Berlin + Berlin

Yes, I know I am behind on Blogging. Teaching really does take up all of your time. Anyway, I will attempt to expound on Berlin circa 1982, and Berlin circa 1988. In Major Pedagogical Theories, Berlin discusses New Rhetoric in detail. In summary, knowledge "is not a retrievable entity" and there is a denial "that truth is discoverable in sense impression since data must always be interpreted to have meaning." So without language, there is no knowledge. On the most basic level, that is true. Without language we could not communicate orally or in writing. Not to propose a syllogism, but if there is no language, are there no lies or an 'un-truth'? Something might be false such as the sky is green and your skin is purple, but without language, it can not be lie? True language is the way to articulate knowledge and truths, but before language there were truths and knowledge...just not written or told. Sorry to take the opposing side, I just like poking holes in things. I also get immense gratification out of popping holes in packing bubbles.

I think I will just stick to something I can agree with in this article, which is "in teaching writing we are tacitly teaching a version of reality and the student's place and mode of operation in it" (Berlin 766). I will buy a ticket for that train ride. Writing is a reality, and I mean that on several levels. I suppose I am somewhat of a Platonic Expressionist, according to Berlin, since I agree with his sources that "all good writing is personal, whether is be an abstract essay or a private letter...justification for writing is to sound the depths, to explore, to discover." Academic discourse does not and should not make readers want to take a nap. Someone said it has to be impersonal to be credible, and it sucks. Bring personality back into it, while still adhering to the principles of argument and making a point, and you have something people actually want to read.

Okay, Berlin II. Best quote in the article is on page 483: "The purpose of writing is to create commodified text (see Clines) that belongs to the individual and has exchange value--just as the end of corporate activity is to create privately-owned profit." While I do not know if I am entirely comfortable comparing my writing to something for profit, I agree with the metaphor. When we write, it does become a currency in a sense. Unless writing in a journal, we write and then send it out into the world to be read, criticized, and judged. It has the ability to anger, inspire, bring joy, or make someone laugh. It can enlighten and change a mind about an issue. Or confirm what one already believes. It is, indeed, our intellectual property to be picked through, bought, sold or traded by our reader.