H2O and the Waters of Forgetfulness: Reflections on the Historicity of "Stuff"

by Ivan Illich

s/t: Reflections on the Historicity of Stuff
In the course of this brilliant essay the author traces the way water has been shorn of its mythic associations and reduced to an urban cleaning fluid. The histories of medicine, art, mythology, architecture, technology, and conceptions of the afterlife come into play as the changing role of water in our lives is revealed.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, History, Essays

92 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Ivan Illich was an Austrian philosopher, Roman Catholic priest and critic of the institutions of contemporary western culture and their effects of the provenance and practice of education, medicine, work, energy use, and economic development.

Reviews

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little philosophy and a lot of history. The theme is our relationship with water, especially in cities. I love the title and the idea and the writer, but was a little disappointed with the actual book. It was a little dry.

[Nelma Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending felt a bit abrupt. I think it could have been more comprehensive. The last few paragraphs were phenomenal and had the potential to philosophically dig additional uncharted concepts on water in modernity and modern cities, and yet, to my disappointment, all I was left with were the end notes.

[jw468 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book describes the shift in the symbolic meaning of water through western history. Essentially, water has gone from being a magical substance to as Ivan Illich describes it: "a man-made cleaning fluid". Much of the book focuses on the changing views towards excretion and body odor because these changing views influenced humanity's relationship to water. Also discussed are historic sources of water for cities and how that shaped the human-water relationship.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivan Illich stretches the imagination. He turns the world upside down as the man who gave me the book said. That is if you can understand if of course, not simple.

[Richard Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A remarkable book like all Illich’s books.

I took three blogs from the book:

https://richardswsmith.wordpress.com/...

https://richardswsmith.wordpress.com/...

https://richardswsmith.wordpress.com/...

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little too short. The footnotes! With Illich, alway read the footnotes.

[majo espinosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

ilich vs la fuente de mundo e

[Gutenberg Galaxy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bu kadar kısa olmasına rağmen nasıl bu kadar bilgi doldurulmuş hayret ettim doğrusu. Ivan illich'in ellerinden öperim. Hoş gerçi "okulsuz toplum"u yazabilen birinden bahsediyoruz. Kendime not; başka kitaplarını da okumak istiyorum.
Sanıyorum basımı yok bu kitabın ama umarım olur ve çok daha fazla insana ulaşır.
Yıllar evvel bir podcast serisinde ismini duyduğum bir kitaptı, küçük bir sahafta gezerken (ankara, mesa plaza, dorlion kitabevi) denk geldim ve aldım.
Kitabın sayfa sayısı kadar kaynakça ve dipnot olması dikkatimi çekti.Türkçe basımına özel önsözüne de ayrıca şaşırdım; bir yerinde şöyle yazıyor:)
"...Kitabım şimdi Türkçeye çevriliyor ve yayıncım benden, okuyamayacağım Türkçe baskı için bir önsöz yazmamı istedi..."

[Phil Lensi · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty difficult to understand. i will re-read this when i can focus on just this book

[Bee · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good book if you are suffering from insomnia... this will put you to sleep.