Marxism had a profound impact on global academia, and influenced many fields from anthropology through criminology, film theory, geography, and psychology to urban planning. But how do critical theory and feminism come into the picture? In this salon, we talked about all these dynamics.

00:00 - 02:00: Introduction by the host, setting the context for the discussion on Marxism and Wokeness, and laying down house rules for the session.

02:00 - 06:00: Discussion on whether Marxism is Lindy (a term meaning something that has survived and is likely to continue to survive). Noah humorously dismisses the concept of Lindy in this context.

06:00 - 12:00: Exploration of why contemporary Marxism is popular in education and the arts. Noah explains the influence of post-World War II academic systems and the adoption of scientific models in humanities.

12:00 - 18:00: Discussion on whether there is an ideological opposite to Marxism. Noah argues that ideologies don't have direct opposites and elaborates on the unique position of Marxism.

18:00 - 24:00: Noah critiques the application of scientific models to the humanities and the impact of academic conventions on intellectual respect and prestige.

24:00 - 30:00: Examination of the historical context of Marxism, its influence on contemporary thought, and the role of intellectual gatekeepers in maintaining certain academic traditions.

30:00 - 36:00: Discussion on how social movements arise from grievances and the role of Marxism and wokeness in interpreting and addressing these grievances.

36:00 - 42:00: Analysis of the impact of post-modernism on contemporary social movements and the framing of issues in terms of power struggles.

42:00 - 50:00: Exploration of the rise of wokeness in the context of increasing diversity and the role of social media in democratizing information and enabling new forms of activism.

50:00 - 58:00: Discussion on cancel culture, its parallels to historical movements like Geckokujo in Japan, and the dynamics of social media-driven activism.

58:00 - 01:04:00: Noah reflects on the historical inevitability of social change and the cyclical nature of revolutionary movements.

01:04:00 - 01:12:00: Audience questions on the historical context of Marxism, its critiques, and its application in various fields.

01:12:00 - 01:20:00: Discussion on Marxism as not just a set of ideas but also an intellectual style, and its pervasive influence in academic and social thought.

01:20:00 - 01:30:00: Final reflections on the importance of understanding Marxism and wokeness in contemporary society. Announcement of the next session's topic on fascism.

Noah:   / noahpinion