Discourse and gibbons

[P. Kerim Friedman]

On 11/16/02 9:22 AM, "Celso Alvarez Cáccamo" <lxalvarz at udc.es> wrote:

> But I don't think that that "pure expression of power" emerges out of the
> blue, but, precisely, through the mediation of discourse(s). Sorry, but
> your words sound a little essentialist, as they privilege notions ("power")
> over our understanding of socio-discursive processes.

Point well taken - and I think we are generally in agreement but I wish to
clarify one point: I wasn't suggesting that this "pure expression of power"
is always the case (that discourse can be reduced to power) - but pointing
out that perhaps not all of our behavior is as "mediated" as we think. Do
you think that "ALL" human behavior is mediated by discourse? That is, is it
not possible that a certain percentage of the time we are acting in a way
that is functionally equivalent to chimps? Even if we are using language
while we do it!? How much do we listen to the content of what people say, as
opposed to their tone of voice and their facial expressions? For that
matter, how much is watching TV the functional equivalent of sitting around
a fire gazing at the burning embers? Sure, there are words, advertisements,
sex, and violence on TV - and I'm not saying those are unimportant - but
simply that they may be less important than we often suppose.

Maybe I watch too many nature documentaries, but I just think humans are a
little too cocky sometimes, and we over-value those things which make us
unique. Funny thing is that this is a product of our linguistic nature,
always arguing over subtle distinctions ...

kerim

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P. Kerim Friedman

kerim.mail at oxus.net
http://kerim.oxus.net
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