1984. In China

[jporter]

Andrew Dinn finishes with a flourish:

>A-and here's the cheap parting shot without which this note would be
>incomplete. Even when we have the economic liberty to exercise our
>speaking rights in an informed way in a forum of our choice that still
>doesn't mean we are at liberty to change the powers (them?) that
>tolerate privileged, blinkered, liberal gadflys like ourselves, does
>it now.

Well Andy, I know where you can treat yourself to a good whipping if it
will make you feel any better about our lot. But if we can refrain from the
temptations of the crop for a moment and consider the realities such as
they are... Our lot could also be considered an opportunity to do some good
with the good fortune we enjoy, rather than extinguish any such inclination
with the pseudo-flagellation of pseudo-guilt, while we continue to enjoy
ourselves without missing a beat.

Which all brings to mind the interesting pynchonian dictum: "keep cool but
care..." A notion which I'm at a loss to apply in any consistent manner to
the Variety of situations I find myself in: Virtual or real, Vicarious or
first hand. And you know McClintic Sphere is not giving any coolness
lessons, at least any for which I'm eligible.

It also makes me realize how incredibly fortunate  Pynchon was to have been
born when he was. Compared with many of us, his generation tipped toed
through every major "hot" war of the the middle third of the century: too
young for WW II and Korea, too old for Vietnam. His is, in effect, the
quintessential cold war generation. Young, affluent and white, he could
drop out of college and safely gather experience in the navy, come back and
finish his degree...at his own pace, and look forward to seemingly
limitless opportunity. His is the charmed generation which came of age
during the period when, Newt tells us, American culture was at its zenith.
Right...

but some like it hot.

jp