Re: Thinking out loud

Richard K. Moore wrote this in response to my comment:

Also, that the list has a strong in-group culture, with
disdain for outside views (re: "like the caterpillar in
'Alice in Wonderland'..."). I suppose that explains why
responses to my Guidebook draft have all been sent off-list.

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My use of the metaphor of the caterpillar wasn't meant to express disdain.
It was meant to make a point that words generally DON'T have intrinsic
meanings and people often use them in different ways. The way I define
"racism" and "communism" and "fascism", among others, have often been
critiqued by others. I don't have "disdain" for Richard's views. I find many
of his comments helpful in defining and clarifying many of the issues that
are discussed on WSN.

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----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard K. Moore" <richard@cyberjournal.org>
To: "Austin, Andrew" <austina@uwgb.edu>
Cc: <wsn@csf.colorado.edu>
Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2000 1:18 PM
Subject: RE: Thinking out loud


>
> 11/30/2000, Austin, Andrew wrote:
>     > I think Louis is implying that Richard is using a weaker
>     (less meaningful) conception of "revolution." Even if we
>     leave the realm of Marxist thought, we do not usually
>     describe the (rightward) intensification of a historical
>     system as a "revolution."
>
> OK.  Now I've learned Louis wasn't being facetious.
>
> And I've learned that on this list it is considered odd to
> think outside Marxist lines... (re: "_even if we leave the
> realm...").
>
> Also, that the list has a strong in-group culture, with
> disdain for outside views (re: "like the caterpillar in
> 'Alice in Wonderland'..."). I suppose that explains why
> responses to my Guidebook draft have all been sent off-list.
>
> >From my off-the-edge-of-the-world perspective, I can
> certainly agree that the neoliberal revolution is a
> consolidation of power within the ruling class, and not a
> change of ruling classes.  But the neoliberal 'whatever' _is
> a fundamental shift in power relations which extends
> dramatically the scope of the disenfranchised, and the depth
> of disenfranchisement, not to mention the scope and depth of
> exploitation. I think that provides a revolutionary (in your
> sense) opportunity.  Ie, lots of new allies.  But that's
> only if we can talk to them.
>
> rkm
>
>
>