In appending new forms the backward society takes not their beginnings, nor the stages of their evolution, but the finished product itself. In fact it goes even further; it copies not the product as it exists in its countries of origin but its ‘ideal type’, and it is able to do so for the very reason that it is in a position to append instead of going through the process of development. This explains why the new forms, in a backward society, appear more perfected than in an advanced society where they are approximations only to the ‘ideal’ for having been arrived at piecemeal and with the framework of historical possibilities.
This is a perfect description of Dubai:
But in the desireforperfection whatgets repeatedaswell isnot the 'idealtype', but thenegativeoftheideal; the darkunderisde ofthe eternalcity, an infernalcity. Here,only a blacksun dimlyglows; is it day, is it night?
MikeDavis: PlanetofSlums: wordscrampedlikepeople
2 comments:
Hi Billo,
I read a review last week of something I thought might be interesting - the book by Philip Rieff " Charisma - The Gift of Grace and How It Has Been Taken Away From Us" The author died recently, he was a sociologist at the University of Pennsylvania.
I thought from the review it would interest you. You may know about him already :)
Have you read 'Pandemonium' by Humphrey Jennings - a book tracing the development of modernity made up of quotations, similar to Benjamin's Arcades project. Refering to your post Feb 26, how we can re/construct narrative, reconstitute history, must it always be from positions of alienation?
Hypertextual contents/constructions are they be definition somehow already conceding to the fact of rootlessness ? I think they face both ways - into the past and perhaps towards the future, if only like a blind man gropping. Oh dear, sounds v.depressing - the temerity to hope? yes "the fundamental goodness of the world is secure."
Citizen, hello!
Good to hear from you after all this time.
What a co-incidence..I was looking for his book just this Thursday . It's quite strange that no-one seems to stock his books. I've only read part of his 'deathworks' (one of my posts, 'third world' has some quotes). Still think Guenon and Schuon are better though..
I have no answer to your question Citizen. A friend is very fond of a Lenoard Cohen song..something about a blizzard, how the order of the world is overturned. Perhaps all we can do is shelter till it blows over. Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will...
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