[lbo-talk] Regression to Adolescence [was lumpen]

[Carrol Cox]

Three of them. Very successfully. What I object to as so much blowing in
the wind is this use of "maturity" or "adolescence" as sneers. It was
Steele who invented the idea of criticizing an adult by calling him/her
immature. It is a really stupid way to go about it. And it is in fact
always wrong except in the private fantasies of whoever is using this
sneer.

The basis for calling an adult behavior "adolescent" (i.e., immature) is
the metaphor of the human person as an apple. Not ripe. It's a silly
metaphor, and was silly when Steele used it. It's a mere putdown with no
substance. It offends me every time I see someone use it.

Carrol

joanna wrote:
> 
> You've never raised a child?
> 
> J.
> 
> Carrol Cox wrote:
> 
> >This stuff about "adult" and "adolescence" (juvenile) was banal when
> >STeele invented it, and it hasn't improved with time.
> >
> >Carrol
> >___________________________________
> >http://mailman.lbo-talk.org/mailman/listinfo/lbo-talk
> >
> >
> >
> 
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