This.
Just this, to consider with warmth, incisive thinking and a brave willingness towards uncertainty, to remember that "as wardens of our species most dangerous technology, [the English language], to treat our materials seriously. Embrace the mystery of earnest, mellifluous language."
Worth your 49 minutes, friends.
Thanks for rounding us up, Karen Edmisten!
Thanks, Heidi. I've emailed your post to myself and will try to watch this lecture this week!
ReplyDeleteHeidi, thank you for this. I am certain I would not have encountered it, if not for you. So much to digest. I love the section on how humans can record words on a page, and how that transforms into something entirely different and magical when sung together. I love so many of his phrases in this speech: an idea as old as incantation, cosmic dignity, rage as measure of tenderness. Most of all, I like the idea that even in our current times, we can feel precedented. The problems of humanity, created by humanity have existed, will exist, and are part of our paradoxical struggle of life, and we can appreciate the mystery and unknowing. Wow. I will need to listen to this again. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteTracey, I’m so glad you had time to give it, and you pulled out some of the very quotes and concepts that I noted—“rage as a measure of tenderness”. Happy for this connection.
DeleteI've got it and will watch it soon!
ReplyDeleteOh, wow - thank you, Heidi. I'll try to watch this soon!
ReplyDeleteI just added this to my to-do list for this week, Heidi. Not in an "another chore" way, but in a delicious, I-can't-wait-to-watch-this way. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for your delightful comment on my post this week. Your description of the Writer's Almanac rabbit hole you dove into made me laugh. Always happy to distract! :D