I love this book! I also love literature and so does Peter Thorpe, who wrote the book. What he's saying is that literature, even the best literature, has an unrecognized dark side and that it's hurt almost as many people as it's helped. Here's a sample of Thorpe's style:
Sorry about the underlining. I hate to read a book after someone else underlined it. Usually I do all my underlining lightly in pencil so I can erase it if I have to. It looks like I used a ball point pen here. Sorry.
A few chapter titles: How Literature Seperates Us from Our feelings/How Reading MAkes Us Lazy/Our High Toleration of Incompetence/Oversimplifying Human Nature/Why We Write Badly/How Literature Gives Us the Lust for Revenge.
Interesting, eh?
People like to hear that they're right and the opposition is wrong. If they don't read this sort of thing with the heroes of books, movies, or TV, they'll try to surround themselves with other like-minded people in order to elevate they're own POV somewhat.
ReplyDeleteThat's also the biggest problem with American politics these days (and other days gone by). There's too much "I'm right and you're wrong" B.S. flying back & forth on the senate floor that nothing gets done.
And anyone who disagrees with this post is a Communist idiot. ;) (just kidding)
I prefer it when you talk about Aeroplanes.
ReplyDeleteYou see this is another reason why I believe that insects will take over this planet. Their extremely organised social structures are far more efficient than human society. Anybody contrary...dies!All they need is some exposure to 50's sci fi atomic radiation and we are buggered!...
ReplyDeleteIn all seriousness, I believe that sometimes being contrary and bringing anarchy to the establishment is a healthy way to avoid stagnation. Revolution is good for evolution! Also, being contrary may help you to find your own voice within a large establishment.
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Friedrich Nietzsche.
What's a little struggle and sadness if you are rewarded with independence?
No offense...but "yippies"??
ReplyDeleteSeems to me his premises are badly dated and an obvious reaction(and reactionary)to what was popular in academic circles at the time he wrote this.
I feel lazier after reading all of this! Ack!
ReplyDeleteUncle Eddie, you always make me use my brain beyond the normal internet experience- damn you!
Mr. Browne: Nice Nietzche reference!
ReplyDeleteEverybody: That book cover is the ugliest I've ever seen. If I'd known it would look that bad in print I would have used some other graphic.
Anyway, I see that it's possible to publish sample pages of books. Veeeerry interesting!
Most interesting read. I also agree with Mr. Browne's statements that rebellion is a useful vehicle in keeping things moving and "evolving". I'd hate to think of how boring things might have been if nobody ever tried to stand out or do something different.
ReplyDeleteOfftopic but I noticed your post about Blogger being down.
ReplyDeleteIf Blogger is frustrating you, maybe it's time to think about a Typepad or Wordpress Blog.
There is a built in importer from Blogger within Wordpress that makes it easy to bring all your old posts and comments to the new site.
Jeff: Thanks for the advice. Chloe and others had the same opinion. I hate to say it but I'm inclined to stay with Blogger because it has the feel of a big, friendly old mutt that screws up sometimes, but which posesses a soul of some kind.
ReplyDeleteEddie
'A big, friendly old mutt that screws up sometimes, but which possesses a soul of some kind'? Sounds like what Donald Rumsfeld is trying to be.
ReplyDeleteThis has me thinking of Jeff Daniels' character in The Squid and the Whale. Did you see that movie? I loved it.
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful paradox. Most (mythological) heroes are the physical representation of the values associated with their society. The hero may have skirmishes with his established social order but he is fighting based upon ideals from his culture. For example, Viking heroes were encouraged to raid other civilizations...the attributes of the Viking culture (independence, personal strength, self glorification) made it have direct conflicts with established social orders.
ReplyDeleteThis is the most interesting thing I've read all day. I've always thought that the ancient heroes fought so hard to cause change for egotistical reasons, and not because they had anything better to bring to the table.
ReplyDelete