If theory is important and for the masses, don’t write incredible tomes name-dropping theorists and theories. Don’t parrot Judith fucking Butler.
When you do, I get the feeling you’re more interested in keeping common people out of your circle, oftentimes the very people you write about.
Here here!
I’m an “academic” and even I have issues with theory, or rather, the expression of it in the context of the humanities (under which my field of study lies). A lot of it really is in my view written in impenetrable jargon and when I read it, I have a hard time discerning the evidentiary support for the arguments.
Which is not to say that all theoretical writing is like this.
It’s funny…in my discipline (history) there’s a bit of a division between those in fields like European or South Asian history, which tends to be more theory-driven, and American history, which has a reputation for being more “empirical”. I don’t fall neatly into the Americanist camp because my field is slightly different, but I “do” American history more than any other geographical field. Americanists, because theory is less apparent in their works, are sometimes considered to be know-nothings because of it, also because American history is “newer”. I really don’t get it sometimes.
[At the Ace Awards, Dick Cavett stands at the podium]
Cavett: Well, my time’s almost up here, so, uh, I’d just like to say… I know Woody Allen. [a couple of people clap halfheartedly]
[after the show, with Homer]
Dick Cavett: Let’s walk and talk. I, uh, I have some wonderful stories about other famous people that include me in some way.
Homer: Er, can’t, I gotta go distract bulls at a rodeo.
Cavett: Hey, me too. We can go together.
Homer: Um…no, I’m going a different way than you, Dick.
Cavett: Heh heh, your…churlish attitude reminds me of a time I was having dinner with Groucho and–
Homer: Look, you’re going to be having dinner with Groucho tonight if you don’t beat it.
I hear you, Lauren.
The thing with Judith Butler is that when she want’s to she can write in a way that is understandable by anyone without a PhD in Theory. The same is true when she speaks. I don’t get her turn towards obscurantism at all.
Linnaeus- I’m an Americanist. My official field is literature (I’m a grad student), but my studies delve into history and philosophy as well. And yeah, I get the know-nothing thing all the time. It’s weird, especially since it’s not like I’m unfamiliar with Theory. In this day and age you have to be if you’re going to be an academic. I can cite Austin or Max Black all day, but I don’t get nods of acknowledgement until I throw some Deleuze and Guattari in there (regardless of whether their work is pertinent to mine). I’m talking about my peers here, fellow grad students, not necessarily my profs, but this is how I see the academic humanities going these days. I will say that my school, Cornell, is heavy into theory so my take on it might not represent the field as a whole.
Right. the. fuck. ON.
Here’s another tip: going on and on and on name-dropping and pulling the more intellectual than thou card just makes my eyes glaze over. And also makes me think you’ve got nothing of any import to say.
As someone who is an elitist snob and ignorant dolt, I would just like to say that I think it was poor form for Judith Butler’s parents to give her the middle name ‘fucking.’
Not all theory is for the masses. Sometimes, to work through ideas, you have to write to fellow academics and intellectuals.
Agreed, JC. I’d add that I think that people who have invite-only orgies should not complain if they don’t have a crowd of breathless admirers applauding every cum shot.
Ta-Ra-Irigaray
we make no sense today
it’s an elite soiree
exclusionist theor-ay
our writings all convey
an in-group clique cachet
and when you take them out
not much to think about!
people who have invite-only orgies should not complain if they don’t have a crowd of breathless admirers applauding every cum shot.
Listen, I told you, it got lost in the mail.
The invitation, that is.
Of course. I got the cum shot, and boy was the postman surprised. (rimshot)
Blah blah blah blah Ginger blah blah blah Ginger blah blah blah blah.
Theory: It’s like talking to dogs.
Of course. I got the cum shot, and boy was the postman surprised. (rimshot)
I hate when they throw the letters all over the outside of the mailbox.
Well how do you know the mail came, otherwise?
Amen Sista!
I have been recovering from obscurantist theoretical lingo for years. Not sure I ever understood the point of it.