Barbara Johnson (2) (1947–2009)

This one was interesting, if not at times somewhat random. On the outset it appears to be separated by discussions of things, persons, things as persons, and persons as things. But it is complicated by discussions of language, philosophy, and social ideas. Some of the more memorable discussions include looks into today's society and the presence of computers, how it is sometimes advantageous to be more 'machine-like' and how we are both proud of our achievements in technology but relieved when those achievements can still be separated as missing something of the essence of humanity. The discussion of real dolls and animation was fantastic.

This book is a mix of theory, philosophy, literature and social commentary and will generally be appreciated by anyone who is interested in these things and the way they interact with today's material world. There's a lot here that is 'out there' in mind and thought but has never really been put together in one place or with the end results that Johnson comes up with. Overall, it's a quick and engaging read.… (plus d'informations)

I am simply saying that it is not possible, without inconsistency, to defend human rights with one hand and deconstruct the idea of humanity with the other. - Tzvetan Todorov

The above is quoted in Barbara Johnson's introduction, one where she confesses thinking about the subject of the lectures: "the consequences of the deconstruction of the self for the liberal tradition. Does the self as construed by liberal tradition still exist? If not, whose human rights are we defending?" She was musing over such and looked across the aisle on a plane and saw someone reading Needful Things by Stephen King. The Cixous and Said pieces were my favorites. Cixous in particular regards it as necessary to bear witness, to give form while acknowledging the contortions and interrogations involved in such a project: a discipline which can undermine itself. It is quaint to see in all these pieces from 1992 a universal opposition to torture. Things have certainly changed. Was it Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez who asserted that was torture possible in the absence of organ failure? Said -- in an excellent reading of Dr. Johnson -- widens the mirror to Mathew Arnold and the benevolent face of imperialism. This proved a welcome detour.… (plus d'informations)