Date: Thu, 3 Apr 1997 10:16:50 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Re: M-TH: Re: Gobbledygook on Stilts


sprynet wrote:

>>"At the core of this performative left lies the idea that
ÒidentityÓ is founded on an ÒimpossibilityÓ Ñ the ÒlackÓ of a reliable
anchorage in the extra-discursive real Ñ which when ÒrevealedÓ subverts
the ÒconceptÓ and leads to the free and equal disseminati on of ÒpleasureÓ
for everyone.  ÒPleasureÓ is meant to reference that ÒmomentÓ when
everyday means-end rationality Ñ the conventional adequation of signifier
to signified Ñ is disrupted and ÒmeaningÓ is liberated from its compulsory
cultural normativity."

Yeah, whatever.<<

Brad: To everyone so disconcerted about this type of discourse, I suggest you
check out what's going on theoretically in the dominant academy these days.
 However complex (and verbose) this type of theory may be (queer theory,
poststructuralism, post-colonialism, dominant cultural studies, etc), it
poses the greatest threat to Marxist theory (in the academy) through its
occlusion of a historically and materially based understanding of the social
totality.  THE MARXIST COLLECTIVE AT BUFFALO IS NOT ADVOCATING THIS TYPE OF
THEORY, BUT ATTEMPTING TO TAKE UP THE TERMS OF WHAT PASSES FOR "THEORY" IN
THE DOMINANT ACADEMY AND SUPERSCEDE THIS WITH A DIALECTICAL, HISTORICAL, AND
MATERIALIST UNDERSTANDING!  IT IS A FORM OF COMBAT WITH THE LATEST BOURGEOIS
IDEALISM PUT OUT BY THE LATE CAPITALIST KNOWLEDGE INDUSTRY.  AS ONE IMPORTANT
SITE OF STRUGGLE (I.E. THE ACADEMY IN ITS CURRENT FORM INTERPELLATES MANY OF
THE FUTURE WORKERS AND MANAGERS) AGAINST CAPITALISM, IT IS NECESSARY TO FIGHT
THIS SHIT WITH AN EQUAL AMOUNT OF COMPLEXITY AND RIGOR!
Unfortunately i have to go, but will follow up with any threads this may
generate.

In Solidarity,
Brad


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