tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post5898248161759603071..comments2024-02-29T02:54:19.767-05:00Comments on Babbling Books: Orientalism by Edward SaidBrian Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-35032406542032727542019-03-24T13:08:42.759-04:002019-03-24T13:08:42.759-04:00Hi Naida - I will be reading more on Colonialism. ...Hi Naida - I will be reading more on Colonialism. Perhaps one more on Postcolonial theory. Then on to some other views. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-14926248531103861152019-03-24T10:48:54.586-04:002019-03-24T10:48:54.586-04:00I am glad you enjoyed this read on postcolonial th...I am glad you enjoyed this read on postcolonial theory. The subject of colonialism is interesting, I hope you enjoy reading more on it.The Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10217390642323530030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-91752094603670194932019-03-17T20:10:16.357-04:002019-03-17T20:10:16.357-04:00Hi Caroline - The concept of Exoticism is fascinat...Hi Caroline - The concept of Exoticism is fascinating. Said does mention it. I tend to think that it would be something that members of their own future would do to create entertainment when creating non - fiction or myths about other cultures. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-42348821514042554702019-03-15T10:27:50.501-04:002019-03-15T10:27:50.501-04:00I was so sure that this book had been written much...I was so sure that this book had been written much earlier. <br />I find a lot of what he says is similar to the concept of exotism, which is just broader, including more regions than just Asia. I did some research on exotist literature, literature that distorts the other culture to make it more interesting for Europeans. <br />I see why this is still an importnat book for the debate. Carolinehttp://beautyisasleepingcat.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-60778302228333479462019-03-15T03:49:13.368-04:002019-03-15T03:49:13.368-04:00Hi Baili - I agree. There was obviously a lot of r...Hi Baili - I agree. There was obviously a lot of racism connected to Colonialism. There was also a lot of greed. More powerful nations used others for thier own benefit. Problems in the world also continue. However, I think that that the world is slowly becoming more peaceful and more equitable. <br /><br />Take care! Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-34160440836391447982019-03-15T03:38:41.185-04:002019-03-15T03:38:41.185-04:00incredible commentary dear Brain!
book sounds int...incredible commentary dear Brain!<br /><br />book sounds interesting yet little controversial as it deals with subject that provoke questions at the end<br /><br />i think that history has all the answers about such negative philosophies sprung by all the critical conditions that arose by manifestation of racism nations suffered time to time <br /><br />i am not much aware of the topic in depth but i want to share my simpler opinion about it in the light what i have learnt through my ways of knowledge <br /><br />in short, this is game of power,it always was and it always will be <br /><br />some nations who ruled the world in past are threat for those who are holding the world today <br /><br />nations in power need to rearrange the whole scenario for their "free play"<br /><br />For this first of all they need to prove the certain nations "guilty of terrorism " so they can be sign of fear and hatter front of whole civilized world <br /><br />by doing so the half jab is done <br />other half is to create consistency in first half by causing terror to the world in each possible field <br /><br />inventing needs for weapons , and diseases to tore minds and bodies ,and applying each single possible way to distort their image front of the world <br /><br />these are new ways of war ,shaking hands with smiling faces and poisoning at the same time <br />fear is pushing them to put whole humanity in danger ,fear of loosing power once again<br /><br />no one is clean here, east or west when it comes to politics and business and today both are ONE<br /><br />blessings to you my friend! bailihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06498012175058870980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-5939695735635339472019-03-13T19:25:24.926-04:002019-03-13T19:25:24.926-04:00Hi Susan - Said does get into post World War II a ...Hi Susan - Said does get into post World War II a bit, especially in his additions material. I may read at least one more book that relates to postcolonial theory, however, I also plan to move onto some mainstream and conservative books on the subject. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-49756436628608801362019-03-13T18:02:56.521-04:002019-03-13T18:02:56.521-04:00What happened in Asia in WWII must have had an imp...What happened in Asia in WWII must have had an impact on this Orientalism theory right? There was much bias after that. I look forward to more of your reviews on postcolonialism. I don't know much about the whole field but would be interested to know more. thecuecardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08870323589682197091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-59051758439134053682019-03-12T20:35:13.435-04:002019-03-12T20:35:13.435-04:00Hi Judith - I find many aspects of Postcolonial th...Hi Judith - I find many aspects of Postcolonial theory questionable myself. I wanted to get a sort of a handle on it however. There is some great fiction out there that is called Postcolonial. I have not read The Quiet American but it looks to be worth the read. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-11774248264175045692019-03-12T20:16:21.476-04:002019-03-12T20:16:21.476-04:00Hi Brian,
I think I've always tended to think ...Hi Brian,<br />I think I've always tended to think more in political/historical terms than in theories of post-colonialism. The topic is interesting, and definitely one that I should think more about.<br />For some reason, Graham Greene's novel The Quiet American comes to mind. Set in 1955, at the end of the French colonial period in Vietnam, and at the beginning of U.S. involvement, is where I've thought most about these topics.<br />Best to you.Judithhttps://readerinthewilderness.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-78704901669216088022019-03-12T16:22:15.329-04:002019-03-12T16:22:15.329-04:00Hi Judy - This was indeed influential. It seems th...Hi Judy - This was indeed influential. It seems thaf most cultures tend to not think highly of outsiders. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-28155009003142205592019-03-12T16:18:56.905-04:002019-03-12T16:18:56.905-04:00I have heard quite a bit about this author. An inf...I have heard quite a bit about this author. An influential guy and it seems he raises good questions. As I read your review and some of the comments I kept thinking about the fact that in many Asian countries, Westerners were considered barbarians back in the 16th through 19th centuries when we were busy trying to colonize and Christianize them!Judy Kruegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11632346091869688862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-81647178412989648262019-03-12T16:09:41.432-04:002019-03-12T16:09:41.432-04:00Hi James - I also found thatt Asian Philosophers a...Hi James - I also found thatt Asian Philosophers and mythology had a lot of depth. Said would day that the problem was with the Western Interpretation of them. At the very least, he has been very influential. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-55379000992909232582019-03-12T14:29:48.958-04:002019-03-12T14:29:48.958-04:00Thank your for highlighting the arguments presente...Thank your for highlighting the arguments presented by Edward Said in his book on Orientalism. While I have not read his book I have read such oriental philosophy as presented by Confucius, Lao-tse, and the Mahabharata. In those writings I was impressed by the depth of thinking, the challenge of different perspectives, and the presence of some similarities to Western European thought. <br />While there undoubtedly some aspects of Said that are valuable, objective observers like yourself may find themselves in the minority when they attempt serious criticism of his work.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00561320676355168336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-50745031426972416542019-03-12T12:18:09.526-04:002019-03-12T12:18:09.526-04:00Hi Sue - I thought that a rough knowledge of the h...Hi Sue - I thought that a rough knowledge of the history of colonialism would be enough to get someone through this. Maybe a rough idea as to the tenants of Post Modenism would help too. <br /><br />Said was very popular and was considered one of the key Postcolonial thinkers. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-6082650434736538462019-03-12T07:34:23.995-04:002019-03-12T07:34:23.995-04:00Hi Brian! I suspect this particular book would not...Hi Brian! I suspect this particular book would not be my cup of tea. It sounds like a book for someone who has already read and been interested in the subject, which I haven’t, alas! I do know of Edward Said, whom I heard interviewed on the radio some years ago. Sue Bursztynskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09362273418897882971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-45320148499389902342019-03-12T03:30:12.145-04:002019-03-12T03:30:12.145-04:00Hi Kathy - I think that it was not just Said. Post...Hi Kathy - I think that it was not just Said. Postcolonial thought in general is often infused with postmodernism of this sort. There are some thinkers who are arguing for an idealized version of everything that is non Western. However I did not detect too much of that in Said’s arguments.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-36638956599171062332019-03-12T03:23:35.549-04:002019-03-12T03:23:35.549-04:00Hi WG - This can be a mind bending subject. I thin...Hi WG - This can be a mind bending subject. I think that we do need to be always ferreting out bias. I also think that we should remind ourselves that certain things like East and West are intellectual constructs. With that, I think that there exist real truth in the Universe. I will be posting more on this when I read some postmodern philosophers. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-20632357263788741082019-03-12T03:13:43.410-04:002019-03-12T03:13:43.410-04:00Thanks Sharon. Postmodernism, in this form was dif...Thanks Sharon. Postmodernism, in this form was difficult for me to wrap my head around for a while. It does contain some innate contradictions. <br /><br />I was thinking of reading a book that counters Said’s arguments, I think that Dangerous Knowledge would be the one to read. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-2546636352668443172019-03-11T23:29:53.466-04:002019-03-11T23:29:53.466-04:00Hi Brian, Agree that for centuries the West's ...Hi Brian, Agree that for centuries the West's view of the East as you say was condescending and demeaning and so kudos to Said for writing a book about this and using literature by Western writers to show examples but I also sense from your review that Said went off on a tangent bringing in post modernism and possibly an idealised view of the East to compensate. Kathy's Cornerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03967595794483824444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-82316066044814188502019-03-11T22:30:51.879-04:002019-03-11T22:30:51.879-04:00Valuable commentary on a book and philosophy I hav...Valuable commentary on a book and philosophy I have not heard of. I do wonder why people question whether truth can known but feel motivated to write a book that surely takes a stand on what they believe to be the truth. Otherwise why bother?<br /><br />I think if I read this books I would then read books from those who take an opposite stance, such as the author you mentioned who criticizes Said's work.<br /><br />Very interesting post.Sharon Wilfonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17466621290140789056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-38841302615875934772019-03-11T21:16:47.707-04:002019-03-11T21:16:47.707-04:00Thanks for this Brian, as I don't think I'...Thanks for this Brian, as I don't think I'll be reading.<br /><br />That said, I would say that the book is useful for making us think about our presumptions. I mean I grew up with East and West and it was like a "truth"! But really it isn't, is it, it's a construct based, yes, perhaps, on some "facts" that have been turned into truths. I think the nature of truth does need to be questioned. My sense is that there are some "truths" (mostly I think to do with human emotions) but that there are also some "truths" that are something quite different. And here, I'll stop and I feel i'm stepping into murky waters that I probably will not be able to emerge from gracefully!Whispering Gumshttp://whisperinggums.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-32747037452016917952019-03-11T20:57:16.931-04:002019-03-11T20:57:16.931-04:00Hi Lisa - The book is definitely for those who wan...Hi Lisa - The book is definitely for those who want to explore these theories in depth. It would be a plod for anyone not so interested. <br /><br />I am looking forward to my delve deeper not postmodern myself. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-57412601824978708972019-03-11T19:35:11.216-04:002019-03-11T19:35:11.216-04:00I thank you for this: this is one of those books t...I thank you for this: this is one of those books that has been on my radar for a long time, but I don't actually want to plod through it. It seems to me that it's the kind of book I would dutifully have waded through if it was on the reading list when I was at university, but there's no compelling reason for me to do that now.<br />Your review helps me to understand more about what Said is on about, and I like the way you include some of his critics as well. <br />I look forward to hearing about Derrida et al:)Lisa Hillhttp://anzlitlovers.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-33595686438067462582019-03-11T18:04:18.450-04:002019-03-11T18:04:18.450-04:00Hi CyberKitten - I strongly disagree with much of ...Hi CyberKitten - I strongly disagree with much of Postmodernist theory when it is applied to political and social issues. It seems an important component involving Postcolonial theory so one will bump into it as one reads about Postcolonialism. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.com