Author: Michael Corris  
Posted: 13.08.2002; 12:19:42
Topic: Question 7
Msg #: 573 (in response to 430)
Enclosure:
Prev/Next: 572/574
Reads: 84108

Michael and Mel's response seems consistent with their notion that the best defense is to dig in and forget about the rest of the world. I hope this is not taken to mean that they are unconcerned about the world. They are no more or less concerned about the world as you and I. Which is to say, the world is where you make it, not where you find it in the media. One of the ways in which institutional power exerts itself is by fostering the belief that power is a predicate. Power is transpersonal, but like artistic agency, masquerades as something else. Pyramidical power structures are but one way to describe an institution's system, but it's essentially formalistic and is constantly challenged by the Machiavellian behaviors of all concerned. To sit an appear to do nothing, have no opinion about politically correct issues, not to lament about war, famine, etc., in public, is to be mute and sullen like a teenager. That is, to great effect, if your aim is to get "them" off your back so that you can just get on with what it is that you wish to do. The unfettered freedom of the adolescent is the pre-social in the social, from one point of view. A travesty is a turning towards to effect a turning away. "Silence" is a dialogical equivalent to the sit-down strike. "Heckling" and malingering threatens more than propriety. It is dangerous (a romantic idea, this) because it suggests that "power" has missed some space or failed to impress some constituency. Power's problem has always been its need for absolutism. That's the definition of power: it's binding. For how long, to what effect . . . shorten the time frame, reign in the horizon, and it's decision-making. Maybe next time we can talk about differences in ability and the possibility of naturalism. Michael Corris (InvCollege@aol.com)

 



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