current moment, Mbembe’s work feels just as harrowing in its insight....more
Welcome to the Desert of the Real provides the most comprehensive exploration in the trilogy of works this was originally published in, offering a criWelcome to the Desert of the Real provides the most comprehensive exploration in the trilogy of works this was originally published in, offering a criticism of how terrorist acts impact how citizenry perceive reality....more
A meditation on the symbolic nature of terrorism that, though somewhat out of touch due to the conspiratorial implications present in the book’s approA meditation on the symbolic nature of terrorism that, though somewhat out of touch due to the conspiratorial implications present in the book’s approach to 9/11, still evokes contemplation of the larger cultural dimension of terrorist attacks....more
An exploration of monsters and LatinIndigenous identity that feels as a follow-up to Gloria Anzaldua’s Borderlands/La Frontera. Knowledge of some SpanAn exploration of monsters and LatinIndigenous identity that feels as a follow-up to Gloria Anzaldua’s Borderlands/La Frontera. Knowledge of some Spanish seems beneficial since some authors use Spanish without translation intermittently. ...more
Vrilio often fluctuates between being deeply insightful to coming across as a Luddite, though this specific work utilizes more metaphorical language tVrilio often fluctuates between being deeply insightful to coming across as a Luddite, though this specific work utilizes more metaphorical language to where knowledge of Vrilio’s other work feels necessary for identifying Ground Zero’s greater implications. The book’s value is less as a meditation on 9-11 and more as a reflection on cultural traumas.
That stated, Vrilio’s transphobia is obvious in this work....more
Having read this towards the end of my binge of Vrilio’s work, some of the power of Speed and Politics became weakened due to me seeing how Virilio exHaving read this towards the end of my binge of Vrilio’s work, some of the power of Speed and Politics became weakened due to me seeing how Virilio expanded on his ideas. Nonetheless, the book is a powerful indictment on the role of speed in modern societies....more
With a varying academic tone, Reading the Great American Zombie provides a light exploration of phenomenology before entering into a study of zombies With a varying academic tone, Reading the Great American Zombie provides a light exploration of phenomenology before entering into a study of zombies across American history. ...more
Queer Slashers provides an ADHD model of academic work that explores the queer resonances of slasher movies that result in many LGBTQIA viewers to ideQueer Slashers provides an ADHD model of academic work that explores the queer resonances of slasher movies that result in many LGBTQIA viewers to identify with horror movie villains. While I sometimes did wish for more sustained analysis that drew more on queer theorists, Peter Mara, nonetheless, provides an accessible argument that will likely resonate with readers interested in horror studies and LGBTQIA fandom....more