Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1998 11:45:59 +0100 (BST)
From: Karl <kam13-AT-hermes.cam.ac.uk>
Subject: Re: Bourdieu: realist, materialist...?


> >Just an aside Tobin - have you seen that scene in Good Will Hunting where
> >the Will character reveals the parroting of a Harvard student in a bar?
> >Sounds like what you were saying.
> 
> Oh yeah.  Of course the Harvard student is a bit of a caricature, designed
> to show off Will.  But whatever the strengths and weaknesses of that movie,
> its dramaturgical choices give a pretty good glimpse at the dynamics of
> intellectual culture here.  For example, Will is a genius particularly at
> *math*, well fitting U.S. technologistic priorities--but in order to have a
> romantic couple, the filmmakers match him with an *English* woman.  That
> gives him a mate with recognized cultural capital: perhaps casting an
> American woman wouldn't give enough of a "high culture" lift.  (If I
> remember right, she's studying medicine, which suitably bridges the
> scientific and the humanistic).
> 

Good point.  And she is independet financially (rich cos of an
inheritance).  Though her nationality may be a reverse case of the way in
which any English feels obliged to put an American (usually a woman who,
in typical liberated Amercian style helps unlock the Englishman's stiff
upper lip) in a lead role.  I actually enjoyed the movie (hey, for once
Robin Williams doesn't overact like mad!). in spite of the caricatures.

Wittgenstein said something once about minds becoming hardened, like
arteries.  I too, like your Finnish experience, have noticed an
interesting chiastic structure (as Bourdieu would put it) whereby many
students seem to have either much learned reading and knowledge OR a
quick, flexible and inquisitive mind.  (Personally, I've always made the
joke that my mind is uncluttered by facts or knowledge). 

Karl

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