tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post566210772167564987..comments2024-03-29T03:19:09.227-04:00Comments on The Philosopher's Stone: HUMOR, AND OLD TECHNOLOGYRobert Paul Wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11970360952872431856noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-29852021775589638732012-06-10T10:43:00.395-04:002012-06-10T10:43:00.395-04:00I must apologize for blabbing on at length here, b...I must apologize for blabbing on at length here, but given the admirable persistence of Socrates, I thought it would be appropriate to add the following.<br /><br />Back in the 70s, at UMass, I attended an informal talk by the great poet and South African activist (since deceased) Dennis Brutus. The event was hosted by then UMass Provost Johnnetta Cole, who later became President of Spelman College. (I'm sure the Professor knew and knows both of these scholar-activists well). Mr. Brutus introduced one particular poem by saying that someone had criticized him for constantly making the same critique, over and over, and that he, Mr. Brutus had become "monotonous." So incensed was Mr. Brutus that he wrote a poem, the shape and form of which was made as intentionally monotonous as he could. It's power, however, is transcendent. Here it is:<br /><br />I am the tree<br />creaking in the wind<br />outside in the night<br />twisted and stubborn:<br /><br />I am the sheet<br />of the twisted tin shack<br />grating in the wind<br />in a shrill sad protest:<br /><br />I am the voice<br />crying in the night<br />that cries endlessly<br />and will not be consoled.Jerry Fresiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01427077490696059928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-33519018582124390402012-06-10T10:40:19.778-04:002012-06-10T10:40:19.778-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jerry Fresiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01427077490696059928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-57560775838679240502012-06-08T12:56:12.989-04:002012-06-08T12:56:12.989-04:00Thank you, Jim. That means a great deal to me. O...Thank you, Jim. That means a great deal to me. Of course, you got an A+ in "Formal Methods in Political Philosophy" so I would expect nothing less! :)Robert Paul Wolffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11970360952872431856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-31084293065090112682012-06-08T10:36:53.493-04:002012-06-08T10:36:53.493-04:00I have been lurking a little too long (about two m...I have been lurking a little too long (about two months). Your use of Reuben's phobia as a way of inverting Marx in *Moneybags* was of enormous and enduring help to me in understanding political economy. Thanks. I love that book.<br /><br />I only took two course of yours back in the 80's but they were both quite memorable and appreciated. I must add, and I still foggily recount this to others, that your explanation of the mechanics of the inversion of a matrix was really remarkable (though, sadly, not enduring).Jim Westrichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11523640492416820740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-50455261288337825122012-06-08T09:58:52.556-04:002012-06-08T09:58:52.556-04:00Ah, Jerry, I sense in you a kindred spirit. "...Ah, Jerry, I sense in you a kindred spirit. "You're out of line" strikes me as a simply wonderful response to the use of the phrase "wage slaves." As for humor, by and large people expect serious subjects to be discussed in an appropriately serious style. When I compared Marx's famously difficult discussion of the concept of value in Chapter One of CAPITAL to an old Jewish joke about blintzes, the few readers who found their way to that little book did not know what to make of it. My favorite source in all of this is Socrates. recall Callicles' complaint in the GORGIAS, when Socrates insists on going on about cobblers and such instead of talking in impressive cadences about the power of the state. Callicles says, "Socrates, you keep on talking about the same eubjects." "Yes," Socrates replies, "and in the same way, too."<br /><br />Compare Chris Matthews' bloviating with Jon Stewart's spot-on anatomization of right-wing insanity.Robert Paul Wolffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11970360952872431856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-59361698599164911962012-06-08T08:27:52.822-04:002012-06-08T08:27:52.822-04:00I think I got the central idea of the post, rather...I think I got the central idea of the post, rather powerfully in fact, which is why I made the comment about humor. I push paint around on a canvas with a stick, more or less, and teach same to rather well-heeled students who are able to make the trek to Italy. Here’s the problem: mine is not only a 19th century method, but the very mechanics are inseparable from a kind of anarchism prevalent in Paris throughout periodic democratic uprisings (by painters) during the19th century, in addition to the socialism that was central to the Paris Commune. Try and explain some of that to contemporary production freaks. It is one thing to talk about instrumentalism or the expressive dimension of work to college youngsters who at least must feign interest. Quite another endeavor when your mini-classroom is populated by the “better people” incarnate. My suggestion that ready-mades, mechanical reproductions, computer art, sliced up sharks, and all the rest (not to mention the attendant branding and other market innovations) have not only displaced the proverbial “10 thousand hours” of work (or “years of apprenticeship”) necessary to make a charcoal line appear half-way inspired, but function really, to serve the interests of the “surplus getters” (to borrow a phrase). I find it “vaguely dishonorable” not to paint on location. Using photographs is, indeed, an “enticement along the path to Hell.” My students, however, will have none of it. “His intensity is hard to take,” noted one bejewelled woman. “I didn’t expect this,” opined another. “You’re out of line,” thundered a Mr. Clump (owner of some mega-business) at our cheerful student dinner, when I insisted on calling workers “wage slaves.” All of this led me to envy the Professor’s ability to blend critique with humor. God, I wish I had that gift. It disarms. It greases the skids. I’m shocked at what Bill Maher can get away with saying because he’s funny. And I have never, to this day, have seen anyone tell a mainstream audience that owners fear creative, empowered citizens in the way George Carlan could and get a laugh (http://bit.ly/90ukPk). I did, on the other hand, think that my “ at 78 RPMs” was somewhat clever; but when you don’t have the gift, it comes out, as they say, a trifle voulu.Jerry Fresiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01427077490696059928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-19327050142943256662012-06-07T20:53:11.377-04:002012-06-07T20:53:11.377-04:00My husband thinks we should get flypaper for our e...My husband thinks we should get flypaper for our enclosed front porch, which is our warm-season dining room. Even with screens, the door is opened a lot, and flies come in. I'm interested in your story because it tells me that flypaper can still be purchased. Guess we'll start looking. Thanks, and have a wonderful trip!P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.com