Keith and focs
Keith wrote
>I'm willing to moderate a separate "slow reading list".*
>If we're going to do this, I'd prefer to start over from Chapter 1 on
>the new list, but I realize that most people probably don't want to
>rehash what we've done this month. In any case, please respond
>with your thoughts on whether to proceed with slow reading or
>let it die a natural death at the end of this month. I have no interest
>one way or the other, but I'm willing to do this if there's enough
>enthusiasm within the group. Please give honest feedback so we
>can decide what to do.
Thanks for volunteering Keith.
I'm still interested in making a go of the slow reading. This month has been
a bit muddled but I think it will be vastly better with a coordinator, so
count me in as one of your minimum of ten subscribers.
My comments on your suggested procedures:
I understand the reasons for wanting to start at the beginning, honest I do,
and initially I was going to support that, but I've just thought of a very
good reason for starting at chap 4.
Lend me your eyes and I'll explain:
The trouble, at least with chaps 1 and 2, is that they are introductory
chapters. If we are going to limit ourselves to those texts only there's not
that much to debate. Pirsig is paving the way for themes such as the levels
(sex with Lila, Rigel the snob) and dhyana (space, vacationing). But these
ideas aren't actually presented until later on so it's illegal to talk about
them at this stage. It's not till chapter 3 that he starts theorizing. The
peyote and mysticism stuff is inconclusive at that stage, but there's a
fully fledged theory on the Indian influence on American culture which is a
nice contentious issue for discussion. The most interesting posts this month
for me have been Ken's, Cory's and David T's who have given their own
perspectives on it. Pirsig is making a pretty outrageous claim and it's only
reasonable that we examine it and see if it holds up.
I've cheated and read chapter 4 already. Mainly it's about anthropologists'
"objectivity". Again, Pirsig is saying some pretty awful things about
anthropology and academia in general here and I think it's only fair to ask
how valid his criticisms are? What exactly is he complaining about? Is there
any external evidence to support or refute his claims? Don't just take
everything he says without questioning it! Those seem to me to be the main
questions for chapter 4.
And then, I skimmed chapter 5 where he tries to define value and looks
at the mystic vs intellectual approaches to understanding reality - again lots
of controversial stuff and no need to go dragging in themes from later chapters.
So, do you see?? Chapters 1 and 2 didn't generate much debate, not because
they were bad but because they were *introductory*. Chapter 3 had more to
pick at, but we got distracted by people bringing in themes that weren't in
the text. With stricter moderating that could have been prevented though.
If we have to trail through 1 and 2 again, I think people are going to find
it bland and we might lose enthusiasm (which is already low). We need a good
meaty chapter so that everyone can get a clear picture of how this is going
to work. Chaps 1 and 2 are not typical of the rest of the book (and we have
already covered them after all). This is a forum for debate and they don't
have the kind of theories in them that make for good debate. I'm afraid
we're going to find ourselves wondering what the point is and losing
confidence in the project again. Chap 3 would be okay, but, please ... I
think I've had enough of it for now;-)
So I say go to Chap 4. Consider March a warm-up session. The archive from
this month can be moved to the new list so we will have a complete record of
the whole book in one place.
I realize the majority is against me in this, but at the very least can
I ask everyone to bear my points in mind and please postpone any more
obituaries until we get to chapter 5 or 6.
I also feel that a week isn't enough for a chapter. Though if we are going to start at
Chap 1 again I suggest taking one week each for the first three then moving
to a two week system.
Diana
MOQ.org - http://www.moq.org
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