The order of joy : beyond the cultural politics of enjoyment

208 Pages·2008·7.293 MB·English

by  Wilson, Scott

Order Joy
The of

BBeeyyoonndd tthhee
CCuullttuurraall
PPoolliittiiccss ooff
EEnnjjooyymmeenntt
S C O T T W I L S O N
The Order of Joy
SUNY series in Psychoanalysis and Culture
Henry Sussman, editor
The Order of Joy
Beyond the Cultural
Politics of Enjoyment
(cid:2)
Scott Wilson
State University of New York Press
The cover image is reproduced by permission of the Still National Osteopathic
Museum, Kirksville, MO [AS 49].
Published by
State University of New York Press, Albany
© 2008 State University of New York
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever
without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system
or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic,
magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise
without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.
For information, contact State University of New York Press, Albany, NY
www.sunypress.edu
Production by Kelli W. LeRoux
Marketing by Anne M. Valentine
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Wilson, Scott, 1962–
The order of joy : beyond the cultural politics of enjoyment / Scott Wilson.
p. cm. — (SUNY series in psychoanalysis and culture ; 352)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-7914-7449-5 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Joy. I. Title.
BF575.H27W56 2008
128—dc22
2007035474
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
for Mia

We live today under a new world order
The web which weaves together all things envelops our bodies,
Bathes our limbs,
In a halo of joy.
—Michel Houellebecq, Atomised

Contents
Preface xi
PART ONE Introduction 1
Chapter 1. The Structure of the Real 3
PART TWO Toward Anorganic Joy 33
Chapter 2. Trainspotting with Deleuze 35
Chapter 3. Exhausting Joy 51
PART THREE Joyful Immanence (There Is No Other) 65
Chapter 4. Order of Intimacy 67
Chapter 5. Return to Zero 89
PART FOUR Event 107
Chapter 6. Surprised by Joy 109
Chapter 7. Joy’s Laughter 133
PART FIVE a-Life 155
Chapter 8. Becoming Barely Virtual 157
Notes 175
Bibliography 177
Index 185
ix