The Invisible Counterpoint

"But you -- the UBC Arts graduates of 2009 -- are well-equipped for challenges. You've learned to think critically, communicate well, and cooperate with others to achieve common goals. You've acquired a respect for the insights and accomplishment of past generations, so that you stand on the shoulders of giants -- rather than starting at ground level again." (Michael Byers, “Dear Grads, Help Save Us!,” The Tyee, May 27 2009) Last time I checked, this whole standing on the shoulders of giants thing was under about 50 years of non-stop challenge by people in the Arts, who pretty loudly assessed these giants as amounting to, well, giants -- that is, monsters. Faculty of Arts a bit on the conservative side at UBC? Or is it just tactically smart to feed students' parents what they want to hear (and can be expected to handle), that is, that will gloss their brood in genteel shine? The speech you delivered was no doubt truthful to your experience and sense of thin...

It's true, as Mr. McAvoy says, that big changes will always be driven from without, but unless they also resonate within the structure, such changes will be much harder to bring to be. (Bailey) ViveanLea: So ViveanLea, do you want to be one of those who "drive big changes," or one of those who "resonate within the structure"? Wanna go big, or small fry? Be the Titan, or the web-caught fly?: How well Bailey does articulate the choices available to you now. Bailey's response would have resonated better with me if he had brought up liberals like Pelusi or Feinstein or (Barbara) Boxer. They're not Naders, but they're not frauds, either -- just tactically minded, adaptable, good people. Gore's an opportunist and a fraud. He's managed to persuade himself otherwise, but his environmentalism is about tactics as much as anything else. People who readily ride with him, likely do so because they sense that he is one who help them justify/va...