From: Fellhand-AT-aol.com
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 1996 19:18:08 -0500
Subject: Re: nomad


on interdisciplinarity:

the thing is to not think of these disciplines as areas of research etc. but
as centers of power.  the first demand is that there be a clear structure or
taxonomy into which we can fit stuff, and around which we can control the
resources.  in one way the problem with interdisciplinarity is real simple:
where will your funding come from; who's going to supervise you; who gets
credit for your successes and blame for your failures; whose side will you be
on in some internecine conflict?  so everyone has to _have a place_ that's
clearly marked within the taxonomy.   the only places with real rich
interdiciplinary activities are places where the interdisc. thing is itself
awarded a place in the structure, where there's a "humanities center" say,
with its own chair, its own funding, its own students etc.  what we need to
do is beef up the on-campus war machine for the purpose of disarticulating
the taxonomic web.  and if you believe that, i'll tell you another.

crispin

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