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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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

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

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

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  7. Thanks for his inspiring post. Bravo!

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

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  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!

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