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Philosophy/religion

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101 Experiments in the Philosophy of Everyday Life

155 replies

wobblyknicks · 16/09/2004 13:30

Has anyone read this book by Roger-Pol Droit?

I know a lot of people on this board are getting into the Celestine Prophecy at the moment but thought a discussion about this might be good to pass a bit of time.

For anyone that hasn't - its a book about little things to do by yourself to experiment with philosophy. Not sure how to describe it so I'll just copy part of the blurb;

"The idea is to provoke tiny moments of awareness. Invent things to do, to say, that produce astonishment or the unease generated by certain questions. It's about fabricating microscopic starter devices, minimal impulses. Playing on the level of objects"

Would recommend the book to anyone interested in philosophy but I can copy out one experiment at a time if anyone wants to try it without getting hold of the book??

OP posts:
Mo2 · 16/09/2004 13:33

Oooh, I don't know WK.... you don't want to go about promoting anything that might create astonishment or unease here on Mumsnet.......

ladywallopofcod · 16/09/2004 13:35

OOh i am on for t hat

Mo2 · 16/09/2004 13:35

Actually, sounds fascinating, and if you're into this sort of thing, it may explain why you & I seem to see 'eye to eye' on one or two things here...

Go on... give us just one teensy weensy experiment then....

wobblyknicks · 16/09/2004 13:36

PMSL Mo2!!!! Suppose I have taken quite a health risk starting this thread...!!! Maybe I should put an astonishment warning on to protect unwary passers-by!!!

But there's no experiment that involves starting a nice but unexpectedly controversial thread so we might just get off scot-free!!

OP posts:
wobblyknicks · 16/09/2004 13:37

Thanks Mo2 - I am quite into this 'weirdo' stuff!!!

Will post one but it'll take me about 10 mins to type....

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 16/09/2004 13:37

What on earth are you on about???

CountessDracula · 16/09/2004 13:37

Well I just tried it. I said to the postman "your head is blue". He shoved the parcel into my hand and walked off shaking his head.

Papillon · 16/09/2004 13:38

little experiments sounds right up my alley
i am your humble grasshopper please tell us more - goes with the books i am reading atm and i am all ready to put theory into practise

CountessDracula · 16/09/2004 13:38

(which wasn't blue of course)

carla · 16/09/2004 13:42

PMSL CD!

Papillon · 16/09/2004 13:44

REALLY CD... i had thought at least his hat might be blue!

but maybe you wanted him shake your head at you!! your experiment may have really worked - is your head blue per chance?

Mo2 · 16/09/2004 13:49

Review of the book here , with examples of a couple of experiements

CountessDracula · 16/09/2004 13:49

No, was just trying to "produce astonishment or the unease ".

wobblyknicks · 16/09/2004 13:50

Ok, this is one of my faves (one of my others faves is "Drink while urinating" but we'll leave that for now!!);

DREAM OF ALL THE PLACES IN THE WORLD

(they all have durations, prop lists and the effect you should feel afterwards btw)

Duration - 20 to 30 mins
Props - none
Effect - joyous

You're tired of being where you are. The place is limited, repetitive; it holds no more interest for you, let alone surprise. You are seriously fed up with this one place, forever identical with and closed in upon itself. And yet escape is close to hand. Just think of the infinite variety of places that exist, near or far, at this moment....

Famous sites: The Piazza San Marco in Venice, the ramparts of Jerusalem, the entrance to central Park off Fifth Avenue, the Yamoussoukro cathedral, the Pyramids, the Little Mermaid (there are many more places listed but my fingers will die - use your imaginations)...and endless, infinitely extendable list of styles, squares, buildings, cafes, statues, panoramic views of every kind.

There is more. Think also, until dizziness sets in, of the infinite multiplicity of humbler places. Anonymous, unpresuming spaces: backyards, little squares, impasses, narrow streets and alleyways. And even of these humble corners: store-rooms, barns, larders, cellars, cupboards, garages. In the humidity of the tropics, the dryness of the deserts, the damp colds of the misty regions. With palm trees or birches, cacti or ancient pines, white sand, red rocks, mud, permafrost, the pure whiteness of the wave against the deep ocean blue.

And then there is the inexhaustible list of what people are doing, what everybody is doing at this instant, in all the places of the world: making love, crying with pleasure or with pain, eating, dying, sleeping, sweating, toiling, enjoying themselves, amazing themselves, envying each other, travelling, cooking, reading, returning home, singing.

You can bathe in this multiplicity, be carried away by this infinity of alternatives. The place you are in isn't simply one spot within an infinity of others. It contains all the others. And it's all entirely within your head. Permanently available. To one and all.

PHEW!!!!

(you lot are lucky dd is switched on enough to amuse herself eating my handbag while I typed that lot!)

OP posts:
wobblyknicks · 16/09/2004 13:52

Would suggest everyone who's interested buy the book - its fab and I'm not going to induce RSI by doing many more of them!!!

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wobblyknicks · 16/09/2004 13:54

paps - you should get the book, you'd love it too.

CD - you introduced some astonishment into your day tho!!!

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Papillon · 16/09/2004 13:55

posties are too seasoned to be shocked probably... perhaps the casual passerby on the street may have produced more effect... good luck for future experiments

CountessDracula · 16/09/2004 13:58

quick then, I have the securifix man coming round in 5 mins to fit a security lock on my new garden doors - what shall I do/say to him? I can record the response now.

How about "do you find putting locks on people's doors gives you a curious sort of freedom?"

wobblyknicks · 16/09/2004 14:03

CD - ask him very seriously if he feels a life-long reponsibility to everyone he fits a lock for. Should confuse him somewhat.

OP posts:
JJ · 16/09/2004 14:09

"Do you find that putting fitting locks opens doors for you"

Sounds interesting, wk.

wobblyknicks · 16/09/2004 14:11

LOL JJ - good one, you have to ask that CD!! It is quite an interesting book - you should ALL get it NOW!!!

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MarmaladeSun · 16/09/2004 14:15

Would it persuade DH to apologise for his countless misdemeanors (sp)? That would certainly produce astonishment in me!

wobblyknicks · 16/09/2004 14:20

MS - I can't guarantee that but there are some good experiments to ease your frustration;

No. 13 - "Drink while urinating" - for your DH to do while you watch and giggle.

No. 61 - "Rant for ten minutes" - to do when he does your head in and he can't object because it's not you, it's the book!!!

OP posts:
Papillon · 16/09/2004 14:43

my goodness you do have alot of men coming to your door Countess

I have been waiting for my postman to ring my bell for days but so far no success

WK so far I have visited some sacred places, fiji, NZ and the life that lives in my carpet

Angeliz · 16/09/2004 14:45

I wnat the book now!

Will have a look in town

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