Pages

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Counternarratives



Photo source:
http://wweek.com/portland/article-18140-notes_from_the_occupation.html

PS: I'm adding this photo of rn at the Occupy Wall Street camp in New York (see comments).

10 comments:

  1. Cool! We're planning a short trip to PDX in November and I want to stop by Ace and Microcosm publishing. I liked your take on it too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. VERY provocative and well-written post, Richard.

    Hazy glimpses of all industrial orders, indeed.

    I feel both "retro" and looking to the future in my current enthusiasm for All Things Typewriter, in these turbulent times.

    There's some reason for that, somewhere.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great Kierkegaard quote - and I sense big wisdom in it not being clear what the import/best consideration or Big Question of this is - and shouldn't be guessed at now. It's a people's reaction, and it's damn sincere.

    Every event will be framed by media/spin into what it is not, for eg a 'class war' - what a ludicrously dated idea! Oh yeah, they're communists huh.

    I think it's a reminder that direct reaction and voice is still possible, and that it connects rapidly online.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Two weeks ago, I brought my 1930s Remington No. 5 portable to the Occupy Wall Street encampment in NYC. No, I didn't donate the machine to the group (I have a 50s Smith Corona that I think I will hand over.) I just sat and wrote some fragmented manifestos that wound up exploring 'unorganizing' as a form of organizing. I used to be a community organizer, but I learned a new way of organizing from the experience. I don't think it's possible to join these 'occupy' encampments simply as a follower or supporter. Because of their inchoate nature, they ask that you show up with an action in mind -- even if it's something as simple as sitting with a typewriter and expressing yourself on paper. Plus, scores of people -- passersby and occupiers alike -- loved the off-the-grid good looks of my trusty old free speech machine. One nine-year-old typed his name, and then turned to his mom and told her that he wanted an old typewriter for his birthday.

    ReplyDelete
  5. FYI: here's me with my Remington at the OWS:

    http://gothamist.com/attachments/jen/2011_10_ows01.jpg

    ReplyDelete
  6. So the revolution may be typewritten after all! Great post, thanks for sharing the links and your thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for his inspiring post. Bravo!

    ReplyDelete
  8. "this" inspiring post. (sorry, typo)

    ReplyDelete
  9. As always, Richard, a fascinating post and pics. I just hope beyone hope that the donated type writers don't end up in the trash heap when the camp breaks up, or just left to rot in the rain!

    ReplyDelete