tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12674755.post335540644773456405..comments2023-11-22T04:10:49.266-05:00Comments on Dispatches from Zembla: Musil in New York Times Book ReviewAlokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12947383354732747209noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12674755.post-86726862340733706182008-06-03T11:12:00.000-05:002008-06-03T11:12:00.000-05:00In fairness, Joe Queenan is basically a humor writ...In fairness, Joe Queenan is basically a humor writer. This fairness would be even more fair if the NYT peice were actually funny.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12674755.post-29950922485258323722008-06-03T00:26:00.000-05:002008-06-03T00:26:00.000-05:00The last paragraph of that NY Times article was es...The last paragraph of that NY Times article was especially telling. The phrasing suggests that there's something illegitimate about spending time on a great literary work -- it's merely an excuse for "indolence" -- and that it's more virtuous to devote one's time to such observable activities as restringing guitars, discarding clothes and acquiring or learning how to use consumer electronics.<BR/><BR/>Outward action is good since it demonstrates a good work ethic; inner work (thinking) is idleness and sloth. <BR/><BR/>These profoundly screwed up values seem to be just about everywhere ascendant in North America.praymonthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09799593980838361293noreply@blogger.com