Date: Fri, 7 Jun 1996 14:25:58 -0400 (EDT)
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


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