In 2001 everyone knew what terrorism was; in 2026 everyone’s a terrorist. The US regime has broadened the sign “terrorist” to include all opposition, from acts of mild disobedience, to Foreign Leaders, and the entire opposition party. Though the signifier “terrorist” has always been floating, either meaning too much or too little, such that Nelson Mandela was simultaneously a global symbol of social justice and a terrorist. As this year is the 25th anniversary of 9/11, it is worth remembering that Jean Baudrillard had already predicted 9/11 and it’s aftermath way back in the 1970s when he wrote “Symbolic Exchange and Death.” We are only now catching up to his prophecies.

Cited:

Marcel Mauss. The Gift.

Jean Baudrillard. Symbolic Exchange and Death.

Jean Baudrillard. The Spirit of Terrorism.

0:00 Terrorist is a Sign

22:28 Everyone’s a Terrorist

24:09 Terrorism Doesn’t Exist

32:50 Terrorists Blow Sh*t Up

34:05 Everyone’s A Terrorist (now)

40:06 What 9/11 Really Meant

1:13:28 The Gift of Terror

1:28:07 Baudrillard was right about Everything