tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33488833.post9082164507418010087..comments2023-11-02T02:14:31.901-06:00Comments on ReadMoreWriteMoreThinkMoreBeMore: Deny and ImplyDoctor Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189506916480012553noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33488833.post-19653226517957561632010-09-14T12:48:29.151-05:002010-09-14T12:48:29.151-05:00@Curry: To be honest, I have found myself too ofte...@Curry: To be honest, I have found myself too often qualifying my alleged dislike of sci-fi lit with caveats just like the one here. Maybe it's time to reconsider my prejudice.Doctor Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13189506916480012553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33488833.post-1395536978798962552010-09-14T10:43:03.905-05:002010-09-14T10:43:03.905-05:00@Emma: Interesting question. My first instinct w...@Emma: Interesting question. My first instinct was to say that the difference between "deny and imply" and "affirm and imply" is that the former involves a kind of cognitive dissonance (an <i>aporia</i>) that the latter does not. "Affirm and imply" is redundant, I think-- something like "consent and (also) imply consent"-- whereas "deny and imply" asks us to do two things simultaneously, each of which constitutes the condition for the impossibility of the other. (Something like "deny the existence of the the thing/person/situation that necessitates consent and (also) imply consent.") <br /><br />The Butler/Antigone performative dimension is helpful. "Affirm and imply" is, I think, very much of the same form as Antigone's claim. ("I imply my consent in my act of consenting, and I also publish the act of my consent"... the publishing being quite literal in this case, clicking on an "I agree" form and hence digitally signing one's name to the act.) What's interesting is that "deny and imply" might also be of the same form... only, strangely, the content does not suit the form. ("I imply my consent in an act that I deny engaging, and I publish the act of denying the instance in which my consent was at question.") <br /><br />N'est-ce pas?Doctor Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13189506916480012553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33488833.post-66283529433490166412010-09-13T16:16:23.209-05:002010-09-13T16:16:23.209-05:00A perfect example being the inaccurate profiling, ...A perfect example being the inaccurate profiling, 4th amendment violating, guilty-until-proven-innocent crap that we all have to go through at the airport because "that's just how it is now."<br /><br />I do, however, take issue with your blanket dismissal of sci-fi literature. There are deep philosophical, political, and practical issues addressed in the works of some of our greatest sci-fi authors, like Clarke, Card, Adams, Bradbury, and even C. S. Lewis (yes, Lewis wrote a little-read sci-fi trilogy, or "Space Trilogy," beginning with Out of the Silent Planet)Curry O'Daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33488833.post-49860398946938739822010-09-13T15:09:43.846-05:002010-09-13T15:09:43.846-05:00It certainly messes with the passivity-activity di...It certainly messes with the passivity-activity distinction in a particularly creepy way. I haven't thought this through but I'm wondering if there's a useful distinction to be made between "deny and imply" and "affirm and imply"? Also, I'm reminded of Butler's emphasis on Antigone's performative reiteration of her action: "I say that I did it and I do not deny it." Butler says, "To say, 'Yes I did it,' is to claim the act, but it is also to commit another deed in the very claiming, the act of publishing one's deed, a new criminal venture that redoubles and takes the place of the old." (Antigone's Claim, 8) Subtle post Leigh, thanks.Emma B.noreply@blogger.com