tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196651674832836865.post6223021178673287821..comments2023-10-20T06:31:29.919-05:00Comments on The Logic of Long Distance: More thoughts on intimacyJeff Edmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11840746835757479590noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196651674832836865.post-22094180091205243292012-03-06T19:35:53.780-06:002012-03-06T19:35:53.780-06:00I enjoyed reading that NYT article (takes me back ...I enjoyed reading that NYT article (takes me back to college when my landlord had a subscription).<br /><br />Yeah, the emotion of the run itself is special. Every now and then I think to myself, "if life was really dire, would I choose to be a barefoot runner? How important/essential is a solid tempo run if I had to do it barefoot?" <br /><br />I think your points about the dichotomy of the experience of running and money exchanges are right on; through the lens of modern currencies. I just wanted to add that money exchanges does not necessarily have to be emotion-less, but thats probably a conversation for after a fine supper relaxing with a nice wine. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196651674832836865.post-7932949647555946502012-03-04T22:14:22.324-06:002012-03-04T22:14:22.324-06:00In the 7:49 comment; it should read, "came to...In the 7:49 comment; it should read, "came too easy and *he had to* relocate..."Jeff Edmondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11840746835757479590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196651674832836865.post-47671051724479410032012-03-04T22:11:10.550-06:002012-03-04T22:11:10.550-06:00Dear Danny,
Thank you for the critical comment. Y...Dear Danny,<br /><br />Thank you for the critical comment. You are right, I was presenting a pretty simplistic view of money, and I do think that when it is used well it can--and has--enhanced experience. This is why we--yes, me too!--love it.<br /><br />I guess I was thinking of two things when I wrote this post. First, an interesting NYT article on the value of "friction" in the economy: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/opinion/sunday/the-danger-of-too-much-efficiency.html<br /><br />Second, I was thinking about the way in which a run's value operates outside of the money economy. We wouldn't really think of paying for a run, or being paid for a run, and it would seem strange to convert a run to money. I guess that's because a run gives us the direct sort of intimacy I am writing about, in a way that can't be mediated through exchange. It strikes me that almost everything in life that is of ultimate value is difficult to convert into the money system. <br /><br />It's true that money can get us into position to have these sorts of experiences. But I think that money can also shield us from experiences, especially if it smooths life down to something without enough friction.Jeff Edmondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11840746835757479590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196651674832836865.post-81221924232295327862012-03-04T22:04:36.942-06:002012-03-04T22:04:36.942-06:00Oh, and also: generosity is most certainly possibl...Oh, and also: generosity is most certainly possible as a self-relation. In fact, a guy like Rousseau thought that self-love had to come before love of the other. He might have been right.Jeff Edmondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11840746835757479590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196651674832836865.post-91011775409886130942012-03-04T21:49:35.742-06:002012-03-04T21:49:35.742-06:00Hey thanks for the comment, Anonymous poster. Your...Hey thanks for the comment, Anonymous poster. Your take sounds good to me! That was a quote from a Tennessee Williams essay "The Catastrophe of Success" where he talks about how he struggled as a writer when everything came too easy and relocate the place of value. It's an essay worth reading -- you can find it here: http://truegoodbeautiful.com/uncategorized/the-catastrophe-of-success-by-tennessee-williams/<br /><br />Like you, I'm not really sure what he means by "purity of heart" but I guess it's something like what Emerson called being in touch with the "aboriginal self" -- that place where you are comfortable and strong and doing what you do even if you don't know it will work out or whether others will agree. I guess I find that place in my running most frequently but also in my writing occasionally.Jeff Edmondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11840746835757479590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196651674832836865.post-90991901523387693232012-03-04T17:50:22.588-06:002012-03-04T17:50:22.588-06:00I enjoy reading your musings on running and philos...I enjoy reading your musings on running and philosophy, but am troubled this time with your simple interpretation of the purpose of monetary exchanges. Using money as a means of exchange allows me the opportunity of intimate experiences that I may not be able to produce for myself or give to myself. <br /><br />My aim in the exchange isn't for something of redundant purpose or trivial purpose, but rather in some way provide for a greater experience than I otherwise could have attained.<br /><br /> As a teacher, it is hard for me to teach and provide my food, shoes, transportation to races, that enhances me experiences as a runner, with out the use of money exchanges.<br /><br />Perhaps it isn't the exchange of money, but rather the perceived value of money that you are suggesting as limiting intimacy....<br /><br />Thanks for all your posts....its a pleasure to read..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196651674832836865.post-82560242113793242102012-03-04T17:26:01.371-06:002012-03-04T17:26:01.371-06:00Thank you Jeff.
I was having trouble with"pu...Thank you Jeff.<br /> I was having trouble with"purity of heart". What is that? But then I thought back to what you said about generosity. I guess purity of heart means open heart where you give of yourself, your spirit, your time easily without being all tight and hard hearted. I imagine it might even have health benefits to relax and open your heart. Oops, I'm thinking of myself again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com