London Nights | Zizek and Apple

London is continually fascinating. As humans we are always quick to project personalities onto our creations; London the person is complex, darkly funny, steeped in history, welcoming all but criticising many, intelligent, crafty… a heavy drinker who enjoys the night.

‘London Nights‘ looks like a brilliant series of 10 radio programmes, looking at the city after dark, following police helicopters, newspaper sellers and inner-city farmers. It begins tonight, so tune in or grab the podcast.

I’ll be using iPlayer to listen to it later as tonight I’m off to hear Slajov Zizek at the Queen Elizabeth Hall:

Headlining the 2010 London Literature Festival, he brings his unique perspective to the biggest subject – the end of capitalism. ‘There should no longer be any doubt – global capitalism is fast approaching its terminal crisis’ and Zizek has identified the four horsemen of this coming apocalypse. But how can we face up to living in the end times? Zizek discusses his vision.

I’m very much looking forward to this as my next book seems to be heading towards a synthesis of Marx and Christ’s views of alienation and the need for radical change.

Then on Wednesday it’s the final Apple before the summer, which beautifully brings these themes together. Speaking on ‘Is The City a Machine for the Making of Gods?’ Anthony Paul Smith will be examining whether the city is actually going to be the path to salvation from ecological and apocalypse.

Seriously – you have to try to come along. It’s free. The beer is wonderful. It’s at 7:30. At the Betsey Trotwood.