[진중권 칼럼] 상징계, 상상계, 실재계

Brief Summary

This article by Jin Joong-kwon, a professor at Kwangwoon University, explores the societal issues through Lacan's framework of the Symbolic, the Imaginary, and the Real. It discusses how the Imaginary (driven by visual media and fantasies) is disrupting the Symbolic (the realm of reason and law), leading to real-world consequences and suffering. The author argues that the pursuit of political fantasies, fueled by social media, overshadows the actual needs and pains of the populace, potentially leading to a crisis when the suppressed realities surface.

• Lacan’s concepts are applied to analyze current societal issues.
• The Imaginary is overpowering the Symbolic, causing real-world problems.
• Political fantasies promoted by social media obscure the real suffering of people.

[Introduction to Lacan's Concepts]

The author introduces Lacan's theory that human subjectivity consists of three orders: the Symbolic, the Imaginary, and the Real. He proposes applying this framework to understand the absurdities occurring in society, not on an individual level, but on a societal level. The Symbolic is defined as the realm of language, logic, reason, and law, encompassing public activities based on socially agreed meanings and rules, such as education, academia, public discourse, judiciary, and parliament.

[The Imaginary vs. The Symbolic in Politics]

The Imaginary is described as the realm of fantasy composed of visual and auditory images, including movies, comics, games, idol culture, YouTube, and SNS selfies. It is the area of intense desires and their fantastical fulfillment. The author argues that current political absurdities arise from the Imaginary destroying the Symbolic, as text-based culture gives way to image-based culture.

[The Case of the Supreme Court Chief Justice]

As an example, the Democratic Party summoned the Supreme Court Chief Justice to a hearing based on a conspiracy theory that he colluded to interfere in the presidential election. This theory, originating from manipulated AI voice recordings and normal procedural actions, was embraced by party members and dominated the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Despite the implausibility of the accusations, a significant portion of the public believed the conspiracy, showcasing the power of the Imaginary.

[The Role of Media and the Shift in Public Perception]

Legacy media outlets are portrayed as ineffective against the Imaginary, merely relaying raw information and adding skewed commentary. Electronic media transforms the "public audience" into a "collective audience," eliminating the public dimension. Reality is no longer the domain of the real world, but the fantasy of the collective.

[The Illusion of Reform and its Impact]

Discussions surrounding prosecutorial reform are taking place in the Imaginary realm of YouTube rather than the Symbolic realm. The promise of prosecutorial reform is described as a fantasy, benefiting political elites rather than addressing the grievances of ordinary citizens. The author suggests that these reforms are designed to benefit specific individuals, such as Lee Jae-myung, with measures like repealing breach of trust laws to ensure his acquittal.

[The Suffering in the Real World]

The "prosecutorial reform" has led to increased impunity for criminals due to poor investigations and prosecutions, while victims must worry about legal fees. Despite being immersed in the Imaginary, the supporters of these reforms are still subject to the Real, suffering the consequences of the very reforms they support.

[The Allure of Political Efficacy in the Imaginary]

The Imaginary provides a sense of self-fulfillment, where individuals feel empowered and influential, manipulating politicians and even the presidential office. This "political efficacy" is addictive, as it makes people feel like they are the sovereign power in the nation.

[The Inevitable Crisis]

The author concludes that the pain of the Real does not disappear even when the Imaginary overwhelms the Symbolic. When the suppressed pain exceeds a critical point and erupts, it will tear through the surface of the Imaginary, leading to a major crisis for the regime.