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I’m a Parasite

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Clarissa

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Of course, that minority with the privilege of thinking also needs to have the necessary conditions for its life (and its thinking) reproduced, and in this sense it holds a parasitic position relative to the rest of the tribe, who guarantee that reproduction. But why would the majority accept this unfair situation? Why would they not only support those ‘thinkers,’ but also grant them the monopoly on an activity that is so basic and so important for human beings?

The good news is that we, the unfair parasites, are being weeded out on a massive basis by Republican state legislatures who seem to be very much in tune with the most progressive and socially responsible among us and who are withdrawing the funding of our parasitic thinking activities. So it’s all good.

13 responses to “I’m a Parasite”

  1. cliff arroyo Avatar
    cliff arroyo

    Is this supposed to be parody or am I missing something? As you’ve pointed out, los indignados have yet to actually accomplish anything since austerity is still in place and the economy is till in the dumper (no matter how often the government says the crisis is over).

    All I can imagine is that their main goal was to help liberals feel good about themselves. Helping people feel good about themselves while not changing anything is shaping up to be one of the leading forces in the world today.

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    1. Clarissa Avatar
      Clarissa

      I’m quoting the rising star of my field here. I find it funny how the most progressive among us make a full circle to arrive at the narratives that will make the most austerity-oriented Republican glow with pleasure.

      Academics are all useless parasites who put on airs and feed off the trusting public that we delude with our fake airs of authority based on our useless knowledge. Instead, we should praise the deep wisdom of the “common folk” and writhe in self-deprecation.

      I often fail to see any difference between what Governor Rauner says and what my progressive colleagues argue. I guess I’m not progressive enough.


      https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.js

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      1. Clarissa Avatar
        Clarissa

        To put it bluntly, I’m resentful that I’ll never get this much recognition in my field because I hate self-deprecation.

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        1. Clarissa Avatar
          Clarissa

          And I’m also still angry about the comment of “what makes you feel that literature deserves so much attention if it’s inherently elitist”? Because it’s my fucking job, that’s why. I’m a literary critic and I refuse to feel sorry for that. It’s enough that I have to justify my existence to politicians. Now I have to feel bad among colleagues? Fuck that.

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          1. Clarissa Avatar
            Clarissa

            And it was especially hilarious when I heard the argument that graphic novels are the true art of the people and not elitist. The graphic novel that was offered as an example of the true art of the people cost 40 euro. Hard cover, beautiful edition. When I pointed out that fact, people got pouty.

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  2. Clarissa Avatar
    Clarissa

    On p. 58, the linked author makes an argument that teachers are not needed because people can learn perfectly well on their own. Especially if they want to learn foreign languages. The idea that teachers are necessary for learning, the author argues, is a false claim created by an authoritarian state.

    Hello MOOCs, hello online learning, good-bye classrooms and teachers. And scholars of literature who are all elitist anyways.

    I have no fucking words.

    Sorry for ranting but my BP will go up if I don’t vent. This is not one person. This is what we are all supposed to believe and preach.

    Fuck, fuck, fuck us all for being so goddamn stupid.

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  3. Alex the Physicist Avatar
    Alex the Physicist

    If you haven’t already read Hofstadter’s Anti-Intellectualism in American Life I very highly recommend it. It documents the historical roots of the similar disdain for intellect on the left and right.

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    1. Clarissa Avatar
      Clarissa

      I just requested it at the library because smoke is about to start coming out of my ears I’m so angry.

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      1. Alex the Physicist Avatar
        Alex the Physicist

        You will love that book. I promise.

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  4. Alex the Physicist Avatar
    Alex the Physicist

    Meanwhile:

    “There are many kinds of privilege besides white privilege: cognitive privilege, for example. We now know that intelligence is not something we have significant control over but is something we are born with. We are living in a society in which success is increasingly linked to one’s intelligence. This is not to say that intelligence is the only factor that is important. All that is implied is that below a certain threshold of intelligence, there are fewer and fewer opportunities. These opportunities are being shifted upward to jobs that require heavier cognitive lifting or else are being replaced by robots. Thus, the accident of having been born smart enough to be able to be successful is a great benefit that you did absolutely nothing to earn. Consequently, you have nothing to be proud of for being smart.”

    http://daily-iowan.com/2017/07/25/williams-what-is-privilege-and-what-do-we-do-with-it/

    Intelligence is a privilege, and all Right-Thinking educated people agree that privilege is something to self-flagellate over, so the intelligent should no doubt feel bad.

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    1. Clarissa Avatar
      Clarissa

      I just stole the quote from you for a new post. 🙂 I don’t know what you do to always find the best links.

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      1. Alex the Physicist Avatar
        Alex the Physicist

        🙂

        People tell me, great people, they tell me that my links are the best, the most amazing. It’s true. I have the best links!

        🙂

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  5. Demotrash Avatar
    Demotrash

    Wow, I never knew that most of us were banned from thinking. I’m a waiter and I’ve been thinking all these years, not eve knowing I was transgressing. I better stop before the professors find out and send me to the gulag.

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A conservative literary critic and college professor

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