About two blocks east from my apartment, on the North side of Tompkins
Square Park, stands a tree. Below the tree, there is a bronze plaque with
the inscription:
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| David M. Gordon |
| |
| 1944 - 1996 |
| |
| High Hopes -- Low Expectations |
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The plaque is across the street from David's home -- which all New
School graduates will remember as the site of the annual get together
(i.e. party) of students and faculty at the beginning of each new school
year.
I find the inscription puzzling. Yes, David had "high hopes". But, did he
have "low expectations"? My memory of him in that regard is that he
expected (and demanded) a lot of himself (first and foremost) and others,
faculty and students included.
Does anyone know the story behind this epitaph? What do you think "low
expectations" means in this context?
In solidarity, Jerry