>So I don't always get it. That's all. And saying you don't get it has two
>pretty prosaic virtues: it's true and it invites an attempt on the other
>party's part to clarify.
I would agree that the academics hereabouts have plenty of explaining to do.
At some point, all this lofty theorizing has to be reduced to humble, down-and-dirty polemics or it's a waste of time in terms of political impact. And that's all that matters so far as this list is concerned. No one is going to get course credit or tenure from posting to the LBO list.
I saw a documentary on diesel locomotives that noted how difficult it is to get these machines to apply their power in an effective way. The huge amount of horsepower generated has to be delivered through wheel-to-rail contact points the size of a small coin; unless the power is applied just so, the wheels simply slip and the locomotive goes nowhere.
So, while many of the ideas discussed on this list are undoubtedly powerful, they lack traction -- leaving us spinning our wheels and not positioned to connect with the public imagination in any way that is likely to move a radical agenda forward.
The ultimate point of the chitchat here is to frame ideas in such a way that they stand a chance of transforming and improving society, no? Or is all of this just ten-finger exercises for the tenure-track folks?
Carl ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com