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Continuing on Simone Weil's essays "The Iliad, or the Poem of Force" (1939) and "Analysis of Oppression" (1934) with guest Corey Mohler.
We talk about the self-contradictions of power, why oppression and war are so intractable, and her positive solution (what there is of it here). Weil cuts through our left-right political dichotomy in a way that might interest you. Plus, why the Iliad is so great.
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End song: "Throw Down the Sword" (live 2009) from Wishbone Ash; listen to Andy Powell interviewed on Nakedly Examined Music #51.
It’s ‘Gravity and Grace’ that’s a thematic collection of Weil’s notebooks, ‘The Need for Roots’ is a coherent work. Really enjoyed this, particularly Wes’ busboy analysis.
Thanks, Theo. Which one would you recommend we delve into? Need for Roots?
Yes, Corey was right that ‘Need for Roots’ would complement and develop what you’ve just read and is, besides, one of her more influential works. If I had to choose just one piece by Weil to recommend it would be ‘Human Personality’ (where her argument is about, partly, how a cultural focus on human personality and the entwined discourse of rights distorts the proper ends of politics) which is in Miles’ Anthology. Another interesting political piece, published separately, is ‘On the Abolition of all Political Parties’.
a REVOLUTION is a full circle ,,,lands u right back where u started ,,,
to really oppose, get to other side ,,,we need a half assed revolution ,,,,