Jan, I agree with you that the statement goes too far. After rereading my
statement I realize it was unclear. I was attempting to show the rationale
that I encounter very often in media and among laypersons I speak with.
Even if terrorism is somehow in everything, such a statement gives little
advantage in wrangling the concept terrorism in any efficient way.
So, I don't consider gardening and playing fugues terrorist acts whether or not they are in some obtuse way connected with terrorism, e.g. world system theory. But I've taken part of many conversations over the last few years where the persons I've spoken with have spit out such thoughts. What concerns me is that it doesn't seem that these individuals have failed entirely to reflect around their statement (is x terrorism?).
Perhaps the pole of terrorism is mediocrity?
Satellites: Indeed. I was referring to "The Postmodern Condition" (Lyotard) - "Who will know?". With the erosion of the nation-state and omnipotence of multi-nationals the War waged against Iraq is more like a tribal feud which provides more carrion for plundering capitalists...reminds me of the Middle Ages and the development of Monarchy.
Regards,
James
Jan Straathof <janstr@xxxxxxx> skrev den Wed, 13 Oct 2004 00:32:55 +0100:
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So, I don't consider gardening and playing fugues terrorist acts whether or not they are in some obtuse way connected with terrorism, e.g. world system theory. But I've taken part of many conversations over the last few years where the persons I've spoken with have spit out such thoughts. What concerns me is that it doesn't seem that these individuals have failed entirely to reflect around their statement (is x terrorism?).
Perhaps the pole of terrorism is mediocrity?
Satellites: Indeed. I was referring to "The Postmodern Condition" (Lyotard) - "Who will know?". With the erosion of the nation-state and omnipotence of multi-nationals the War waged against Iraq is more like a tribal feud which provides more carrion for plundering capitalists...reminds me of the Middle Ages and the development of Monarchy.
Regards,
James
Jan Straathof <janstr@xxxxxxx> skrev den Wed, 13 Oct 2004 00:32:55 +0100:
Hi James, you wrote:
I'm not particularly criticizing what you've written, but it seems
everything is an act of terrorism. Or rather that every thing can be
considered as an act of terrorism, at least as part of rhetoric or thought
experiments. Every thing is suspect, because the essence of terrorismlies
in all things. Terrorism. A new duality arises. What is the unanalyzed
norm that is set against terrorism?
Saying that "everything is (or can be considered as) an act of terrorism",
goes much too far for my taste; i mean, would you consider raising
children or playing a fuge of Bach, preparing a meal or gardening all
as acts of terrorism or suspect business ? I know that in some extreme
readings of Derrida one could deconstruct all 'linguistic' phenomena
(from texts to architecture) into elements wherein residual strategies
of violence and terror can be traced. And although it may sound very
radical, but statements like 'there is nothing outside terrorism' have
little concrete meaning to offer for an alternative political practice. If
we want to analyze the phenomena of terror, we must imho first try to find
and regain the threshold between fear and joy. When we think
about the unanalyzed norm that is set against terrorism, we must think
terror in its co-presence of joy, delight and pleasure. Maybe then it is
possible for us to walk the middle way, the path of bliss.
Who owns the satellites?
As far as i know todays communication satellite business works quite
simple: everybody (with a lot of cash) can buy a satellite, further you
will have to find a rocket site which will launch your payload into orbit.
At the moment there are a lot of commercial satellite manufacturers
around the world; the US, Europe and Asia all have their own satellite
industries (and i believe Sweden is also an important producer). The
most used commercial launching pads are in the US, French Guyana
(for Europe) and in Russia (they are becoming quite competitive i've
heard, because russian rockets are cheap and reliable). China and India
do their own satellites now and Japan and Israel also had successful
launchings. Regarding the new Arab TV satellites, i believe they are
owned by some very rich Arab business men/financial conglomerates,
ranging from Morocco to Lybanon to Saudi Arabia and The Emirates.
yours,
Jan
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