What cured me of a lot of things was to stop reaching for transcendence. For example, I recently made a very ironic comment to an American about logical consistency and politics, and she arched and complained that she couldn't understand what I said and furthermore didn't like my tone. In fact, as I had explained I was commenting on the implicit tone of another person by drawing out the logical implications of their comments if they were to be made wholly consistent.
But then I remembered that Americans don't understand irony.
I could take this as hurtful in terms of how I would have liked the world to be, or I could draw painful conclusions about the limits of communication, but none of that is necessary. I already understand the psychology of defending oneself by complaining that the other person's communication skills are not up to par. It's very common. So I don't experience heartache at my inability to change the world. That's not up to me. The world is what it is. I fold into its general formlessness and continue along. This is how Bataille's concepts of immanence and formlessness have been very good for my mental health. Very good indeed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GinL1CPz8vw
But then I remembered that Americans don't understand irony.
I could take this as hurtful in terms of how I would have liked the world to be, or I could draw painful conclusions about the limits of communication, but none of that is necessary. I already understand the psychology of defending oneself by complaining that the other person's communication skills are not up to par. It's very common. So I don't experience heartache at my inability to change the world. That's not up to me. The world is what it is. I fold into its general formlessness and continue along. This is how Bataille's concepts of immanence and formlessness have been very good for my mental health. Very good indeed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GinL1CPz8vw
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