>I'm not all that interesting a subject.
Oh, yes, you are, Carrol! You're just too modest to say so. !{)>
And Brian and Carrol wrote
>"Brian O. Sheppard x349393" wrote:
>>
>>
>>Theorists shouldn't decide it in advance of the actual society; the
>>decision should be a particpatory one made by those most affected by >the
>>production and its effects.
>>
Well, yes, but then we get into the problem of all those telephone calls, e-mails, co-ordination, etc., etc. And there is that wee problem of begging for a few days off from work to network and vote, yes?
>
>You don't understand, Brian. None of this can happen until the
>"theorists" [scare quotes because I have a high respect for political
>theory properly channeled] work out (a) the last little detail of how
>capitalism works and (b) a beautiful but practical image of the future
>which will inspire all those people out there to come flocking to the
>pink banner.
>
Again, well, yes, but then once you have that last little detail in place, the damned thing changes again. I'm reminded of that classic Sylvester and Hoppy cartoon where a workman is pouring and smoothing some concrete for a sidewalk. Sylvester chases hoppy through it, leaving tremendous gouges in the wet concrete. After shaking his fist at the retreating pair, the workman once again smooths out his work, only to have the cat and kangaroo zoom through again. In frustration, the workman throws a temper tantrum, hurling his trowl to the ground. Finally, we see a scene where the workman is once again finishing the sidewalk only to see Sylvester and Hoppy approaching. He stamps all over his just finished sidewalk then stops, smiling, obviously "ready" for the inevitable. However, Sylvester chases Hoppy past the now destroyed sidewalk. The workman, at the end of his rope, finally breaks out a bugle and, standing in the concrete and playing "Taps", sinks himself into the concrete.
>And it is pure despair and cynicism if one wishes to talk about the
>theory of how to attract people's attention so they will listen to
>whatever oration one has all polished to give as soon as there >magically
>appears an audience to listen to it.
Well, yes, but one has to keep trying in the face of impossibilty, no? Who knows what will work, and besides, conditions might just come around surprisingly quickly, creating a good environment for receptivity, right?
(Forgive the tag questions, folks. One of my ESL students has that habit, and I think I've picked it up now.)
Todd
>
>Carrol
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