List Review Service #019, "DERRIDA" (March 22, 1993)
URL: ftp://ftp.lib.ncsu.edu/pub/stacks/lrs/lrs-019
LIST REVIEW SERVICE ISSN: 1060-8192
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Issue No. 19 Discussion of Jacques Derrida (DERRIDA) 22 MAR 1993
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Published periodically by The University of Missouri, St. Louis
Libraries. Raleigh C. Muns (SRCMUNS@UMSLVMA.UMSL.EDU), editor.
CONTENTS: REVIEW (32 lines)
SYNOPSIS OF ACTIVITY (20 lines)
SUGGESTED USES (06 lines)
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION (10 lines)
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REVIEW -
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When I lived in Los Angeles, cruising among the literati, I was often
assailed with the dropped name of Jacques Derrida and his bailiwick,
deconstruction. By reviewing the list, DERRIDA, I've at long last had
the opportunity to get to the meat behind the Sturm und Drang - and
all without having to read a word of Derrida himself! (I confess that I
often find myself drawn to the subjects of the list I review after the
fact, as is the case here.)
Aside from being a comment on the development of my own intellectual
facade, this should also be a positive comment on the ongoing dialogue
regarding Jacques Derrida taking place on this list. Being ready to
discredit a bunch of pompous intellectuals, I instead found legitimate
philosophical discourse taking place, and had to immediately discredit
my surly predisposition.
This list is an Internet classic in that it transparently uses the
network medium to explore a rich and complex area of discourse (i.e.,
the "philosophical, literary, and political importance of French
philosopher, Jacques Derrida and deconstruction"). I can unabashedly
call this an online scholarly (underline "scholarly") discussion group.
The majority of the messages these past two weeks have been about the
relationship between writing, meaning, and violence. The layered
discussion, which is still evolving on this subject, if followed
assiduously is fascinating. I followed three threads: 1) Derrida and
phenomenology (is he, or isn't he?), 2) the use of the word "violence"
in regards to text, politics, and Derrida, and 3) Derrida's defense of
intellectual property rights in the courts and how that affects
perceptions of him and his philosophy. I doubt that the range of
information and interpretation evidenced by these examples could be
generated by an individual. This is not light reading. Prepare to think.
-R. Muns
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SYNOPSIS OF ACTIVITY -
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Name of List Reviewed: DERRIDA
Location: DERRIDA@CFRVM (Bitnet)
Listowner: David Erben
DQFACAA@CFRVM (Bitnet)
No. of Listserv Subscribers: 258 in 20 countries (not one from
France!)
Period Monitored: 09 MAR 1993 - 22 MAR 1993
No. Messages Period Monitored: 39
No. Queries Posted: 06 (15 % of total activity)
No. Non-queries Posted: 33 (85 % of total activity)
Lines Sent (w/o headers): 1111 (app. 48 screens of 23 lines)
Msgs. Posted During 1993: 264 (current rate = app. 3 msgs/day)
Searchable Archives: Yes
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SUGGESTED USES FOR LIST -
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1) Get to know Derrida, up close and personal.
2) Use as a paradigm for scholarly online discussions.
3) Improve your word power.
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SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION -
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Send an e-mail message with blank subject line to:
LISTSERV@CFRVM (Bitnet address)
LISTSERV@CFRVM.BITNET (Internet address)
Message should consist solely of:
SUBSCRIBE DERRIDA your_name
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = END REVIEW = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Copying is permitted for noncommercial use by computerized bulletin
board/conference systems, individual scholars, and libraries.
Libraries are authorized to add these reviews to their collections
at no cost. This message must appear on copied material. All
commercial use requires permission.
Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer and do not
represent the views of the University of Missouri, St. Louis.
Copyright 1993. Raleigh C. Muns
Raleigh Muns / Reference Librarian / Thomas Jefferson Library
University of Missouri - St. Louis / SRCMUNS@UMSLVMA.UMSL.EDU
8001 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63121