Cancel Culture and Critical Media Theory | Norman Finkelstein and Dr. Samuel Loncar

"A traditional leftist critique of cancel culture meets cutting edge work in the emerging field of critical media theory."

Cancel culture has become a bit of a buzzword over the years, weaponized by worldview salesmen and pundits of all stripes. But just because it is popular doesn't mean it doesn't get at something. Norman Finkelstein, one of the world's most cancelled men, recently wrote a book on the topic called I'll Burn That Bridge When I Get To It. We have featured an amazing excerpt from his book in our new publication: Underground Theory. What Finkelstein brings to the "cancel culture discourse" is a radical critique based out of a rich understanding of the history of social change, and in particular, the ways "cancellations" have been used against the Left. He takes the critique further though, into how cancel culture and identity politics have been used to undermine working class movements, as was seen recently with the Bernie Sanders campaigns.

The other speakers at this event will be Dr. Samuel Loncar, Nick Castellucci, David McKerracher, Ann Snelgrove-McKerracher, and Bryce Nance, who will all, in their own ways, bring the "cancel culture" conversation into a new domain: Critical Media Theory (CMT). What is Critical Media Theory, you ask? Just think Marshall McLuhan meets Karl Marx and they somehow have a baby—that's CMT! I.e. a structural and material analysis of the ways various technologies mediate our perception, interpretation, and pretty much all of our ways of being in the world.

The event is two hours long. It is free, though donations are encouraged for our travel and venue costs. Reserve a seat via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cancel-culture-and-critical-media-theory-with-norman-finkelstein-loncar-tickets-717501896487?aff=oddtdtcreator

Norman G. Finkelstein received his PhD from the Princeton University Politics Department in 1987. He is the author of many books that have been translated into 60 foreign editions, including THE HOLOCAUST INDUSTRY: Reflections on the exploitation of Jewish suffering, and GAZA: An inquest into its martyrdom. His most recent book is I'll Burn that Bridge When I Get to It: Heretical thoughts on identity politics, cancel culture, and academic freedom. In the year 2020, Norman Finkelstein was ranked the fifth most influential political scientist in the world for the years 2000-2020.

Samuel Loncar, Ph.D. (Yale), is a philosopher, artist, and editor curating and creating new knowledge at the intersection of science, religion, art, and technology. He practices philosophy as a way of life and integrates scholarship, consulting, and institution-building. He is the Editor of the Marginalia Review of Books, Director of the Meanings of Science Project, founder and creator of the Becoming Human Project, and the host of Becoming Human: A Podcast for a Species in Crisis. | www.samuelloncar.com

Nick Castellucci is one half of the not-two members of The Vanishing Mediators alongside Andrew Flores. He received his undergraduate degree in Secondary Education and Italian Studies from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA in 2012. In 2018, he completed his Master’s Degree in European Literary Cultures and Linguistic Sciences at the University of Bologna in Italy. Nick's philosophical writings are decisively influenced by the work of the Slovene School.

The Critical Media Theory Crew:

David McKerracher (M.A. in critical theory and B.A. in philosophy) is the sole founder and organizer of Theory Underground, an independent philosophy lecture course platform, publishing house, and social media APP. He is the author of Waypoint and TIMENERGY: Why You Have No Time or Energy, and one of the co-editors of Underground Theory. Born in the city but raised on a homestead in the woods, McKerracher has always been an outsider looking in, trying to understand himself and the world. Loves cats, coffee, and timenergy!

Ann Snelgrove-McKerracher received a BS in Social Science (emphasis in sociology and political philosophy) from Boise State University in 2021 where she was part of a research cohort that studied the neoliberalization of higher education. At Theory Underground, she has helped develop and teach two courses: The Idea of the University and Digital Literacy and CMT (Critical Media Theory). When not doing theory or social science related research and writing, Ann can be found traveling the world with Dave, learning Spanish, cooking and baking, or participating in local theater.

Bryce Nance - A random skateboarder we picked up along the way. Just kidding! Nance is one of the most involved students at Theory Underground, a huge supporter, and our number 1 roadie. He likes to skateboard, listen to books, and study philosophy. He is a malcontent who believes study as a way of life helps him become less sucky.