Date: Fri, 7 Jun 1996 14:25:58 -0400 (EDT) From: Jon Beasley-Murray <jpb8-AT-acpub.duke.edu> Subject: Re: J'accuse Virilio M'dear... On Fri, 7 Jun 1996, Rahul Mahajan wrote: > If you say something about a subject you know that you know nothing about, > and it's wrong, it's not fraud? My moral universe is expanding every day. We're going a little far here, are we not? M. Virilio no doubt considers himself to be nicely genned up on the subject. While your moral universe expands so does your imagination. Incidentally, what if you say something about a subject you know that you know nothing about and it's right... is that still fraud? > It's the point I made in re the original question, and one that is > potentially devastating if not answered. Devastate me. It's not the point I responded to, however--other people also initiate topics of discussion on this forum, unhappy though you may be about this fact. > It doesn't matter that it's > uninteresting. That should make it easier to answer, if anything. It > certainly couldn't hurt to establish whatever few things we agree on. The > larger point that modern academic work is full of this fraudulent posturing > is hardly uninteresting. The larger point hasn't been made. The thesis that modern academic work is full of people who are wrong is one I've believed for a long, long time. Personally, I prefer telling people that they're wrong than suggesting they're dishonest--perhaps, however, this latter tactic makes you yourself feel better. I can quite see that, and you are beginning to convince me that there'd be a certain amount of pleasure in such denunciation. Indeed, I'll try it again: J'accuse, j'accuse, j'accuse. Again, it *did* make me feel good. But now you tell me I've done nothing. *That* makes me feel a little bad. Tell me again what I have to do... > Don't know and don't care. I can think of at least 500 books higher up on > my list of priorities. Don't care was made to care. You certainly seem fixated on this particular sentence. You're welcome to your 500 books. I also can think of 500 books further up my list of priorities. I did try and mention a few of them, and would be happy to mention others in due course (but that would be missing *your* point. Sorry.) > Since you haven't done anything, I can't see that "what comes next" is a > serious question. People like you should be fighting this kind of fraud > instead of dismissing people who do as "hysterical." Tell me how to fight. Make me strong. Let us start with a letter-writing campaign to _The Times_. How'd that do, eh Rahul? Or shall we stick to email discussion groups? When will be done? How will we know when we are done? This is just the beginning... remember we're also freeing up Ralph's time. It will be worth it. > Rahul Love 'n' all Jon Jon Beasley-Murray Literature Program Duke University jpb8-AT-acpub.duke.edu http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/~spoons --- from list marxism2-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---
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