The film "A Pervert's Guide to Ideology" is Zizek talking about films and his theories, which is quite entertaining. I first read "First As Tragedy, Then As Farce" but his most important book is probably "The Sublime Object of Ideology". It can take some time to digest his ideas, but he's great! Enjoy!
Great column! I hope your new book comes to this side of the pond soon. Your writing is perfect for my level of German and since it’s about tennis I can get enough context to maje sense of it. Grüße Arturo
I’m not sure of the purpose of Slavoj Zizek’s interpretation of Titanic (the movie, not The Titanic). Like fast food, examining the ingredients of a film is usually unrewarding. At seventy-five, perhaps your Slovenian philosopher is feeling neglected and craves attention. I am reminded of Shaw’s Pygmalion. Where everyone wanted Eliza to marry Higgins, but she chose her grocer instead. Perhaps James Cameron was more interested in selling tickets than happy endings. Would Zizek be happier if the roles were reversed. Perhaps Cameron tested all three endings, he dies, she dies, they live happily ever after; and chose the ending his test audience preferred. Democracy, of a sort.
Thank you Andrea, for this, again!, so well written piece! The Titanic analysis is great 🤯 blew my mind even though it’s so obvious, had I never thought about it in this way. Thanks for sharing!
And +1 on the grass season mood. Who came up with that?! 🌝
My own interpretation of the actual event of Titanic is that it was an advance warning from the gods to an empire that pride goeth before a fall. The owners of Titanic did not believe it could sink so did not equip it with enough lifeboats, and the captain took a preposterously stupid risk by going too fast at night through seas that he knew were dangerous.
The empire failed to heed the warning so two years later, that same empire stumbled its way into the catastrophe of the First World War by again believing that they would be invincible.
As for Jack, he could have pushed Rose off the door and saved himself but was too honourable to do so. But at the same time, extremely wealthy American businessmen went down with the ship rather than take places from the more vulnerable. Honour transcends class.
I love that you cite Žižek in this piece! As I was reading your description of initially finding out about your top rank I thought about how illustrative that is of the French theorist Jacques Lacan (whom I learned about solely through Slavoj Žižek). Lacan's writing is confusing, and I think he was probably a nasty man, but I feel like you were describing his theories on the fleeting nature of recognition and desire perfectly. Lacan would say (i think lol), the euphoria you felt represents a moment of recognition by the symbolic Other, where you identify with an ideal image in the symbolic order ... but, this happiness is temporary because our deeper desires, structured by the unconscious, are never fully satisfied by external validation. What comes next is the inevitable realization of the gap between the ideal image and the fragmented self, resulting in the loss of that initial feeling. I hope that isn't too depressing; I just think it was kismet you brought it all together AND invited Žižek into the mix. Bravo!! ✌
Andrea, your reflections on the intertwining of personal and professional growth are profoundly moving. The realization that reaching a ranking goal doesn't equate to personal fulfillment is such an important insight, and it's something many can relate to in different aspects of life. Your journey from chasing numbers to finding contentment in the process itself is inspiring. Thank you for sharing this candid and introspective piece. Also, loved the Zizek reference what an intriguing take on Titanic! Wishing you many more moments of genuine happiness and perfectly seasoned food.
Fantastic piece, Andrea. Indeed, identity related to numbers and rankings is tricky. Will one day tell you my reply when a former top ten player asked me about the rankings of the writers.
Well, there goes my heart. I guess it will no longer go on. Thanks a lot, Andrea, you romance killer!!
But I begrudgingly accept Mr. Slavoj Zizek's absolute-zero take on the famed film. He's got a point. I'll just forget it now.
Being #9 in the world of doing anything at all is amazing, let alone tennis. It's a huge gift that you can appreciate past-Andrea's accomplishments now. Keep appreciating it!
"BROCCOLI SEASON"??
I love it!!
Thanks, as always, for your insightful and amusingly self-deprecating take on life as a professional sportsperson.
But, as a Brit, have to take issue with your views on the one true surface for Lawn Tennis, it might be harder to play on but it sure looks nicer!
Same! As a fellow-Brit. The first time I have to respectfully disagree with Andrea.
Still love the column, Andrea.
loved the Slavoj Zizek part; i have not read him. where do i start?
The film "A Pervert's Guide to Ideology" is Zizek talking about films and his theories, which is quite entertaining. I first read "First As Tragedy, Then As Farce" but his most important book is probably "The Sublime Object of Ideology". It can take some time to digest his ideas, but he's great! Enjoy!
Great column! I hope your new book comes to this side of the pond soon. Your writing is perfect for my level of German and since it’s about tennis I can get enough context to maje sense of it. Grüße Arturo
I’m not sure of the purpose of Slavoj Zizek’s interpretation of Titanic (the movie, not The Titanic). Like fast food, examining the ingredients of a film is usually unrewarding. At seventy-five, perhaps your Slovenian philosopher is feeling neglected and craves attention. I am reminded of Shaw’s Pygmalion. Where everyone wanted Eliza to marry Higgins, but she chose her grocer instead. Perhaps James Cameron was more interested in selling tickets than happy endings. Would Zizek be happier if the roles were reversed. Perhaps Cameron tested all three endings, he dies, she dies, they live happily ever after; and chose the ending his test audience preferred. Democracy, of a sort.
Well said.
And 99% of the ppl have been number nothing in the world.
Congratulations. Something you will cherish for life.
Thank you Andrea, for this, again!, so well written piece! The Titanic analysis is great 🤯 blew my mind even though it’s so obvious, had I never thought about it in this way. Thanks for sharing!
And +1 on the grass season mood. Who came up with that?! 🌝
I liked the Slavoj Zizek interpretation of Titanic. The door is big enough for two!
My own interpretation of the actual event of Titanic is that it was an advance warning from the gods to an empire that pride goeth before a fall. The owners of Titanic did not believe it could sink so did not equip it with enough lifeboats, and the captain took a preposterously stupid risk by going too fast at night through seas that he knew were dangerous.
The empire failed to heed the warning so two years later, that same empire stumbled its way into the catastrophe of the First World War by again believing that they would be invincible.
As for Jack, he could have pushed Rose off the door and saved himself but was too honourable to do so. But at the same time, extremely wealthy American businessmen went down with the ship rather than take places from the more vulnerable. Honour transcends class.
You’re sunglass face is a 10 😎
I love that you cite Žižek in this piece! As I was reading your description of initially finding out about your top rank I thought about how illustrative that is of the French theorist Jacques Lacan (whom I learned about solely through Slavoj Žižek). Lacan's writing is confusing, and I think he was probably a nasty man, but I feel like you were describing his theories on the fleeting nature of recognition and desire perfectly. Lacan would say (i think lol), the euphoria you felt represents a moment of recognition by the symbolic Other, where you identify with an ideal image in the symbolic order ... but, this happiness is temporary because our deeper desires, structured by the unconscious, are never fully satisfied by external validation. What comes next is the inevitable realization of the gap between the ideal image and the fragmented self, resulting in the loss of that initial feeling. I hope that isn't too depressing; I just think it was kismet you brought it all together AND invited Žižek into the mix. Bravo!! ✌
Andrea, your reflections on the intertwining of personal and professional growth are profoundly moving. The realization that reaching a ranking goal doesn't equate to personal fulfillment is such an important insight, and it's something many can relate to in different aspects of life. Your journey from chasing numbers to finding contentment in the process itself is inspiring. Thank you for sharing this candid and introspective piece. Also, loved the Zizek reference what an intriguing take on Titanic! Wishing you many more moments of genuine happiness and perfectly seasoned food.
Insightful.
Fantastic piece, Andrea. Indeed, identity related to numbers and rankings is tricky. Will one day tell you my reply when a former top ten player asked me about the rankings of the writers.
Fantastic!
Well, there goes my heart. I guess it will no longer go on. Thanks a lot, Andrea, you romance killer!!
But I begrudgingly accept Mr. Slavoj Zizek's absolute-zero take on the famed film. He's got a point. I'll just forget it now.
Being #9 in the world of doing anything at all is amazing, let alone tennis. It's a huge gift that you can appreciate past-Andrea's accomplishments now. Keep appreciating it!