Still Wrestling with Monsters: A Response to Pat Norman

Abstract Žižek’s (2012) provocative revelation warns that we are ‘living in the time of monsters’, as western cultures enter ‘a new dark ages’ of permanent capitalist crisis. Žižek is referring to ideological masks that impact education and educational researchers: the greed of capitalism, twisted within its fraught political connection with democracy and citizenship, ultimately threatening the planet. If theory is provocation as Norman suggests, my response to Žižek’s provocation and Norman’s explores democracy, learning and pedagogy, and the civic purpose of education, beyond citizenship. Žižek offers philosophical insight for educational researchers to reflect upon the place of democracy, the dangers of performativity, and the purpose of education for Australian citizens. In examining democracy, citizenship, and equity, my response draws upon the philosophical and spiritual insights of Illich (1970) (Bono, Surrender: 40 songs, one story . Hutchinson Heinemann, London, 2022) and other contemporary philosophers to rethink what it means to be human. I propose that what is of utmost importance to education is receptivity and listening in the creation of new voice, new art, and new songs.