Rhythm and self-consciousness: New ideals for an electronic civilization

Review "A meticulously researched discussion of the fundamental values of our "electronic civilization" ... an intelligent and fascinating book, with tasteful illustrations" -- NAPRA REVIEW, Nov/Dec 2001"A treatise on rhythm as the essence of human personality and talent in any performance ... strongly recommended reading " -- Midwest Review of Books, Oct. 2001 Product Description McGaughey, a writer (other credentials not identified), argues that means of communication present their own ideals and that in the era of electronic communication, ideals have shifted from traditional virtues, which he identifies with "rhythm," to those surrounding performance, which he identifies with "self-consciousness." He explores the implications, for intellectuals in particular, of this shift to an increasingly performance-centered culture. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) From the Publisher ILLUSTRATIONS OF RHYTHM AND SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS About Rhythm “As the exam continued, the speed and intensity of the attacks continued, and yet there was still a general sense of time’s moving slowly, at an unhurried, dreamlike pace. The spacious dojo began to seem smaller; an unfamiliar feeling of intimacy came over the aikidoists and spectators around the mat, as if we were involved together in something usually reserved for our most private moments. During one swift attack, Richard slipped quickly to the side and made a bewildering gesture that none of us had previously seen. The uke, without having been touched, went down with a loud crash... Later, Richard could not recall or reconstruct this remarkable technique. For his part, Richard was beginning to get the feeling that he was not ‘doing’ anything at all, that the movements of his body were ‘just happening’ without thought or effort. The exam continued in this spirit, like a long, hypnotic phrase of music, through the body throws and defense against knife. Then, when Nadeau called for the uke to attack free-style, the illumination in the room seemed to go up another notch, and the boundary of light surrounding Richard seemed to become denser, brighter, and unmistakably golden ... At a particularly radiant moment, Nadeau stopped the free-style attacks and gave Richard a minute to catch his breath before the climactic randori, the multiple attack. Richard turned away from the audience ... to straighten his gi uniform. As he did so, he glanced up at the portrait of O Sensei. A powerful arc of golden light seemed to be streaming from the eyebrows on the picture toward Richard’s head, covering him, suffusing him with gold. At this moment, we in the dojo experienced a third brightening in the room. By the time the three-man attack was in full swing, the whole place was alight as if from within with the! most delicious, joyful, almost palpable illumination.” (from The Silent Pulse by George Leonard, E.P. Dutton, 1978, pp. 98-99 - a moment of rhythmic radiance during an examination in aikido) About Self-Consciousness (or lack of it) “There was a Mr. Ralston living within a few miles of the village, who owned a colt which I very much wanted. My father had offered twenty dollars for it, but Ralston wanted twenty-five. I was so anxious to have the colt, that after the owner left, I begged to be allowed to take him at the price demanded. My father yielded, but said twenty dollars was all the horse was worth and told me to offer that price; if it was not accepted I was to offer twenty-two and a half, and if that would not get him, to give the twenty five. I at once mounted a horse and went for the colt. When I got to Mr. Ralston’s house, I said to him: ‘Papa says I may offer you twenty dollars for the colt, but if you won’t take that, I am to offer you twenty-two and a half, and if you won’t take that, to give you twenty-five.’ It would not require a Connecticut man to guess the price finally agreed upon ... This transaction caused me great heart-burning. The s