V.V. (20) Perspectivism: Nietzsche, Stencil (& Pynchon)

[jbor]

After old Stencil's meditations on how the alignment and clashing of
perspectives determine the course of any given "Situation", and that
dream-journey into his own grey matter in search of "the soul", he returns
abruptly to the present, the "Situation" he has arrived in Malta to monitor
for the British F.O., these June Disturbances.

      Assume, then, a prospect of chaos in the streets, joined by every
    group on the island with a grudge. ...
                            (471.17)

Then follows those (gloved?) hands pointing towards each of the various
factions involved in the political disturbances brewing. Interesting
"signifier", those pointing hands ...

The political farce -- the hypocrisy and manipulations, the opportunistic
alliances -- which Pynchon depicts going on in Malta certainly resonates
with "Disturbances" of more recent times:

      Assume, then, a prospect of chaos in the streets, joined by every
    group on the island with a grudge. This would include nearly everyone
    but the OAG and his staff. Doubtless each would think only of his own
    immediate desires. But mob violence, like tourism, is a kind of
    communion. By its special magic a large number of lonely souls, however
    hetereogenous, can share the common property of opposition to what is.
    And like an epidemic or earthquake the politics of the street can
    overtake the most stable-appearing of governments; like death it cuts
    through and gathers in all ranks of society.

Malta ... Genoa ... ? Interestingly -- sensibly perhaps -- Genovese
authorities warned against tourists visiting the city during the period of
the current trade talks.

best