[PEN-L:1963] Re: Something completely different

[glevy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Jim Jaszewski wrote:

> You flatter yourself [Andrew], in comparing yourself and others to Marx.
> That was a different time, but I'm sure Marx would've only quit the List
> temporarily, if he was overwhelmed with work and still among the Living...
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Of course, we have no way of knowing what Marx would have felt about the
Marxism list. Since Jim has offered his speculation, though, I will offer
mine. I believe that Marx would have said something similar to what Joan
Robinson said when she heard that Milton Friedman won the Nobel
(paraphrase): "I am rolling over in my grave." Note that Robinson said
that while she was still _alive_!

Some (I believe mistakingly) view the "struggle" on the Marxism list as
one between "academics" and "activists." I do not believe that the
Marxism archives will support this interpretation. I view the "struggle"
as one between those who take politics -- theory and praxis -- seriously
and those who do _not_.

The idea suggested the other day that the Marxism list is the forum
through which international activists are discussing a potential  new
"International" is ... laughable. The Marxism list, as presently
constituted, is a mirror of all the sectarian politics that have
discredited Marxists in the past.

Must it be so? No. I still believe that the Marxism list has potential --
for which the moderators have fought valiantly (and been consistently
flamed for their efforts). When "Marxists" on that list (I have
deliberately chosen to place that word in quotes) take politics seriously
again and realize that Marxism is something more than an opportunity for
one-liners and flaming, then the "academics" may return in greater numbers.

For myself, I remain on that list although I continue to wonder if I am a
latent masochist for so doing.

Jerry