The Big No

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What does it mean to refuse? To not participate, to not build a better world, to just say "no"? In a landscape dominated by demands for positive solutions and optimistic compromises, this work explores the political significance of refusal. Leading scholars analyze various aspects of political action when "no" is involved, covering topics like collective action, antisocialism, and the philosophical insights of Deleuze and Derrida. Kennan Ferguson's introduction highlights the political importance of the "Big No," which serves as a form of resistance against oppression. Joshua Clover emphasizes the relevance of Marx and Fanon in understanding alienation and subjugation. Theodore Martin examines the allure of antisociality in literature, referencing authors like Patricia Highsmith and Richard Wright. Francois Laruelle distinguishes nonphilosophy from other critical theories, while Katerina Kolozova discusses how confusion between thought and reality leads to manipulation and alienation. Frank Wilderson uses poetry and autobiography to illustrate how Black bodies are politically displaced and erased, while Andrew Culp connects themes of negativity, contrasting antiphilosophy and Afropessimism. This work asserts that critical thinking often demands alternatives, yet it also argues that absolute refusal to engage in world-building is a vital response to injustice, reminding us that political action is not always inherently posi