[PEN-L:2511] Re: Re: Re: 1998 Bad Writing Contest

[Dennis R Redmond <dredmond@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sat, 23 Jan 1999, William S. Lear wrote:

> Why is it I can pick up books on quantum physics and understand them?

Because some folks can learn some things easier than others. I'm
hopeless, myself, at physics; all those vectors and abstractions make my
brain shut down. Others are terrific at social psychology, or
anthropology, or whatever. Why are we supposed to be all alike? I watched
a Richard Feynman lecture on tape, and the man was obviously stunningly
brilliant, but I still can't tell a boson from a quark.

> I don't get this from Butler, or any of her supporters, despite
> repeated requests.  The books on quantum mechanics also haven't got
> glaring problems with their reasoning, as does Butler's book.

Quantum mechanics operates with mathematical and physical models of
reasoning. Works of theory operate with cultural models of reasoning.
They are not identical. Listening to a concert is not like decoding a
C++ program or balancing a checkbook etc. If you're baffled by specific
texts, quote a specific passage and we can talk about that.

Butler's main points are that (1) performativity is a social, not a
natural, category, that (2) the way we dress, act, relate to others is
always linked to a certain politics, and that (3) most accounts of The Way
Things Work totally forget this and assume that subjects are immutable,
statuesque abstractions which are stable and permanent over time. She's on
to something, for sure.

-- Dennis