Short note on Bataille’s Influence

Bataille’s influence on 20th century French philosophy isn’t always obvious, but it’s massive.

It is clear that the world is purely parodic, in other words, that each thing seen is the parody of another, or is the same thing in a deceptive form

…

Everyone is aware that life is parodic and that it lacks an interpretation.

Thus lead is the parody of gold.

Air is the parody of water.

The brain is the parody of the equator.

Coitus is the parody of crime.

-Visions of Excess, 5

Deleuze’s metaphysics echo this. And it should be noted that the French interpretation of Nietzsche may essentially be Bataille’s through Foucault.