File spoon-archives/deleuze-guattari.archive/deleuze-guattari_1996/d-g_Jan.96, message 73


Date: Sat, 13 Jan 1996 13:11:31 -0400
From: rowalsh2-AT-vt.edu (Robert Walsh)
Subject: Re: Anti-Oedipus, inter alia


In my original post, I was attempting to point out what I see as a problem
in many discussions of D+G,
the believed interchangibility of the terms system and structure in the
context of their writing.

hypathia suggested:

>Perhaps Andrew's original reference to structure could be sustained in a
>'rhizomatic' structure as opposed to the exclusive structuring inherent in
>Oedipus.  Robert try looking at the stuff in intro to ATP and Dialogues on
>the difference between arborescent structures and rhizomatic structures.
>
>hypatia

I did so, and am now even further convinced that this distinction between
the terms is being
downplayed.   In the context of Anti-O and ATP, this distinction is more
than one of semantics.
hypathia was suggesting that the system of the unconscious and of desire is
possibly an arborescent
'structure'.  I disagree.  This is based in the opinion that the difference
between systems and structures
is central to their writings.

The rhizome can and must (be able to) connect to anything other, however
within a structure a multiplicity's growth is limited 'by a reduction in
its laws of combination' (ATP, Intro).  Therefore,
I would suggest that my original misgivings still hold.

Rhizomes resist the segmentarity inherent in structures/capitalism, but
this segmentarity is also inherent in the process of rhizomes.  For me,
this does not mean that rhizomes are limited and structured but that the
process of the rhizomatic flow is dependent upon conflict with these
structures.  A conflict which is continous, simply because the system and
flows can not be boxed up for long.

Am I alone in believing that this distinction between system and strucyure
is more than
a game of word choice?  Any other opinions would be greatly appreciated.

-bob



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