Why Left? Podcast with Benjamin Studebaker and David McKerracher

A genuine contradiction conversation between a political scientist and a critical social theorist - an imprint of Theory Underground
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What IS Left? What IS Political? What’s a worthy goal to struggle towards? McKerracher is not convinced that the Left is worth ”reconstituting” for fighting for, whereas Studebaker thinks it might be. WL is an imprint of TU, where Dave and Benjamin teach. You can get involved with our courses and seminars here: https://theoryunderground.com/subscribe

  1. 12/15/2025

    What happened?

    and where it's going!   After no new episodes for 10 months... Dave's back, by himself, to speak to the podcast audience and share about what has happened and where things are going.    https://theoryunderground.com/subscribe

    52 min

  2. 07/10/2025 · VIDEO

    WL - Lord of the Rings and the danger of nerdmaxxing

    If you're serious about doing theory, making art, changing the world, or living well, we invite you to join us. https://theoryunderground.com/subscribe  Theory Underground exists to cultivate the conditions necessary for a working class intellectual renaissance that goes beyond old political categories or other identitarian niches. At TU, autodidact workers with earbuds and professionals who see no future in existing institutions or movements are able to challenge their doxa and develop an understanding of the situation we are in. The aim of this work is to change the coordinates of thought, action, and organizing in American culture, so as to make possible large scale structural change for the sake of timenergy for all. If you subscribe at https://theoryunderground.com/subscribe you'll get access to a package of courses, including: 12 Core Concepts with social theorist David McKerracher 12 Essential Political Theorists with political theorist Benjamin Studebaker The Philosophy of Nature with philosopher Nina Power  Past courses include Intro to Marxism with Chris Cutrone, The Clinical Structures of Psychoanalysis with Leon Brenner, Intro to Lacan with Todd McGowan, and The Fault-Line Theory (Intro to Nick Land and Intro to Slavoj Zizek) with Michael Downs, as well as many more! The way these all get woven together at a deeper and more meta level is through the ongoing research seminars led by David McKerracher and Benjamin Studebaker, where they engage with one another’s work by sharing developments from their own perspectives, theory, and research. If you subscribe at higher levels and support our work, we'll support your development with bespoke teaching. Alone and unaided, we struggle to grasp our situation in its fullness and formulate a meaningful response. By working together and pooling our energies, we can do better. Join us at theoryunderground.com/subscribe MUSIC CREDITS Logo sequence music by https://olliebeanz.com/music https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Mike Chino, Demigods    • Mike Chino – Demigods [Hip Hop] 🎵 from Roy...   TU owns the rights to use the “What's Left” theme, thanks to its creator, Adam Leher. Thanks!

    1h 19m

  3. 06/20/2025 · VIDEO

    WL/WR "No Kings" Protest and Israel-Iran/WW3?

    If you're serious about doing theory, making art, changing the world, or living well, we invite you to join us. https://theoryunderground.com/subscribe  Theory Underground exists to cultivate the conditions necessary for a working class intellectual renaissance that goes beyond old political categories or other identitarian niches. At TU, autodidact workers with earbuds and professionals who see no future in existing institutions or movements are able to challenge their doxa and develop an understanding of the situation we are in. The aim of this work is to change the coordinates of thought, action, and organizing in American culture, so as to make possible large scale structural change for the sake of timenergy for all. If you subscribe at https://theoryunderground.com/subscribe you'll get access to a package of courses, including: 12 Core Concepts with social theorist David McKerracher 12 Essential Political Theorists with political theorist Benjamin Studebaker The Philosophy of Nature with philosopher Nina Power  Past courses include Intro to Marxism with Chris Cutrone, The Clinical Structures of Psychoanalysis with Leon Brenner, Intro to Lacan with Todd McGowan, and The Fault-Line Theory (Intro to Nick Land and Intro to Slavoj Zizek) with Michael Downs, as well as many more! The way these all get woven together at a deeper and more meta level is through the ongoing research seminars led by David McKerracher and Benjamin Studebaker, where they engage with one another’s work by sharing developments from their own perspectives, theory, and research. If you subscribe at higher levels and support our work, we'll support your development with bespoke teaching. Alone and unaided, we struggle to grasp our situation in its fullness and formulate a meaningful response. By working together and pooling our energies, we can do better. Join us at theoryunderground.com/subscribe MUSIC CREDITS Logo sequence music by https://olliebeanz.com/music https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Mike Chino, Demigods    • Mike Chino – Demigods [Hip Hop] 🎵 from Roy...   TU owns the rights to use the “What's Left” theme, thanks to its creator, Adam Leher. Thanks!

    2h 17m

  4. 06/20/2025 · VIDEO

    WL - L.A. RIOTS and HOBBES

    If you're serious about doing theory, making art, changing the world, or living well, we invite you to join us. https://theoryunderground.com/subscribe  Theory Underground exists to cultivate the conditions necessary for a working class intellectual renaissance that goes beyond old political categories or other identitarian niches. At TU, autodidact workers with earbuds and professionals who see no future in existing institutions or movements are able to challenge their doxa and develop an understanding of the situation we are in. The aim of this work is to change the coordinates of thought, action, and organizing in American culture, so as to make possible large scale structural change for the sake of timenergy for all. If you subscribe at https://theoryunderground.com/subscribe you'll get access to a package of courses, including: 12 Core Concepts with social theorist David McKerracher 12 Essential Political Theorists with political theorist Benjamin Studebaker The Philosophy of Nature with philosopher Nina Power  Past courses include Intro to Marxism with Chris Cutrone, The Clinical Structures of Psychoanalysis with Leon Brenner, Intro to Lacan with Todd McGowan, and The Fault-Line Theory (Intro to Nick Land and Intro to Slavoj Zizek) with Michael Downs, as well as many more! The way these all get woven together at a deeper and more meta level is through the ongoing research seminars led by David McKerracher and Benjamin Studebaker, where they engage with one another’s work by sharing developments from their own perspectives, theory, and research. If you subscribe at higher levels and support our work, we'll support your development with bespoke teaching. Alone and unaided, we struggle to grasp our situation in its fullness and formulate a meaningful response. By working together and pooling our energies, we can do better. Join us at theoryunderground.com/subscribe MUSIC CREDITS Logo sequence music by https://olliebeanz.com/music https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Mike Chino, Demigods    • Mike Chino – Demigods [Hip Hop] 🎵 from Roy...   TU owns the rights to use the “What's Left” theme, thanks to its creator, Adam Leher. Thanks!

    1h 18m

  5. 06/12/2025 · VIDEO

    WL - Pt. 2 Expertise Crisis and The Autodidact Problem

    If you're serious about doing theory, making art, changing the world, or living well, we invite you to join us. https://theoryunderground.com/subscribe  Theory Underground exists to cultivate the conditions necessary for a working class intellectual renaissance that goes beyond old political categories or other identitarian niches. At TU, autodidact workers with earbuds and professionals who see no future in existing institutions or movements are able to challenge their doxa and develop an understanding of the situation we are in. The aim of this work is to change the coordinates of thought, action, and organizing in American culture, so as to make possible large scale structural change for the sake of timenergy for all. If you subscribe at https://theoryunderground.com/subscribe you'll get access to a package of courses, including: 12 Core Concepts with social theorist David McKerracher 12 Essential Political Theorists with political theorist Benjamin Studebaker The Philosophy of Nature with philosopher Nina Power  Past courses include Intro to Marxism with Chris Cutrone, The Clinical Structures of Psychoanalysis with Leon Brenner, Intro to Lacan with Todd McGowan, and The Fault-Line Theory (Intro to Nick Land and Intro to Slavoj Zizek) with Michael Downs, as well as many more! The way these all get woven together at a deeper and more meta level is through the ongoing research seminars led by David McKerracher and Benjamin Studebaker, where they engage with one another’s work by sharing developments from their own perspectives, theory, and research. If you subscribe at higher levels and support our work, we'll support your development with bespoke teaching. Alone and unaided, we struggle to grasp our situation in its fullness and formulate a meaningful response. By working together and pooling our energies, we can do better. Join us at theoryunderground.com/subscribe MUSIC CREDITS Logo sequence music by https://olliebeanz.com/music https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Mike Chino, Demigods    • Mike Chino – Demigods [Hip Hop] 🎵 from Roy...   TU owns the rights to use the “What's Left” theme, thanks to its creator, Adam Leher. Thanks!

    1h 25m

  6. 06/12/2025 · VIDEO

    WL - Pt. 1 Expertise Crisis and The Autodidact Problem - Douglas Murray and Dave Smith on JRE

    If you're serious about doing theory, making art, changing the world, or living well, we invite you to join us. https://theoryunderground.com/subscribe  Theory Underground exists to cultivate the conditions necessary for a working class intellectual renaissance that goes beyond old political categories or other identitarian niches. At TU, autodidact workers with earbuds and professionals who see no future in existing institutions or movements are able to challenge their doxa and develop an understanding of the situation we are in. The aim of this work is to change the coordinates of thought, action, and organizing in American culture, so as to make possible large scale structural change for the sake of timenergy for all. If you subscribe at https://theoryunderground.com/subscribe you'll get access to a package of courses, including: 12 Core Concepts with social theorist David McKerracher 12 Essential Political Theorists with political theorist Benjamin Studebaker The Philosophy of Nature with philosopher Nina Power  Past courses include Intro to Marxism with Chris Cutrone, The Clinical Structures of Psychoanalysis with Leon Brenner, Intro to Lacan with Todd McGowan, and The Fault-Line Theory (Intro to Nick Land and Intro to Slavoj Zizek) with Michael Downs, as well as many more! The way these all get woven together at a deeper and more meta level is through the ongoing research seminars led by David McKerracher and Benjamin Studebaker, where they engage with one another’s work by sharing developments from their own perspectives, theory, and research. If you subscribe at higher levels and support our work, we'll support your development with bespoke teaching. Alone and unaided, we struggle to grasp our situation in its fullness and formulate a meaningful response. By working together and pooling our energies, we can do better. Join us at theoryunderground.com/subscribe MUSIC CREDITS Logo sequence music by https://olliebeanz.com/music https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Mike Chino, Demigods    • Mike Chino – Demigods [Hip Hop] 🎵 from Roy...   TU owns the rights to use the “What's Left” theme, thanks to its creator, Adam Leher. Thanks!

    1h 7m

  7. 05/28/2025 · VIDEO

    God, Esoteric and Apophatic - WL and WR crossover episode

    If you're serious about doing theory, making art, changing the world, or living well, we invite you to join us. https://theoryunderground.com/subscribe  Theory Underground exists to cultivate the conditions necessary for a working class intellectual renaissance that goes beyond old political categories or other identitarian niches. At TU, autodidact workers with earbuds and professionals who see no future in existing institutions or movements are able to challenge their doxa and develop an understanding of the situation we are in. The aim of this work is to change the coordinates of thought, action, and organizing in American culture, so as to make possible large scale structural change for the sake of timenergy for all. If you subscribe at https://theoryunderground.com/subscribe you'll get access to a package of courses, including: 12 Core Concepts with social theorist David McKerracher 12 Essential Political Theorists with political theorist Benjamin Studebaker The Philosophy of Nature with philosopher Nina Power  Past courses include Intro to Marxism with Chris Cutrone, The Clinical Structures of Psychoanalysis with Leon Brenner, Intro to Lacan with Todd McGowan, and The Fault-Line Theory (Intro to Nick Land and Intro to Slavoj Zizek) with Michael Downs, as well as many more! The way these all get woven together at a deeper and more meta level is through the ongoing research seminars led by David McKerracher and Benjamin Studebaker, where they engage with one another’s work by sharing developments from their own perspectives, theory, and research. If you subscribe at higher levels and support our work, we'll support your development with bespoke teaching. Alone and unaided, we struggle to grasp our situation in its fullness and formulate a meaningful response. By working together and pooling our energies, we can do better. Join us at theoryunderground.com/subscribe MUSIC CREDITS Logo sequence music by https://olliebeanz.com/music https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Mike Chino, Demigods    • Mike Chino – Demigods [Hip Hop] 🎵 from Roy...   TU owns the rights to use the “What's Left” theme, thanks to its creator, Adam Leher. Thanks!

    53 min

  8. 05/20/2025 · VIDEO

    WL - The Benjamin Black Pill

    So hard to swallow most people will kick into instant name-calling, scategoating, or lesser evilist modes of displacement and disavowal.  If you're serious about doing theory, making art, changing the world, or living well, we invite you to join us. https://theoryunderground.com/subscribe  Theory Underground exists to cultivate the conditions necessary for a working class intellectual renaissance that goes beyond old political categories or other identitarian niches. At TU, autodidact workers with earbuds and professionals who see no future in existing institutions or movements are able to challenge their doxa and develop an understanding of the situation we are in. The aim of this work is to change the coordinates of thought, action, and organizing in American culture, so as to make possible large scale structural change for the sake of timenergy for all. If you subscribe at https://theoryunderground.com/subscribe you'll get access to a package of courses, including: 12 Core Concepts with social theorist David McKerracher 12 Essential Political Theorists with political theorist Benjamin Studebaker The Philosophy of Nature with philosopher Nina Power  Past courses include Intro to Marxism with Chris Cutrone, The Clinical Structures of Psychoanalysis with Leon Brenner, Intro to Lacan with Todd McGowan, and The Fault-Line Theory (Intro to Nick Land and Intro to Slavoj Zizek) with Michael Downs, as well as many more! The way these all get woven together at a deeper and more meta level is through the ongoing research seminars led by David McKerracher and Benjamin Studebaker, where they engage with one another’s work by sharing developments from their own perspectives, theory, and research. If you subscribe at higher levels and support our work, we'll support your development with bespoke teaching. Alone and unaided, we struggle to grasp our situation in its fullness and formulate a meaningful response. By working together and pooling our energies, we can do better. Join us at theoryunderground.com/subscribe MUSIC CREDITS Logo sequence music by https://olliebeanz.com/music https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/legalcode Mike Chino, Demigods https://youtu.be/M6wruxDngOk TU owns the rights to use the “What's Left” theme, thanks to its creator, Adam Leher. Thanks!

    1h 16m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

What IS Left? What IS Political? What’s a worthy goal to struggle towards? McKerracher is not convinced that the Left is worth ”reconstituting” for fighting for, whereas Studebaker thinks it might be. WL is an imprint of TU, where Dave and Benjamin teach. You can get involved with our courses and seminars here: https://theoryunderground.com/subscribe

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