Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2001 15:36:47 +1000
Subject: Re: The Sublime



Eric/All,

Eric wrote,
> I may be misinterpeting you, but a some level you seem to be implying
> that each definition of the sublime is an idea in some philosopher's
> mind.

Something like that, but if we agree that the sublime is real, and that the
event, the sublime event, is an actualized "is it happening" affecting
sentient human beings, affecting any one of the 6 billion of them still with
us -
all philosophers are but a tiny speck on that canvas.

Of all thoughts and feelings, which in Lyotardian terms, we do not have
the words to express,  those provoked by a "sublime" events may be most
deeply felt and longest remembered.

I just read a poem by an 11 year old boy, who is likely to perish from a
form of
dystrophy that killed his three older siblings.  Was the poem sublime?  It
was
touching.  Of thousands of poems, I've read,  perphaps half a dozen had such
a strong effect.

Nearly half a million copies of his two small volumes of poetry have been
printed. One will make the NYTimes top 15 of hardcover books to be published
December 9.  The other will be on the paperback list.

They are not books for children.  Without the power of the Spectacle
(Commmunications and Entertainment industries) it is unlikely the books
would ever have reached the public.  Nor would Harry Potter stories and
movie, which at least have the virtue of encouraging a lot of children to
read books.

best,

Hugh