From: "Alan Liu" <ayliu-AT-humanitas.ucsb.edu>
Subject: RE: throw jameson a bone
Date: Sun, 18 Oct 1998 00:10:11 -0700


I strongly suggest that the L-list not preface its intended discussion with
Jameson's forward, since that would in effect preemptively establish a set of
critical questions.  J's forward is an effective and strong one, and that is
the problem.  The last paragraph in particular initiates a critique of Lyotard
in the service of a general critique of postindustrialism (in its persona as
"late capitalism," a rogue variant of the same-old capitalism) that forecloses
any real entertainment of the fundamental Lyotardian question in this work:
"can there be the new," or more paralogically, the "different"?

I'd suggest instead that the intended discussion of _The Postmodern
Condition_, which now has an announced beginning point and date, conclude
symmetrically in a specific terminus: a discussion of the reception of
"postmodern"in specifically social, economic, or institutional terms as a
"condition" (rather than primarily as an aesthetics or style).  Two authors I
would suggest for such a post-discussion: (1) Jameson (the forward to Lyotard
plus "Postmodernism and Consumer Society," in Hal Foster, ed., _The
Anti-Aesthetic: Essays on Postmodern Culture_ (Port Townsend, Wash.: Bay
Press, 1983) or the latter piece in expanded and less crystal-sharp form as
Chap. 1 of _Postmodernism, or the Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism_ (Durham:
Duke Univ. Press, 1991); (2) Bill Readings, _The University in Ruins_
(Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard Univ. Press, 1996).

"Jameson's Pastiche and Lyotard's Paralogy," for example, would make for a
wonderful, tightly focused topic of discussion.  As would: "Lyotard's versus
Readings' University."

P.S.  Regarding the _Differend_: that is a much ampler, deeper, richer,
multilayered, and ultimately endless work.  I very much doubt that a
"chapter-by-chapter" discussion plan would be sustainable or finishable.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-lyotard-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
> [mailto:owner-lyotard-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu]On Behalf Of Bayard G.
> Bell
> Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 1998 9:42 AM
> To: lyotard-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
> Subject: Re: throw jameson a bone
>
>
> A suggestion: read Jameson before and after.  We can use Jameson as an
> overview before starting and return to him with our own views to assess
> his foreword.
>
> -Bayard Bell
>
> hugh bone wrote:
> >
> > Mark Clifford wrote:
> >
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> >
> > Maybe, if you can post it for those of us who have not yet obtained the
> > book.
> >
> > HB
> >
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> > > so.
> > > any pre-review thoughts on Frederic Jameson's foreword/critique?
> > >
> > > ______________________________________________________
> > > Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com