Re: This weeks readings
schwaja3@wfu.edu
Tue, 20 Feb 96 22:18:50
Betz- it does seem wierd that things have been so quiet on the internet
lately...here's my take on your questions:
Simmel says that mere experience is not necessarily adventure. (It is
kind of like the square/rectangle where a square is a rectangle, but a rectangle
is not a square-- an adventure is an experience, but an experience isn't always
an adventure...anyway that's a tangent) I think the "experiential tension"
Simmel refers to is explained in the followinf lines: "Only when a stream
flowing between the minutest externalities of life and the central source of
strength drags them into itself; when the peculiar color, ardor, and rhythm of
life process become decisive and...transform its substance -- only then does an
event change from mere experience to adventure" (253). The external action of
the experience must commune with the internal desire to have an adventure in
order to consider an experience an adventure. Something has to click inside
with the outward experience to give the body and mind the "rush" associated with
the risks of adventure.
As far as the age thing...if Simmel means physical human constructed
time ordered age as opposed to mental age (age is a state of mind) then I would
have to disagree with him. My grandmother is 70 and more vibrant and
adventurous than anyone I know young or old. Lyman and Scott, in the Sociology
of the Absurd deal with this question somewhat: "...adventures have as one of
their most singular qualities the capacity to relocate people with respect to
time and space...In a sense adentures are the property of the youthful, for they
evoke the spirit and carefree quality fo youthfulness among all who partake of
them regardless of age" (53).
My question stems from this whole age is a state of mind thing. Time is
a human construction created for convenience and to provide order in the world.
It is also said that as we pass through time we are made aware of this through
markers. How is it that mental age and physical age can differ so greatly. Are
older folks who act like they are 20 defying the social construction of time?
Why do we not stigmatize them if they are defying a social norm? Isn't it funny
that we are so concerned with running out of a resource that doesn't really
exist (or does it)? Just some food for thought.