[OPE-L:230] Response to Paul C. on procedure

glevy@acnet.pratt.edu (glevy@acnet.pratt.edu)
Mon, 9 Oct 1995 16:16:53 -0700

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Paul Cockshott wrote:

> However, the advent of hpertext, HTML and the Web, releases the
> constraint somewhat. It is no longer necessary for an intellectual work
> tohave a single order. Instead, one can have several different orders of
> traversal through the concepts, historical, logical and explanatory.
> I would suggest that since this is an experiment in using the internet
> for collective theoretical work, we should try to use it to the full, and
> aim to produce not a six volume book, but a corpus of logically,
> historically and expositorily linked components, to be published
> initiallyon the net, but with possible paper or CD-ROM versions to
> follow.

Firstly, I am only going to respond to a couple of points that Paul C.
made in his highly original and thoughtful post. I hope others respond
more to the content of his post. Secondly, I never proposed that we write
6 books or even one. After we have done the listing, then we can talk
about what we will do next. I would be satisfied if we could be able to
generate a list of questions that we could share with others. Thirdly,
while your idea of a CD-ROM excites me [I must admit], we are no where
near the point where such a possibility can be realistically discussed.
We need to go through this process one step at a time (although, I
appreciate Paul C's enthusiasm).

> What is missing from the above headings
> ---------------------------------------
> There is no adequate slot in the 6 book scheme for the combination of the
> capitalist mode of production with other modes of production. What is
> particularly relevant here for political reasons is to deal with the
> combinations between:
> 1. Capitalism and the domestic mode of production.
> 2. Combinations of capitalism with the socialist
> and communist modes of production.
> 3. The interdependence of capitalism and feudal
> forms of production. ( though this might be in
> book B ).

For the purpose at hand ["brainstorming"], either fit the above concerns
in the order that I suggested or create your own order. The main task in
the brainstorming is the generation of ideas. Arbitrarily selecting a
ordering which is common in most posts will help us, though, when we then
try to sort out and compare each others' ideas. In other words: [if you
are uncomfortable with my arbitrary ordering], give us your ideas in
whatever way makes you more comfortable. The idea of brainstorming is, in
part, to stimulate us, not create a false agreement as to ordering the
tasks in front of us.

In OPE-L Solidarity,

Jerry