From: Paul Turner (paul@turnerbc.co.uk)
Date: Wed Jul 13 2005 - 12:31:38 BST
Hi all,
Taking Ian's cue, I just wanted to share a couple of brief thoughts about
the Liverpool MOQ Conference before I go back on my travels.
1) Bob
At the conference Robert M. Pirsig, author of one of the most popular
philosophical novels of all time, became Bob. One of the things he said to
me was: "Celebrity and Zen are diametrically opposed - celebrity pushes the
ego up, Zen knocks it down." It is probably not surprising then to learn
that there is no celebrity with Pirsig. Partially because of this, and
partially because of the intellectual vigour of the attendees, although it
would have been easy for the group to sit and wait for a steady flow of
pearls of wisdom to emerge from the "Great Author," this didn't occur. The
feeling I got was that Bob was *part of* the conference, *part of* the
discussion, but not its centrepiece. And it was clear, and perhaps obvious,
that the discussion is for us to continue, not Bob. It felt to me as though
a tremendous intellectual effort that had started so many years ago amongst
enemies in Chicago had ended quietly amongst friends in Liverpool.
2) moq.org
As we began to meet each other, the intellectual patterns we have become
familiar with over the years were supplemented by the biological and social
patterns of the individuals who comprise moq.org. These patterns quickly
formed a new kind of pattern, a new social connection which, at this stage
at least, may be as important as the intellectual patterns which they
support. Mati Palm-Leis' paper, which will hopefully soon be available to
all, has something to say about this with respect to overcoming academic
resistance to the MOQ.
A small word of caution though, which was discussed amongst a couple of
attendees over post-conference drinks, is that the social community must not
be allowed to overwhelm the intellectual development of the moq.org.
3) This is how it happens
A number of times during the three days I spent in Liverpool, the phrase
"This is how it happens" drifted through my thoughts. Intellectual
development, evolution, occurs during a wet July in Liverpool as much as
anywhere else. A modest static latch it may have been but I think it may
turn out to be a significant one.
4) Gumption
The timing of the conference was significant for me personally. The energy
created by the events has replenished my waning enthusiasm for philosophy
and for the potential of the Quality idea to facilitate change where it is
needed most. Certainly, albeit regrettably, the coincidence of the
conference with the bombings in London (where I would have otherwise been
working) threw the significance and power of values into sharp relief.
Best regards
Paul
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