In conclusion: There is no conclusion.

In his end is his beginning. The column is being retired, folks. But more on that anon.

[Audre] Lorde reclaims the term [“erotic”] from its common, plasticized definition and says that the erotic is true knowledge, a true understanding “which can only wait upon, or clarify, that knowledge, deeply born…”

Leaving aside the harmless fun that Audre Lorde seems to be having with her definitions, I would like to draw attention to the use of the word “plasticized”. I think we all know what he’s talking about. That’s right: dildos.

Despite its vague meaning, in the context of this particular society, true action is when we begin to distinguish who we are from a society that increasingly values thoughtless visual captivation, fear, conformity and domination.

Lorde says that once we have experienced a fullness and depth of feeling, we go “beyond the encouraged mediocrity of our society.”

To a sort of super-mediocrity? Oh, never mind.

Actually, these quotes pretty well sum up everything I find infuriating about this kind of piece. The unfocused bleating about Society, the pompous aphorisms about poetry, the endless preening over the word “spiritual”. As PJ O’Rourke once put it: “Here we have the very worst kind of person: the self-righteous beatnik.”

The next logical step is to stop writing about this stuff and take it to the streets.

But of course it is. I am pleased to report that Shakra’s mission is well underway, being put into action by an army of rigorously-trained disciples. During the twenty minute walk from my apartment to campus, I have passed as many as half a dozen people wandering around on the street in small circles, mumbling incoherently to themselves. I presume this is what he’s talking about.

This entry was posted on Friday, March 5th, 2004 at 15:59 by olly and is filed under Miscellaneous. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.