Even Cathy Berberian knows...she can't sing

[Ian Livingston]

Yes, David, I know where the terms come from. In fact, the term
"Modern" (modernus) goes back to the 5th century of the current era.
Anyway, using it to describe the current period in philosophy, science
and the arts has merit, so long as it is, as Joseph suggests used with
a modicum of grace. My point, which is already old and trite so I'll
shut up on it after this, is that "Postmodernism" cannot exist,
because the word itself refers to something that has not yet happened,
something after the current time, which is modern. No style of
architecture, no literary or philosophical trends, and no scientific
investigative procedures fit the category. There just is no such
thing. Pynchon is a contemporary writer, not a future one. Unless he's
really one of his own characters from AtD, in which case I suppose he
is plagiarizing works he is going to write when he actually exists at
some period in the future.

Please understand I say all this with a wry grin and wonder why I'm
not posting on V. as I want to be doing, but I only have these few
moments each morning to say anything at all. Perhaps it's just an
expression of my own frustration with modern pressures.

On Fri, Sep 10, 2010 at 8:09 PM, Joseph Tracy <brook7 at sover.net> wrote:
>
> On Sep 10, 2010, at 2:39 PM, Dave Williams wrote:
>
>>> I still resist and deplore use of the
>>> terms, modern and post-modern as
>>> literary descriptors.
>>
>> We've not much choice; terms come with the job. that said I resist and
>> deplore the use of terms too....and like Heck I deplore and resist the use
>> of standard spelling punctuation grammar conventions usage sausage peppers
>> black beans white rice onions and almost every other thing i'm too lazy
>> to...cook up ...etc...& Co. and .....so 4th & sew in so sez
>>
>> The term modern has lotz of meanings. The Renaissance, for example. And
>> Shakespeare's Language, contrary to what your avg. person thinks, is modern
>> english. modernism and modernist and post-modernism and post-modernist are
>> fairly useful tools in the right shed when kept sharp
>>
>> if we insist that no terms or classifications be permitted or that Ivan's
>> dictate must be followed and ergo "everything is permitted" we can not have
>> any meaningful dialog or dialog or dialectic.
>
> I have to disagree . Once terms exist we should use them sparingly and with
> a focus on what is meant, acknowledging their limited and often short lived
> usefulness.  I prefer simpler words. A given word can only carry so much
> baggage before it is like a fat Man in a canoe, an anchor hooked on a rock.
>  Instead of carrying  the passenger it sinks her  or ties him down.
>>
>> but i resist and deplore anyone's attempt to sence-sore me or how i right
>> wrong
>>
>>
>>
>
>



-- 
"liber enim librum aperit."