Houellebecq's 1998 novel Atomised (also known as The Elementary Particles) is prophetic, provocative and absolutely filthy.

This chat covers the first ~200 pages, with plenty to get the juices flowing:

On the sexual revolution: Are inceldom and looksmaxxing the inevitable consequences of the intrusion of market forces into every facet of human society? Houellebecq was really ahead of the game here. If Clavicular did not exist, would it be necessary to invent him?

Fertility crisis: Can we rely on new technologies to save us from population crash? Rich argues that this time might really be different; Benny is more optimistic. Do any of us really want to RETVRN to forced monogamy? Is liberalism at risk of extincting itself? Which cultures will win the memetic battle?

...and more

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) Metaphysical mutations and historical determinism (00:08:00) Bruno the proto-incel and Michel the proto-asexual (00:15:30) Mother nature is bad, actually (00:21:50) Clavicular and the sexual marketplace (00:32:36) Enforced monogamy and slut shaming (00:42:30) The fertility crisis and population crash

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NEXT ON THE READING LIST:

• Atomised — Michel Houellebecq (part 2)