So much discussion on desinvolture and not a word in reference to the anarch - if any figure of Junger's embodies this quality it is surely the anarch. Manuel's discussions on the anarch could be used as a definition of desinvolture. This is another reason why I am so keen on the book and would love to engage in an online reading/discussion group using this text. Die Schere is also very interesting - why don't we start both texts - Eumeswil in English and Die Schere in German. That's my input to the decision making process. Thomas Friese -----Original Message----- From: Mandy Kuhl [SMTP:cool@zedat.fu-berlin.de] Sent: Sunday, February 08, 1998 6:44 AM To: ernst-juenger-l@maillist.ox.ac.uk Subject: Re: What exactly is desinvolture? Dear Gary, It seems of some importance to me to consider the practical value of desinvolture. Whether it contains principles of the right way how to live or not depends mainly on the reader. I think, there are certain paralleles to Carlos Castaneda's "Teaching of Don Juan". It is said that whatever you "must" do...do it but be aware that it leads you to nothing. Well, all you do is hardly more but endless fooliness. Once realized it is hard to be involved any longer as all loses its importance and becomes one...becomes nothing. It seems to me the last step on a way which Juenger goes as well...but very few meters only compared to Don Juan. Anyway, Juenger is physically caught in time and circumstances but he's psychologically free to an extent. Doubtless, his desinvolture makes him live a better life, maybe even survive. I think, his desinvolture might seem like a loss of "humanism" from time to time. But who knows, loss might be gain sometimes. Gary, am I wrong or didn't I answer your question? Well, to put it briefly- I'm convinced that practiced desinvolture would help ourselves to come back to life at its most elemental aspects. 5 advices are maybe; 1st) Be yourself! 2nd) Don't let everybody know WHO you are! 3rd) Observe ! 4th) Don't judge but understand! 5th) Maintain your distance!etc...... Bye Mandy
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