Roll Right

You think you can disentangle marriage from heteronormativity?

I don't think I'm overstating this at all. I'm well aware of the statistics regarding marriage. But the statistics you quote actually prove my point to some extent -- they reify marriage by uncritically accepting it as a valid institution without digging into the political character of the institution, the domination it represents, etc. In other words, just because people marry less does not mean that the institution of marriage is no longer something that individuals look toward as desirable. You're assuming way too much there. For instance, we might cite the recent victories for gay marriage advocates as evidence of the robust health of marriage. This is an example that gets below mere superficial statistics and points to the political and social character of marriage. Marriage is alive and well -- certainly something people still want in their lives, and certainly something that individuals and couples believe is worth fighting for. What I'm suggesting is that the concept of marriage, or the idea, or perhaps more accurately, the ideology of marriage is largely unquestioned and assumed to be right and good. Ashley Madison is a perfect example of this: get married, and if it turns out that the reality of marriage didn't stand up your expectations, you can pay us to step out on your spouse. But don't question the institution or the ideology of marriage!

I was actually thinking of substituting the Benjamin for Buck-Morss' Dialectics of Seeing. That might be more accessible.

Well, I think that both acts are forgivable. But thats not really a question relevant to Ashley Madison as a business and a "social space," if it could be called that. I was actually thinking about this a bit more today -- it seems to me that the problem is not the website itself, but the institution of marriage itself, which is taken as an unquestioned good in society. Ashley Madison is certainly profiting from what many would consider a dispicable act (cheating on a spouse, partner, etc) which devalues a particular marriage or at least damages that particular marriage, but it is simultaneously upholding marriage as a legitimate institution. In fact, the service suggests that the real "fun" of marriage is stepping out on your partner: "Life is short, have an affair". Or, in other words, don't worry if your marriage did not turn out as you expected, you can pay to meet another unhappy spouse and secretly fuck. You can buy the happiness your marriage did not provide. We ought to be critical of not merely this service, but what the service represents: the unreflexive drive to marry, or accept the institution of marriage, without really considering what marriage is (and I don't mean to present this as a religious question, it is a primarily a social question).

Well, I'm looking for PSN friends for Killzone, Injustice, Assassins Creed, or Mercenary Kings.... And I'll definitely be looking for people to play Destiny with in September!

I think this site represents the further reification and commodification of desire--not to mention it glorifies and celebrates the manipulation of a spouse, partner, whatever you want to call it. Of course, it is also an indicator of how hollow marriage is. I'm not suggesting that marriage was once some sanctified, flawless union--that is completely rediculous to suggest. I am suggesting that this website points to the instrumentalization of marriage--the commodification of its intimacy and the destruction of what you might refer to as its "aura," if such a thing can be spoken of. The site also represents profit made by manipulating the suffering and unhappiness of others, in my opinion. It preys upon those who are probably unhappy with their marriage, or those who are sexually unsatisfied, etc. Its pretty depressing if you really stop and think about it.

Well, I am open to suggestions. At this point, however, I have been thinking about a small bit of Marx to start the reading project off right. The project would then move on to contemporary works. I am planning to read only a small bit of Marx because I've already read quite a bit of him. So, here is the list as it stands, but it will definitely change before the Fall semester starts. And please feel free to suggest changes, etc: Marx -- Introduction to the Critique of Political Economy (You can find this online or in The German Ideology from Prometheus Books). Marx -- The 18th Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte (I will be reading the New World Paperbacks edition) Lukacs -- History and Class Consciousness (the entire book) Adorno -- Minima Moralia (the entire book) Benjamin -- Paris, Capital of the 19th Century (Essay can be found here: http://nowherelab.dreamhosters.com/paris%20capital.pdf) Benjamin -- Critique of Violence (Essay can be found here: http://english.columbia.edu/files/english/content/Critique_of_Violence.pdf) Lefebvre -- Dialectical Materialism Ollman -- Dance of the Dialectic Ollman -- Alienation: Marx' Conception of Man in Capitalist Society This may seem like a lot of reading, but many of these selections are only essays which can be closely read in a matter of hours. Again, I should say that I'm reading these texts so as to focus on the method. There is a theme running through these texts of course--particularly the critique of capitalist society and a discussion of the position of the concrete individual within this society. I haven't properly organized these readings yet, again, its just the preliminary list. So, let me know what you think.

Hey folks, In preparing for my dissertation I will be reading a series of dialectical studies from several prominent Marxist scholars. This will function as an independent study for me in the fall semester, and the reading list will be based on suggestions from close colleagues and professors. I wanted to see if any of you would like to take part in this reading group, as a sort of online Marxist working group. If you're interested please say so here and we can start talking more about this.

I think SPSS is the same as the other popular programs if you know how to function through syntax. I haven't used the SPSS GUI for ages...I agree though, if you're new and looking for training wheels, the SPSS GUI is great, but is limited in its functionality.

What makes you think that SPSS isn't used much anymore?

Do any folks here play on the PS4 to unwind? Or any other gaming platforms?

Does anyone use Spotify? I'm interested in sharing playlists.

I'm curious, why R? Do the majority of soc programs use this program? I've always found SPSS, SAS, or STATA to be the standard. I'm trained in SPSS myself, and have never had to learn a new stats program in order to work with a research organization. I only ask this question because it may be better to train yourself on the usual suspects instead of R. If you plan to work in the university or the private sector (this distinction is collapsing, of course), you will be asked if you are proficient in SPSS, SAS, or STATA.

Hmm, my lab is essentially a desk with a computer and various statistical programs...or my brain and a laptop + books, so I run into the problem you're having. I would suggest wearing your headphones so the cord runs under your shirt like you mentioned. Or, have your ipod or whatnot in your back pocket and your headphone cord running up your back and into your ears so it is never in the way.

I move between thrash metal, doom metal, death metal, heavy metal, hip hop, and grunge.

I'm curious, for those of you engaged in research, what do you listen to (if anything) while you work?

Maybe I'll give them a try. I just have to find the first...maybe at whole paycheck.

These are good? The vegan hot dogs that I've tried didn't really hook me.

I think you should try to take some time for yourself, but its always a good idea to get to know your classics a little better...what about reading Marx's The German Ideology, or From Max Weber: Essays in Sociology? Or perhaps Durkheim's The Division of Labor (even though it sucks, you're still made to read the damn thing). But definitely listen to maleficent... you need to enjoy this last summer of freedom.

Taxi Driver: Apocalypse Now: Step Brothers: Introduction to Insidious:

Isn't this a thread full of whiny grad students complaining about grad school?

Yes I'm told the quality of Mac is a cut above Linux and Microsoft machines, thats why I'm considering the switch. I wonder how much of a pain it would be to reorient myself and my files to Mac...has anyone made this change recently? Can you offer any insights?

If I were you, I would consider a PhD in cultural studies. Sociologists do the kind of work you're referring to, but cultural studies is an interdisciplinary field which focuses on many of the interests you've listed. A cultural studies program may give you more to chew on than sociology a sociology program. I only say that because many sociology programs will require you to take courses which don't speak to those interests. But there are sociology programs which are bastions of radicalism...

Oh, and the TV show Hannible.

I'm curious, everyone seems to love Mac products. They seem a little expensive for what they are, though. So I'm wondering-what is the advantage to using Mac? I'm genuinely interested and have been thinking about trying out a Mac computer. Also, could a Mac laptop handle big data (15 million cases or more)?