The Spell of the Sensuous

[Marieke]

Here you can chat about a book that Bob is really enjoying.

Bob, i'm very interested in knowing more even though i don't think i'll be able to get to this book anytime soon. although you might twist my arm into doing so!

[Bob]

Thanks Marieke. I've got the hang of it now!

I can be pretty good at arm-twisting! I will be finishing the book tonight and I'm certainly keen to post a review. I'll link to that here and see what unfolds ...

[Kirsten]

I read an excerpt of it for my environmental ethics class, have been kicking around the idea of reading the whole thing. Currently I'm working through Ecology and the politics of scarcity: Prologue to a political theory of the steady state, but am always on the lookout for other books to make me think about what I study.

[Bob]

Kirsten, just checked that book you mention out and there is not much in the way of description. I think you owe a duty to the group to post a review when you've finished! It sounds intriguing enough ... possibly hard work?

The Spell of the Sensuous isn't really hard work because it is so beautifully written. Perhaps what's in my head is that the language almost carries you away, that the ideas are seductively compelling because of the elegance and power of the words Abram uses. You get kind of swept away. And that is very much the subject of the book itself. It's a bit recursive. I'm looking forward to writing about it, which will hopefully clarify my thinking in respect to his central thesis. Hopefully I can inspire you to read the entire book.

What were your impressions from the excerpt you read?

[Kirsten]

I really liked what I read. Usually I write off things like this as a bunch of hippie bull, but it has a point. I have a copy on hold at the library, so I plan on reading the whole thing this time around!

[Bob]

I'm still undecided, but it's a wonderful read. Finally wrote my review tonight. You can read it here. Look forward to discussing this further.

[Kirsten]

Working through this book is definitely like ethics only I don't have to write a paper on it!

Have you read A Sand County Almanac? It's similar to this. The author is from Wisconsin, but we forgive him that.

[Marieke]

you're funny Kirsten (since i know people from Minnesota and Wisconsin)! it's like forgiving people for being from New Hampshire (my family is composed of old crusty Vermonters).

apologies for the thread drift...

[Kirsten]

Sconnies are no good, but the book is, so I kind of feel like I have to forgive. My dad is from Wisconsin, but we try to forget about that. No worries, that's what discussion is for, drifting to and fro like kelp in the current.

[Kirsten]

I'm having a REALLY hard time getting into this book. I'm on page 40 and it's tough. I think my brain is much too mathematically oriented for it?

[Bob]

Kirsten, good on you for trying to get into this. It is tough, undoubtedly, particularly where you are about now. I'm very much mathematically oriented myself and I know how hard it can be to engage the other side of the brain, but, in a way, this is also why I was drawn to this book and enjoyed it so much - because it challenged me to kind of shift the balance of my consciousness towards the right.

I do believe it's worth persevering with because the second half which touches on the evolution of language is fascinating. I'm really keen to know what other people make of it - because I'm still not sure myself! It's a book that makes you think ... and, perhaps more importantly, want to feel.

Would it make a good Christmas present? Or would that just further reinforce people's opinions that I'm a very strange person indeed? I need to know!!

[Kirsten]

It's really good for me to read books like this, expands my horizons, just going more slowly than I had thought. I'm out of practice reading things like this. Too much science I guess.

I will keep going at your recommendation!

Depends on the person, I wouldn't give this book to someone you don't know well.

[Bob]

Well, it's definitely not a book to be rushed! It's great that you want to expand your horizons. A lot of scientists I've known are none too ready to take on anything that might challenge their preconceptions about the world. I've always been the opposite. Alternative view points, even if they don't stack up, usually offer a different kind of perspective that can provide valuable insights.

I was mostly joking about the Christmas present problem! Although most of my friends wouldn't be too taken aback to receive such a challenging book from me. I think I'll stick to novels though.

[Kirsten]

The program I took in school really encouraged us to read all viewpoints, even if we took our our red pens and tore the others to shreds!

It's difficult for environmental scientists to get other people on board with their ideas if they don't respect their concerns and viewpoints, so we need to know what they are, first.

Ha, well this is definitely the kind of book my uncle loves to give me. Members of my family are continually giving me books then expected me to read and discuss. It gets to be challenging during the school year.

[Bob]

Sorry to be slow responding. We are having the most extraordinary Spring weather here, warmest and sunniest April since records began 350 years ago! In England, when the sky is blue, you do not sit at the computer in your spare time. This might be our summer. Didn't want to miss it. The weather does seem to becoming more extreme all the time.

You're very fortunate to have had such an enlightened program at school, and come from a family who give you challenging books. It's great that you're up for it.