From: SQUONKSTAIL@aol.com
Date: Sat May 10 2003 - 14:12:56 BST
Steve:
Have you written a summary of the MOQ that you are happy with? If so, I'd
be interested to read it.
Hi Steve,
No i have not. I don't feel any desire to either.
Having said that, i do feel there is huge potential for MoQ research.
However, the research conducted so far has been primarily of an, 'Here is MY
interpretation' sort, which is a waste of creative energy in my view. A
better path for research, and one i try to undertake myself, is an 'Here are
some insights provided as a direct illumination of the MoQ' sort.
(What follows is a bit 'soapbox' so feel free to stop if you like!)
In my view, the path of research undertaken so far may be analysed using the
MoQ itself. In this regard, my criticisms of this forum are an example of the
MoQ at work? I hope so anyway. Applying MoQ thinking to the forum reveals, if
i am near the target, social patterns of value having come to undermining
intellectual potential. There has been much of great value - Lila's child,
the work by Anthony McWatt, but i feel there is so much more potential. I
emphasise this for this reason: The MoQ is such a challenging perceptual
shift from the one provided by western culture, that it will require many
people to forge the path ahead. It's time to get to work and build upon the
significant and excellent work already done, and what has already been done
by those who have applied themselves should deserve all the attention it
deserves. Sadly, this is being fogged and left unattended. No one, for
example, said a word about McWatt's last essay? And that is precisely the
application of MoQ thinking to some of our cultural problems?
That's my 20/20 hindsight view as provided by the my understanding of the
MoQ. Nothing i say is written in stone and must be challenged, of course. No
problems with that.
What can be done next to help?
The MoQ says little about that, because one cannot use the MoQ as a crystal
ball. However, having an excellent view of where you've been may be a good
guide to where you may be going? That's very helpful wouldn't you say? And to
this end i decided to influence social stasis with a dynamic intellectual
approach: satire. That's a moral activity in MoQ terms, because if satire is
an intellectual activity, then it may be moral to use it to undermine social
stasis?
But is satire an intellectual activity? Well, people have been killed because
they satirised. The social status quo can find it very threatening. Satirists
throughout history have been damn lucky if they get away with it. Even the
court fool, who provided possibly the only real mirror for an individual
surrounded by hellish deceit had to be careful never to be anything less than
completely honest. See how that is an example of satire being used BY social
patterns for their own safety? The fool's trade is pure, 100% real - anything
less could mean death? And its also exceptionally dynamic wouldn't you agree?
Or can be anyway. Would you not agree that good satire is rather like jazz
improvisation? When it hits the mark, it is leaving the total repertoire of
current static patterning and becoming something new?
I wonder what the MoQ has to say about satire? I would venture satire is
intellectual quality. Without intellectual patterns satire becomes social
badgering. Am looking into this over the summer...
(The soapbox is thankfully retreated.)
I would suggest reading 'Zen in the art of archery' by Euen Herrigel, 'The
meeting of East and West' by FSC Northrop, and The guide to ZMM - which is
easily found. Indian and Zen thinking as a long haul, but woefully neglected
in the forum.
With regard to your inside/outside thing, i would suggest dropping that. This
distinction is misleading. That's something you may wish to DO rather than
TALK about? You are the real motorcycle, and this forum would do well to help
us in this regard.
Best of luck,
squonk.
MOQ.ORG - http://www.moq.org
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