I found Louis Althusser rather obnoxious because he kept asking questions to himself and then answering them. I do believe this was a character on Seinfeld in which Elane dates a guy who keeps a conversation going by asking questions to himself and then answering them. Althusser definitely has the same thing going on here. Not a very smooth way of talking…But should I go on with my piece? Ok. Do I think it’s good? Of course not.
Althusser starts off by explaining a very complex concept into a few sentences. This starts out by his first of many questions, “What is the reproduction of the conditions of production? …The process of production sets to work the existing productive forces in and under definite relations of production” Now what does this mean? I don’s know. From what I can figure out is he simply trying to find the pattern and consistency of a typical social formation. The key to its porduction and how this always remain the same. He also is looking to find the problem that is keeping our reproduction levels from performing at an optimum level. Does this sound like mumbo jumbo to you as well? I agree. But I figured I d keep reading and give this guy a chance.
One thing that I did like was how he decided to analyze the school system and how they help the means of reproduction. With each passing generation, the powers that be do not want the means of reproduction to change, therefore they keep the school system values the same and pass down similar ways of viewing the world to ensure that certain ideologies live on. It seems that Althusser views this system as a brainwashing machine that should really be examined more closely. If so, then reading this material in school is part of the brainwashing machine and I should reject it. Which I really want to do. This guy would definilty be a Pink Floyd fan as he asks himself “Am I really just another brick in the wall?”
The rest I really need more time to swallow. I am seriously afraid to comment on some of the more in depth stuff at risk of sounding like a glue sniffing schitzo…
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February 26, 2007 at 1:58 am
joei5
Hey Brett,
I completely agree with you.. Althusser definitely started off on a bad note in my opinion. I read “What is the reproduction of the conditions of production” and I was like ‘Oh no, this is not going to be good.’ I also liked where he discussed the whole school system. I found a lot of things to be interesting, I really liked the part where he talks about private and public schools, saying that one is not better than the other.
February 26, 2007 at 2:25 am
ryancallander
First of all, I do believe you’re right, and that is in an episode of Seinfeld.
As far as his views on school, I think you’re right when you say that he views it as somewhat of a brainwashing mechanism. He seemed to think that children will take nothing from school except a knowledge of how to properly act in society. I also wonder how he would react to knowing that his writing is being taught in a school. It would probably be a mixed response.
February 26, 2007 at 3:36 am
annieeinna
Hey Brett! I started my blog off with the same thing about the questions. I took it as he knows best, know one knows better, so just don’t bother. I wrote about how I had Professor Chan last semester & she told us that when writers ask questions, its essential to pay attention to them because they want you to get a better understanding of it. He feels he knows the question and the answer. Sorry, I just think it sucks when authors do that. Also, the reproduction of the production should def. be disscussed in class tomorrow. I thought of it as one way but than with the school system, I think I got lost. I’ll see you tomorrow!
February 26, 2007 at 1:34 pm
kelliem
I definitely thought the same thing when he said that schools are just a tool to prepare you for what the capitalist class wants of you. A brainwashing machine, as you said. I sat there thinking, so everything we’re assigned to read isn’t teaching us individuality. Hmm. Maybe next time I don’t feel like doing my homework I’ll tell them Althusser said so.
But I think he doesn’t give the individual much credit. If you have a good head on your shoulders and if you’re truly aware of the power of the class system, you can take what you read and what you learn and adapt it to your own way of life, pick what you think is important, not what people tell you is important.
April 1, 2007 at 8:19 pm
megglez2008
I loved how you started off this blog, “I found Louis Althusser rather obnoxious because he kept asking questions to himself and then answering them.” That bugs the hell out of me too, and so did Althusser. I thought I was going to shoot him if he added one more “production, produce, or productive.” I liked your line, “With each passing generation, the powers that be do not want the means of reproduction to change, therefore they keep the school system values the same and pass down similar ways of viewing the world to ensure that certain ideologies live on.” I enjoyed this part as well, and I think it’s the only part that really made any sense to me. Nice job!