[PEN-L:1965] Re: Something completely different

[Jim Jaszewski <jjazz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Thu, 14 Dec 1995 glevy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> 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_!

	What you say.  I'm going by my grasp of who Marx the Man really
was: not a quitter.


> 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_.

	Often amounts to the same thing AFAIC -- but who's saying that
it's all as black and white as you portray it..?


> 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.

	 Only a total misreading of the List would lead someone to say this
-- and it just goes to show how laffable is much of what passes for
academic `thought' in Marxademia...


> 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.

	Like I said; I, for one, reject your characterization -- and I'll
bet that many List members are waiting with bated breath for this Return
from the Mount -- _not_. (`Atlas Shrugged' comes to mind...)

	I'll say it again:  the Marxism List is uneven, but this reflects
the DIVERSITY of its members -- it's not some clubby little talk-shop of
like-minded academics... It's potential is ENORMOUS, and I simply cannot
respect the judgement of those who leave it complaining of the very
features which give it LIFE.  It's YOUNG, and it will DEVELOP.

	Those who leave are quitters -- simple.



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