the littlest mason

[jporter]

>good post J.  . What difference does the coefficient make if the mercy
>approaches zero? Get rid
>of the u altogether."
>--------------------------------------
>not exactly sure of what it is you are saying but within humanity as a
>whole, mercy approaches zero but will never reach zero.  Individuals are
>a different story--suicides, madmen, take your pick from history's
>gallery.  therefore that coefficient, though static, still is valuable.
>Surely, we don't see any aspect of "cheap nihilism" (mercy at zero, self
>and otherwise) in Mason's gaze at the looking glass?  that's what makes
>him a figure for compassion
>also, what a wonderful phrase--"Strange Engines"--reflects the
>physicality of Mason's earhly work but also the crazy supernatural
>currents underlying his sad visage--something others will pick up, hardly
>ever the bearer...
>
>we should also discuss why the Vrooms pick Mason and not Dixon for their
>baby trade--do they see something in Dixon's eye that they don't see in
>Mason's (and what is it?)--Charlie being preoccupied with other worlds
>and hence easier to persuade?
>
>your fellow sister,
>
>Richard Romeo
>Coordinator of Cooperating Collections
>The Foundation Center-NYC
>212-807-2417
>rromeo at fdncenter.org


Right on Richard, you've just about nailed it. Mason requires compassion
because he is ill. If he had found his way to the apartment of Nefastis the
pistons would have moved, and I'm not talking about on the couch. The main
thing that links the koan with the coefficient is Mason's pathology. I
thought that was clear. He is oblivious to his perceived image, and the
reason's for his attractiveness to the Vrooms, again:

     "None of this has appear'd to him in any mirror he's consulted."

But what mirror is he consulting? And that's the larger point. Where do we
look for ourselves? For Mason:

        "...among those into which he has ever gaz'd, seeking anything but what
        he knows will be there..."

He does not want to see Mason. He prefers the escape of delusion. While
Dixon is alive he is barely able to keep it together, even when separated,
but once Dixon dies, not even his own children can hold him together. It's
really quite sad, his inability to see himself in others, I think. Don't
need no buddha nature to see that one...

jody