GRGR(19) - Temporal Bandwidth

[David Morris]

OK, so bigger temporal bandwidth makes for a more
solid persona.  And an extremely large TB would make
for an extremely solid persona, like rock:  Immobile,
All-seeing but no-doing, like a statue.  This might be
a good description of Bodhisattva Moundagen who is
full of sympathy for Pokler, but is purposely
inactive.  He CARES, but stays very very cool.

On the other hand, Slothrop is loosing solidity by the
moment.  Slothrop CARES (although he is starting to
grow emotionally numb), but has no concept of playing
it cool.

Then we come to Pokler.  When he's given his vacation
leave w/ extra cash he (or the narrator) thinks:
"Would he dare not come back? Could he think so far
ahead?" (418.39)  It seems Pokler has Slothrop's
proclivity to not "think ahead."  But does this really
link them as like characters?

No, they are not alike IMHO.  Slothrop is totally
ACTIVE, yet unpremeditated.  Pokler is completely
INACTIVE and this characteristic develops into a very
formalized ritual w/ Weissman.  Pokler's innocence,
ignorance, and inactivity are very calculated.

----------
(419.10) In a corporate State, a place must be made
for innocence, and its many uses.
----------
(421.11) What Pokler did [in the face of the 2nd
(3rd?) Ilse's very obvious sexual advance toward him]
was to believe she wanted comfort that night [...]
Despite Their game, their palpable evil, [...] by an
act not of faith, not of courage but of conservation,
he chose to believe that.
----------

Moundagen's Law might not describe a desirable state
of character.  In some ways he seems to be Pokler's
teacher at Peenemunde.  Is Pokler his "stone
statue-in-training?"  Cold, solid, unmoving?

----------
(423.4)  In '43, because he was in Zwolfkinder, Pokler
missed the British raid on Peenemunde. [...] Weissman
was saving him for something: some unique destiny.
[...] Not quite balanced... a bit paranoid, yes,
yes,... but the thought purred on in his brain, and he
felt himself slowly turning to stone.
----------

David Morris

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