Definitions HQ

Overidentification (n.) undermines ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠a fantasy's hold on us by embracing at once, in the same space, all its inconsistent elements.

Overidentification (n.) subverts ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠better than distance: the Good Soldier Schweik wreaks total havoc simply by executing his superiors' orders too zealously and too literally.

Overidentification (n.) with ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠an ideology states its premises so openly that everyone concerned is embarrassed, which is why the bluntest defence of capitalism can never become hegemonic.

Overidentification (n.) with ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠the superego machine of power necessarily leads to a murderous passage à l'acte — the recruit who runs amok and shoots the drill sergeant, then himself.

Overidentification (n.) from ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠Pascal through Kleist and Kierkegaard to Brecht subverts a ruling ideology by taking it more literally than it takes itself, and so lays its hidden cards on the table.