Occultism in an Age of Transparency - Philosophy Seminar

 Cultural critic Stephen Alexander, grounded in the Continental philosophical tradition, presents this seminar paper in praise of secrecy.  Round table with wine and discussion to follow.  His presentation evenings were a core part of the early Treadwell's events programme from 2004 and we welcome him back.

 'Following a seven-year period of exile and isolation in the Witch County of Essex learning what it is to die, the cultural critic Stephen Alexander returns to make a special one-off appearance at Treadwell’s this summer. Whereas once he thought the only S-words that mattered were Sex, Style, and Subversion, Dr Alexander has now revised and expanded his terminology to include Silence, Secrecy, and Shadows. Based on these and related values, he wishes to challenge the obscene ideal that has become central to public discourse in the 21st-century and which functions as one of the most pernicious of our contemporary mythologies:  transparency. The hope is that there are still some within the esoteric world who wish to hold tight to the Veil of Isis and reject the neoliberal fantasy of total transparency; some who remain loyal to those things that retain their magical allure due to the fact they are hidden, disguised, or in some manner withdrawn from public display.' 

 Stephen Alexander, PhD  (Warwick), cultural critic and provacateur, writes extensively across a range of online and print media, with regular posts on his blog Torpedo the Ark.