tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8937414969460147900.post1583805939135401486..comments2024-03-06T07:06:38.928-08:00Comments on JSBlog - Journal of a Southern Bookreader: It's Friday ... and Ern MalleyRay Girvanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556764642402680159noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8937414969460147900.post-41457419304646693432011-03-30T09:19:08.306-07:002011-03-30T09:19:08.306-07:00The Malley thing makes me very grumpy. I really do...The Malley thing makes me very grumpy. I really don't see the point in Ern Malley/Alan Sokal type hoaxes. All they prove is that insincere liars can fool editors who have left room for experimentation and innovation -- which <em>by definition</em> requires that said editors won't themselves be sure if/whether or not said innovation/experiments are good/true or not. The provision of publication space for what goes beyond the already-accepted relies on assumption of the sincerity and good faith of those submitting material.<br><br>There's no question that the creators of Ern Malley, just as did Alan Sokal, tailored their products. If you back off one level to include that tailoring, the submission and the "Ha, ha!" acceptance, theirs is just performance art.Julie Heywardhttp://unrealnature.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8937414969460147900.post-53487378676278481482011-03-31T06:18:18.847-07:002011-03-31T06:18:18.847-07:00Yes, suitably crafted fooling the system isn't...Yes, suitably crafted fooling the system isn't necessarily proof that the system is fake; for instance, the ability of people with Munchausen's Syndrome to game the medical system doesn't mean medical diagnosis is worthless.<br><br>But I think Sokal's in a different ballgame. The initial paper to <i>Social Text</i> fits into the above scenario, but I think the wider critique of postmodern cultural studies is valid; it's just some flavour of public theatre - a pretence of erudition - played out with the format and terminology of science and genuine rigorous philosophy.Ray Girvanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556764642402680159noreply@blogger.com