I wrote:
" Derek, two of the reasons you're so unrewarding to discuss things with are
your inability to grasp the point of what the other fellow is saying, and your
irrepressible impulse to say nay."
Derek replied by stating his position that to talk about "art giving
'satisfaction' [or] 'pleasure' (or 'aesthetic pleasure') trivializes the
function of
art," He then concludes righteously, "I'm sorry if thinking this makes me an
'unrewarding' to discuss things with, Cheerskep. But it is my opinion. I
can't
change it just so some people will find me more rewarding."
This is yet another instance of Derek's inability to focus on and grasp what
has just been said. At no time did I say Derek is unrewarding because of his
opinions. I said he is unrewarding because of his inabilities -- and his
impulse to reject.
"Inability" or simply "refusal"? Or the combination? Derek has at times been
perversely interesting to argue with because it is a cerebral calisthenic to
diagnose precisely where his thinking has gone awry. Indeed, all one can do is
discern "where" -- not "why". At times it has seemed the point was simply too
difficult for him to comprehend. But at other times, the point seemed
unmistakably clear while, alas, impugning his thought-processes so damagingly
that he
was unable to accept the implications. Which is to say his "inability" perhaps
stems from a combination of his lack of comprehending power plus his inner
self's rejection of what is too awful to accept.
In the past, there have been listers I was convinced were flatly dishonest.
Like weasel-politicians, when cornered they knew it, and nimbly scrambled to
reinterpret key words, change the subject, shift to "righteous" indignation --
knowingly seizing any way to escape. I can't charge Derek with that. It may be
that the kind of "refusal" I am citing in him isn't voluntary, has nothing to
do with logic, probably is not even what we'd call "conscious" -- like
someone's refusal to accept that a loved one has died.
Still, as I've said before, I think Derek can ask penetrating questions --
albeit too often based on that impulse to say nay -- and he certainly knows far
more about visual art than someone like me does. So I am glad he is on the
forum. The trick is to know when his questions deserve to be taken seriously.
**************
Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch "Cooking with
Tyler Florence" on AOL Food.
(http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4?&
NCID=aolfod00030000000002)
