McKenzie Wark's 'Raving' Explores Queer Liberation and Ethics in Brooklyn Techno Scene

McKenzie Wark's book 'Raving' examines techno raves in Brooklyn as spaces for temporary freedom, particularly for queer individuals. The Australian writer and New School professor reflects on her personal experiences at illegal COVID-era events, blending diaristic accounts with theoretical musings. Wark, who identifies as old, white, crip, queer, trans, and a writer, describes raving as a practice to escape dysphoria and sadness, emphasizing collaborative endurance. She details moments like sharing ketamine in a toilet cubicle and confronting her reflection, highlighting the tension between participation and observation. The text critiques 'style extraction,' where brands monetize rave trends, and addresses gentrification. Footnotes reference Theodor Adorno, Juliana Huxtable, the Situationists, and Facebook, though they remain disjointed. Published by Duke University Press for $15.95, the work grapples with the ethics of documenting ephemeral club cultures that enforce no-photo policies. Wark's vivid present-tense narrative immerses readers in dancefloors, typifying ravers as 'punishers' or 'coworkers' who disrupt the mood. She admits theory intrudes during raves, creating an unresolved conflict between secrecy and revelation in her writing.