Thursday, October 11, 2007

What I learned in Iran...

...What you think you know, you don't. Everything is much more layered than it appears: not just Iran.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is tommy rot! A version of Iranian exceptionalism. Everyone in every society can be known and understood, except Iranians. Don't you see how dumb an idea that is. Of course, Iranians individually and in groups can be understood for all practical purposes. To do that, though, you have to be skilled at taking the other's perspective. Once you see their worlds from inside their perspectives their personal behavior and collective action becomes comprehensible. Some people, though, are so convinced of the worth of their own perspective that they are unable to adopt the other's point of view. Truly, these people will never understand Iranians, nor anyone else, for that matter. Maybe I should recommend a few sociologists for you to read.

Unknown said...

You might want to learn to read before you accuse me of "Iranian exceptionalism." Jesus.

Read it again. You'll note that I do not say that things cannot be known. Just that everything is more layered than it appears. I do not say that this is true only of Iran.

I wrote that because I am shocked b the number of people who claim expertise without knowing shit.

And please, if you must insult me at least sign your name.

Anonymous said...

RALPH

Anonymous said...

What you think you know, but don't is KNOWLEDGE that ultimately works toward full understanding. Sincerely, RALPH

Anonymous said...

And, your "layering" metaphor is deeply problematic. According to you, in the context of interaction a "layer" is being actuated, but what is really going on is a matter of a different "layer." But, there is no one true "layer" that discloses what is really going on. It seems unlikely that all "layers" are relevant at once. Iranians know rules for interpreting their speech acts that are unlikely to be something they can talk about without considerable thought and insight. These are matters that are not readily disclosed to foreigners, but they can be learned with enough experience of the culture. Good luck. Ralph

Anonymous said...

If you can understand Blacks in the US, you have a chance of understanding Iranians, for both US Blacks and Iranians developed cultural practices under subjugation to an oppressor society. Hey, maybe for practice you could try to understand Palestinians.
Ralph

Anonymous said...

"You'll just love Israel from the first Shalom."
But, watch out for the pocket glom.
It gets the thrill of 36 bill
From lover boys up on the Hill
That you can never spend here at home.

Love,
Ron

Anonymous said...

What's the difference between ta'arof and brown-noseing? Here are two ideas, so you should be able to think. Think from the familiar brown-noseing to the strange ta'arof. Let me know what you discover.
Truly yours,
Ron

ShareThis