And so it begins. Some folks commented in my ‘weblog manifesto’ reponse post that it would be swell if there was a blogring for–as The Happy Tutor put it–the “poststructuralist nonconforming postmodernist recovering philosopher web polis.” In the words of one nonconforming philosopher, ask and you shall receive.
Thus, from the depths of the boundless (apologies to Anaximander) arises The Polis–a blogring for recovering philosophers. (And there was much rejoicing.) Here’s the preliminary membership requirements for our snooty little club:
- For weblogs only.
- All members should be in significant conversation with one or more streams of postmodern/poststructuralist thought. (This does not need to be the weblogs’ primary focus, though.)
- All members should be engaged constructively in the (re)formation of civil society.
- All members must post the “ringsurf” code on the front page of their weblog. (Which you’ll receive upon joining.)
Mostly painless. To join up, simply go here and fill out the form. (To set up the blogring at Ringsurf I had to specify a homepage, so I’m temporarily hosting it here at MyIrony. It’s my hope that others will want to share responsibility for hosting/membership/etc. as the ring gets going.) Happy blogging. And let’s be careful out there with that guerilla ontology.
We’re now (after one day) up to four members in The Polis, including none other than wood s lot! I always told mama I’d make good.
I’m very interested in/influenced by Theodor Adorno and Guy Debord, thinkers that some would claim are postmodern, but that others would claim are modernist/Marxian. Given my childhood with a Maoist father, my political temperment seems to see-saw between vulgar and Hegelian Marxism. But I suppose such a temperment might be described as postmodern, even if its components are not.
Personal trivia: my father emigrated from China, and idolized Mao from nationalist sentiments rather than Communist beliefs, although lip service to those were part of the package. Later in life he also thought highly of Ronald Reagan and Rudolph Guiliani, and felt comfortable that there was no contradiction in his pantheon of political heroes: "What is important is to have strong leadership!" he’d say.
"Men resemble their times more than their fathers," lamented Debord. In my case, I think that’s a good thing.
Anyone in critical theory or the Frankfurt school is postmodern to me.
Someone should invite the dudes or dudettes from MeltingObject and Waggish. Giornale Nuovo is good too. Just imagine all these great sites ringed together for increased clicking pleasure.
The Polis (Not the Police)
“M” My Irony
The Polis (Not the Police)
“M” My Irony