In the Dust of This Planet: Horror of Philosophy (Volume 1)

Interesting read.

Esoteric in every sense of the word. This book is a very niche exegesis on the intersection of horror and philosophy. The analysis of cultural horror genre lead this work into some theological labyrinths that require the acceptance of several layers of illusive elucidation. I enjoyed the book, but began reading under the assumption that its subject matter would deal more with general nihilistic, solipsistic themes only to learn that the focus is almost entirely on that of what our creation of horror says about us. Eugene Thacker has written an incredible book here—his thorough understanding of the subject matter is evident. I look forward to reading his "Cosmic Pessimism," as perhaps that book is what I anticipated from this one.

Deeply unsettling, yet somehow also comforting. By deconstructing the way we consider our world through the lens of the horror genre, Thacker creates a piece of nihilist philosophy that doesn't feel obnoxiously glum or self loathing. Deeply analytical and carefully researched, this book is an excellent way for those new to nihilist philosophy or philosophy in general to dip their toes into the ancient art of placing ourselves in a physical and moral universe. As a lover of the horror genre, this book makes me feel as if my love for the macabre is not only valid and founded, but deeply rooted in my own subconscious understanding that my place in the cosmos is essentially meaningless. And the horror genre is a way in which we cope with that meaninglessness. Also, Glenn Beck hates it, so there's a reason to read it right there.

If you're a horror or black metal fan with an interest in philosophy, you're going to enjoy this short book immensely. You can tell the author really loves the subject and he treats it serious, with an appropriate amount of cheekiness. Hardcore analytic philosophy fans might find this to be less rigorous than they might like since It kind of has a comp lit close reading approach (which is what the author's PHD is in), but it's provocative and enjoyable. I'm a pretty deep fan of this stuff and I found page after page of new books and music to explore that I'd never heard of. True Detective super fans should check this out as it served as inspiration for the development of Rust Cohle. Read this book with Tomas Ligott's Conspiracy Against the Human Race, Albert Camus' Myth of Sisyphus, and a few of your favorite H.P. Lovecraft stories for the full effect.

It's clear the author is well written in mysticism and historic philosophy. He makes very fine distinctions between similar philosophies to pin down a truth. But in order to read this, the reader must also be well versed in the subject. It's not an easy read and one must re-read pages just to keep focused. So if you're a leisure reader of philosophy, I would recommend against it.

Excellent pandemic reading! Thacker is a fantastic guide to the strange and sometimes occult worlds of demonology, Cosmic Pessimism, black metal, zombie films, Lovecraftian supernatural horror, the themes of Dante's 'Inferno,' and so much more. This first (of three) excellent volumes taught me so much about the horror of philosophy! Looking forward to his other works.

As a writer, this book has helped me flesh out a few interesting ideas surrounding horror and magic. The idea of the "world-without-us" is something that has rattled in my brain for a few years now and I was happy to have Thacker validate and give structure to the illusive black ocean always lapping just around the next corner of my thoughts. A few of his arguments become dense and confusing, and there are moments where he leaps for his conclusions; but there are more fun, provocative, and mind-bending moments than not. Also, the simple cover art is bizarrely iconic and really drew me to the book. It's great. It's a wonderful book, and not nearly dark or depressing as its recent reputation has it pegged as. "In The Dust of This Planet" is a beautifully weird read.

I learned of this book through the radio show, on the media, where they discuss both its contents and how it was appropriated by pop culture. it has been a challenging read for me, the author clearly has an expansive knowledge of the topic and its contributors. It's academic and erudite. But I've enjoyed the challenge. It's wonderful to know that there are people thinking so deeply about this sort of cultural niche.

Olvídate de este libro si buscas un libro de texto o un catálogo de pensamiento filosófico del terror. No, este no es un libro de mera consulta. No, Eugene Thacker no pretendía escribir un macutazo. Este libro es un paseo por distintos autores que han tratado el horror en la filosofía. El mundo-sin-nosotros, el terror de lo inefable y desconocido, la solemnidad de la física allende las constricciones físicas y psíquicas del ser humano tienen cabida en esta obra amena y sin embargo concienzuda. En su seno contiene no sólo la filosofía tradicional, sino también expresiones artísticas y hechos de la cultura popular que, inopinadamente, cobran coherencia llevados de la mano de Thacker.

哲学とホラー、自分の好みのものの重ね合わせに飛びついたが、いかんせん考察が緩くて心に響かない エロゲ批評空間（ニッチな興味ですいません）にある文章レベルじゃないか？ 哲学書もホラーもどちらも中途半端に読んでると思える。で、ファッション的に書き流してる感じ エロゲ批評の書き手はそれなりにやりこんでて情熱はあるよ

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I am a natural pessimist and misanthrope. So I thought this would be right up my street. Alas no. I was horrified at the level of non-scholarship - if you really cannot even distinguish a singular from a plural form in Latin, then why use Latin terms??? And why chuck in a few terms in German and ancient Greek when clearly you don't read those languages correctly (or even at all??). Prententiousness, that's why. Trying to be clever. And failing. In any case I would much rather read Schopenhauer, Cioran, or Nietzsche themselves (and in the original), or watch all those classic horror films yet again, and formulate my own opinions. Definitely NOT recommended for those with decades of reading and life experience. (This applies equally to the other two in this series as well - I have read them all and disliked the lot for the above reasons).

I love this book. It is an good read for a book on philosophy. On could argue that it is middlebrow at best which probably is accurate, but it opened my horizon never the less. If you are looking for an pop-cultural intro into modern nihilism (or are stuck in a self-harming downwards spiral of "entry level" nihilism) you are likely to enjoy it too.