From Black Hole to Potential Space: Discussion of Barbara Pizer’s “‘Eva, Get the Goldfish Bowl’: Affect and Intuition in the Analytic Relationship”

Abstract

ABSTRACT This discussion of Barbara Pizer’s “‘Eva, Get the Goldfish Bowl:’ Affect and Intuition in the Analytic Relationship” locates her paper in the trajectory of her psychoanalytic contributions through 2005, centering around the analyst’s disciplined, reflective mindfulness as she creatively applies her personhood to both contain and enliven the analytic process. Specifically, it addresses her use of what she terms the “outrageous interpretation” as it connects implicitly with the affective experience trapped within the as-yet unrepresentable regions of her patient’s subjectivity. Using as metaphor her patient Julian’s ideas about black holes in the universe, this discussion suggests how Barbara Pizer delivers affective energy into psychologically imploded spaces, transforming a black hole into a potential space. Final comments focus on the caregiver and loneliness, and some speculations regarding Julian’s adamantine repetitions.