THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF FBI SPECIAL AGENT DALE COOPER (My Life, My Tapes), As heard by Scott Frost

O tanoeiro do vale. O estrabismo entre dois picos. Invisível e na frente de nossos narizes o tempo todo…

December 25, 9 P.M.

Believe the extension cord has some severe limitations. One, I cannot travel more than 75 ft. from the house, which will limit my investigations. Two, it draws attention to itself in a way that can be dangerous. I think a battery pack of some kind is the solution, and tomorrow will visit Simms’ Hardware to find the answer. Dad said that words are tools, and that tools should be taken care of or else you won’t drive a straight nail. Dad says a lot of things I don’t understand.

This is the end of Christmas Day. My presents this year were the following: underwear, socks, corduroy pants, insect field guide, five dollars from my grandmother, and a Norelco B2000 tape recorder, which is not a toy. Signing off, this is Dale Cooper.”

According to Mr. Simms, each battery will last 3 hours. I bought 3 with the money my grandmother sent, which she thinks I am putting aside for college.”

December 27, 3 A.M.

Mom just left my room because I had an asthma attack. When I can’t breathe I sometimes just lie there and think that I’m dead and float away as she is rubbing my chest with VapoRub. I might not be able to go outside tomorrow if it’s cold because of my lungs.”

She said that she was alone on a field when thousands of birds filled the sky, blocking out all of the light. That’s when she always wakes up. Mom says we can see things in our dreams that we can’t see when we’re awake. I asked her what she thought the dream meant but she just smiled and said it was nothing . . . I’m glad I have the recorder and someone I can always talk to.

I have never seen a dead person. I think I would like to, but not right now because I want to close my eyes and not think about being dead.”

January 1, 1968, 10 A.M.

Bradley Schlurman’s Stingray was stolen by members of the 24th Street gang yesterday. Two clues point to them. One, Bradley saw them as they knocked him off his bike. Two, they said this bike now belongs to the 24th Street gang. The police have been called but so far they have come up empty. I have decided to take the case myself with the aid of my tape recorder. If I can follow them and get one of them on tape talking about the bike, I believe I will crack the case. I have not told Bradley this because he has locked himself in his room and will not come out.”

The 24th Street gang stole my tape recorder. My plan was working just as I had hoped. I followed the suspect for a block but was unable to get a confession on tape. I then attempted to fool the gangsters into believing that I would like to join the gang. It was at that point that they noticed the potatoes in my pack and began taking them. When they saw my tape recorder, they grabbed that and threw the potatoes at me as I ran for cover. For two days it was in the hands of the gang. And today was recovered by police when they arrested them for stealing a car outside the Band Box Theater. I have decided that if I am going to ever fight crime again, I must be better prepared. The recorder is undamaged. Dad has checked it and says that it is A-okay. He also said that he was very proud of me fighting against the gang, but that I should use better disguises than potatoes. I also discovered that you cannot record through a glove. There is still no sign of Bradley’s bike.”

Dear Mr. Zimbalist,

Like your show very much, also like Hawaii Five-O and The Wild, Wild West. Because I sunburn very easily, I don’t think being a policeman in Hawaii would be a very good idea for me.”

Noticed this morning that my pee smells like the asparagus we had for dinner. Wonder why this does not happen when I eat a hamburger. Also this morning Mom was very quiet around the breakfast table. I think she had another dream about the birds in the sky. This dream seems to frighten her and I do not know why.”

At exactly 7:05 P.M. today I became a member of the Boy Scouts of America and immediately began my studies for my first merit badge. I expect with hard work I can attain the level of Eagle Scout in two years, far ahead of the average time required for most Scouts.”

I had not been in a girl’s room before, and did not stay long when Marie asked if I knew about breastfeeding. I do not understand why Marie seems interested in me except that she is bigger and stronger and can probably beat me in a wrestling match so is not afraid of me.”

I read in a science book that electricity is what keeps us alive. I do not understand where it comes from and where it goes when we are dead. Dad said that was the big question, and that he did not know the answer. Neither do I.”

Have just finished reading about Sherlock Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles. I believe Mr. Holmes is the smartest detective who has ever lived, and would very much like to live a life like he did. It is the Friends School belief that the best thing one can do in life is to do good rather than do well. I believe that in Mr. Holmes I see a way to accomplish this.”

April 4, 8 P.M.

Martin Luther King was assassinated today in Memphis, Tennessee. He was shot in the neck while standing on the balcony of a motel. I was in the car with Dad when the news came over the radio. He said shit. The first time I have ever heard him say that word. We then drove home and watched the news on the TV with Mom. There are riots in many places. I believe that the FBI must be on the trail of the man who killed him, and that they will catch him. I wish I was older. And that I knew more than I do.”

April 19, 4 P.M.

Turned fourteen today. Mom and Dad gave me a Timex watch. submerged it in bathtub for 15 minutes and it still ticks.”

June 6, 3:30 A.M.

Dad woke me up, telling me Bobby Kennedy had been shot in Los Angeles. Dad is still downstairs sitting in front of the television, waiting to hear if Bobby is alive. On the radio they played a tape of the shooting recorded by a reporter. You can hear the pop of the gunshots, then people yelling, <Get the gun, get the gun.>

She then kissed me on the lips, moving her tongue around inside my mouth in what I think was a clockwise motion. Then her eyes filled with tears and she turned and ran down the block out of sight.”

Dear Mr. Hoover,

Have made a decision today to become an FBI agent at earliest possible date. I am presently 14 years old, and on road to becoming Eagle Scout by 15. Have never broken any laws, though if you look into my records you will discover that I was recently caught audio-taping a girls’ sex education class while hidden in a heating vent. Do not feel this should be held against me, for my intent was purely scientific, and not for personal gain. Would like very much to come and meet you and discuss any experiences you may have had with audio tapes yourself.

Yours truly,

Dale Cooper”

Had a dream in the middle of the night that frightened me a great deal. A man who I have never seen was trying to break into my room. He kept calling my name and said that he wanted me. He then screamed, and after a moment it turned into a kind of roar as if he were some kind of animal. I told Mom about it and she said that she knew about <him>, and that she has the same dream, and that I must never let the man into my room. I don’t understand what it means. My chest hurts a great deal. I think I will go to sleep now. I am very tired.”

February 28, 7 A.M.

Have noticed that with great frequency I am waking up with an erection. Understand this to be part of the dream process in all mammals. Find it interesting that there is a part of the body that I seem to have no control over, which can be embarrassing when it happens at school. I have discovered, though, that by thinking very intently about Disneyland, I can suppress an erection with some success.”

It is interesting that Marie is the only girl I have ever seen naked and I can remember almost nothing of it. Our families are going to get together and watch the landing and moon walk.”

Marie smiled. I didn’t understand it until I saw men walking on the moon, but I believe God has a plan for everyone, and we are part of it. Do you understand, Dale?

I said that I thought I did.

Are you sure, Dale?

I said I was.

So am I, said Marie.

She then picked up my hand in hers and hit the nail on the head. Pray with me, Dale.

There are moments in a person’s life that you dream about and hope for. This turned out not to be one of those moments. For 2 hours we lay there together holding hands. Marie’s eyes closed in prayer. Mine opened in bewilderment.”

Wonder if I’m condemned to forever be a virgin. This situation must take full priority right behind achieving Eagle status.”

I do not know why I shot the bird. At the moment I squeezed the trigger it seemed that the only two things in the world were the crow and myself. And now there is just me.”

Have traveled 6 miles on foot so far, 170 to go. Have had no experiences to speak of yet. Believe it is about to rain.”

Am at the Post and Beam restaurant on Route 487. Cannot describe the taste of warm cherry pie to a wet and weary traveler. Have also had my very first cup of coffee, and my second. My feet seem to tingle [formigar] and are very agitated. I feel like running very fast while screaming like an Indian.”

Star is outside asleep on a rock. Was going to tell April that I am a virgin and that any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated, but before I could she took off all her clothes and went outside to chase fireflies. I attempted to follow but stepped on a stick and cut my foot several steps from the tepee [tenda]. Could do nothing but watch as her naked body ran off into the field, chasing bugs. Lost sight of her as she caught her first fly. Have dressed and cleaned the foot wound. Expect full recovery. Do not know when or if April will return. Have found a bottle of raspberry [framboesa] brandy in the van and have filled my camp cup.”

DALE: Speak right into there.

ALLEN: The sun is dying. I travel all over this state and not one person realizes that the sun is dying and that time as we know it is coming to an end, everything we do is of no importance, and not one person seems to want to do a goddamn thing about it. Art, books, television, religion – none of it matters. What we need to start doing is planning to live without our bodies once the sun craps out on us. But no one wants to talk about it. I’ve got a plan, but no one wants to listen. They would rather just walk around and pretend the sun is going to come up tomorrow just like it did today. And where do you think all those people are going to be when Mr. Sun doesn’t come up? In trouble, that’s where they are going to be, but not me. Not Allen K. Boyle. I got a plan. . . .”

Mom had another dream last night. She said that he almost got in the door. Dad has been very busy printing maps of the moon. I asked him about the dreams and he said it was something I probably understood better than he did. I don’t, and am worried.”

The doctors said it was a brain aneurysm. They operated to relieve the pressure and now we are just waiting to find out what happens.

Dad said that she had gotten up about 11:30 to get a glass of water and take an aspirin. He asked her if she was feeling all right and she said, <Oh, you know.>. She didn’t say anything else, just that. <Oh, you know.> I don’t understand, and I hate hospitals.”

An aneurysm is a permanent abnormal blood-filled dilatation of a blood vessel resulting from disease of the vessel wall. It isn’t that bad.”

Dad is going to have her cremated. I never finished my civics paper. Marie came over. Started to tell me something about Mom being with God and I told her if she said one more word I’d knock her goddamn teeth out.”

I wish my brother Emmet could come, but if he crosses the border he will be arrested. Dad talked to Emmet on the phone and told him he understood why he couldn’t come back. I wish I understood. Bradley said Emmet was a coward and that was why he was in Canada. I smacked Bradley”

Mom is on her way to the ocean. Small grayish pebbles [seixos]. We each took a handful and tossed them into the water. They sank and then the current started to take them along, bouncing across the bottom. Saw a small perch eat one and then spit it out. A crayfish [lagostim] picked up another one in its claw and walked away with it into the deep water.”

Mom has been gone for over 3 months now. Don’t know what Dad would have done without the moon map business. He talks of little else but the moon now. Spends each night before going to bed on the roof with a telescope looking into the sky, drawing pictures of craters.”

Our first assignment is to write a sonnet. I told her that I have never liked or understood poetry. She said that she would do her best to change that, then she walked away.”

She then read a D. H. Lawrence poem, Gloire de Dijon, to the class, and kept her eyes on me the whole time. Unfortunately, I only remember the last few lines:

…She stoops to the sponge, and her swung breasts

Sway like full-blown yellow

Gloire de Dijon roses. … [bonita flor]

Had an erection throughout Mr. Hord’s early American history class.”

Have finished my first poem. Am seeking a balance between the erotic and the sublime.

Alone in a tepee full of breasts

hovering above him like angels

He dreams of fireflies and pyramids

and stars sleeping on rocks.”

April suggested that poetry may not be my field of expertise.”

Am beginning to believe that she is only interested in sleeping with dead poets.”

Just awoke from a dream where I was visited by Mom. She was not the same as I remember her. She seemed to be younger, barely a woman. Her face was smooth and pale, her hair was long and fell onto her shoulders. She was trying to tell me something, but I was not able to hear her.

I woke to find myself clutching a small gold ring in my hand. I do not know where it came from, and am sure it was not there when I went to sleep.”

The ring is now locked in the drawer of my desk. Mom is dead, and it was only a dream. I will not believe this.”

The ring fits on my small finger as if it was made for it. However, it will remain in the desk until I remember where it came from.”

Found an old photograph in an album of Mom when she was a teenager. On her finger was the ring I found in my hand the other night. I asked Dad about it and he said that when they were first dating he remembers Mom wearing it. That it had been her father’s and that her mother had given it to her when he died.”

Have drunk 7 cups of coffee. Feel somewhat sick to my stomach. Am trying very hard not to think about raspberry brandy.

Started to yawn one time after another. Drank 3 more cups of coffee to perk me up. Feel like my feet want to crawl out of my ears.”

Was up to 207 when April leaned out of the window and asked what I was doing. I said that I was counting cracks in the sidewalk. She asked why. I said that I was not sure, that I was not sure of anything anymore. (…) I told her that I thought there were more than 207 cracks in her sidewalk, but that was as far as I’d gotten, but if she wanted a complete count, I would be glad to finish. She said thanks, but that it was not necessary.”

I told April how Mrs. Laudner had tripped on a crack in the sidewalk in front of her house, smashing her nose flat against her cheek, and now always looks like she’s walking sideways. A few minutes later I left after Mr. Hord talked about how George Washington’s wooden teeth disappeared after his death and then mysteriously were found 30 years later under his bed by a maid looking for loose change.”

There are those within the scouting world who say that the skill of tracking has outlived its time. I disagree. The ability to follow a trail is fundamental to understanding the world.”

Marie rose up out of the grass, unhooked her bra, and slid it down off her arms. Although I do not actually remember doing it, at that time I apparently removed my clothes. We then stood inches apart, her breasts touching my chest.

Do you believe in God?, asked Mary.

I said I most certainly did. She smiled, kissed my chest, then slid her tongue all the way down to my penis and took it into her mouth.

The explosion that followed was unlike any I have ever experienced before. The rocket landed within 30 yards and exploded with a concussion that knocked me over. Then smaller clusters began exploding and streaming into the air. I believe at that point Mary stopped sucking and began screaming.”

Few forces in nature are as frightening as fire. Particularly when one is naked. The battle that followed lasted for almost an hour. What is left of my pants could hardly make a handkerchief. The hope that Marie had run off to get help was a false one. With only my clothes as weapons, the fire and I fought a running battle up and down the clearing from one hot spot to another. I lost my shirt to a small spruce, Marie’s to a blueberry bush, and most of my pants to a large clump of grass. Believe Marie’s socks and bra were also victims because I was not able to locate them after the flames were out.”

I lied last night. I do not believe in God, at least one who isn’t actively working against me.”

Received news today that Marie drowned this morning at Promised Land Lake. She apparently hit her head while diving off the swimming platform. She was alone at the time, so there was no one there to know she was in trouble. When they found her it was too late.”

What is good either dies or is killed.”

Thanks for saving my sneakers was the last thing I will ever hear her say.

Sure thing, I said back to her.”

Don’t forget your civics homework.”

Talked with Dad for much of the night. Both agreed that change is needed, or I will lose my marbles. Dad always seems to find the right words. Told him that I feel very guilty because I was not in love with Marie and that she might be alive if I had been.”

Have decided not to take along the tape recorder, it would not be practical, and I do not feel the need of its companionship, if that is what it has provided for the last several years. Will stop on the way out of town at Marie’s grave to leave a note and the small glass pyramid April gave me. Have also made some calculations. Expect that by the time I cross my first ocean, the lightest of Mom’s ashes will be drifting out to sea.”

The following letters are the only clues as to his whereabouts for those 3 years.”

(Three very brief and superficial letters.)

April 19, 1973, 9 P.M.

(…) Will make no attempt to record the events of the last 3 years, other than to say the whole universe is one bright pearl, and there is no need to understand it.”

Awnings seem to be declining in popularity. Trust and elm trees are disappearing. And J. Edgar Hoover is dead. Do not know whether any or all of these events are related.”

I must admit that my experience of the past several years does not lend itself to the belief that good can or will defeat evil. This is not a pessimistic view, but simply an observation of facts as I have experienced them.”

Have gotten a job digging holes for trees to be planted in. Could not be happier.”

The firemen were just mopping up. Jim’s room and several of the surrounding ones were gone. The firemen said the place went up like a torch. There was little they could do but stop it from spreading to the entire building. Jim’s body was not found in the room, and no one saw him leave the building. The firemen suspect that the heat was so intense from all the paper that only a forensic examination of the room will turn up any remains.

I do not believe they will find any. As I stood watching the firemen wrap up their hoses, the shadow of a man became faintly visible for an instant in an alley across the street. I then detected what I thought to be the muffled sound of a crying. I moved through the crows toward the alley and soon realized as I drew closer and closer that it was not crying at all, but laughter. When I reached the alley it was empty. I called out, searched up and down to no avail. All that was there was a freshly sharpened pencil where the laughter had come from. A message, I suspect.”

The owner of the circus pointed out that anyone who would write a letter seeking employment from a circus was probably not the kind of person they were looking for. He also said that he was plumb full of knife throwers already and was only looking for a bearded lady at the moment.”

Dad went on at some length that Lincoln would not have wanted to be remembered as a large piece of granite hanging on the side of a mountain with rain dripping off his nose.”

Dad gave me a new tape recorder that is the size of a notebook and used cassettes of tape rather than reels. He told me to work hard and not believe a damn thing anyone tells me.”

While I have experienced a number of mind-altering fungi and natural fauna used by what we refer to as primitive cultures, never have I witnessed a tribal display of debauchery that could hold a candle to a large group of 18-year-old Americans away from home for the first time.”

I retreated to the relative quiet of my room and read the writing of a monk who lived alone on a mountaintop for 37 years in search of a deeper understanding of the world. His main conclusion, when he came down, was that you can see very far on top of a mountain unless it is cloudy. Imprisoned for his radical ideas, he died several years later in jail. The only writing from this time period that survived is the line: There are no clouds in a prison.”

I was not prepared for the fact that women as a general rule are wild savages. At least those that are studying philosophy.”

Woke from a dream. I was sitting in a darkened room. There was a door with light coming through a crack. On the outside I could hear voices. One, I thought, was my mother’s. The other was indistinct. I believe it was death. She was attempting to open the door and walk back into the room. The door handle began to turn. I heard her call my name and I realized that it was not my mother but Marie. I heard her say <Please, I’m not ready>, then her voice grew fainter and fainter until it was gone. I wish Marie was at peace, but I do not think she is at this time, and I wonder what it is that she knows that those in the physical world can never understand.”

What I felt at that time I now realize was more than terror or shock. I firmly believe that the killer was within striking distance of myself, and could easily have claimed me as his second victim. This is not intuition. The presence of the killer was as real as the shaking in my hand at this moment. I do not understand the dark forces that result in so much brutality. But I now know that it is a real thing. And is out there at this very moment. I must find someone who can help me to understand and fight this. But who?”

I am back in my rooms. If it is true that dreams are the window into the subconscious, then I fear mine is a troubled place. While judgment is certainly questionable when suffering from a 103-degree fever, I nonetheless find myself believing that it was not merely infection that attacked my body, but somehow the evil that took the life of the young woman and was in striking distance of taking mine.

Does this evil exist in as tangible a form as, say, a germ? Does it float as a feather would on the currents of air that bring life to this world; moving in and out of all our lives, and occasionally taking root on unfortunate souls? If that is true, then the battle that took place within my body was not viral in origin, but a struggle for my very soul.”

I am therefore going to attempt to establish two things. First, the duration for which my body can function effectively without sleep. And second, the minimum amount of sleep required to sustain a high level of operation. Log entries will be made on the hour beginning now.”

The intake of stimulants of any kind would render the exercise useless, so I have decided to forgo coffee for the sake of scientific accuracy. No greater sacrifice has ever been made before in the name of science.”

God spelled backward is dog. Believe the test pattern used in television is similar in its ability to clear the mind to a spinning Tibetan prayer wheel. Last hour completed 50 push-ups in 60 seconds. Aside from slight heaviness in the eyelids, feel tip-top.”

[Mais de 26h acordado] Feel alert, strong, and fit. Am beginning to think that sleep is much overrated.”

I never liked the name Dale. Always wish I had been born an Apache and named Ten Sticks. Why, I do not know.”

Am beginning to think that the controlled chaos that I see around me now in the streets is much more orderly than nature unchained.”

Why is it you can never find a policeman when you need one? I must keep moving.”

Think I may reconsider my major in anthropology.”

It should be noted that the difference between a street celebration and a protest may appear small on the surface. However, when one is approaching a mounted policeman to ask for assistance, I would advise the questioner to be sure of the intentions of the group surrounding him.

As the words <I’ve been robbed> left my mouth, a column of mounted policemen charged toward me without any intention of offering assistance at all.”

As I understand it, Betty has died from her wounds. What was it that she was feeling when she said <I’m free>? Was it the same presence that I sensed when I found the murdered woman? Is there a beast? I do not know, and how does one fight it?” “This may be the greatest puzzle I have and will ever face.”

Have the distinct impression that Howard has plans to chemically alter his mind. Should also note that I believe President Nixon is conspiring in a cover-up and that the path he has taken can lead only to impeachment.”

There are two things I believe my life is beginning to point toward and focus on. The existence of good. And that of evil. These appear to be the two most important fundamental questions affecting daily life. The question, then, is how does one engage these two opposing forces? Evil is something that I seem to have had no trouble at all engaging. Good, and the form it takes, is a more elusive quest.”

The pursuit of good, when combined with raging hormones, is a powerful force indeed.”

Have never before danced naked with a large group of strangers. I, in general, would endorse it as an icebreaker to the shy and reserved of the world. I met several very nice women who wrote their phone numbers on my thigh with a Magic Marker. Though it is strange that I don’t seem to remember what any of them looked like naked. Where was it, I wonder, that I was looking? I seem to remember a breast here, a knee there, a foot, a shoulder, a neck. But none of them seem to add up to one entire body.”

A strange man stands outside of my building, looking up at my window. He appears to be painted blue. Am not sure what it is that he wants.”

For some reason, the management of the casinos has asked me not to come back to their tables ever again. They seem to be under the impression that the technique of card counting is a form of cheating and were in no mood to accept my argument that it was a simple form of mathematics.”

Woke in the middle of the night with a terrible sense of loss. Am not sure, but I wonder if it could be connected to the fact that my old bedroom at my father’s house has been turned into a pottery studio by Charlotte.”

Not even a large piece of pie and a cup of coffee down at the Lunch Pal restaurant could lift this fog. Studies seem of little use. Need a change.”

The tapes for the next 9 months were destroyed in a fire that started when an electric blanket ignited.” – 1975

Will miss very much the tape Howard and his girlfriend made of themselves making love as Nixon gave his resignation speech. It is a moment in history that I would have liked to have in my collection.”

Am attempting to discover how long an individual can function normally without urinating while consuming a normal amount of liquid. Will now drink 6 ounces of hot coffee.”

5 horas e algumas xícaras de café depois: “Seem to have reached a plateau.” Resistiu mais 5h08. “Urination lasted a full 2 minutes. Can safely say that they were the 2 most satisfying minutes I have ever spent in my short life. If it were not for the pain inflicted on oneself to reach the 10-hour mark, I would highly recommend it as a substitute for sex.”

The precise cause and nature of the fire that erupted in the garage at that exact moment is still under investigation by the fire marshal.”

It is difficult to describe the feeling that comes over an individual when he discovers that his girlfriend is an arsonist. While I admit to having had some suspicions at the time of the blaze, one is never quite prepared for meeting this kind of truth head-on. I believe it was Holmes who said that truth is often arrived at by 2 roads pointing in very different directions.” Visited Lena today. She seemed cheerful, happy, and for the most part normal. We talked for about 30 minutes about a wide variety of topics. Would have felt much better about the visit if she could have remembered who I was.” “I do not understand what it is about the choices I have made with women but they all seem to have been disasters.”

Three severed fingers were found in the biology building this morning. They appear to belong to a man, probably engaged in manual labor given the hair, calluses, and dirt under the fingernails. Was able to examine them for a number of minutes before the police arrived to handle the investigation.”

As I’m sitting here in my room, I find that a fire has been rekindled in me that was lost over the past several years. Spent over an hour with a special agent at the FBI booth. His name is Windom Earle, a man of uncommon intelligence. After talking with him I now believe I may have been looking to understand evil intellectually as a substitute for confronting it head-on.”

Am going to attempt to look up several of the members of the 24th Street gang that stole my tape recorder when I was 13 as a way of tracking their development. Have located the 1st individual working at a garage not far from their old hangout. Will visit him tomorrow.”

Feel myself totally focused. Find that sex is entering my thoughts only 3 or 4 times a day instead of the normal hourly preoccupation.”

All systems go. Report to the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, the 1st of September [1977]. Will use the intervening time to go into the Poconos to prepare myself in body and spirit.”

Was right about John’s marksmanship abilities. He and the instructor almost outpointed me with the pistol in the standing combat position until I realized the weapon I was using had a defect in the way the bullet rotated in the barrel. Adjustments were made and I completed the round with 6 straight bull’s-eyes.”

There is no more focused mind than the one that has created its own reality. And for that reason, it is the insane criminal who is to be feared more than any other. There is no gray area in madness. It is an absolute form of twisted truth.”

The firing of a machine gun is a sobering experience.”

There is one woman in the class. A person of great drive, beauty, and excellent marksmanship. She, Robin, is to be my partner in a simulated raid during a hostage situation tomorrow.”

Never again can I allow my guard to be lowered because of personal weakness on my part.”

Had a turkey dinner of what I think was gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and a green thing the best minds of the FBI could not identify.”

Disappointed that I was not able to bring anyone to justice on my first day. I have been assigned a secretary. Her name is Diane. Believe her experience will be of great help. She seems an interesting cross between a saint and a cabaret singer.”

Selected tapes throughout Agent Cooper’s FBI career have been subject to censoring for reasons of security.”

Diane, I hope that you will not mind that I address these tapes to you even when it is clear that I am talking to myself. The knowledge that someone of your insight is standing behind me is comforting. The Roe house is quiet now. We wait for the phone call that we know must be coming.”

Diane, please make a note to the procurement division about the coffee they now supply the Bureau with. Until coming to this office I had never met a bean I didn’t like. I can only wonder what hellhole of a government surplus warehouse they unearthed this blend from, and what war it was captured in.”

There are 3 bodies, Diane. All appear to be female between the ages of 16 and 30. The cause of death is as yet undetermined. Whatever could have done this, Diane, I can’t imagine was entirely human.” “The recognition that evil exists as an entity outside our understanding of life is not official policy of the Bureau.” “The file on this case remains active; all tapes pertaining to it have been withheld.”

Windom has invited me to his house tomorrow for dinner and a game of chess.” I have much to learn about the game of chess. Windom beat me in 7 moves. His wife, Caroline, is a remarkable woman. During a private moment together she told me about the first time Windom was forced to use his weapon, and that she hoped I would not let it affect my life the way it did Windom’s. I wonder what she meant.”

I believe I have encountered my first real mystery without a solution. How do they get the little snowflakes inside paperweights?”

Diane, found Windom’s car. He is nowhere to be seen. Am moving into an abandoned building. . . . I have a very bad feeling about this (…) Diane, at the top of the stairs I’ve found Windom’s wallet and ID”

I am standing in the shadows of a crane. Below, half submerged in the river, is the barge. In the faint moonlight two white items are visible in the center. . . . They are hands severed at the wrists like the others. There is a difference, however. One holds a small black square of cardboard, the other a white square, the significance of which I do not know at this time. What kind of game is being played out here, Diane?”

Is my dream connected somehow to this? A legless man telling me I cannot run from It. Corpses without hands. The abyss, and wonderful things.”

La Casa El Corazón. The house of the heart. (sic) Windom and Caroline spent their honeymoon here. A step into the past. From my balcony I look down onto the warm waters of the Caribbean. An old man sits playing chess in the courtyard. Windom told me of an old man who taught him all he knew of the game. If this is the same man, he must be 100 years old if a day.”

Caroline Earle has been kidnapped. According to my estimation, the abduction took place at the same time I found myself falling under the influence of the narcotic. How there could be a connection between events 1,500 miles apart I do not know. (…) Perhaps it is the Tibetan notion that there is no such thing as unrelated events, that everything is connected.”

Caroline smiled tonight, and held my hand. Windom seemed very pleased.”

Caroline woke with a terrible scream. I ran into the room and found Windom standing over her, speaking in soft, gentle tones. She said she saw the face of the man, that he was still coming after her, and that she knew she was going to die. However, she could not identify the man.”

Windom has decided not to remain at the safe house. He feels that his continued presence serves only to impede Caroline’s progress.”

I do not know what I will tell Windom when he arrives here in the morning. Aside from the fact that it would be useless to try, I can and will not lie to him.”

She had seen the face of the man who had taken her”

I have been stabbed . . . unconscious . . . Caroline is dead . . . Caroline is dead . . . Forgive me.”

Cooper made only two recordings over the next 6 months. His whereabouts during this time are not clear.”

February 1, 1980, 12 PM.

(…)

Windom Earle was insane long before the events of that terrible night, and is guilty of the attack on me, and the murder of his wife. I cannot prove this, for he is far too brilliant an opponent, but I am sure of it in my heart.”

Gordon and I both agreed that remaining in Pittsburgh would not be to my benefit or the Bureau’s. Gordon has really gone to bet for me. I will soon find out if the Bureau has the same confidence.”

Diane, pack your bags, we’re going to San Francisco.”

Diane, you won’t believe this, but I’ve just driven through a hole cut in a redwood tree. Never saw a tree like this in the eastern forests. These are the trees that legends are born from. Can’t imagine what a druid would have done if he was faced with this monster.”

The people in the lab have just identified the last remaining piece of evidence found on the last victim. A fiber found under one the toenails. It came from a carpet of a car. The color was blue, possibly from a Ford, though several makes use the same manufacturer.”

For the next 6 years Cooper remained in the counterintelligence division. If any tapes exist for that period of time, the FBI does not acknowledge it. The following <letters> to his father are the only pieces of audio released for these years.”

August 24, 9 A.M., 1987

Diane, I have spent 3 days with the people over at DEA now and I have yet to meet one person in a coat and tie. Also notice that they all seem to wear their body armor even when sitting in the office drinking coffee. They may be just the kind of people who can evaluate a new investigative technique I’m working on based on the writings of a Tibetan monk named Gumm.”

August 26, 10 A.M.

According to the results of my first substantial test of Gumm’s work, Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone on that fateful day in Dallas, and Jack Ruby [o assassino de Lee Harvey – morreu na prisão enquanto aguardava julgamento] is still alive and living in Peru. . . . This may need some more work yet.”

My counterpart in the DEA is an agent named Dennis Bryson. We leave for San Diego tonight”

I have not been to a dentist in 7 years.”

While I respect and admire the job the DEA does, I do not feel that I quite fit in with the cowboy esprit de corps that is prevalent in their ranks.”

Diane, looks like I’m going to be out of town for a while. There’s been a murder in a town in the southwest part of the state of Washington. The state authorities assume from the condition of the body that kidnapping was involved and have asked the Bureau to look into the case.”

Teresa Banks, no known next of kin, residence unknown, was found lying in a drainage ditch on the outskirts of town. Her naked body was wrapped in clear plastic and secured with duct tape. Appeared to have suffered numerous contusions to and about the head. The local coroner has determined the cause of death to be brain damage caused by a blow to the right temple area that fractured the skull. None of the other blows were severe enough to cause death. She had had sexual relations within the last 12 hours of her life.”

Diane, something appears to have been forced under the nail on the ring finger. It is quite deep. I am going to try to remove it. . . . It appears to have penetrated at least ¾ of the way under the nail. . . . just a little bit deeper. Chief, I think you might feel better if you stepped outside. . . . There, got it.

Diane, what we have is a small square of white paper with the letter T typed on it. (…) Diane, as Gordon thought, everything about this has the feel of a serial killing.”

Teresa Banks worked here for a period of no more than 3 weeks, and lived in one of the cabins that tourists rent down along the river.”

Bureau training does not cover or even acknowledge the existence of forces outside of the physical world. Nothing in Western thinking does.”

Had a very strange dream last night. I was dancing with a tiny little man, and a very beautiful young woman.”

Why do you think Bobby Fisher (sic) turned to God and gave up chess?

Answer: To get to the other side.

(…)

Windom Earle”

wiki: “After forfeiting his title as World Champion, Fischer became reclusive and sometimes erratic, disappearing from both competitive chess and the public eye. In 1992, he reemerged to win an unofficial rematch against Spassky. It was held in Yugoslavia, which was under a United Nations embargo at the time. His participation led to a conflict with the US government, which warned Fischer that his participation in the match would violate an executive order imposing US sanctions on Yugoslavia. The US government ultimately issued a warrant for his arrest. After that, Fischer lived his life as an émigré. In 2004, he was arrested in Japan and held for several months for using a passport that had been revoked by the US government. Eventually, he was granted an Icelandic passport and citizenship by a special act of the Icelandic Althing, allowing him to live in Iceland until his death in 2008.” “He was too good. There was no use in playing him. It wasn’t interesting. I was getting beaten, and it wasn’t clear to me why. It wasn’t like I made this mistake or that mistake. It was like I was being gradually outplayed, from the start. He wasn’t taking any time to think. The most depressing thing about it is that I wasn’t even getting out of the middle game to an endgame. I don’t ever remember an endgame. He honestly believes there is no one for him to play, no one worthy of him. I played him, and I can attest to that.” In a 1984 letter to the editor of the Encyclopaedia Judaica, Fischer demanded that they remove his name from future editions. In an interview in the January 1962 issue of Harper’s, he was quoted as saying, <I read a book lately by Nietzsche and he says religion is just to dull the senses of the people. I agree.> Fischer associated with the Worldwide Church of God in the mid-1960s. The church prescribed Saturday Sabbath, and forbade work (and competitive chess) on Sabbath.”  “<He idolized Hitler and read everything about him that he could lay his hands on. He also championed a brand of anti-semitism that could only be thought up by a mind completely cut off from reality.> Donner took Fischer to a war museum, which <left a great impression, since (Fischer) is not an evil person, and afterwards he was more restrained in his remarks—to me, at least.>” “A notebook written by Fischer contains sentiments such as <12/13/99 It’s time to start randomly killing Jews>. Despite his views, Fischer remained on good terms with Jewish chess players.”

Diane, I’ve never asked you this before, and as a general rule I try never to mix my private and public life, but I would consider it a great honor if you would consider having dinner with me. If this in any way crosses over a line that we have long ago set for our relationship, I will understand. If not, how does 8 o’clock sound?” “It occurred to me last night while in the middle of a very fine duck that I do not know Diane’s last name.”

I’m a time traveler, slipping in and out like an archaeologist, hoping I will find clues to forgotten secrets, or guideposts to future destinations. I find neither. You can no more hold the past in your hand than you can see tomorrow.”

I don’t think I’ve ever told you this, Diane, but in 1970 my father discovered a new crater on the moon [verified – Cooper crater exists!]. It’s called Cooper’s Crater, and you can just see it on the edge of the dark side’s shadow.”

In a nutshell, Diane, I am bored, and have not found a way to combat this malaise. Holmes used cocaine, an alternative I find unacceptable. What I need, what any detective needs, is a good case. Something to test oneself to the absolute limit. To walk to the edge of the fire and risk it all. (…) Is there any great cases anymore? (…) a John Dillinger, a Professor Moriarty? If I was to say that in my heart I hoped there was, then I should hang up my badge and gun and retire.”

February 24, 6 A.M.

There’s been a body found in Washington state, Diane. A young woman, wrapped in plastic. I’m headed for a little town called Twin Peaks.”

CAPES, 50 ANOS: Depoimentos ao Cpdoc/FGV (2002)

Org. Marieta de Moraes Ferreira & Regina da Luz Moreira

Em 1951, foi criada a Campanha Nacional de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes), com o objetivo de <assegurar a existência de pessoal especializado em quantidade e qualidade suficientes para atender às necessidades dos empreendimentos públicos e privados que visam ao desenvolvimento do país>. Para secretário-geral foi indicado o professor Anísio Teixeira, que a dirigiu até 1963.”

O projeto Capes, 50 anos teve como objetivo recuperar a história da fundação da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes), de seus primórdios até a atualidade, através da coleta de depoimentos de atores que desempenharam papel destacado na trajetória da instituição. Dessa tarefa, e da preparação deste livro, foi incumbido o Centro de Pesquisa e Documentação de História Contemporânea do Brasil (Cpdoc) da Fundação Getúlio Vargas, detentor de reconhecida experiência nesse campo de trabalho.

A importância da Capes e sua capacidade de aglutinar figuras destacadas, seja como funcionários, seja como dirigentes ou como colaboradores, nos possibilitaria arrolar um enorme número de possíveis depoentes. No entanto, a exigüidade do tempo, e os próprios limites impostos pelo formato de um livro, nos levaram, com o auxílio da direção atual, a definir uma lista restrita de entrevistados que nos permitiriam obter uma visão ampla e diversificada da instituição. Foram registrados, no total, 18 depoimentos em 40 horas de gravação

PASSANDO O PANO EM BIOGRAFIAS SUSPEITAS: “Na entrevista, ele [o depoente] está diante de um entrevistador ativo, que argumenta, reage, confirma, contesta [e que é manipulado a gosto]. Para que isso seja possível, o entrevistador precisa conhecer os personagens, os cenários e os roteiros. A reconstituição das trajetórias de personagens ligados à Capes abre assim novas perspectivas para o aprofundamento dos estudos sobre a pós-graduação no Brasil.” Será ainda possível?

HISTÓRICO

RESUMO ESQUEMÁTICO DO PRIMEIRO SESQUICENTENÁRIO CAPESIANO:

ANÍSIO TEIXEIRA (I) – DITADURA (II) – REABERTURA (III) – COLLOR (IV) – ABÍLIO E EXPANSÃO EM PLENO NEOLIBERALISMO (V) – …???

Quando Anísio Teixeira aportou em Brasília, tudo era mato, terra seca – e ignorância.

I. ERA ANÍSIO (1951-64)

A Capes foi criada em 11 de julho de 1951, pelo Decreto n. 29.741 [constituído de 12 artigos, cujos <melhores momentos> transcrevo a seguir], inicialmente como uma comissão destinada a promover o aperfeiçoamento do pessoal de nível superior.”

Art. 1º Fica instituída, sob a Presidência do Ministro da Educação e Saúde, uma Comissão composta de representantes do Ministério da Educação e Saúde, Departamento Administrativo do Serviço Público, Fundação Getúlio Vargas, Banco do Brasil, Comissão Nacional de Assistência Técnica, Comissão Mista Brasil, Estados Unidos, Conselho Nacional de Pesquisas, Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, Confederação Nacional da Indústria, Confederação Nacional do Comércio, para o fim de promover uma Campanha Nacional de aperfeiçoamento de pessoal de nível superior.”

Art. 2º (…) oferecer os (sic) indivíduos mais capazes, sem recursos próprios, acesso a tôdas as oportunidades de aperfeiçoamentos.

(…) Promover em coordenação com os órgãos existentes o aproveitamento das oportunidades de aperfeiçoamento oferecidas pelos programas de assistência técnica da Organização da Nações Unidas, de seus organismos especializados e resultantes de acordos bilaterais firmados pelo Govêrno brasileiro [curiosamente ainda engatinha-se na área ~70 anos depois]

Art. 7º A Comissão proporá ao Presidente da República, até 31 de dezembro de 1951, a forma definitiva que deve ser dada à entidade incumbida da execução sistemática e regular dos objetivos da Campanha.”

Art. 9º Os dirigentes dos órgãos da administração pública, das autarquias e sociedade de economia mista deverão facilitar o afastamento dos seus servidores selecionados para o programa de aperfeiçoamento instituído neste Decreto.

Art. 10. O Banco do Brasil facilitará cambiais para as bolsas concedidas, e, na medida das possibilidades, a transferência dos salários e vencimentos dos beneficiários do programa de aperfeiçoamento.

Art. 11.Os membros da Comissão não perceberão remuneração especial pelos seus trabalhos, mas serão considerados como tendo prestado relevantes serviços do (sic) país.”

Rio de Janeiro, 11 de julho de 1951, 130º da Independência e 63º da República.

GETÚLIO VARGAS

E. Simões Filho

Horácio Lafer

Francisco Negrão de Lima

Danton Coelho

Este texto não substitui o original publicado no Diário Oficial da União – Seção 1 de 13/07/1951”

Um breve interlúdio antes de continuarmos, avançando 40 anos no tempo (para depois voltarmos a recuar): Fica claro pelo Decreto 99.678/90 que a Capes foi momentaneamente “rebaixada” a mero órgão interno de assessoria a assuntos voltados à pós-graduação (na realidade seu Presidente seria o que hoje é um Diretor, código 101.5). Havia 2 coordenadores-gerais no organograma publicado no Anexo II, bem como 6 assessores, 1 coordenador, 8 chefes de divisão e 14 chefes de unidade (DAS mínimo, hoje extinto). O INEP estava hierarquicamente acima da Capes de acordo com este documento legal.

Aproveitando o excurso, antes de terminar, trecho do Decreto 50.737: “a administração das bôlsas de estudo oferecidas pelo Govêrno Brasileiro a latino-americanos e afro-asiáticos para cursos de graduação e pós-graduação no Brasil (…) JÂNIO QUADROS”

Foram várias as instituições e agências públicas criadas nesses primeiros meses de 1951, entre elas o Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico (atual BNDES) e o Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa (CNPq), com os quais a Capes, ao longo destes 50 anos, interagiu na formulação e implementação de uma nova política de desenvolvimento científico e tecnológico. Foi também o momento de criação da primeira faculdade de administração pública da América Latina, a EBAP, órgão da Fundação Getúlio Vargas destinado à formação de uma nova geração de formuladores e de gestores públicos.” “Em seu depoimento, Almir de Castro [o <segundo homem>, 1º depois de A.T.] assinala que a Capes era ligada ao Ministério da Educação, mas também à Presidência da República.¹ O que ressalta é a grande autonomia e autoridade de que era dotada sua direção.”

¹ Precedente perigoso para quem nela hoje trabalha… Precedente e presidente são palavras tão parecidas que Weintraub talvez escreva uma pensando na outra…

A concessão de bolsas de estudos, no entanto, apenas progressivamente foi se desenvolvendo, até se afirmar como atividade de maior peso dentro da agência, em detrimento das atividades de fomento. O que talvez explique esse crescimento gradativo seja o fato de que o setor responsável pelas bolsas se viu também obrigado a realizar pesquisas sobre a atuação de outras instituições congêneres, sobre seu processo de concessão, etc. As atividades de fomento favoreceram a criação de centros nacionais, núcleos regionais de ensino e pesquisa, ou ainda unidades de cunho institucional, que foram perdendo importância ao longo do período, em detrimento das bolsas de estudo.”

II. DITADURA MILITAR 1ª PARTE (1964-74)

I HAD A DREAM…: “A Capes teve sua trajetória diretamente afetada pelo movimento político-militar de 1964, que inaugurou na agência um período de descontinuidade administrativa e turbulência institucional. Naquele momento, chegou-se mesmo a cogitar sua extinção.”

Já no final do mês de maio, a Capes era transformada, de comissão em coordenação, e junto com a nova designação, assumia uma nova condição institucional: o Decreto n. 53.932 [1964](*), integrou-a à estrutura do Ministério da Educação e Cultura, vinculando-a à política da educação superior do país através da Diretoria do Ensino Superior, a DESu. Assim, embora mantivesse a mesma sigla, a Capes passava a ser diretamente subordinada ao ministro da Educação, que teria autoridade inclusive para regulamentar as atividades e aprovar os regimentos internos da agência.”

(*)

Art. 1º A Campanha Nacional de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), de que tratam os Decretos nºs 29.741, de 11 de julho de 1951, 50.737, de 7 de junho de 1961, e 51.146, de 5 de agôsto de 1961, órgão da Presidência da República; a Comissão Supervisora do Plano dos Institutos (COSUPl), de que tratam os Decretos nºs 49.355 de 28 de novembro de 1960, 51.405, de 6 de fevereiro de 1962, e 52.456, de 16 de setembro de 1963, órgão do Ministério da Educação e Cultura; e o Programa de Expansão do Ensino Tecnológico (PROTEC), de que trata o Decreto nº 53.325, de 18 de dezembro de 1963, órgão do Ministério da Educação e Cultura, ficam reunidos na Coordenação do Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), subordinada diretamente ao Ministro da Educação e Cultura e que poderá regulamentar atividades e aprovará regimento internos (sic).

colaborar em programas de formação e adestramento de pessoal…”

Art. 4º Os auxílios concedidos pela CAPES visando à complementação de recursos dos Centros de Treinamento para o cumprimento de programas específicos de formação de pessoal ou desenvolvimento de novos centros terão sempre caráter temporário, estabelecendo-se, em cada caso, convênio com as instituições contempladas de sorte que através (sic) recursos regulares previstos nos orçamentos das mesmas (sic) seja assegurada a continuidade de seu funcionamento.”

Art. 5º A CAPES será orientada por um Conselho Deliberativo integrado por 9 membros designados pelo Presidente da República, pelo prazo de 3 anos e mediante indicação do Ministro da Educação e Cultura.

§ 1º Dois dos nove membros do Conselho são considerados membros natos: o Diretor da Diretoria do Ensino Superior do Ministério da Educação e Cultura e o Presidente do Conselho Nacional de Pesquisas.

§ 2º A Presidência do Conselho caberá ao Ministro da Educação e Cultura, sendo seu substituto eventual o Diretor da Diretoria de Ensino Superior.”

O Diretor Executivo e os Secretários serão de livre escolha do Ministro da Educação e Cultura.”

Brasília, 26 de maio de 1964; 143º da Independência e 76º da República.

H. CASTELLO BRANCO

Flávio Lacerda”

Decreto n. 54.356 (setembro de 64):

Dispõe sobre o Regime de Organização e Funcionamento da <Coordenação do Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior>.”

Art. 2º A ação da CAPES se exercerá, principalmente, pelas seguintes formas:

I – Concessão de bôlsas a graduados para estudos no país e no estrangeiro;

II – Administração de bôlsas oferecidas pelo govêrno Brasileiro a cidadãos estrangeiros para estudos no país;

III – Supervisão dos estabelecimentos mantidos pelo Govêrno em Centros educacionais estrangeiros (Casa do Brasil);

IV – Estímulo à formação de Centros Nacionais de Treinamento Avançado;

V – Incentivo à implantação do regime de tempo integral para o pessoal docente de nível superior;(*)

VI – Prestação de assistência técnica e financeira às Universidades, Escolas Superiores Isoladas e Institutos Científicos e Culturais;

VII – Promoção de encontros de professôres e pesquisadores visando a elevar os padrões de ensino superior em todo o país.”

* * *

(*) Incrível como décadas depois essa importante conquista ainda é assunto em ementas recentes de tribunais e em trabalhos jurídico-acadêmicos:

TRT-10 – RECURSO ORDINÁRIO RO 1164200701710006 DF 01164-2007-017-10-00-6 (TRT-10)

Data de publicação: 29/05/2009

Ementa: PROFESSOR UNIVERSITÁRIO E PESQUISADOR. CONTRATAÇÃO EM REGIME DE DEDICAÇÃO INTEGRAL. HORAS EXTRAS PELO TRABALHO EXTRA-CLASSE. INDEVIDAS. ELASTECIMENTO DE HORÁRIO. ÔNUS DA PROVA. 1. As normas específicas de tutela referentes à jornada dos professores (CLT [em extinção!], Título III, Seção XII) estão expressamente direcionadas apenas às horas de trabalho em sala de aula, cujo tratamento legal mais benéfico se justifica em razão do desgaste sofrido pelo profissional sob tais condições. Em se tratando de professor universitário contratado em regime de dedicação integral, nos termos do art. 52 da Lei nº 9394 /96, uma vez obedecida a jornada especial do professor quanto ao trabalho em sala de aula, mostra-se indevida, à míngua de norma mais favorável, a percepção de horas extras pelo trabalho desenvolvido extra-classe. 2. Em razão da natureza extraordinária do fato alegado, é do empregado o ônus de comprovar o trabalho extraordinário (arts. 818 da CLT e 333, I, do CPC). Tal encargo probatório não se altera em se tratando de professor universitário que desenvolve atividades de pesquisa científica nas instalações da faculdade reclamada, onde lhe é franqueada ampla permanência além do horário contratado, para fins de estudos e pesquisa. Nesse caso, incumbe ao autor demonstrar que sua permanência no ambiente de trabalho ocorreu sob o comando e no interesse exclusivo da instituição de ensino.

O art. 9º do Decreto 3.860/2001, que dispõe sobre a organização do ensino superior e a avaliação de cursos e instituições, nada menciona sobre a duração da hora no aludido regime de tempo integral, estando assim redigido: <Para os fins do inciso III do art. 52 da Lei nº 9.394 de 1996, entende-se por regime de trabalho docente em tempo integral aquele que obriga a prestação de quarenta horas semanais de trabalho na mesma instituição, nele reservado o tempo de pelo menos vinte horas semanais destinado a estudos, pesquisa, trabalhos de extensão, planejamento e avaliação>. Lado outro [hm], a remuneração dos professores é, na forma do disposto no art. 320 da CLT, fixada pelo número de aulas semanais. Havendo cláusula coletiva estabelecendo que <considera-se como aula o módulo docente destinado ao trabalho letivo ministrado pelo professor, integrante da atividade do magistério, com duração máxima de 50 (cinqüenta) minutos, ministrado para turma ou classe regular de alunos>, conclui-se que o regime de 40 horas (de 60 minutos) em tempo integral equivale a 48 horas-aula semanais de 50 minutos cada, realidade que abarca tanto as atividades em sala de aula como aquelas outras compatíveis com a condição de professor e exigidas quando do labor em tempo integral.

Há duas grandes <heranças conceituais> subjacentes à questão da regulamentação do regime docente de tempo integral. Primeiro, existe o conceito de isonomia, originado no setor público, que tende a uniformizar o tratamento da questão, partindo da premissa de que todas as universidades devem ser tratadas da mesma forma. Segundo, há conceito de hora-aula, nascido no âmbito privado, que tende a confundir o trabalho docente como uma contabilização das horas despendidas em sala de aula, gerando uma tendência de se <aulificar> o ensino. Ambos os conceitos, em conjunção com o disposto no inciso III do art. 52, fazem com que haja a tendência de se quantificar a questão, quando esta deveria ser antes qualificada.” “o intelecto não se prende obrigatoriamente a espaços físicos, nem se submete facilmente a injunções temporais.” [O dia que esse tipo de mérito for reconhecido eu amputo meus 4 mindinhos. Não farão falta!] “Há uma tradição normativa da educação superior, com deliberação do antigo CFE (Parecer nº 792/73, relator pelo Conselheiro Valnir Chagas), de que uma hora-aula de cinqüenta minutos na prática significa um dispêndio de até sessenta minutos da carga horária dos cursos, já que há outras atividades pedagógicas associadas (como intervalos para apreensão de conteúdo). Nas palavras do Relator da questão, o esquema 50 + 10 <se enraíza no racionalismo pedagógico>, havendo <toda uma orientação de flexibilidade que doravante há de presidir à organização das ‘atividades’ escolares>. O conceito de hora-aula esteve tão enraizado na tradição educacional que fez com que muitas cargas horárias de cursos superiores fossem mensuradas em horas-aula, o que criou algumas distorções, por conta das diferenças entre os turnos diurno e noturno.” “É não apenas desejável, como necessário, a existência de um critério mínimo que caracterize uma universidade, em distinção a outros tipos de IES. Porém, fica a dúvida: o corte, a referência, será <por cima>, por um modelo de universidade de elite com pesquisa de ponta, ensino pós-graduado, ou <por baixo>, por uma instituição voltada à formação profissional, com pesquisa aplicada e pós-graduação profissionalizante? Ora, havendo fontes de financiamento abundantes, pode-se pensar facilmente <por cima>. Se não, há que se ponderar sobre a sustentabilidade das instituições, sob o risco de implosão do Sistema, e de retorno a um ensino elitizado, sustentado pelos contribuintes, os quais majoritariamente a ele não tinham acesso.” “O requisito legal (LDB), que na prática quantifica o problema, tem gerado mal-entendidos e problemas diversos. As universidades não têm um mesmo padrão organizacional, até por suas diferenças institucionais e ambientais.” André Magalhães Nogueira – Universidade e Regime de Trabalho (documento 56), OBSERVATÓRIO UNIVERSITÁRIO, 08/2006.

* * *

§1º Os membros do Conselho Deliberativo perceberão por sessão a que comparecerem uma gratificação de presença fixada pelo Ministro da Educação e Cultura, até ao máximo de 48 sessões anuais.”

Parágrafo único. A distribuição e a lotação dos servidores da CAEPS (sic) caberão ao Diretor Executivo.”

§1º O Diretor-Executivo e os Chefes de Divisões perceberão a gratificação que fôr arbitrada pelo Conselho Deliberativo e aprovada pelo Ministro da Educação e Cultura.”

(voltando…)

O interregno entre a gestão de SUZANA GONÇALVES (1964-1966) e a de CELSO BARROSO LEITE (1969-1974) pode ser caracterizado como um período de grande instabilidade institucional, em que 6 diretores-executivos — 2 deles interinos — estiveram à frente da Capes.”

III. REGULAMENTAÇÃO DA PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO NO BRASIL (1974-89)

1974, quando a transferência para Brasília exigiu a contratação e o treinamento de novos funcionários. Isso possibilitou não apenas um novo dinamismo administrativo, mas também a criação de um esprit de corps, através do qual se estabeleceu uma forte identidade institucional. Esse dinamismo institucional foi basicamente explicitado no Decreto-Lei n.° 74.299, de julho de 1974

* * *

Art. 1º. A Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), órgão autônomo do Ministério da Educação e Cultura, criada pelo Decreto nº 53.932, de 26 de maio de 1964, e reformulada pelo Decreto nº 66.662, de 5 de junho de 1970, tem as seguintes finalidades:”

Art. 12. Para assegurar a autonomia financeira da CAPES nos termos do artigo 172 do Decreto-lei nº 200, de 25 de fevereiro de 1967, fica mantido o Fundo Especial instituído pelo artigo 9º do Decreto nº 66.662, de 5 de junho de 1970, com a denominação de Fundo de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (FAPES).”

Brasília, 18 de julho de 1974; 153º da Independência e 86º da República.

ERNESTO GEISEL”

Ernesto Gás Hélio, será que falava grosso?!?

* * *

A PRÉ-HISTÓRIA DO FRANKENSTEIN CHAMADO GAE

A gestão de Darcy Closs passou a recorrer de forma cada vez mais sistemática e progressiva, ainda que informal, à colaboração de consultores vindos da área acadêmica, quer para a análise das solicitações de bolsas de estudo, para entrevistas com candidatos, avaliação de cursos, recomendações de cotas de bolsas, quer para a elaboração, implantação e avaliação de projetos de interesse da política definida pela agência. Essas consultorias permitiram à Capes fazer frente à multiplicação de suas atividades e programas — que no período chegaram a patamares até então inéditos —, e seus pareceres, estudos e avaliações, embora não tivessem poder deliberativo, foram gradualmente ganhando importância dentro da agência, uma vez que subsidiavam as decisões do CTA. A partir de 1977, essas consultorias assumiram a forma de comissões, e mais tarde foram institucionalizadas, com seus presidentes passando a integrar um conselho técnico-científico, com direito inclusive [ó!] a participação no conselho superior da agência.”

ANOS MOURA CASTRO: “Nesse sentido, foi estabelecido todo um processo de transferência, para as universidades e programas, da responsabilidade de selecionar, acompanhar, pagar e avaliar o desempenho dos alunos bolsistas, cabendo à agência apenas a função de promover uma melhor e mais ampla avaliação dos programas e dos alunos.” “esse foi também o momento em que a Capes readquiriu maior destaque no sistema de pós-graduação, chegando mesmo a se impor sobre as demais agências. A pedra de toque para que isso ocorresse foi seu reconhecimento formal como órgão responsável pela formulação do Plano Nacional de Pós-Graduação, o que se deu em fins de 1981, com a extinção do Conselho Nacional de Pós-Graduação. A partir de então ela assumiu as competências que até então (sic) eram do conselho. Esse novo papel fez também com que a Capes fosse reconhecida dentro do MEC como a agência executiva do Sistema Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia, o que na prática a tornou responsável pela elaboração, acompanhamento e coordenação de todas as atividades relacionadas com a pós-graduação dentro do ministério.” “agora era dada à Capes a responsabilidade de assessorar a Secretaria de Educação Superior, a SESu — que havia substituído o DAU — na tarefa de formular a política nacional de pós-graduação.”

O momento final desse período é representado pela gestão de EDSON MACHADO DE SOUSA (1982-1990), que, juntamente com a de ABÍLIO BAETA NEVES, é uma das mais longas da história da Capes, em que pese a numerosa sucessão de titulares que a pasta da Educação teve então.” (nada mudou)

IV. O FIM DA CAPES PARTE I (1990-92)

A posse de FERNANDO COLLOR DE MELO na presidência da República, em março de 1990, e a profunda reestruturação da administração pública federal que se seguiu, trouxeram consigo a extinção da Capes, medida que traumatizou não apenas seus funcionários, mas a toda a comunidade acadêmica. E foi exatamente a mobilização desses segmentos que garantiu, em pouco menos de um mês, o reestabelecimento da agência.” Collor só deveria ser citado em caixa alta em processos penais.

A lei que determinou a transformação da Capes em fundação foi aprovada no início de janeiro de 1992, sob o n. 8.405, durante a gestão de JOSÉ GOLDEMBERG na pasta da Educação.” Pasta surrada essa, por que não compram logo uma mochila?

Capítulo de 1 página. Merecido.

V. NOVOS TEMPOS, NOVOS BLÁ-BLÁ-BLÁS (1992-2001)

a Capes assumiu a incumbência de validar os diplomas expedidos pelo sistema nacional de pós-graduação, e que possibilitou a definição de uma política para o setor de bolsas no exterior, através do incentivo aos acordos de cooperação.” Era Netherrealmeyer

OS ANTI-CABALISTAS IRÃO ODIAR ESTA ESCALA: “foram introduzidas novidades como a escala numérica de 1 a 7, de modo a permitir uma maior diferenciação entre os programas — alteração consolidada já na rodada realizada em 2001 —, e a medição da qualidade dos programas segundo sua inserção internacional.”

ENTREVISTAS & FRAGMENTOS

Considerávamos que a medicina e a biologia já eram tradicionalmente atendidas por fundações como a Rockefeller e outras. A classe médica já era mais ou menos autônoma e não precisava de um órgão para fornecer bolsas e mandar pessoas ao exterior; era muito comum naquele tempo encontrar médicos <com prática em hospitais de Viena, Paris, etc>. Curiosamente, isto até constituiu um problema para nós da Capes em certa época, uma vez que o presidente Juscelino era médico, o ministro da Educação, Clóvis Salgado, era médico e eu próprio, diretor de programas da Capes, também era. De toda maneira, porém, cortamos a medicina deste contexto. A área já era considerada atendida; por isso, atendíamos principalmente ao que, na época, se achava que contribuía para o desenvolvimento.” Almir de Castro

Tempos que não voltam mais: “ÁREA DE TECNOLOGIA, CIÊNCIA APLICADA? – Não exclusivamente. Está claro que não considerávamos o desenvolvimento uma coisa estanque, que se atendia apenas com tecnologia e ciência. Sabíamos que há um contexto de interação de todas as coisas e, por isso mesmo, atendíamos também áreas como ciências sociais, que era um setor abandonado; a Capes foi a primeira agência a se preocupar com as ciências sociais.”

VAMOS FORMAR EMPRESÁRIOS VISIONÁRIOS: “a simples existência de agrônomos não vai ajudar diretamente o desenvolvimento da agricultura. Outro exemplo: se começássemos a formar engenheiros especializados em automóveis antes da implantação da indústria automobilística, estaríamos gastando dinheiro para formar profissionais que teriam que emigrar para a Europa e para os Estados Unidos, porque aqui não se iria criar uma indústria automobilística apenas pelo fato de existirem engenheiros especializados em motor de automóvel.”

KUBI-CAR-CHECK

QUATRO VEZES CRISTÃO: “Anísio foi educado por padres na Bahia, por isso tinha uma fé inabalável; ia dedicar-se à vida religiosa. Só comia aquilo de que não gostava, para se acostumar à punição e à privação; era um homem de passar a noite ajoelhado, de se contrariar em tudo por fé. Tinha uma fé inquebrantável e era estudioso, ao mesmo tempo, de filosofia, cristianismo, religiões em geral. Mais tarde, quando começaram a acusá-lo de comunista, ele reagiu” “Enfim, não sei se foi uma manobra inocente ou não, mas seu pai exigiu que, antes de fazer os votos, ele passasse um ano na Europa, e Anísio aceitou; fez da viagem uma peregrinação. Obteve licença das mais altas autoridades da Igreja para visitar lugares santos, penetrar em recintos proibidos aos leigos, fez uma via crucis de fé, refez o roteiro de santos. E nesta história toda, acabou perdendo a fé. Por que meandros e mecanismos, ele nunca esclareceu, mas perdeu totalmente a fé.” Comeu umas putas húngaras!

A partir dai, voltou-se muito para os aspectos teóricos e pragmáticos da educação. Era um imenso admirador de John Dewey

Nós do staff é que achávamos — e eu ainda acredito nisso — que não tem a menor importância haver cem escolas de economia no Brasil, embora se pudesse, sem prejuízo, fechar a metade. Mas se houver cem escolas de engenharia e só 20 forem muito boas, ainda assim está tudo ok. Com a vastidão do Brasil, com a diversificação de trabalho que existe, há tarefas para engenheiro que só sabe fazer fossa e pavimentação e tarefas para o engenheiro criador, que vai fazer uma pesquisa, um trabalho tecnicamente sofisticado, que realmente vai introduzir uma coisa nova, ser um

grande professor [isso sim é o fundo da fossa] e tudo o mais. Há tarefas para todos.” “Evidentemente, uma pessoa só vai cursar uma universidade ruim se não puder ir para uma melhor ou porque, naquele local, não há um corpo de professores capaz de oferecer um ensino melhor. Não é por má fé que se faz uma escola ruim, mas mesmo essas pessoas têm uma missão a cumprir.” Limpar banheiros com diploma na gaveta.

Fizemos também coisas que talvez fossem da seara do CNPq ou do IBGE, como o primeiro cadastro de instituições de pesquisa do Brasil.” “nunca pudemos oferecer mais de 20 bolsas integrais para o exterior, não havia recursos. As bolsas eram integrais e, no auxílio, incluíam-se passagens para pessoas que tinham bolsas não-integrais de países ou instituições. Por exemplo, nesse tempo o ITA tinha um programa de treinamento de pessoal recém-formado, à frente do qual estava um professor inteiramente abnegado, que só vivia para isso. Por suas próprias relações, movimentava empresas, universidades, centros industriais dos Estados Unidos e da Europa; escrevia para essas instituições, solicitando bolsas e estágios. No fim do ano, tinha umas 30 ou 40 oportunidades de treinamento no exterior para oferecer a rapazes do ITA formados naquele ano ou no ano anterior, e a uma grande parte deles a Capes fornecia passagens.”

Por exemplo, a França tinha um número muito grande a oferecer, cento e tantas bolsas por ano; a Usaid, naquele tempo chamada de Ponto 4(*), também tinha um número grande, assim como a Alemanha e o Canadá, além dos órgãos que mantinham programas de bolsas; todos se ligaram um pouco à Capes.”

(*) “Nota dos autores – Programa criado no governo Truman (1945-53) para promover a cooperação técnica entre os Estados Unidos e a América Latina; no Brasil, procurou abranger principalmente as áreas de administração pública, economia, administração orçamentária e financeira, agricultura, recursos minerais, energia nuclear, saúde, educação e transporte. Na área de educação, dedicou-se à formação de professores que viessem por sua vez a formar profissionais para a indústria e promoveu a vinda de técnicos e professores americanos, além de conceder a brasileiros bolsas de estudos nos Estados Unidos, entre outros aspectos. Foi considerado por políticos, educadores e intelectuais um instrumento de controle político e ideológico dos Estados Unidos sobre o Brasil.” Não sem razão.

O QUE HOJE PARECE SER TAREFA PARA GÊNIOS DA COMPUTAÇÃO DESCOBRIR: “Assim, num tempo em que havia certa limitação de candidatos, tínhamos a informação completa sobre o que se passava em matéria de candidaturas, qualificação de candidatos, o que nos permitia saber quem estava se candidatando a duas bolsas.

A CAPES SOFRIA PRESSÃO POLÍTICA PARA CONCEDER BOLSAS? Naturalmente, recebíamos pedidos políticos e pessoais, mas fazíamos uma seleção muito ad hoc, muito informal. Recebíamos, por exemplo, uma carta de recomendação e telefonávamos para o signatário: <Você está recomendando mesmo ou é uma caria apenas para constar?> Tínhamos resultados bastante satisfatórios.” Haha!

O sistema de seleção realmente funcionava, completamente isento de ingerências, de influência política ou de qualquer fator não-acadêmico.” EM LETRAS GARRAFAIS NO LIVRO.

NUNCA HOUVE O FIO-CONDUTOR IMAGINÁRIO: “COMO ERAM AS RELAÇÕES COM O CNPq? Não eram institucionais, mas derivadas, como acontece muito no Brasil, de laços de amizade entre mim e os dirigentes do CNPq, como o prof. Antônio Moreira Couceiro e o prof. Manuel da Frota Moreira, diretor científico do CNPq, ou com o prof. Heitor Grillo, ou com diretores, presidentes, conselheiros. Os contatos eram mais troca de informações, para orientação da politica dos dois órgãos.”

NO BRASIL CADA IDÉIA TEM SEU PADRINHO. MESMO QUE SEJA A MESMA IDÉIA. AÍ TEMOS 2 PADRINHOS DA MESMA CRIANÇA, E NÃO É UM CASAL! “Havendo tão pouco em matéria de bolsa, em matéria de auxílio universitário, informal, não tinha importância que mais de um órgão fizesse a mesma coisa. Porque, por mais que fizessem os dois órgãos num mesmo campo, não conseguiriam fazer nem 10% do necessário. A mim, pessoalmente, essa duplicação nunca preocupou muito. Lembro que, muitos anos depois, Celso Barroso Leite passou a dirigir a Capes. Ele trabalhara conosco durante vários anos, e quando dirigiu a instituição, preocupou-se muito com a duplicação de atribuições. Em conversa, eu lhe disse para não se preocupar tanto com isso, porque todos os órgãos brasileiros que se dedicavam àquelas tarefas não dispunham dos recursos necessários para atender às extensas necessidades nacionais.”

a segunda coisa mais importante depois da seleção era ele ter garantido o aproveitamento de sua bolsa; isso, entretanto, era uma coisa que já nos escapava um pouco. Não tínhamos dúvida de que a seleção era muito bem-feita, porque se fazia com o aval e a participação das melhores pessoas. Em sua grande maioria, os bolsistas já estavam dentro do núcleo de uma escola ou centro de pesquisas. Todos estavam aptos a logo começar a absorver a experiência dos centros de treinamento, porque muito raramente mandávamos uma pessoa que não tivesse domínio da língua do país para onde ia. Mas em casos especiais, não deixamos de mandar um bolsista sem esta qualificação, e não nos saímos mal. Mandamos, mais de uma vez, pessoas ainda meio claudicantes, mas que chegavam e reforçavam seu inglês ou seu francês e se saíam muito bem, porque eram de alto calibre e apenas incidentalmente deficientes em idioma estrangeiro.” Traduzindo: tergiverso, meu caro Watson: nunca houve acompanhamento de egressos!

Em primeiro lugar, devo dizer que sequer fui consultada se queria ou não ser diretora da Capes. Mas vou contar como as coisas se passaram. Sou mineira de Santa Luzia, e minha mãe pertence à família Viana, muito numerosa; entre seus membros estão o historiador Hélio Viana e sua irmã Argentina Viana. Esta, que faleceu cedo, casou-se com Humberto de Alencar Castelo Branco, que em 1964 tornou-se presidente da República.” Suzana Gonçalves Viana

A BEATA QUE VIROU PRESIDENTE DA CAPES: “Durante todo o tempo tive que lidar com um personagem meio misterioso, uma espécie de <olheiro> do SNI [a Abin do Mal] — eles estavam em todos os ministérios. No governo Castelo Branco o <olheiro> era também professor, uma pessoa que me dava a impressão de ser muito equilibrada e nunca permitiu absurdos e intromissões indesejáveis.” “Anteriormente eu trabalhara na PUC, lecionando no Instituto Feminino, nos cursos de preparação cívica da mulher; era uma iniciativa vinculada também à Ação Católica. Comecei no final dos anos 40, depois do Estado Novo. As mulheres já tinham direito de voto e, talvez em decorrência disso, resolveram abrir cursos de preparação para um exercício cívico mais consciente [agora precisamos para todo homem branco]. A partir dali, fui ministrar cursos análogos no Colégio Jacobina e depois no Santa Úrsula. A partir destes exemplos, outras instituições também passaram a oferecer cursos semelhantes. Posteriormente, fui convidada pelo então reitor da PUC, o padre Artur Alonso, para assessorá-lo no Setor de Intercâmbio da Universidade, o que me aproximou dos órgãos de comunicação do Rio.”

Como inúmeros outros organismos governamentais, a Capes era uma campanha mantida com recursos transferidos da Casa Militar da Presidência da República. O dr. Anísio Teixeira certamente sabia que, embora esdrúxulo, o caminho era o mais seguro, pois a dotação era muito pequenina, e o tempo todo ele lutou tremendamente para aumentá-la. Nisso, sobreveio a Revolução de 64 e — não tenho documentos sobre isso, sei apenas de oitiva — no primeiro momento houve um movimento para extinguir a Capes. Mas professores da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, sobretudo Paulo de Góes e Amadeu Cury, puseram-se em campo para convencer o governo de que isso, positivamente, não devia ser feito.” Provavelmente os militares eram peritos em magia negra para sumir com tantas provas de atrocidades, fossem ideológicas ou materiais! “Aliás, o ministro Suplicy tinha qualidades muito positivas, como pude notar durante sua passagem pelo Ministério — eu não o conhecia, sendo ele paranaense.” Hm. Até agora não falou mal de ninguém.

o Protec era uma anomalia. Foram abertos cursos de engenharia onde houvesse espaço, sem anuência prévia do Conselho Federal de Educação, sem dotação orçamentária nem vínculo com universidades públicas; eram escolas isoladas. Como todos os orçamentos foram contingenciados, era preciso tomar providências para que os estudantes não perdessem o ano nessas escolas, que não tinham competência jurídica para diplomar; portanto seus cursos não tinham validade.”

Lembro que, de uma feita, chegou ao meu conhecimento que uma importante universidade estava investindo dotações da Capes no mercado financeiro, fraudando, portanto, cláusula do convênio por ela assinado e que determinava a pronta aplicação dos recursos. Considerava-se, certamente, acima de controles. Aí mandei os dois Nelsons, um por ser agressivo e o outro por ser bem tranqüilo, para ter com o reitor dessa universidade e conhecer suas explicações a respeito. Rapidamente, a universidade resgatou o dinheiro do mercado financeiro e passou a aplicá-lo conforme as determinações da Capes. Era isso, ou o convênio seria denunciado.”

O governo Costa e Silva realmente endureceu, mas o seguinte foi pior, o do Médici. Apesar de seu ar tranqüilo, seu governo foi o pior de todos, inclusive com sacrifício de vidas. Quando voltei à Capes, como assessora de Programas, o agente do SNI não era mais aquele professor do período inicial, mas um militar. Para mostrar eficiência, fez um questionário: tínhamos que preencher o nome do bolsista, sua proveniência, seus compromissos com a Capes. Depois, para serem respondidas pelo bolsista, vinham umas perguntinhas, entre as quais uma totalmente risível: <Gosta de música? Quais são os seus autores preferidos?> Obviamente, se fosse um comunista de verdade, só responderia Mozart e Beethoven, porque era escolado, mas se não fosse e escrevesse Geraldo Vandré, estaria perdido. Como baixou o nível, que coisa incrível!”

Depois da saída de Celso Barroso Leite, imagino que deva ter havido uma certa crise, porque ninguém pode gerenciar a Capes sem continuidade, numa rotatividade permanente. Com a transferência para Brasília e a gestão de Darcy Closs, as coisas se normalizam. Sei que o Cláudio de Moura Castro ficou 3 anos, e o Edson Machado de Sousa 7, um bom tempo.” “Brasília é a capital. A Capes não pode ficar no Rio a vida inteira.”

lembro que o prof. Anísio Teixeira foi logo afastado e classificado como comunista.” Celso Barroso

Tomei a iniciativa de fazer uma visita ao general Artur Façanha, presidente do CNPq, para mostrar-lhe a conveniência de trabalharmos em conjunto. Como enveredamos por uma conversa sobre futebol, eu disse: <General, sem saber o que o outro está fazendo, correndo para trás e para diante, a gente fica parecendo o ataque do Flamengo, que às vezes quase faz gol contra, porque está completamente biruta.> O general, que até então estava muito formal, também era torcedor do Flamengo e gostou da informalidade; assim, passamos a conversar sobre a conveniência de o CNPq cuidar de uma coisa e nós, na Capes, de outra.”

FEIJOADA: “Pode-se ser excelente pesquisador e péssimo professor; aliás, com freqüência encontramos exemplos. Muitos não querem perder tempo com alunos e por isso preferem fazer pesquisa. Sustentei muito essa tese. Nada aconteceu, formalmente, mas algumas pessoas também foram reconhecendo, e como se tratava da vocação natural dos órgãos, essa idéia vingou: a Capes intensificou sua atuação no aperfeiçoamento do corpo docente, e o CNPq voltou-se mais para a pesquisa.” Aleluia, irmãos!

Houve uma época em que se cuidou muito de biologia, depois passamos um pouco para economia; nessa área, a instituição mais beneficiada foi a Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, até pela proximidade e maior possibilidade de contato. Já na minha gestão, o Conselho Deliberativo pretendeu dar certa preferência a universidades do Nordeste. Eu era contra e expus meu pensamento ao Conselho: <Não sei se os candidatos de lá já estão qualificados, por exemplo, para receber uma bolsa no estrangeiro.> Sempre considerei que era melhor um nordestino ir para São Paulo do que para o exterior. Claro, pode haver um gênio lá, mas em média o Nordeste estava ainda um pouco longe da pós-graduação; valia mais fazer uma especialização em São Paulo ou no Rio do que ir para o exterior.”

Nós mudamos da sede antiga, na avenida Marechal Câmara, no Castelo, para o prédio do MEC, para economizar aluguel. Algumas repartições do Ministério já tinham mudado para Brasília, e havia muitas salas vazias. Ficamos mais bem-instalados em termos de espaço, mas não de privacidade, porque o prédio do MEC é muito barulhento, com aquelas divisórias de madeira.”

A Capes era uma agência relativamente pequena. Em 1974, ela mantinha 70 bolsistas no exterior e mil no país; no final de 1978, as concessões somavam 1.200 bolsistas no exterior e 13 mil no Brasil.” Darcy Closs

Criou-se, também, um novo tabu: as bolsas para o exterior contemplariam apenas o doutorado; entretanto, em áreas com expressiva necessidade de capacitação, a Capes ofereceria, excepcionalmente, bolsas de mestrado no estrangeiro. Por exemplo, levando em conta proposta da área, foi enviada uma circular a todos os bolsistas casados que estavam no exterior: <Se sua esposa conseguir uma vaga no mestrado de biblioteconomia na sua universidade, a Capes garantirá o pagamento das taxas e oferecerá uma bolsa suplementar.> Resultado: boa parcela da elite da biblioteconomia brasileira iniciou sua pós-graduação através dessa sistemática; obviamente tiveram a oportunidade de retornar posteriormente ao exterior, já com bolsa própria, para completar os créditos e obter o doutorado.”

as universidades do Nordeste eram fracas porque seus professores não conseguiam ser aceitos na pós-graduação das universidades do Centro-Sul, e professores mal-formados não conseguiam melhorar nem a qualidade do ensino de graduação nem implantar núcleos de pesquisa em suas universidades.” Nossa, como o bolsonarismo era forte naquela época!

sem a Finep a pós-graduação não teria deslanchado, particularmente na fase inicial de implantação da Capes em Brasília. (…) Como conseqüência, a Capes cresceu e ultrapassou em pouco tempo o número de bolsas do CNPq, consolidando-se como agência de pós-graduação, enquanto o CNPq voltou a sua origem de financiador de núcleos, grupos, linhas de pesquisa e projetos dos pesquisadores no país.”

Desde que a Capes se consolidou como agência de pós-graduação, sua classificação dos cursos em A, B, C, D e E — sistema recentemente <apropriado> pelo Provão¹ do MEC — passou a ter grande impacto junto às universidades. A própria Finep via nessa classificação da Capes uma forma de convalidar os auxílios que estava dando aos cursos.”

¹ “Conhecido como <Provão>, o Exame Nacional de Cursos [atual ENADE] foi criado pela Lei n° 9.131 de 1995, e constitui um dos instrumentos de avaliação do MEC visando à melhoria da graduação brasileira. As provas são realizadas anualmente entre maio e junho, e sua abrangência está restrita às diretrizes e currículos em vigor. Condição obrigatória para a obtenção do registro do diploma de nível superior, deve ser prestado pelos alunos que estão concluindo os cursos escolhidos no ano anterior pelo MEC.”

A seguir, a melhor entrevista dentre todas:

Desde menino, tinha interesse pelas atividades manuais: mecânica, ferraria, carpintaria, depois por eletricidade e eletrônica; por isso, pensei inicialmente em estudar engenharia. Mas comecei a ler sobre ciências sociais e achei bastante interessante; depois, percebi que tinha horror de matemática, era muito indisciplinado. Além disso, se estudasse engenharia, passaria um ano como engenheiro e o resto da vida como administrador da empresa da família.(*) Então resolvi estudar administração, mas achei muito pobre, intelectualmente; economia era muito mais rica, o desafio intelectual muito maior.

(*) A Usina Siderúrgica Queirós Júnior, fundada no interior de Minas em 1888 com o nome de Usina Esperança, pertencia à família paterna de Ana Amélia Queirós Carneiro de Mendonça, avó materna do entrevistado.

A faculdade de administração era uma antiga escola de comércio, um curso desses de perito contador, a coisa mais humilde possível. Com a criação da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, virou faculdade de economia e administração da noite para o dia, à frente da qual ficou um professor de economia política, um advogado chamado Ivon Leite Magalhães Pinto, que teve uma única idéia brilhante na vida — mas não é necessário mais do que uma idéia para modificar o mundo, não é mesmo? Na hora de construir o prédio da faculdade, ele fez sala para professor, sala para aluno, uma biblioteca, que equipou com todos os clássicos de economia, assinaturas de todas as grandes revistas internacionais de economia, administração, sociologia e ciência política, e botou os professores menos ruins em tempo integral, coisa absolutamente inédita na época. E passou a fazer um concurso para selecionar uns 7 alunos por ano, aos quais concedeu uma bolsa equivalente a um salário mínimo. Deixou esse pessoal trancadinho lá dentro, com porteiro na porta, de 7 da manhã às 7 da noite; isso criou uma química fantástica. Éramos todos autodidatas, porque os professores também não sabiam quase nada; a partir do segundo ano, já sabíamos mais do que a metade deles.” Cláudio de Moura Castro

DITABRANDA? MAIS PARA DITADUDA OU DITABRARA

COMO SURGIU O CONVITE PARA DIRIGIR A CAPES?

(…) recebi um telefonema do Guilherme de Ia Peña, já escolhido para a Secretaria de Ensino Superior do MEC, perguntando se eu queria ser diretor da Capes. Eduardo Portela havia sido indicado para ser ministro da Educação do governo Figueiredo, que se iniciava em março de 1979. Apesar de ter sido um dos ministros mais bem-intencionados que já tivemos, o Portela foi um dos com menos capacidade para identificar quadros e montar uma equipe; foi de uma extraordinária infelicidade, nesse particular. A SESu é um lugar muito difícil, espinhoso, cheio de armadilhas, e ele convidou o Guilherme de Ia Peña, um tocador de obra; excelente funcionário da Finep, muito inteligente, competente, mas de personalidade volátil. Convidou ainda o João Guilherme de Aragão, um velho nordestino do Dasp, para ser secretário-geral; foi uma catástrofe. O Guilherme não me conhecia muito bem, só tínhamos estado juntos uma vez; acho que me convidou por referências que teve a meu respeito.

O SENHOR NÃO TINHA NENHUMA ARTICULAÇÃO POLÍTICA NO MEC?

Zero. Tinha visto o Guilherme uma vez, e o Portela, nem isso. Depois fiquei sabendo que meu nome foi o segundo; o primeiro a ser escolhido foi o antropólogo Roberto Cardoso de Oliveira, da UnB, que impôs como condição para assumir a direção da Capes a eliminação do veto ideológico na concessão de bolsa. O Portela disse que não tinha a mais remota possibilidade de fazer isso, e saíram buscando outro nome; acharam o meu, não sei como [hahaha!]. Acredito que Dionísio Dias Carneiro, que tinha sido indicado para a Finep naquele momento, possa ter influenciado. Sei que recebi o convite e aceitei.

Meu raciocínio foi o seguinte: Falo mal dos dirigentes do MEC, dizendo que deviam fazer isso e aquilo; minha artilharia está assestada contra a administração da educação brasileira, não faço outra coisa senão criticá-la. Agora, quero ver como é estar do outro lado. E já que me convidaram para a melhor posição do MEC — ser diretor da Capes é infinitamente melhor do que ser ministro da Educação —, vou aceitar, vou virar vidraça.

Eu tinha uma carreira acadêmica consolidada, não tinha a mais remota intenção de permanecer no serviço público, tinha minha posição na Fundação Getúlio Vargas e na PUC, era uma época em que o mercado era extremamente generoso; se perdesse o emprego, eu poderia ir, virtualmente, para qualquer lugar no Brasil, então aceitei. Minha meta era fazer tudo o que tivesse que fazer, com uma enorme curiosidade intelectual de verificar quanto tempo levaria para me botarem para fora. Fiquei dois anos e meio; descobri que a burocracia é incompetente até para expelir as pessoas.

ERA VISÍVEL A INTENÇÃO DE COLOCÁ-LO PARA FORA?

Como não?! O <baixo clero> do MEC conspirou contra mim desde o início, pela minha irreverência e meu desamor pelas liturgias da burocracia.

QUAL FOI SUA PRIMEIRA IMPRESSÃO AO CHECAR À CAPES?

Descobri que era uma instituição brilhante, com uma equipe extremamente leal, do contínuo ao diretor-adjunto, todos totalmente dedicados e com particular abertura para a inovação. Eu não podia querer mais. Tudo modestinho, magrinho, pouca gente, uns 200 funcionários, sem grandes estrelas, não era um CNPq, sempre cheio de grandes cientistas; prima dona na casa, só eu. Levei aos poucos uma nova geração de gente intelectualmente sólida e descobri que dava para fazer coisas do arco-da-velha [prodigiosas].¹ Eu tinha um diretor-adjunto extraordinário, o Hélio Barros, que conhece a Capes muito mais que eu, porque pegou 3 gestões. Fazíamos uma boa dobradinha: ele olhava os dinheiros e a administração, e eu ficava inventando moda.

¹ Só fui ler essa expressão de novo em Monteiro Lobato!

O primeiro dia na Capes foi muito ilustrativo: cheguei no MEC sem gravata e fui logo barrado no elevador privativo do ministro; além disso, meu primeiro ato administrativo foi mandar desentupir a latrina do meu gabinete. E em meu primeiro contato com a burocracia, fui levado para ver o processamento do sistema de bolsas, como passava de uma mesa para outra, de uma mesa para outra, uma coisa chatíssima. Como não queria fazer desfeita, fiquei prestando atenção e fazendo perguntas. Em dado momento, não resisti: <Por que é necessário este papel aqui, se já existe este outro?> Resposta: <É, realmente, não há necessidade.> E eu: <Então, vamos acabar com ele.> O Hélio Barros disse em seguida: <Fulano, acabe com o papel.> E eliminou-se aquele papel. Era uma burocracia realmente fantástica!

O SENHOR DISPENSOU ALGUÉM DA EQUIPE?

Não. Logo que cheguei, disse que não poria ninguém na rua, que estava todo mundo garantido — o Guilherme de la Peña tinha feito um estrago na SESu, botando todos os velhos na rua. Quanto a mim, pedi a todos os funcionários qualificados que me escrevessem meia página, uma página, o que fosse, sobre o que achavam da Capes; com isso, fiquei sabendo quem era quem, deu para fazer uma apreciação sobre a qualidade do pessoal, além de conhecer muito mais sobre a agência. O resultado foi um processo normal de atrito: as pessoas que não se sentiram confortáveis com o novo clima foram progressivamente saindo, e foram entrando novos, ou seja, a minha equipe, essencialmente alguns conhecidos e ex-alunos meus que tinham feito mestrado: Fernando Spagnolo, que ainda está lá, Guy Capdeville, hoje reitor da Universidade Católica de Brasília, Lúcia Guaranis, que hoje está na Finep, Ricardo Martins, e mais um grupinho.”

A Capes tinha um time de vôlei; pois Spagnolo e eu fizemos questão de jogar vôlei com os contínuos [antigo estagiário].”

Houve até um incidente interessante. A Capes recebia um volume monumental de cartas, e o protocolo estava levando dois dias para processar tudo aquilo; algumas cartas eram urgentes, eram bolsistas pedindo socorro no exterior, essas coisas. Mandei um funcionário fazer uma investigação, mas ele não descobriu nada de errado. Decidi ir ao protocolo e comecei perguntando como se fazia a triagem; ficamos, dois ou três contínuos e eu, fazendo a triagem das cartas durante toda uma manhã. Realmente, não havia nada de errado, mas depois que estive lá o protocolo passou a funcionar; os contínuos se sentiram valorizados por terem o diretor da Capes trabalhando junto com eles.” Uma pena que o tempo é impiedoso e faz questão de dizimar essas memórias para os “novos contínuos”, que não continuam nada!…

QUAL ERA SUA AVALIAÇÃO SOBRE O PROJETO DE ANÍSIO TEIXEIRA PARA A CAPES? QUAIS OS PONTOS DE CONTINUIDADE, QUAIS OS PONTOS DE RUPTURA?

Exceto quanto à dedicação do staff, à competência, ao amor à instituição, há uma ruptura cognitiva entre a Capes de Anísio Teixeira e a de Darcy Closs: a memória se perdeu; só quando a Capes completou 30 anos é que fizemos uma grande comemoração e voltamos a ver o que Anísio falava sobre ela. Criei, nessa ocasião, o Prêmio Anísio Teixeira, para recuperar a importância de sua figura para a trajetória e o sucesso da Capes. Eu próprio cheguei à direção sem saber absolutamente nada sobre ele, a não ser que era um baiano de grande envergadura, que tinha feito coisas importantes, membro do movimento da Escola Nova, etc., mas seu papel dentro da Capes tinha sido completamente apagado; não encontrei qualquer mensagem que pudesse ser atribuída ao Anísio, não houve a herança de uma mensagem substantiva. Havia a herança de uma organização com amor-próprio, com auto-estima, sem nenhuma mancha de corrupção e com uma meritocracia muito forte.” Poxa… Dá até lágrimas nos olhos ter nascido em 1988…

É UMA INSTITUIÇÃO ORIGINAL DENTRO DO SERVIÇO PÚBLICO BRASILEIRO?

Isso mesmo. Pelo que pude entender, a Capes teve um levíssimo período fisiológico, por ação dos consultores que acompanhavam seus próprios projetinhos, mas nunca chegou a ser uma coisa ostensiva; as bolsas sempre foram concedidas à base do mérito. Não sei se já era uma idéia do Anísio, mas sei que perdurou. Mesmo após 1964, manteve-se a tradição: todo político respeitou a Capes; até seus maus dirigentes eram pessoas com bons currículos.”

SIM, O TEMPO PASSA: “Eu entendia que pós-graduação não pode ter o mais remoto resquício de preocupação com eqüidade, justiça social ou assistencialismo; entendia que pós-graduação era a mais pura meritocracia, alguma coisa para formar uma elite de pesquisadores.”

continuamos com a mesma liberdade do tempo do Darcy na montagem dos comitês assessores e aperfeiçoamos um sistema iniciado por ele: a rotatividade de consultores. A cada ano, metade era substituída; a outra metade transmitia a experiência.” Sem Jorges e pés-de-barro!

Inicialmente, passamos a divulgar as notas A; quando não havia A, publicávamos as notas B. Era uma política deliberada, mas sem movimentos bruscos, que pudessem frustrar o sistema. Pois bem, pouco depois de minha saída, alguém entregou à jornalista Rosângela Bittar o livro das avaliações, e ela publicou uma matéria de página inteira em O Estado de S. Paulo com os cursos que tiveram conceito E, entrevistando todos os responsáveis. Foi um protesto generalizado. (…) Na hora em que esse pessoal dos cursos E se juntou para desmoralizar a avaliação da Capes, do alto de seu Olimpo químico, o Senise reagiu: <Absolutamente! A avaliação é perfeitamente respeitável, não tem nada do que os senhores estão falando. Se receberam conceito E, é porque merecem.> Enfim, o protesto acabou reforçando a avaliação; ficou uma coisa irreversível. E não houve mais protestos. O interessante é que antes de a Capes iniciar a publicação das notas, alguns pró-reitores, como o Gehrard Jacob, da UFRS, já as divulgavam internamente. Mas uma universidade não tem <internamente>; divulgou, está na rua. Em seguida, o pró-reitor da UFMG passou a fazer o mesmo, e algumas pós-graduações que tinham conceito A, afixavam na porta seu conceito, pois era uma qualificação para elas.”

O PT ABRIU FERIDAS QUE JAMAIS CICATRIZARAM NA CASA-GRANDE: “uma extraordinária arquitetura meritocrática para a pós-graduação, coisa que só país desenvolvido tem. As universidades têm um metabolismo basal, o orçamento da SESu, que é a <casa da mãe Joana>, mas a pós-graduação é guiada por 3 ou 4 pilares de meritocracia extraordinariamente sólidos, e mecanicamente interligados.”

Minha luta era contra os mestrados vagabundos. Minha posição era: <Quem não tem qualidade não deve manter mestrado.> Descredenciar não fazia parte da agenda, mas eu achava que não deveríamos apoiar mestrados criados por atacado. E eu fazia a distinção entre mestrado orgânico e mestrado-trapiche.¹ O mestrado orgânico tem a característica de crescimento de um organismo a partir de uma boa semente, que é uma liderança intelectual forte; minha tese era que todos os bons mestrados ou doutorados que estavam aparecendo eram orgânicos, no sentido de que havia uma organicidade interna e que tudo girava em torno de um guru, uma figura forte. Já o mestrado-trapiche era aquele em que alguém embarcava 20 PhDs num navio, desembarcava no trapiche e chamava aquilo de mestrado; em geral, era o reitor que fazia a contração de um monte de gente desarticulada, sem liderança, e isso não levava a coisa nenhuma, não produzia pesquisa, nada.”

¹ Armazém litorâneo, hangar, antigo moinho de cana. Leia um Jorge Amado!

Havia os embates financeiros, ou seja, a luta pelo orçamento. Quando assumiu o MEC, Eduardo Portela entrou com uma idéia meridianamente certa: a prioridade é o primeiro grau; ninguém pode tirar dele esse mérito. Mas as burocracias têm um grau muito grande de endogenia com suas clientelas. A burocracia do primeiro grau é aquela das senhoras professoras de grupo escolar, e suas lideranças eram da mesma estirpe. Na universidade, eram os empresários públicos do ensino, os reitores, todos alertas ali, como o Linaldo; e na pós-graduação eram os acadêmicos mais sabidos que estavam na administração da pós-graduação, pessoas finíssimas, primeiro time.”

toda a prioridade para o primeiro grau acabou indo por água abaixo, porque não havia gente para materializá-la, não havia clima no país. A configuração de poder não era a mesma de hoje, o primeiro e o segundo graus eram uma catástrofe, os projetos de educação rural do Banco Mundial eram outra catástrofe, ninguém queria saber daquilo; assim, esses recursos acabavam em nossas mãos, pela competência e agressividade da equipe. A mesma coisa aconteceu quando Rubem Ludwig assumiu o MEC: perdemos um pouco de poder, mas logo recuperamos e fomos em frente.”

Curiosamente, as equipes do regime militar eram constituídas à base do mérito mesmo; a escolha era tecnocrática, havia uma preocupação com a competência. O próprio Portela cometeu erros horrendos, mas sempre tentando acertar. O militar é meritocrático por natureza. Então, o governo militar nunca nos incomodou; dentro do MEC, o militarismo nunca foi um tema, e ainda menos com o Ludwig. Ele foi um dos ministros mais gentis, mais afáveis, mais fáceis de tratar, mais educados que passaram pelo MEC. General premiado, muito bem cotado no Exército, era o trouble shooter da Força; quando o negócio estava ruim, mandavam o Ludwig.”

o Guilherme de Ia Peña, que tinha fortes ligações militares, me disse: <Esse negócio de veto ideológico a gente resolve com a maior facilidade. Tenho um conhecido no SNI, o coronel Nini, que é uma maravilha e resolve isso num instante.> Era, nada mais nada menos, que o então coronel Newton Cruz.(*)”

(*) “Newton de Araújo Cruz (1924-), militar, foi chefe da agência central do SNI (1981-83) e comandante militar do Planalto e da 11ª RM (1983-84). Neste último cargo por duas vezes determinou medidas de emergência para Brasília, primeiro sob pretexto de garantir segurança ao Congresso durante a votação da nova lei salarial (1983) e depois quando da votação da emenda Dante de Oliveira (1984).¹ Identificado com a linha-dura do Exército, pediu passagem para a reforma quando foi excluído da lista de promoções a general-de-divisão. A partir de então dedicou-se à política candidatando-se a cargos eletivos no Rio de Janeiro.”

¹ Nome formal das Diretas Já!.

ATUALMENTE, QUAIS SÃO OS PRINCIPAIS DESAFIOS DA PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO E, PRINCIPALMENTE, PARA A CAPES, PRINCIPAL AGÊNCIA DE PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO NO BRASIL?

Primeiro, valorizar aquilo que é a essência da produção da área. Ou seja, escrever uma tese de doutorado sobre um compositor ou sobre as madeiras utilizadas na fabricação de uma viola de gambá não é da essência de um curso de música; a essência de um curso de música é dar um concerto e ter uma boa crítica, ou compor uma peça que ganhe um prêmio. (…) Em segundo lugar, extinguir o mestrado acadêmico, esse iguana – achamos que o iguana deveria ter sido extinto, porque é igual ao dinossauro, mas não foi, continua aí até hoje. O nosso sistema é uma cópia do sistema americano, mas lá não existe mestrado acadêmico. O que aconteceu? O Brasil criou a pós-graduação mais longa do mundo: no mínimo, três anos de mestrado e cinco anos de doutorado. Terceiro, acelerar o processo de criação do mestrado profissional e acabar com sua descaracterização, pela exigência de um programa de pesquisa. A Capes levou muito tempo para aprovar o mestrado profissional; custou a compreendê-lo dentro de sua lógica, que é a de formar profissionais e não pesquisadores. O que interessa é a excelência dos profissionais formados e não a excelência da pesquisa. A pesquisa é para o doutorado. Se alguém quiser fazer pós-graduação em engenharia, deveria existir um mestrado profissional onde se formam profissionais e um doutorado onde se faz pesquisa.”

A pós-graduação não pode ser maior do que o estoque de alunos com perfil adequado para cursá-la. A idéia de criar um aprendiz de doutor, que é o mestrado, foi boa no seu tempo, mas caducou. Acho até que pode haver um período probatório de mestrado acadêmico, como era sua concepção original, mas no momento em que conseguimos criar um bom doutorado, devemos extinguir o mestrado. Além do mais, no Brasil a pós-graduação está muito cara. Quem paga isso? O custo-aluno no Brasil é igual ao da França, é a média da Europa. (…) O comitê não é proprietário da Capes ou da ciência brasileira, mas um grupo que assessora o Ministério da Educação na administração da coisa pública. O povo está sendo lesado quando decisões são tomadas por partes interessadas e não por pessoas que, pelo menos em tese, estão representando os interesses desse povo. Houve uma usurpação de poder por parte dos comitês assessores, comitês de consultores ou o que quer que seja; virou a <casa da mãe Joana>. Na teoria da ciência política e da democracia, não há uma única justificativa para se delegar à parte interessada a gestão de uma coisa pública, é como entregar as galinhas para a raposa tomar conta.”

A CAPES NÃO ERA HIERARQUICAMENTE SUBORDINADA À SESu?

Semi-subordinada. Era sempre uma relação ambígua, mais na teoria que na prática; havia espaço para escapar.”

A Capes é muito mais maleável que a SESu ou o CNPq que, este sim, azedou de vez. Os funcionários criaram um ambiente muito ruim no CNPq. Mas a Capes não, essa é fácil de consertar. Acho que ela precisa de mais estrelas.¹ Possui bons funcionários do cotidiano, o pessoal que toca a máquina. Mas faltam mais estrelas, mais grandes cabeças.” “as pessoas se sentiam mais valorizadas, porque tinham mais autonomia. Eu gosto de liderar, não gosto de mandar.”

¹ Careful what you wish… You might just get it!

Acabou!

Formei-me em matemática no Paraná: em 1960 fiz o bacharelado e no ano seguinte consegui a licenciatura. Queria fazer mestrado em lógica matemática com um dos mais brilhantes pesquisadores na área, o prof. Leônidas Hegenberg, que estava no ITA. Fui a São José dos Campos e tive uma entrevista com ele, que se interessou, mas a Capes recusou meu pedido de bolsa, apesar de toda a boa vontade do dr. Almir de Castro, diretor-executivo à época.” Edson Machado de Sousa

Davi me convidou a ir para a UnB, e foi aí que nasceu meu contato com a área de educação, especialmente a educação superior, com uma mescla de economia.”

Não sei se houve algum problema entre ele e o Cláudio, mas o fato é que o Gladstone me convidou para dirigir a Capes, o ministro confirmou o convite, e eu aceitei; fiquei na direção entre 82 e 89, 7 anos, até agora o mais longo mandato. Provavelmente serei superado pelo Abílio.”

Ubirajara Alves era diretor de Programas da Capes e, fazendo uso dos resultados dos processos de avaliação, criou um sistema de indicadores que possibilitariam determinar o volume e o tipo de apoio a ser dado aos programas em função do seu desempenho no processo da avaliação. E isso de uma forma automática, sem precisar perguntar aos Comitês. Isso foi aprovado pelo Conselho, e acabamos implantando uma sistemática de apoio que era praticamente decidida no âmbito burocrático da agência, não dependia de apreciação pelos comitês científicos.”

Como no orçamento da universidade pública não havia uma rubrica específica de apoio à pós-graduação, os programas viviam à mercê da disponibilidade de recursos da Reitoria, em geral exíguos e irregulares. Então, era preciso que os programas de pós-graduação passassem a contar com um reforço de recursos para atender a suas necessidades. Isto tudo acabou gerando uma situação em que as Reitorias não tinham mais ingerência nos programas de pós-graduação.”

Foi um período em que eu, pessoalmente, viajei à Austrália, a Israel, à Holanda, à Bélgica, enfim, a vários países com os quais não tínhamos tradição de cooperação, para tentar abrir canais. Não fomos muito bem-sucedidos, não, exceto, talvez, em alguma coisa com a Austrália, pela facilidade da língua, mas com Israel, Holanda, Bélgica, não foi possível ampliar muito.”

É preciso lembrar que o governo Sarney criou o Ministério da Ciência e Tecnologia, e todo o MEC passou a agir com cautela, para não provocar qualquer conflito entre suas políticas e as do novo Ministério. A própria Capes teve que ir devagar, porque agora o CNPq estava bastante fortalecido; era uma relação que tinha que ser muito bem costurada. A verdade é que os bons tempos não voltaram mais, porque o FNDCT estava muito esvaziado, a Finep nunca mais voltou a ter o papel de antes em relação à Capes.”

UM DOS PROGRAMAS MAIS CRIATIVOS INICIADO EM SUA GESTÃO À FRENTE DA CAPES FOI O PROGRAMA DE APOIO AO DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO, O PADCT.

(…) Quando se estruturou o PADCT, conseguimos incluir esse programa, que foi um grande sucesso; lembro que foi uma briga enorme para convencer os negociadores brasileiros a incluir um programa para melhoria de ensino de ciências no nível médio no PADCT. (…) Quando abordávamos a necessidade de melhorar o ensino de ciências como um investimento para alimentar a criação de novos pesquisadores, para atrair o jovem para a ciência e para o trabalho científico, a comunidade científica torcia o nariz. Não foi fácil, mas conseguimos. Porém, hoje em dia o PADCT foi minguando, minguando, quase desapareceu.”

O fato é que houve um arrefecimento, por parte da Capes, dessa proposta de integrar melhor pós-graduação e graduação. Essa foi minha grande frustração, porque ainda hoje considero que o grande desafio do ensino superior no país é a qualificação de docentes. E, apesar de todo o esforço que se faz na Capes, a pós-graduação brasileira ainda é essencialmente uma atividade de formação de pesquisadores, embora eu reconheça que não se faz pós-graduação sem pesquisa. Mas no desenvolvimento dos programas, a orientação esquece essa perspectiva da melhoria de qualidade do desempenho do docente.

E existe a própria pós-graduação profissionalizante, que tenta aprimorar pessoas que não querem ir para a vida acadêmica, não querem ser pesquisadores. Na medida em que a Capes começar a regulamentar o mestrado profissionalizante, acabará dando um carimbo acadêmico a esse mestrado. Então, por que não incorporar o MBA ao sistema de pós-graduação? Esse conflito não é bom para o sistema.”

A continuidade administrativa é outro elemento importante para explicar o sucesso da Capes. Nunca ouvi nenhum dirigente da Capes dizer: <Rompi com tudo o que havia antes.> Mesmo pessoas com pontos de vista diferentes, que atuaram em épocas diferentes, sempre inovaram, mas guardaram uma continuidade em relação aos momentos anteriores. Vejam o Cláudio de Moura Castro, por exemplo. É uma pessoa extremamente criativa, gosta de enfrentar novos desafios, não é alguém que se acomode. Pois quando passou pela direção da Capes, exercitou bem esse lado de sua personalidade, mas sem destruir nada, sem passar a borracha no que fôra feito antes. Eu tenho uns pegas feios com o Cláudio mas, apesar de várias divergências conceituais, temos um relacionamento excelente.”

Atualmente, não gosto do caminho que a Capes está tomando, acho que ela está partindo para uma formalização extremamente rígida do sistema; os controles se intensificaram, as exigências aumentaram enormemente. Tenho minhas dúvidas se isso é bom para o sistema. A lei não diz que, para abrir um curso de pós-graduação, é preciso ter autorização, mas criou-se uma sistemática dentro da Capes, de tal sorte que ninguém se arrisca a criar um curso de pós-graduação sem seu beneplácito. Antes criava-se um curso e, só depois de dois ou três anos, quando eram defendidas as primeiras dissertações ou teses, é que o programa se dirigia à Capes, pedindo para entrar no sistema de avaliação e ser reconhecido. Hoje ninguém mais faz isso.”

* * *

A REFORMA ADMINISTRATIVA A SER IMPLEMENTADA PELO GOVERNO COLLOR NÃO PREVIA A EXTINÇÃO DA CAPES?

Previa, e quando assumi, com um mês e meio de governo, ela já havia sido extinta — eu tinha sido convidada para dirigir um órgão que não existia mais. Como se tratava do governo Collor, consultei algumas pessoas da comunidade científica, porque não queria entrar em conflito com meus pares. E todo mundo considerou que eu devia aceitar o cargo, porque a situação ficaria muito difícil sem a Capes. Mas todos diziam igualmente: <Se as coisas ficarem politicamente difíceis, você sai.> Resolvi enfrentar o desafio — e tive muito apoio do Goldemberg, que estava na então Secretaria de Ciência e Tecnologia.

Mesmo com a Capes extinta, Chiarelli me deu posse, mas na mesma noite foi internado na UTI com um sério problema de saúde. Resultado: não assinou o ato, e eu comecei a trabalhar num órgão que não existia mais, numa posição para a qual não tinha sido nomeada. Foi bastante complicado, pois eu precisava assinar papéis, mas não estava nomeada. Um dos membros do Conselho da Capes, o dr. Osvaldo Ramos, era médico do Hospital São Paulo, onde estava internado o ministro, e levou-lhe o ato de minha nomeação, que foi assinado na UTI.

A primeira luta visava, evidentemente, recriar a Capes. Os próprios funcionários, com total apoio da comunidade científica, já tinham começado a fazer uma enorme mobilização, na qual me incorporei. E conseguimos ressuscitar o órgão, com o apoio integral do próprio ministro.” Eunice Ribeiro Durham

2020: Será que dois raios caem na mesma Coordenação?

QUEM LÊ PENSA QUE ESTAMOS NO SÉCULO XXI: “Tínhamos uma reunião por semana, eu contava o que estava fazendo, e o ministro aprovava. Aprovou até mesmo minha iniciativa de acabar definitivamente com as bolsas administrativas, aquelas de origem mais política, distribuídas por fora do sistema, sem passar pelo Comitê — fiquei chocada quando soube que existiam. Conversei com alguns deputados e senadores, explicando que o procedimento era politicamente contraproducente, pois não há bolsas para todos, e cada parlamentar satisfeito geraria outros dez irritados. Consegui convencê-los sem maiores dificuldades.”

Essa luta durou toda a minha gestão, ou seja, um ano e meio. Em primeiro lugar, foi preciso recriar a Capes tal como era antes, mas como ela tinha sido extinta, foi necessário negociar com a Secretaria de Administração, uma discussão muito dura. Boa parte dos funcionários tinha sido colocada à disposição ou simplesmente demitida, e os cargos tinham sido extintos. Só para recompor a estrutura anterior foi um trabalho hercúleo, para o qual tive grande ajuda de Angela Santana, uma das minhas diretoras, que conhecia bem Brasília, os políticos, os administradores, etc. Conseguimos um quadro mínimo e começamos imediatamente um novo trabalho para

transformar a Capes em fundação, o que lhe daria maior liberdade de ação.”

Mais fritado que pastel na rodoviária…

Ao mesmo tempo que lutava para transformar a Capes em fundação, fiz um esforço muito grande para informatizá-la. Ainda me lembro de distribuir bolsas com umas folhas de papel almaço coladas, com aquelas enormes listas de programas, número de bolsas nos últimos 3 anos, quantas bolsas o CNPq dava, para saber quantas dava a Capes; tudo era feito à mão pela Angela Santana. No Ministério havia um daqueles grandes computadores centrais, extremamente ineficiente, que armazenava os dados da Capes; obter qualquer informação daquele computador era absolutamente impossível.

A Capes fôra organizada de uma forma, teoricamente, muito satisfatória. Havia 3 sistemas: o Programa de Demanda Social, que privilegiava os programas consolidados; o Programa de Bolsas no Exterior, e o Programa Institucional de Capacitação Docente, o PICD, que oferecia bolsas a professores de universidades que não possuíam pós-graduação, para eles estudarem nos centros de pós-graduação. Com o Programa de Demanda Social havia uma questão séria: foram se acumulando distorções históricas, e era preciso rever os critérios de distribuição de bolsas entre os diferentes programas, avaliar a eficiência e a eficácia das bolsas, o que introduziu o critério de tempo de titulação.”

Um dos problemas do Brasil é que as pessoas só olham para o próprio umbigo. Minha vantagem, por ser antropóloga e ter começado a trabalhar com o Nupes, é que pude ter, desde o início, uma visão comparativa e cosmopolita. No mundo inteiro o mestrado estava em cheque; a França tinha acabado de eliminá-lo, mantendo o DEA — Diplome d’Études Approfondis e o doutorado. Nos Estados Unidos, o mestrado só é importante para administração e formação de professores: é um mestrado profissional. Em suma, esta foi uma linha de batalha, de discussão nas reuniões e com os programas, e sofreu grande oposição; mas começou a frutificar, porque a luta continuou depois que deixei a Capes. Mas reconheço que até hoje existe resistência, porque a universidade é extremamente conservadora e corporativa; ninguém quer mudar nada.”

Quando entrei para a SESu, embora conhecesse bastante bem o ensino superior, não tinha idéia do problema dos hospitais, jamais tinha lidado com eles. Só então descobri que tínhamos 44 hospitais; tomei um susto! Minha primeira reação foi: <Transferimos todos para o Ministério da Saúde.> Depois vi que, na situação brasileira, a manutenção de hospitais universitários é essencial para o sistema de saúde. Iniciei imediatamente a montagem de um sistema de avaliação para a distribuição de verbas; comecei a levantar os custos dos hospitais, sempre na relação custo/paciente. A diferença entre um hospital e outro era absolutamente brutal. Não havia nenhuma eficiência dentro do sistema, nenhuma racionalidade no uso de recursos; a situação dos hospitais era um verdadeiro horror.” “Quando o hospital tinha verba, a universidade a utilizava, contratando pessoas com as verbas do hospital para trabalhar na universidade; e quando o hospital não tinha verba, contratava pessoal para si como se fosse assistente das faculdades. Resultado: era impossível saber com certeza quanto custava o hospital.”

Foi na minha gestão à frente da Secretaria que formulamos o projeto básico do Fundef, o Fundo de Manutenção e Desenvolvimento do Ensino Fundamental e de Valorização do Magistério.”

Fazer uma mudança no currículo de um curso é complicadíssimo, de tal forma que os anos passam, e os cursos são totalmente inadequados para os alunos. Cada professor é dono de sua disciplina, ensina o que quer, não tem nenhuma obrigação de pensar o que é necessário. E a demanda dos alunos vai em direção totalmente contrária. O aluno tem uma vantagem e uma desvantagem: normalmente, é capaz de ver os defeitos, mas é incapaz de propor uma solução razoável. Já os professores não querem mudar, de modo que o sistema entra numa inércia terrível.”

* * *

É digna de nota esta continuidade das ações na Capes; nenhum dirigente entrou lá para mudar tudo. Todos mantiveram a maioria dos programas, sempre aperfeiçoando, melhorando, mas ninguém fez terra arrasada da gestão anterior.” A.S.

Acontece que a Capes era um órgão autônomo da administração direta, e a reforma promovida pelo governo Collor extinguiu essa figura jurídica da administração pública federal. Com isso, a agência ficou no limbo: existia, mas não tinha personalidade jurídica definida, não era nem autarquia, nem órgão de administração direta; mas tinha CGC, mantinha conta em banco e recebia recursos do Tesouro Nacional. Uma maluquice! Aí decidimos transformar a Capes em fundação.”

Absolutamente “patriarcal”, típico do brasileiro (crer-se esperto, tentar levar vantagem a todo custo): “E informamos ao Planejamento: <Esse é o custo da bolsa.> O que fazia tradicionalmente o Planejamento? Pegava o número de bolsas de mestrado e multiplicava por 12 mensalidades; esse era o custo das bolsas de mestrado no ano. Aí nós dissemos: <Tem mais o auxílio-ida, o auxílio-volta, o auxílio para confecção de tese, auxílio para cobrir as despesas de laboratório, etc.> Inventávamos umas despesas nas bolsas do país. E mais: <Portanto, não são 12 mensalidades, são 15. O custo anual da bolsa, na realidade, é o valor mensal vezes 15 parcelas.> Como eles não cortam orçamento de bolsas, aumentamos seu custo anual unitário. Com esse mecanismo, conseguimos repassar recursos e restabelecer o fomento, com base no número de bolsistas da Capes que tinha o curso.”

NUNCA SE DESPEÇA: QUANDO A SENHORA DEIXOU A CAPES? Saí em 2 de janeiro de 1995.”

SAUDADE DAQUILO QUE EU NÃO VIVI: “Sou até hoje apaixonada pela Capes, e não apenas porque trabalhei lá durante 18 anos, desde 1977, como assessora regional do PICD, até 1995. A Capes funciona como todo órgão público deveria funcionar. Como é um órgão pequeno, da decisão à ação tudo é muito rápido. Ali todo mundo se conhece, partilha um espaço físico pequeno. Oficialmente, a Capes tem uma estrutura piramidal, mas funciona efetivamente em rede, o que dá a ela enorme agilidade em termos de funcionamento; ou seja, tudo é implementado com muita rapidez. A comunidade científica percebe essa eficiência — as coisas são negociadas, discutidas e imediatamente implementadas — e se sente participante da Capes. Ou seja, trata-se de um segmento da sociedade que participa da elaboração e da implementação da política pública que gera conseqüências em seu dia-a-dia. Sob essa ótica, a Capes é um espaço efetivamente democrático do governo federal, e acredito que historicamente se constitua no primeiro caso de orçamento participativo da administração pública. A Capes traz o cliente para dentro.

17 ANOS E A INVERSÃO DA REALIDADE: “Aliás, na Capes todo mundo conhecia os bolsistas pelo nome, inclusive os do exterior — no CNPq era tudo número. Nossos bolsistas ficavam encantados com isso, porque não eram tratados como números; isto faz muita diferença. Quando se está no exterior, jovem, tendo sua primeira experiência, a insegurança é muito grande. Por isso, é fundamental que na outra ponta esteja um funcionário que o conheça, saiba de seus problemas, ajude no que puder. A vida do bolsista está praticamente nas mãos daquela pessoa.”

* * *

Alberto Coimbra, então diretor da Coppe, realizou a façanha de contratar, em plena ditadura, 3 professores russos — meu orientador de mestrado era russo.” Sandoval Carneiro Jr.

Angela achava que eu tinha o perfil adequado e disse que eles precisavam que eu coordenasse o processo de transição de autarquia para fundação” Passei na droga de um concurso para uma fundação e até hoje mal sei diferenciar uma fundação de uma autarquia!

No início do governo Collor, os apartamentos funcionais tinham sido postos à venda, por isso, tudo o que o governo oferecia eram 30 diárias de hotel — lembro que nosso salário equivalia a uns 700 dólares. Por sorte, uma prima de minha mãe, já com os filhos casados, morava em Brasília num apartamento grande, e me convidou para ficar com ela. Quando aceitei assumir a Capes, coloquei uma condição: eu não queria cortar os vínculos com a universidade, porque até estava orientando alguns alunos, estava envolvido com o curso de doutorado, que estava começando. Assim, combinei de ficar no Rio às segundas-feiras, para conversar com meus alunos, e passar de terça a sexta-feira em Brasília.”

No setor de bolsas no exterior, por exemplo, a responsável não falava inglês, ou falava muito mal.” Mas não diga! Na CAPES?! Inacreditável!

a informatização da Capes durou muitos anos, só terminou inteiramente no ano passado [2000!], apesar de ser prioritária. Naquela época, a Internet já estava começando a atuar, e era preciso treinar os funcionários para seu uso.” É hora de outra “informatização”, ou minha carroça vai criar vida própria e sair voando ou planando asadelta pela Esplanada…

O pessoal do CNPq é muito atencioso, mas poucos tinham a postura que encontrei, mais tarde, na Capes, em muitos funcionários: uma atitude de dedicação total à agência.” Mas antes não fossem – muitos problemas psiquiátricos com filhos de ex-funcionários e atuais funcionários teriam sido cortados pela raiz…

a Capes decidiu, por exemplo, que os bolsistas de pós-doutorado e especialmente do doutorado-sanduíche poderiam viajar sem a família, e com isso cortou as verbas para passagens e outros benefícios aos quais pelo menos a esposa tinha direito. Essas coisas vão mudando ao longo do tempo, dependendo das idiossincrasias dos dirigentes.”

* * *

Sou mineira de Pouso Alegre e formei-me em ciências sociais na Faculdade de Filosofia e Letras de Juiz de Fora, então instituição privada, que depois se tornou a Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora. Estava passando férias de Natal na minha cidade e, dançando num baile com o antropólogo Roque Laraia. Soube que o Museu Nacional, aqui no Rio, estava oferecendo uma bolsa para um curso de especialização em antropologia social organizado por Roberto Cardoso de Oliveira. Meu sonho, na época, era vir para o Rio para cursar a Escola de Belas-Artes, o que minha família não apoiava. Então, vi nesse curso uma oportunidade. Eram 25 candidatos para 3 vagas; candidatei-me e passei. Vim para o Rio em 1960 para fazer o curso em tempo integral; entrava no Museu no máximo às 9h e saía às 17h, com uma carga brutal de leitura. Foi um curso excepcional. Éramos 3 alunos com 5 professores, fora os estrangeiros que passavam de vez em quando: Roberto Cardoso de Oliveira, Luís de Castro Faria, Roberto Da Matta, Roque Laraia e Alcida Rita Ramos.” Maria Andréa Loyola, mais uma das presidentas do meu órgão que é também minha colega de “raiz de formação”! (Antropólogos dominariam o mundo, se tivessem qualquer interesse nessa vã empreitada!)

SÓ ACREDITO PORQUE ESTOU LENDO, JÁ DIZIA JOÃO GUILHERME – “SÉCULO 2.064” E UMAS PORRAS DESSAS AINDA ACONTECIAM!!!: “Na época, houve um processo contra mim, que ficou famoso, saiu até nos jornais do Rio. O próprio catedrático da cadeira de sociologia, que havia me convidado para trabalhar com ele, resolveu abrir um processo contra mim, usando trechos descontextualizados do livro de Kingsley Davis, A sociedade humana. Começou a me acusar das coisas mais malucas: o principal era pregar que o homem se origina do macaco! Dizia também que eu era contra o tabu do incesto, a favor do infanticídio como forma de controle da natalidade, do amor livre, do tecnicismo e do comunismo. Enfim, esse processo acabou se transformando num inquérito administrativo conduzido pela Reitoria, onde fui interrogada. O negócio durou um tempão, saiu nos jornais, e acabei uma pessoa malvista na cidade. Na época, eu já lecionava na UFMG, na Faculdade de Sociologia e Política, substituindo o Rubinger, que havia sido preso e depois exilado na Bolívia ou no México, não me lembro bem.”

Saiu o AI-5 e, finalmente, fui aposentada junto com o pessoal da UFMG — eu estava licenciada da Universidade de Juiz de Fora para fazer o mestrado — na mesma época em que Fernando Gabeira, meu amigo e vizinho aqui no Rio, era tido como líder do grupo que seqüestrou o embaixador americano. Eu fui a única professora aposentada de Juiz de Fora e minha foto saiu em todos os jornais da cidade, junto com a do Gabeira. Minha fama de bicho-papão cresceu enormemente.”

SENTIMENTO QUE NÃO POSSO COMPREENDER, DEVIDO AO ANO EM QUE NASCI: Foi uma época dificílima, porque a experiência de exílio é muito ruim; mas foi muito rica intelectualmente. Freqüentei o seminário de Alain Touraine, Raymond Aron [provavelmente o mais burro da turma], Lévi-Strauss, Foucault, Althusser, Poulantzas e vários outros.”

TÁ ZOANDO! “Na PUC tive chance de trabalhar com Carmen Junqueira, Otávio lanni, Florestan Fernandes, Vilmar Faria e Bolivar Lamounier. O Cebrap era um centro dinâmico e efervescente em termos de discussão e troca de idéias; trabalhei e convivi com pessoas como Fernando Henrique e Ruth Cardoso, Francisco Weffort, Elza Berquó, José Serra, José Artur Gianotti, Vilmar, Bolivar, Paul Singer, Francisco de Oliveira, Aracy e Leôncio Martins Rodrigues, para citar apenas os mais conhecidos. Lá fiquei durante 6 anos, quando a UERJ decidiu abrir o programa de mestrado em medicina social. Fui convidada para fazer uma pesquisa sobre medicina popular, com um grande financiamento da Finep. Como a situação financeira do Cebrap era irregular e a PUC, naquela época, nunca pagava em dia, resolvi assumir essa pesquisa como um reforço de caixa. Fiz a pesquisa em Nova Iguaçu e depois voltei à França, em 1980, para trabalhar com Pierre Bourdieu.”

Quando cheguei, ele disse simplesmente: <Quero que você assuma a Capes. É um pedido, e não quero ouvir um ‘não’.> Fiquei assustadíssima, porque o meu contato com a Capes era um contato de usuária, da época em que coordenava o mestrado do IMS. Só.” “o salário era baixíssimo, e o Collor tinha acabado com os apartamentos funcionais.”

Quando entrei, o orçamento da Capes era só bolsa, e com atraso. Conseguimos primeiramente manter as bolsas atreladas aos salários dos docentes, o que implicou um aumento no seu valor. Em seguida, que o Itamar determinasse que bolsa era igual a salário, não podia atrasar; isso foi decisivo. Como resultado, os recursos chegavam em tempo hábil; o resto era seguir o fluxograma. E o José Roberto foi realmente uma peça fundamental; muito bom, cabeça muito criativa; devo muito à sua habilidade. Para o exterior, passamos a remeter o dinheiro com antecedência; os bolsistas recebiam três meses de uma vez, e assim já sabiam que teriam tranqüilidade pelos três meses seguintes. Outra pressão muito forte vinda do exterior resultava da decisão tomada pela Eunice de reduzir o tempo de bolsa na França; havia cartas, pedidos, uma reclamação generalizada. Concordei que, de fato, não tinha sentido passar quatro anos fora. Em função disso, comecei a atacar o setor externo da Capes, pois era tudo muito caro — cada aluno no exterior custava quase 25 mil dólares por ano. Procurei, então, racionalizar: em vez de aumentar o tempo de duração da bolsa, atacar os problemas que retardavam os doutorados no exterior, e acho que desenhei uma verdadeira politica para o setor, à qual Abílio Baeta Neves deu continuidade e cujo ponto principal era trabalhar, cada vez mais, através de acordos de cooperação, do tipo Capes-Cofecub.” Parecia uma ótima idéia, a princípio…

O Acordo Capes-Cofecub começou em 1974 como um programa criado para apoiar o Nordeste; era um projeto de pesquisa conjunta. Havia uma missão inicial: levava-se o nordestino para a França, com o objetivo de identificar um parceiro para a cooperação; aí vinha o professor francês e selecionava alunos para fazer mestrado e doutorado — na época, muitos nordestinos se formaram na França. Mais tarde, o Rio Grande do Sul descobriu o Capes-Cofecub; aí começou a haver uma enorme quantidade de bolsas francesas para o estado. Em seguida, o Sudeste, outras universidades incorporaram o programa e, como resultado, o Nordeste voltou à míngua, e o Capes-Cofecub começou a servir para todas as universidades, basicamente aquelas da Região Sudeste.

Com a ampliação do Capes-Cufecub, fomos cortando as bolsas de mestrado, porque com a melhoria de nosso sistema de pós-graduação não havia mais sentido formar mestres no exterior; ficaram as bolsas de doutorado, doutorado-sanduíche e as missões de pesquisadores dos dois países. As bolsas de doutorado foram mantidas em 3 anos, e para isso tivemos que convencer as universidades francesas a deixar de exigir dos brasileiros o DEA (Diplome d’Études Aproffondies), curso de introdução ao doutorado, de um ano, obrigatório na França.” “de fato, o nosso mestrado — alguns eram verdadeiros doutorados — é infinitamente mais abrangente e aprofundado do que o DEA deles. Concordaram em dispensar nossos estudantes daquele curso. Mas como as universidades francesas são autônomas, essa dispensa foi individualizada, ou seja, por adesão de cada uma. Criamos, então, junto com os franceses, a rede Santos Dumont, formada pelas universidades que aderiram à proposta de dispensar novos bolsistas do DEA. A mesma rede formamos depois com a Inglaterra, chamada Margareth Mee.”

Entretanto, um defeito do programa é que ele sempre foi muito desequilibrado, uma coisa de brasileiros indo para a França como alunos, e franceses vindo para o Brasil como professores [DV!]. Agora está mudando um pouco; no meu projeto, por exemplo, tenho alunos franceses. Mas há também um problema de critérios, regras, pelo lado francês. O governo brasileiro financia os bolsistas que vão para a França, o que é muito importante; a instituição francesa apenas os acolhe — e não há contrapartida, não há no sistema francês uma agência que cumpra para lá esse papel que a Capes e o CNPq cumprem para o Brasil: financiar bolsistas. Essa foi uma reclamação sempre presente na negociação. Existe uma bolsa do Ministério da Educação da França, bolsa Lavoisier, mas é muito pequena.

O problema maior é a extrema competitividade do sistema francês. Os alunos sabem que, se saírem de lá, quando voltarem seu lugar já estará preenchido. Eles têm interesse em ir para os Estados Unidos, mas não em vir para cá, porque o Brasil não dá prestígio, não dá currículo, não contribui de maneira significativa para a carreira do pesquisador francês. Os próprios pesquisadores, quando vêm, é por um período muito curto; os grandes nomes ficam apenas uma, duas semanas. Essa é a realidade.” Bolsa Tristes Trópicos

Quando cheguei, quase caí para trás. Comparada a outros prédios de Brasília, todos suntuosos, a Capes era praticamente uma favela. Tinha 5 computadores, sendo que 3 não funcionavam. E aqueles processos todos empilhados, bolsas contadas à mão! Eu pedia dados, não havia; informação, nenhuma. A história da Capes era zero. Existe um famoso porão no MEC, cheio de documentos, mas na prática indisponíveis, devido à dificuldade de acesso; na própria Capes não havia nada, até porque também não havia espaço. Foi para preservar a memória da agência que resolvi retomar as publicações, há muito interrompidas, lançando o Infocapes e outras publicações do tipo: Cursos de mestrado e doutorado, Cursos de pós-graduação lato sensu, A avaliação e seus resultados, etc. E o Abílio continuou e ampliou o elenco de publicações da Capes, melhorando inclusive a apresentação, que está melhor e muito bonita. No processo de reformulação da agência, mexi inclusive em sua estrutura.”

Outro problema de organização era o quadro de pessoal. Os funcionários da Capes não faziam parte da carreira de ciência e tecnologia. Essa era outra situação esdrúxula, que procurei encaminhar. Também não foi fácil, mas acabou saindo. Realmente, era estranho: por que o pessoal do CNPq faz parte da carreira de ciência e tecnologia e o da Capes não? Isso implicava um aumento salarial significativo para os funcionários da Capes, que eles reivindicavam com razão. Tinha ainda a assistência médica dos funcionários, a assistência previdenciária; éramos uma grande família, totalmente desinstitucionalizada.”

Isso foi a coisa que me deu mais trabalho: ficar no telefone conversando com a direção de outros órgãos para conseguir funcionário. Mas conseguimos algumas melhorias com a implantação de um plano de racionalização administrativa e de capacitação de recursos humanos e com a simplificação de procedimentos, sobretudo com a informatização.”

o critério de publicação internacional em revistas reconhecidas, quando generalizado, é problemático. O modelo adotado tem, a meu ver, nefasta inspiração nas ciências exatas.”

Há um professor na biologia da UERJ que, quando discutimos a possibilidade de criar uma revista de pesquisa, considerou que a publicação deveria ser escrita em inglês, caso contrário não seria lida; em parte ele tem razão, mas não vamos exagerar. Aliás, a revista da Academia Brasileira de Ciências é toda em inglês. Escrevi uma cartinha para eles, dizendo que isso é um absurdo; pode ser bilíngüe, ter resumo em inglês, mas publicar toda a revista da Academia Brasileira de Ciências exclusivamente em inglês?! Acho um exagero, uma rendição cultural.”

O que me preocupa mais é essa postura dominante, toda ela centrada numa visão tecnológica da ciência. O desenvolvimento das humanidades, das artes e das ciências sociais é um patrimônio da humanidade, e nenhuma sociedade pode pretender desenvolver-se de fato se não tiver uma boa filosofia, uma sociologia, uma antropologia, uma história bem feitas.”

BRASILEIROS, MAIS REALISTAS QUE O REI: “Meu problema com as universidades privadas não é o fato de serem privadas, é o fato de visarem apenas ao lucro. Ou seja, por trás delas há o enriquecimento de um grupo, que não vai reinvestir, ou o fará limitadamente, na própria universidade. Quando se fala que as universidades americanas são privadas, esquece-se de dizer que na maior parte delas, ao menos nas mais importantes, todos os recursos são reinvestidos na própria universidade. E é por isso que elas têm as bibliotecas que têm, que produzem o que produzem. Aquilo não é de uma pessoa, nem de um grupo, mas de uma comunidade; não são instituições que visam ao lucro, no sentido capitalista do termo, como é o caso — não de todas, como as confessionais — da maior parte das universidades privadas brasileiras.

como o professor não quer mais lecionar no curso de graduação, a universidade vai se deteriorando cada vez mais. Lembro-me de que um dos critérios que introduzi no sistema de avaliação para dar conceito A a um curso de mestrado ou doutorado era a relação com a graduação, não apenas em termos da participação do professor nas aulas, mas também quanto ao desenvolvimento pelo programa de alguma atividade que contribuísse para elevar a qualidade desse nível de ensino.”

FOR GENTLEMEN TO SEE: “Iniciei também um sistema de acompanhamento dos bolsistas no exterior, que não sei se teve continuidade foi incluída, entre as obrigações constantes do termo de compromisso assinado pelo aluno, a de manter atualizado seu endereço durante 5 anos, para podermos fazer esse acompanhamento. Isso é fundamental. Estou tentando implantar isso na UERJ — o que não consegui fazer na Capes, estou tentando agora.”

¹ Não!

o próprio mercado já incorporou essa idéia de mestre e doutor. No Brasil, isto virou sinônimo de uma formação mais aprimorada e mais avançada. Minha proposta era termos dois tipos de formação, a partir da graduação: a acadêmica e a profissional. Na primeira vertente, teríamos o mestrado e o doutorado clássicos; na segunda, passaríamos da graduação para um curso no mesmo nível do mestrado acadêmico, mas de caráter profissionalizante. Caso a pessoa quisesse voltar para a carreira acadêmica, cursaria algumas disciplinas complementares e poderia se inscrever no doutorado; senão, já estaria preparada para o mercado.” “Tem especialização boa e ruim. E é por isso que o mercado começa a exigir mestrado, porque não confia nesses cursos de especialização; no dia em que o mercado puder confiar na especialização, o mestrado perde o sentido para ele.” “Não tem o menor sentido procurar mestres. Como não faz sentido o investimento da agência, da universidade e do aluno, em tempo e esforço, para ter um diploma cujo valor, na prática, é muito relativo para ele.”

Hoje em dia, já não há necessidade de mandar gente se formar no exterior; mas continuo considerando importante a convivência do aluno com outros sistemas de ensino e com outras culturas, é uma forma de enriquecimento muito grande; o doutorado-sanduíche atende perfeitamente bem a isso.”

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LEAP OF FAITH: “Depois de estudar em colégios públicos, transferi-me para o Colégio Anchieta, de padres jesuítas, velho sonho de meus pais. Muito provavelmente por forte influência da escola, decidi cursar ciências sociais, opção complicada no final da década de 1960. Graduei-me na Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul e depois ingressei na primeira turma do mestrado em ciência política e sociologia. Cumpri todos os créditos mas não escrevi a tese, porque em 1975 segui para a Alemanha, para fazer o doutorado na Universidade de Münster. Como já trabalhava na UFRGS, para lá retornei depois de defender a tese.” Abílio

Politicamente, sempre participei muito do MDB gaúcho, e em 1985 envolvi-me na campanha de Pedro Simon ao governo do estado, defendendo a criação da Secretaria de Ciência e Tecnologia e a revitalização da Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado, a Fapergs, que estava definhando. Assim, quando Simon venceu a eleição, foi natural que eu fosse trabalhar na recém-criada Secretaria de Ciência & Tecnologia — e considero que tivemos algum sucesso nesse campo.”

Só agora as pessoas começam a se dar conta do papel assumido pela Capes após a extinção do Conselho Federal de Educação. No final de 94, pela primeira vez, seu sistema de avaliação alcançou uma força que não possuía. Concedeu-se a esse sistema o poder de validar os diplomas do sistema federal de pós-graduação.”

todo mundo precisava saber se um curso que recebe nota 5 na área de sociologia equivale realmente, em termos de excelência, a outro que recebe a mesma nota na área de física, por exemplo. A única equivalência possível teria que ser obtida pela qualidade do produto, e esta precisa conter relação com algum parâmetro mais internacional.

MAS ISTO É INJUSTO COM AS CIÊNCIAS SOCIAIS, ÁREA EM QUE É POSSÍVEL EXISTIR UM EXCELENTE TRABALHO QUE NÃO INTERESSE ÀS PUBLICAÇÕES ESTRANGEIRAS.

(…) Não adianta simplesmente insistir no fato de que as ciências humanas e sociais são diferentes das exatas. Diferentes em quê? É preciso guardar as especificidades, mas não se pode ficar no papel de primo pobre ou exótico. Depois da avaliação de 98, decidimos trazer equipes internacionais para avaliar os cursos que obtiveram notas 6 e 7. A reação das ciências humanas foi impressionante, quase anedótica: gente importante da área criticou pesadamente: <Como vão avaliar de fora a produção das ciências sociais brasileiras, da sociologia, da ciência política? Por que vão trazer pessoas que só falam inglês para nos avaliar? Nossa língua é o português, portanto só aceitamos ser avaliados em português> — essa crítica veio de gente muito importante do Rio de Janeiro, embora revele uma perspectiva extremamente paroquial.” Neoliberalismo rasteiro.

MARX E O PREÇO DO GRÃO (misturando alhos com bugalhos): “Ciências agrárias são a área em que o Brasil mais contribui, proporcionalmente, para a produção de conhecimento mundial. Como, então, afirmar que não existe internacionalização da ciência agrária?!”

MAIS, MAIS, MAIS E MAIS ARTIGOS, UHUL, RUMO À LUA, RUMO À MARTE! “Se hoje estamos exigindo uma produção per capita, em circulação nacional e internacional, de 2 ou 3 artigos por ano, na próxima avaliação é provável que este número suba para 4; o patamar será mais alto. Esta mudança é fundamental.”

Na distribuição anual de bolsas, os melhores são beneficiados, mas de uma forma muito pequena, porque a Capes não pode deixar de dar bolsas para um curso novo, caso contrário matará a própria expansão da pós-graduação.”

Há muitos programas excelentes de pós-graduação que, historicamente, recebiam quase exclusivamente bolsas do CNPq — alguns programas na área de física, ciências sociais, antropologia, ciências biológicas, áreas que se qualificaram rapidamente e viveram muito mais do apoio do CNPq do que da Capes. Eles recebiam as bolsas e as taxas de bancada. Dando um exemplo bem concreto: na área de física da UFRGS, em Porto Alegre, um programa nota 7 em duas avaliações só tem uma ou duas bolsas de doutorado da Capes, porque vivia do apoio do CNPq. Quando o CNPq deixou de dar taxa de bancada, o programa sofreu um baque brutal de recursos.” DV

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ENTREVISTAS COM AD HOCs

Em 1951, Paulo de Góes criou uma pós-graduação lato sensu no Instituto de Microbiologia — um dos primeiros ensaios de pós-graduação no país. Ainda não dava título de doutor nem de mestre. Iniciou-se um curso de especialização com duração de um ano, para formar especialistas em microbiologia. Quando foi criado o curso de especialização, nós nos mudamos para um prédio atrás da Reitoria, na Praia Vermelha, o antigo refeitório dos doentes mentais, tudo muito improvisado, mas funcional; recebíamos, às vezes, 80 alunos por ano para fazer o curso.” Amadeu Cury, ex-reitor da UnB

Não se pode desmerecer a capacidade de julgar de uma pessoa só porque seu próprio departamento poderá ser beneficiado. O que deve ser julgado é o mérito.”

O período de 1966 a 1969 foi, a meu ver, o mais sombrio da Capes, que identificamos com a Idade Média, em razão do manto negro que cobriu a instituição.”

Biologia e medicina tinham muita influência, muita presença. Sempre tiveram. Havia engenheiros, químicos mas, curiosamente, não havia matemáticos, pelo menos na minha época. Os mais próximos da matemática talvez fossem Kurt Politzer, professor de tecnologia industrial na Escola de Química da UFRJ, e José Válter Bautista Vidal, geoquímico. Posteriormente vieram os matemáticos: Lindolpho de Carvalho Dias e Jacob Pallis.”

Quando assumi, verifiquei que o <interior> da Universidade de Brasília não era nada do que se dizia. Dez anos após sua criação e funcionamento, a Universidade só tinha 3 ou 4 cursos aprovados pelo Conselho Federal de Educação! Portanto, depois de 10 anos ainda não havia concedido diplomas para a quase totalidade dos cursos. Pouca gente conhece esta verdade histórica. Nem mesmo base física havia, somente umas poucas construções como o prédio da Faculdade de Educação, onde estava instalada a Reitoria, o auditório Dois Candangos, 3 grandes galpões em frente e um reduzido trecho da parte sul do Instituto Central de Ciências, mais conhecido como <Minhocão>.”

Pois bem, decidimos que a primeira coisa a fazer era pôr ordem no caos. Toda universidade faz um contrato com seus alunos: Se você for aprovado no vestibular e fizer o curso, ao final receberá um diploma. Mas a UnB não dava! Vivíamos assediados por várias empresas que desejavam contratar recém-formados, mas não podiam, porque eles não tinham diploma. Paramos tudo o que estávamos fazendo e passamos um longo período, cerca de um ano, organizando curso por curso: freqüência, disciplinas obrigatórias, complementares, optativas, currículos, créditos, períodos, tudo!”

Havia um curso de cinema! Tinha quatro alunos mas não tinha programa, nem currículo, nada! Consegui com o reitor da UFF, onde havia um curso regular de cinema, que aceitasse os nossos 4 alunos pois não iríamos manter um curso sem qualquer estrutura, apenas para 4 alunos.”

Quando o Instituto de Matemática Pura e Aplicada, o Impa, foi fundado, em 1952, ocupava duas salas pequenas dentro do CBPF, de modo que havia uma certa confusão entre CBPF e Impa. Mantínhamos distância da Faculdade de Filosofia, controlada por pessoas complicadas, não muito competentes, mas que dominavam o processo acadêmico — a exceção era Maria Laura Mousinho, que tinha fortes vínculos com o Impa e o CBPF.” Lindolpho Dias, matemático

O CNPq, por sua vez, tinha tido um início muito promissor, de grande ebulição, quando foi presidido por seu criador, o almirante Álvaro Alberto; muitas coisas foram feitas até 1955, quando ele deixou a presidência, e o CNPq perdeu prestígio.”

Muita gente entende que Capes e CNPq são a mesma coisa e deveriam até se fundir num único órgão. Mas eu vejo uma diferença fundamental entre eles: a Capes, como indica o próprio nome, é um órgão do Ministério da Educação cuja finalidade básica é o aperfeiçoamento de profissionais de nível superior, não necessariamente através de pesquisa. Por isso, é perfeitamente natural que ela ofereça uma bolsa a um médico que não pretenda fazer pesquisa, mas apenas aprimorar-se no exterior ou no Brasil. Ou ainda para um advogado passar um período fora, para eventualmente até fazer um doutorado, mas sem se obrigar, a priori, a ser um pesquisador. Já o CNPq, cujo nome original era Conselho Nacional de Pesquisas e depois mudou para Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, tem como alvo específico a pesquisa científica e a tecnológica e, mais recentemente, o desenvolvimento tecnológico; suas bolsas devem ter por objetivo aprimorar um pesquisador. É claro que isso é subjetivo, e muita gente que recebeu bolsa não se transformou em pesquisador.”

Engraçado como em 2001 não havia essa TARA ABSOLUTA pela pesquisa que toma conta do mundo acadêmico hoje. O que a CAPES devia fomentar, então? Certamente a docência era vista com mais respeito (não que faça tanto sentido, de qualquer forma, desvincular ensino e pesquisa), mas nos exemplos dados pelo entrevistado fica claro que essa não era nem nunca foi a prioridade dos bolsistas: médicos queriam preencher currículo para chegar a postos de trabalho no topo, advogados, idem. E o mais embaraçoso é que os aprovados em concurso da CAPES são Analistas em CIÊNCIA & TECNOLOGIA. A rigor, não têm mais nada a ver com o MEC.

Em 1950, quando fiz vestibular, o número de alunos no ensino superior no Brasil era de 60 mil. Aqui no Rio, eram 300 vagas para engenharia: 200 na UFRJ e 100 na PUC; em São Paulo só existia a Escola Politécnica. E não havia uma tradição de pesquisa.”

em 51 houve esse fato importantíssimo da fundação do CNPq e da Capes; tanto o Ministério da Educação quanto a Presidência da República, na época, consideraram importante a criação dos dois órgãos. Claro que houve forte motivação com a explosão da bomba atômica e coisas desse tipo.”

COMO O SENHOR AVALIA A EVOLUÇÃO DA CAPES ENTRE 1964 E 1974?

Suzana Gonçalves tinha prestígio, porque era prima da falecida esposa do presidente Castelo Branco, d. Argentina, e irmã de Elisinha, então casada com Válter Moreira Sales. Apesar de muito culta, tenho a impressão de que ela não tem pós-graduação formal. (…) Suzana estudava muito e era muito ativa no Conselho; era uma administradora, e muito boa. Depois que Muniz de Aragão saiu da Diretoria do Ensino Superior, entrou aquele maluco, um amazonense chamado Epílogo de Campos, um horror. Completo maluco! Aliás, o próprio nome indica; era uma família Campos, do Amazonas, com um filho chamado Prólogo, este Epílogo e até uma moça chamada Errata!”

O que ocorre é que as antigas autarquias tinham ficado muito burocratizadas, e as fundações representaram uma libertação. Cada fundação tinha seu plano salarial, podia contratar pela CLT e sem concurso, tinha autonomia de gestão de pessoal, as licitações eram simplificadas. Mas a lei do Regime Jurídico Único, de dezembro de 90, acabou com tudo isso. Hoje, a administração da Capes como fundação, assim como o CNPq, tem as mesmas restrições de uma autarquia. Não se pode demitir nem contratar com autonomia. [Benzadeus!] Sabe quem tem poder para demitir um motorista que roubou? O presidente da República! [Faz arminha!]

Comparando com a Argentina, a situação fica ainda mais estranha, porque lá o autoritarismo efetivamente acabou com a ciência e tecnologia, enquanto o nosso regime militar trabalhou com a ciência e tecnologia, porque era desenvolvimentista. Existia uma perspectiva de hegemonia no Atlântico Sul, principalmente durante o governo Geisel, entre 1974 e 1979. Mas a verdade é que em 1985 nós não percebíamos a imensa inflexão econômica que o país estava vivendo e talvez tenhamos insistido num modelo que estava esgotado, não como perspectiva mas como formato — inclusive, uma série de características desse modelo está voltando agora, no final da década de 1990. Na política de hoje há muita coisa para se aprender com o modelo peluciano.” Reinaldo Guimarães

TRAGÉDIA MILITAR, NÃO? FINANCIARAM BONS REDUTOS MARXISTAS! “É admirável que, durante aqueles anos de chumbo, Pelúcio tenha organizado na Finep um grupo de pesquisa em política industrial, em economia da tecnologia, onde estavam Maria da Conceição Tavares, Carlos Lessa, Simon Schwartzman, Marcelo Abreu, José Tavares. Além disso, graças ao Pelúcio fundou-se o Instituto de Economia da UFRJ, o Instituto de Economia da Unicamp, o Cpdoc; foi o momento de explosão desses centros todos. Esse foi o maior legado do José Pelúcio Ferreira. Embora fosse um economista, seu maior legado foi a institucionalização da pesquisa no Brasil”

O SENHOR CONSIDERA CAPES E CNPq AGÊNCIAS COMPLEMENTARES, QUE SE SUPERPÕEM EM CERTOS MOMENTOS?

Existe uma disputa burocrática permanente, um eterno ruído de fundo. E não tem jeito, como tudo em Brasília. Isso é uma coisa com a qual se convive, a não ser quando aumenta muito o volume do ruído de fundo. No início da Nova República [1988?], por exemplo, o espírito de equipe era muito grande, porque existia uma mobilização da sociedade inclusive no campo científico e tecnológico, que fazia com que se cimentassem essas relações em cima e o ruído ficasse mais embaixo. Eu comparecia religiosamente a todas as Reuniões do Conselho Deliberativo do CNPq, por exemplo, coisa que depois deixou de ocorrer; atualmente o CNPq não manda ninguém para o Conselho Superior da Capes, fica um banco vazio ou, quando manda, é um técnico de terceiro escalão [tipo um eu].”

E O TEMPO PASSA…: “Lembro muito bem. A Capes foi extinta junto com coisas como a Fundação da Pesca de Carapicu, para fazer uma caricatura da situação. Eunice Durham assumiu como diretora-geral de uma entidade fantasma. A comunidade científica se movimentou, e a Capes foi recriada no Congresso. O impacto aqui fora foi muito grande, houve uma gritaria danada. Extinguir a Capes era uma tolice.

SIM, PORQUE ERA UMA AGÊNCIA EFICIENTE, ALÉM DE MUITO PEQUENA, BASTANTE ENXUTA.

Hoje, tenho uma visão bem crítica sobre essa assertiva de que a Capes é enxuta, seus funcionários são dedicados, etc. Considero que a Capes tem menos funcionários do que precisa e que essa histórica contenção de funcionários acabou por desenvolver certos vícios internos, de grupos dominantes, muito prejudicial à agência. Ali há grupos pesados, e se a diretoria não tomar cuidado, fica submetida a eles, porque emperram tudo. Como é pouca gente, formam-se feudos dos técnicos: a área da fulana, a área do sicrano. Feudos burocráticos.” Hohoho, você não é o Batman mas matou A CHARADA; só faltou dar nome aos boicacos…

Com a Reforma que o transformou em fundação em 1973, o CNPq atraiu pessoal altamente qualificado, porque pagava excelentes salários, e incorporou-se à parte mais moderna da burocracia. Como pagava bem, outros órgãos, que por razões jurídicas não podiam contratar, faziam suas contratações através do CNPq. A partir do momento em que o setor público deixou de ser financeiramente atraente e o CNPq perdeu importância — em 85, com a criação do Ministério de Ciência e Tecnologia, o CNPq deixou de ser o cabeça do sistema —, houve grande evasão. Quando voltei ao CNPq no final do governo Collor para fazer o diretório dos grupos de pesquisa, levei um choque! A decadência era visível até em termos físicos. O edifício do CNPq era uma ruína! Num período relativamente curto, 5 anos, a decadência foi vertiginosa. Isso a Capes não viveu com essa intensidade, protegeu-se, não sei por que razões.”

Em 1986 tinha sido criado um órgão chamado Fórum de Pró-Reitores de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa — Fopropp, uma sigla horrorosa!” HAHAHAHA

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(*) Simon Schwartzman iniciou a carreira de professor e pesquisador na UFMG, da qual foi afastado pelo regime militar em 1964, só tendo reingressado em 2000, quando se aposentou, de acordo com a Lei da Anistia.”

* * *

Como se sabe, no Brasil as primeiras escolas superiores só foram criadas no início do século XIX com a vinda da família real portuguesa para a colônia, e tinham o único propósito de fornecer quadros profissionais para desempenhar diferentes ocupações na rte; no final do Império, o país contava com apenas 6 escolas superiores. Em 1900, eram 24 as escolas de ensino superior, e três décadas depois o sistema já contava com uma centena de instituições, sendo que várias delas foram criadas pelo setor privado, principalmente pela iniciativa confessional católica. O fundamental a ressaltar é que até o início da década de 30 o sistema era constituído por um conjunto de escolas isoladas, de cunho profissionalizante, divorciadas da investigação científica, atividade essa que era realizada nos institutos de pesquisa, que em geral possuíam tênues laços com o sistema de ensino superior existente. Até esse momento, não fôra criada no Brasil nenhuma universidade institucionalizada.” Carlos Benedito Martins

[a] Universidade de São Paulo em 1934 e a Universidade do Distrito Federal em 1935 — esta, de curta vida — representaram as primeiras tentativas de superação de um padrão de organização do ensino superior, baseado na escola isolada e profissionalizante, e de construção de um novo modelo baseado em instituições mais orgânicas, que integrassem ensino e pesquisa.”

No final dos anos 50, inúmeros estudantes e docentes estavam de volta ao Brasil e nos anos subseqüentes assumiriam a liderança intelectual e científica nas universidades, participando ativamente da implantação dos primeiros cursos de mestrado e de doutorado no país.”

Deve-se destacar ainda que a Universidade de Brasília, que iniciou suas atividades em 1962, incluiu também em suas atividades a existência regular e permanente de cursos de pós-graduação.”

Esses cursos passaram a coexistir com o modelo europeu de pós-graduação, particularmente o francês, presente nos doutorados da USP, que outorgava apenas o título de doutor, através de uma relação acadêmica tutorial entre o orientador e o doutorando que, de modo geral, desenvolvia seu trabalho de forma isolada e artesanal. O título de doutor tendia a conferir mais vantagens simbólicas do que benefícios econômicos e profissionais ao seu detentor e possuía reduzido valor no campo acadêmico, em função da ausência de uma carreira acadêmica institucionalizada no país, com exceção da própria USP, cujo doutorado se incorporou à carreira docente.”

Com o golpe militar de 1964, a política educacional dos anos subseqüentes buscou desmobilizar o movimento pela reforma universitária, desmantelando o movimento estudantil e controlando coercitivamente as atividades de docentes. Ao lado de um conjunto de medidas repressivas, os responsáveis pela política educacional buscaram vincular a educação ao desenvolvimento econômico, que passava a ser comandado por uma lógica de crescente internacionalização, processo esse iniciado em décadas anteriores. Para isso, o governo implantou um sistema de fomento, procurando adequá-lo ao financiamento do desenvolvimento da ciência e tecnologia; o BNDE passou a fornecer auxílio através do Fundo de Desenvolvimento Técnico-Científico, o Funtec, criado em 1964, e posteriormente a Finep passaram a administrar o Fundo Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, o FNDCT, criado em 1969.”

o resultado da avaliação de 1994 atribuiu a 41% dos cursos de mestrado e a 53% dos de doutorado o conceito <A>, que então era a maior escala existente no interior do processo de avaliação.” Que beleza…

O sistema de avaliação que vinha sendo adotado passou a emitir claros sinais de esgotamento, ao não discriminar mais a qualidade acadêmica dentro dos programas. Na avaliação de 1996, 79% dos cursos de mestrado e 90% dos de doutorado obtiveram conceito <A> ou <B>. Após várias discussões realizadas no Conselho Técnico-Científico e no Conselho Superior da Capes, introduziram-se modificações para apreciação dos cursos; além disso, decidiu-se que a avaliação passaria a ser trienal, com o acompanhamento anual do desempenho dos programas.”

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HOMOSEXUALITY

PREFACE

Biographies of gay men and lesbian women discuss their orientation only when unavoidable, as with Oscar Wilde. There have been several encyclopedias and dictionaries of sexuality (beginning with a German one of 1922, the Handbuch der Sexualwissenschaft), but this work is the first to treat homosexuality in all its complexity and variety.

all the efforts of church and state over the centuries to obliterate homosexual behavior and its expression in literature, tradition, and subculture have come to naught, if only because the capacity for homoerotic response and homosexual activity is embedded in human nature, and cannot be eradicated by any amount of suffering inflicted upon hapless individuals.”

The editors are persuaded that the phenomenology of lesbianism and that of male homosexuality have much in common, especially when viewed in the cultural and social context, where massive homophobia has provided a shared setting, if not necessarily an equal duress.”

Perhaps the most difficult obstacle to a simple focus on <homosexuality> is the growing realization that what has been lumped together under that term since its coinage in 1869 is not a simple, unitary phenomenon. The more one works with data from times and cultures other than contemporary middle-class American and northern European ones, the more one tends to see a multiplicity of homosexualities.”

The Greeks who institutionalized pederasty and used it for educational ends take a prominent role, as does the Judeo-Christian tradition of sexual restriction and homophobia that prevailed under the church Fathers, Scholasticism, and the Reformers, and – in altered form – during the 20th century under Hitler and Mussolini, Stalin and Castro.

ACHILLES

He is a tragic hero, being aware of the shortness of his life, and his devoted friendship for Patroclus is one of the major themes of the epic. Later Greek speculation made the two lovers, and also gave Achilles a passion for Troilus. The homoerotic elements in the figure of Achilles are characteristically Hellenic. He is supremely beautiful, kalos as the later vase inscriptions have it; he is ever youthful as well as short-lived, yet he foresees and mourns his own death as he anticipates the grief that it will bring to others. His attachment to Patroclus is an archetypal male bond that occurs elsewhere in Greek culture: Damon and Pythias, Orestes and Pylades, Harmodius and Aristogiton are pairs of comrades who gladly face danger and death for and beside each other. From the Semitic world stem Gilgamesh and Enkidu, as well as David and Jonathan. The friendship of Achilles and Patroclus is mentioned explicitly only once in the Iliad, and then in a context of military excellence; it is the comradeship of warriors who fight always in each other’s ken: <From then on the son of Thetis urged that never in the moil of Ares [nas confusões da guerra] should Patroclus be stationed apart from his own man-slaughtering spear.>”

The friendship with Patroclus blossomed into overt homosexual love in the fifth and fourth centuries, in the works of Aeschylus, Plato, and Aeschines, and as such seems to have inspired the enigmatic verses in Lycophron’s third-century Alexandra that make unrequited love Achilles’ motive for killing Troilus. By the IV century of our era this story had been elaborated into a sadomasochistic version in which Achilles causes the death of his beloved by crushing him in a lover’s embrace. As a rule, the post-classical tradition shows Achilles as heterosexual and having an exemplary asexual friendship with Patroclus. The figure of Achilles remained polyvalent. The classical Greek pederastic tradition only sporadically assimilated him, new variations appeared in pagan writings after the Golden Age of Hellenic civilization, and medieval Christian writers deliberately suppressed the homoerotic nuances of the figure.”

W. M. Clarke, Achilles and Patroclus in Love (1978)

AESCHINES

Athenian orator. His exchanges with Demosthenes in the courts in 343 and 330 reflect the relations between Athens and Macedon in the era of Alexander the Great. Aeschines and Demosthenes were both members of the Athenian boule (assembly) in the year 347-46, and their disagreements led to 16 years of bitter enmity. Demosthenes opposed Aeschines and the efforts to reach an accord with Philip of Macedon, while Aeschines supported the negotiations and wanted to extend them into a peace that would provide for joint action against aggressors and make it possible to do without Macedonian help. In 346-45 Demosthenes began a prosecution of Aeschines for his part in the peace negotiations – Aeschines replied with a charge that Timarchus, Demosthenes’ ally, had prostituted himself with other males and thereby incurred atimia, <civic dishonor>, which disqualified him from addressing the assembly. Aeschines’ stratagem was successful, and Timarchus was defeated and disenfranchised. The oration is often discussed because of the texts of the Athenian laws that it cites, as well as such accusations that Timarchus had gone down to Piraeus, ostensibly to learn the barber’s trade.

AESCHYLUS

QUEM DISSE, JAEGER, QUE NÃO SE PODE SER SOLDADO E POETA AO MESMO TEMPO? First of the great Attic tragedians. Aeschylus fought against the Persians at Marathon and probably Salamis. Profoundly religious and patriotic, he produced, according to one catalogue, 72 titles, but 10 others are mentioned elsewhere. He was the one who first added a second actor to speak against the chorus. Of his 7 surviving tragedies, none is pederastic. His lost Myrmidons, however, described in lascivious terms the physical love of Achilles for Patroclus’ thighs, altering the age relationship given in Homer’s Iliad – where Patroclus is a few years the older, but as they grew up together, they were essentially agemates – to suggest that Achilles was the lover (erastes) of Patroclus.

Plato had Phaedrus point out the confusion, and argue that Patroclus must have been the older and therefore the lover, while the beautiful Achilles was his beloved (Symposium, 180a). Among Attic tragedians Aeschylus was followed by Sophocles, Euripides, and Agathon.

Sophocles (496-406 B.C.), who first bested Aeschylus in 468 and added a third actor, wrote 123 tragedies of which 7 survive, all from later than 440. At least 4 of his tragedies were pederastic. Euripides (480-406 B.C.) wrote 75 tragedies of which 19 survive, and the lost Chrysippus, and probably some others as well, were pederastic. Euripides loved the beautiful but effeminate tragedian Agathon until Agathon was 40. The latter, who won his first victory in 416, was the first to reduce the chorus to a mere interlude, but none of his works survive.

All four of the greatest tragedians wrote pederastic plays but none survive, possibly because of Christian homophobia. The tragedians seem to have shared the pederastic enthusiasm of the lyric poets and of Pindar, though many of their mythical and historical source-themes antedated the formal institutionalization of paiderasteia in Greece toward the beginning of the sixth century before our era.”

(o artigo de William Percy foi transcrito na íntegra)

AFRICA, NORTH

Pederasty was virtually pandemic in North Africa during the periods of Arab and Turkish rule. Islam as a whole was tolerant of pederasty, and in North Africa particularly so. (The Islamic high-water points in this respect may tentatively be marked out as Baghdad of The Thousand and One Nights, Cairo of the Mamluks, Moorish Granada, and Algiers of the 16th and 17th centuries.) The era of Arabic rule in North Africa did, however, witness occasional puritan movements and rulers, such as the Almohads and a Shiite puritanism centered in Fez (Morocco). This puritanism continues with the current King Hassan II of Morocco, who is, however, hampered by an openly homosexual brother.”

400 Franciscan friars left the Spain of Isabel the Catholic and embraced Islam rather than <mend their ways>, as she had commanded them to do.”

Universal throughout pre-colonial North Africa was the singing and dancing boy, widely preferred over the female in café entertainments and suburban pleasure gardens. A prime cultural rationale was to protect the chastity of the females, who would instantly assume the status of a prostitute in presenting such a performance. The result was several centuries of erotic performances by boys, who were the preferred entertainers even when female prostitutes were available, and who did not limit their acts to arousing the lust of the patrons. A North African merchant could stop at the café for a cup of tea and a hookah [narguilé], provided by a young lad, listen to the singing, and then proceed to have sex with the boy right on the premises, before returning to his shop.

The present writer has spoken with a Tunisian supervisor of schools who firmly believes in the death penalty for all homosexuals. Thus, in their rush to modernism, Third World leaders often adopt the sexual standards of medieval Christendom, even as Europe and America are moving toward legalization and tolerance of same-sex activity. Such, at least in part, is also the plight of modern North Africa.”

Tunisia. A small and impoverished country of some 4 million, Tunisia’s high birthrate keeps the country very young – about half the people are under 18. Although it is common to see men walking hand-in-hand (as in all Islamic countries), it would not be wise for a foreigner to adopt the practice with a male lover. Tunisians can easily tell the difference between two friends of approximately equal status (where hand-holding is expected) and a sexual relation (which is <officially> disapproved of and therefore not to be made public).” “In the days of Carthage, the city was known for its perfumed male prostitutes and courtesans. After Carthage was destroyed in the Punic wars, Tunisia became a Roman colony. The country did not regain its independence until modern times. The Romans were supplanted by the Vandals, who in turn surrendered the country to the Byzantine Empire. The rise of the followers of Muhammad swept Tunisia out of Christendom forever, and the country eventually passed into the Turkish Empire, where it remained until the French protectorate.”

Marxist societies abominate homosexuality, and this influence has had a chilling effect on Algeria. The passing tourist will see nothing of such activity, although residents may have a different experience. Another fact is that Algerians do not like the French (because of the war) and this dislike is frequently extended to all people who look like Frenchmen, though they may be Canadian or Polish. It is a strange country, where you can spot signs saying <Parking Reserved for the National Liberation Front> (the stalls are filled with Mercedes Benzes), and also the only place in all of North Africa where the present writer has even seen a large graffito proclaiming <Nous voulons vivre français!> (We want to live as Frenchmen!).

The adventures of Oscar Wilde and André Gide in Tunisia and Algeria before the war are good evidence that this modern difference between the two countries was in fact caused by the trauma of the war. There is better evidence in the history of Algiers long before. During the 16th and 17th centuries, Algiers was possibly the leading homosexual city in the world. It was the leading Ottoman naval and administrative center in the western Mediterranean, and was key to Turkey’s foreign trade with every country but Italy. Of the major North African cities, it was the furthest from the enemy – Europe. It was the most Turkish city in North Africa, in fact the most Turkish city outside Turkey.”

The bath-houses (hammams) of Fez were the object of scandalous comments around 1500. Two factors assume a bolder relief in Morocco, although they are typical of North Africa as a whole. One is a horror of masturbation. This dislike, combined with the seclusion of good women and the diseases of prostitutes, leads many a Maghrebi [africano setentrional] to regard anal copulation with a friend as the only alternative open to him, and clearly superior to masturbation. It also leads

to such behavior being regarded as a mere peccadillo. The other, more peculiarly Moroccan tradition is that of baraka, a sort of <religious good luck>. It is believed that a saintly man can transmit some of this baraka to other men by the mechanism of anal intercourse. (Fellatio has traditionally been regarded with disgust in the region, although the 20th century has been changing attitudes.)”

Malek Chebel, L’Esprit de sérail: Perversions et marginalités sexuelles au

Magreb, Paris: Lieu Commun, 1988.

ALCIBIADES

Reared in the household of his guardian and uncle Pericles, he became the eromenos and later intimate friend of Socrates, who saved his life in battle. His, brilliance enabled him in 420 to become leader of the extreme democratic faction, and his imperialistic designs led Athens into an alliance with Argos and other foes of Sparta, a policy largely discredited by the Spartan victory at Mantinea. He sponsored the plan for a Sicilian expedition to outflank Sparta, which ended after his recall in the capture of thousands of Athenians, most of whom died in the salt mines where they were confined, but soon after the fleet reached Sicily his enemies recalled him on the pretext of his complicity in the mutilation of the Hermae, the phallic pillars marking boundaries between lots of land. He escaped, however, to Sparta and became the adviser of the Spartan high command. Losing the confidence of the Spartans and accused of impregnating the wife of one of Sparta’s two kings, he fled to Persia, then tried to win reinstatement at Athens by winning Persian support for the city and promoting an oligarchic revolution, but without success. Then being appointed commander by the Athenian fleet at Samos, he displayed his military skills for several years and won a brilliant victory at Cyzicus in 410, but reverses in battle and political intrigue at home led to his downfall, and he was finally murdered in Phrygia in 404 [Sócrates, mais velho, foi condenado apenas em 399]. Though an outstanding politician and military leader, Alcibiades compromised himself by the excesses of his sexual life, which was not confined to his own sex, but was uninhibitedly bisexual, as was typical of a member of the Athenian aristocracy. The Attic comedians scolded him for his adventures; Aristophanes wrote a play (now lost) entitled Triphales (The man with three phalli), in which Alcibiades’ erotic exploits were satirized. In his youth, admired by the whole of Athens for his beauty, he bore on his coat of arms an Eros hurling a lightning bolt. Diogenes Laertius said of him that <when a young man, he separated men from their wives, and later, wives from their husbands,> while the comedian Pherecrates declared that <Alcibiades, who once was no man, is now the man of all women>. He gained a bad reputation for introducing luxurious practices into Athenian life, and even his dress was reproached for extravagance. He combined the ambitious political careerist and the bisexual dandy, a synthesis possible only in a society that tolerated homosexual expression and even a certain amount of heterosexual licence in its public figures. His physical beauty alone impressed his contemporaries enough to remain an inseparable part of his historical image.”

Walter Ellis, Alcibiades, New York: Routledge, 1989;

Jean Hatzfeld, Alcibiade: Étude sur l’histoire d’Athènes à la fin du Ve siècle, Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, 1951.

ANARCHISM

Étienne de la Boétie (1530-1563) and William Godwin (1756-1836) wrote two proto-anarchist classics. Boétie’s Discours de la servitude voluntaire (1552-53) (translated as The Politics of Obedience and as The Will to Bondage) is still read by anarchists.” Ver excertos em Português em http://xtudotudo6.zip.net/arch2012-11-01_2012-11-30.html.

Pederasty comes not so much from lack of marriage bed as from a hazy yearning for masculine beauty.” Proudhon

The boy-lover John Henry Mackay (1864-1933), who wrote widely on both pederastic (under the pseudonym Sagitta) and anarchist topics, prepared the first (and only) biography of Stirner in 1898.”

Karl Marx & Frederick Engels had a personal disgust for homosexuality (Engels told Marx to be grateful that they were too old to attract homosexuals). Marx published full-length diatribes against Proudhon, Stirner, and Bakunin. He used Bakunin’s relationship to Nechaev as an excuse for expelling the anarchists from the International in 1872. Lenin later denounced anarchists as politically <infantile>, just as Freudians argued that homosexuality was an arrested infantile (or adolescent) development.”

Thomas Bell, a gay secretary of Frank Harris and a trick[?] of Wilde’s, has written a book on Wilde’s anarchism, available only in Portuguese.[!]”

In Spain during the Civil War (1936-39), anarchists fought against both the fascists and the communists, and for a time dominated large areas of the country. Many gay men and lesbians volunteered to fight in the war, while others worked as ambulance drivers and medics.”

Emma Goldman (1869-1940) is unquestionably the first person to lecture publicly in the United States on homosexual emancipation”

Whether from choice or necessity, anarchists have written extensively against prisons and in favor of prisoners, many of whom either from choice or necessity have experienced prison homosexuality. William Godwin opposed punishment of any kind and all anarchists have opposed any enforced sexuality.”

Both anarchists and gays can be found in the Punk Rock movement. Since many anarchists do not really believe in organizations, they can often be as hard to identify as homosexuals once were. During the early 80s at the New York Gay Pride marches, gay anarchists, S/M groups, gay atheists, NAMBLA, Pag Rag and others all marched together with banners as individual members drifted back and forth between all the groups.”

A major question is whether homosexuals are inherently attracted to anarchism or whether homosexuals have been equally attracted to democracy, communism, fascism, monarchy, nationalism or capitalism. Because of the secrecy, no one can ever figure what percentage of homosexuals are anarchists and what percentage of anarchists are homosexual. But only among anarchists has there been a consistent commitment, rooted in basic principles of the philosophy, to build a society in which every person is free to express him- or herself sexually in every way.”

ANDERSEN, HANS CHRISTIAN

His fame rests upon the 168 fairy tales and stories which he wrote between 1835 and 1872. Some of the very first became children’s classics from the moment of their appearance; the tales have since been translated into more than 100 languages. Some are almost child-like in their simplicity; others are so subtle and sophisticated that they can be properly appreciated only by adults.”

It has been speculated that the fairy tale The Little Mermaid, completed in January 1837, is based on Andersen’s self-identification with a sexless creature with a fish’s tail who tragically loves a handsome prince, but instead of saving her own future as a mermaid by killing the prince and his bride sacrifices herself and commits suicide – another theme of early homosexual apologetic literature.”

ANDROGYNY

There is a tendency to consider androgyny primarily psychic and constitutional, while hermaphroditism is anatomical.”

with reference to male human beings <androgynous> implies effeminacy. Logically, it should then mean <viraginous, masculinized> when applied to women, but this parallel is rarely drawn. Thus there is an unanalyzed tendency to regard androgynization as essentially a process of softening or mitigating maleness. Stereotypically, the androgyne is a half-man or incomplete male. In addition to these relatively specific usages there is a kind of semantic halo effect, whereby androgyny is taken to refer to a more all-encompassing realm. Significantly, in this broader, almost mystical sense the negative connotations fall away, and androgyny may even be a prized quality. For example the figures in the Renaissance paintings of Botticelli and Leonardo are sometimes admired for their androgynous beauty. It comes as no surprise that these aspects of the artists were first emphasized by homosexual art critics of the 19th century.”

In Hinduism and some African religions there are male gods who have female manifestations or avatars. A strand of Jewish medieval interpretation of Genesis holds that Adam and Eve were androgynous before the Fall. If this be the case, God himself must be androgynous since he made man <in his own image>. Working from different premises, medieval Christian mystics found that the compassion of Christ required that he be conceived of as a mother. Jakob Böhme (1575-1624), the German seer, held that all perfect beings, Christ as well as the angels, were androgynous. He foresaw that ultimately Christ’s sacrifice would make possible a restoration of the primal androgyny.”

androgyny points the way to a return to the Golden Age, an era of harmony unmarred by the conflict and dissension of today which are rooted in an unnatural polarization.”

Mircea Eliade, Mephistopheles and the Androgyne, New York: Harper and Row, 1965.

ANIMAL HOMOSEXUALITY

In the 1970s the well-publicized reports of the German ethologist Konrad Lorenz drew attention to male-male pair bonds in greylag geese. Controlled reports of <lesbian> behavior among birds, in which two females share the responsibilities of a single nest, have existed since 1885. Mounting behavior has been observed among male lizards, monkeys, and mountain goats. In some cases one male bests the other in combat, and then mounts his fellow, engaging in penile thrusts – though rarely with intromission. In other instances, a submissive male will <present> to a dominant one, by exhibiting his buttocks in a receptive manner. Mutual masturbation and fellatio have been observed among male stump-tailed macaques. During oestrus female rhesus monkeys engage in mutual full-body rubbing. Those who have observed these same-sex patterns in various species have noted, explicitly or implicitly, similarities with human behavior. It is vital, however, not to elide differences. Mounting behavior may not be sexual, but an expression of social hierarchy: the dominant partner reaffirms his superiority over the presenting one. In most cases where a sexual pairing does occur, one partner adopts the characteristic behavior of the other sex. While this behavioral inversion sometimes occurs in human homosexual conduct, it is by no means universal. Thus while (say) Roman homosexuality, which often involved slaves submitting to their masters, may find its analogue among animals, modern American androphilia largely does not. This difference suggests that the cultural matrix is important.” “In the light of this complexity, a simple identification of human homosexual behavior with same-sex interactions among animals is reductive, and may block or misdirect the search for an understanding of the remaining mysteries of human sexuality. Still, for those aspects to which they have relevance, animal patterns of homosexual behavior help to place human ones in a phylogenetic perspective – in somewhat the same way as animal cries and calls have a relation to human language, and the structures built by birds and beavers anticipate the feats of human architecture.

ARISTOCRATIC VICE

In the 17th century Sir Edward Coke attributed the origin of sodomy to <pride, excess of diet, idleness and contempt of the poor>. The noted English jurist was in fact offering a variation on the prophet Ezekiel (16:49). This accusation reflects the perennial truism that wealth, idleness, and lust tend to go together – a cluster summed up in the Latin term luxuria.

The stereotype of aristocratic vice has a sequel in the early 20th-century Marxist notion that the purported increase of homosexuality in modem industrial states stems from the decadence of capitalism; in this view the workers fortunately remain psychologically healthy and thus untainted by the debilitating proclivity. In the Krupp and von Moltke-Eulenburg scandals in Germany in 1903-08, journalists of the socialist press did their best to inflame their readership against the unnatural vices of the aristocracy, which were bringing the nation to the brink of ruin.”

ARISTOTLE

As a thinker Aristotle is outstanding for the breadth of his interests, which encompassed the entire panorama of the ancient sciences, and for his efforts to make sense of the world through applying an organic and developmental approach. In this way he departed from the essentialist, deductive emphasis of Plato. Unfortunately, Aristotle’s polished essays, which were noted for their style, are lost, and the massive corpus of surviving works derives largely from lecture notes. In these the wording of the Greek presents many uncertainties”

Although Aristotle is known to have had several male lovers, in his writings he tended to follow Plato’s lead in favoring restraints on overt expression of homoerotic feelings. He differs, however, from Plato’s ethical and idealizing approach to male same-sex love by his stress on biological factors. In a brief but important treatment in the Nicomachean Ethics (7:5) he was the first to distinguish clearly between innate and acquired homosexuality. This dichotomy corresponds to a standard Greek distinction between processes which are determined by nature (physis) and those which are conditioned by culture or custom (nomos). The approach set forth in this text was to be echoed a millennium and a half later in the Christian Scholastic treatments of Albertus Magnus and Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologiae, 31:7). In The History of Animals (9:8), Aristotle anticipates modem ethology by showing that homosexual behavior among birds is linked to patterns of domination and submission. In various passages he speaks of homosexual relations among noted Athenian men and boys as a matter of course. His treatment of friendship (Nicomachean Ethics, books 8 and 9) emphasizes its mutual character, based on the equality of the parties, which requires time for full consolidation. He takes it as given that true friendship can occur only between two free males of equal status, excluding slaves and women. Aristotle’s ideas on friendship were to be echoed by Cicero, Erasmus, Michel de Montaigne, and Francis Bacon.

The Problems (4:26), a work attributed to Aristotle but probably compiled by a follower, attributes desire for anal intercourse in men to the accumulation of semen in the fundament. This notion derives from the common Greek medical view that semen is produced in the region of the brain and then transferred by a series of conduits to the lower body.

In England and America a spurious compilation of sexual and generative knowledge, Aristotle’s Masterpiece, enjoyed a long run of popularity. Compiled from a variety of sources, including the Hippocratic and Galenic medical traditions, the medieval writings of Albertus Magnus, and folklore of all kinds, this farrago was apparently first published in English in 1684. A predecessor of later sex manuals, the book contains such lore as the determination of the size of the penis from that of the nose.

ART, VISUAL

Before the 16th century, we find only representations of friendship between women; then in the Venetian school there begins an imagery of lesbian dalliance – but only for male entertainment. Only in recent decades has there been a substantial production of lesbian art by lesbians and for lesbians.”

pe(re)nial tradition

In antiquity the Greeks were noted for their national peculiarity of exercising in the nude. Out of this custom grew the monumental nude statue, a genre that Greece bequeathed to the world. The tradition began a little before 600 B.C. with the sequence of nude youths known as kowoi. (Monumental female nudes did not appear until ca. 350 B.C.) Although archeologists have maintained a deafening silence on the matter, it seems clear that the radiance of these figures can only be explained in the light of the Greek homoerotic appreciation of the male form. Whatever else they may have been, the kowoi were the finest pin-ups ever created.

The Romans did not share the Greek fondness for nude exercise and their attitude toward homosexual behavior was more ambiguous. Perhaps it is not surprising that they favored the old religious subject of the hermaphrodite, the double-sexed being, but now reduced largely to a subject of titillation [erotização – vulgarização]. They also were capable of depicting scenes of peeping toms [machos, provavelmente felinos] that recall the atmosphere of Petronius’s Satyricon.”

After the reign of Hadrian, who died in 138, the great age of ancient homoerotic art was over. Consequently, the adoption of Christianity cannot be said to have killed off a vibrant tradition, but it certainly did not encourage its revival.”

Since Freud’s essay of 1910 the enigmatic figure of Leonardo has offered a special appeal.”

By the turn of the century magazines began to appear in Germany presenting, by means of photographic reproduction, works appealing exclusively to male homosexual taste; lesbian magazines were only to emerge after World War I. Exceptionally, the American George Piatt Lynes (1907-1955) pursued a career in both mainstream and gay media (the latter in his extensive work for the Swiss magazine, Dei Kreis).”

Although the Surrealists sought to explore sexuality, the homophobia of their leader André Breton placed a ban on gay subjects – or at least male ones. Two related figures did explore in this realm however, the writer Jean Cocteau (1889-1963), with his drawings of sailors, and the Argentine-born painter Leonor Fini (b. 1908), with enigmatic scenes of women. The ambitious Russian-born Pavel Tchelitchev (1898-1957), connected with several avant-garde circles in Europe and America, also belongs in this company.”

It may be doubted that the long-standing premises of the modernist aesthetic – its sense of discontinuity, irony, and high seriousness – have been definitively overcome, but there is no doubt that the boundaries of the acceptable have been broadened. This enlargement creates opportunities for gay and lesbian artists. At the same time, however, the tyranny of the market and of critical stereotypes is as great as ever, so that artists are under great pressure to settle into niches that have been prepared for them. It should be remembered that many painters, sculptors, and photographers whose personal orientation is homosexual are as reluctant to be styled <gay artists> as they are to be called neo-expressionist, neo-mannerist, or some other label.”

BALZAC

Vautrin’s secret is that he does not love women, but when and how does he love men? He does so only in the rents of the fabric of the narrative, because the technique of the novelist lies exactly in not speaking openly, but letting the reader know indirectly the erotic background of the events of his story. The physical union of Vautrin with Lucien he presents with stylistic subtlety as a predestined coupling of two halves of one being, as submission to a law of nature. The homosexual aspect of the discourse must always be masked, must hide behind a euphemism, a taunting ambiguity that nevertheless tells all to the knowing reader. The pact struck between Vautrin and Lucien is a Faustian one. Vautrin dreams of owning a plantation in the American South (sic) where on a 100,000 acres he can have absolute power over his slaves – including their bodies. Balzac refers explicitly to examples of the pederasty of antiquity as a creative, civilization-building force by analogy with the Promethean influence of Vautrin upon his beloved Lucien. Vautrin is almost diabolical as a figure of exuberant masculinity, while Lucien embodies the gentleness and meekness of the feminine. The unconscious dimension of their relationship Balzac underlines with magnificent symbolism. He characterizes Vautrin as a monster, <but attached by love to humanity>. Homosexual love is not relegated to the margin of society, as in the dark underworld of the prison, but expresses the fullness of affection with all its physical demands and its spiritual powers.”

Having revealed to the hero and heroine an ideal love, Séraphitus-Séraphita departs for a heaven free of the earthly misery that human beings must endure.”

BARTHES, ROLAND

Barthes introduced into the discussion of literature an original interpretation of semiotics based on the work of the Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure. His work was associated with the structuralist trend as represented by Claude Lévi-Strauss, Julia Kristeva, Tzvetan Todorov, and others. Attacked by the academic establishment for subjectivism, he formulated a concept of criticism as a creative process on an equal plane with fiction and poetry. Even those favorable to his work conceded that this could amount to a <sensuous manhandling> of the text. The turning point in his criticism is probably the tour de force S/Z (Paris, 1970), analyzing Balzac’s novella about an aging castrato, Sarrasine. Here Barthes turns away from the linear, goal-oriented procedures of traditional criticism in favor of a new mode that is dispersed, deliberately marginal, and <masturbatory>. In literature, he emphasized the factor of jouissance, a word which means both <bliss> and <sexual ejaculation>. Whether these procedures constitute models for a new feminist/gay critical practice that will erode the power of patriarchy, as some of his admirers have asserted, remains unclear.

Barthes, who never married, was actively homosexual during most of his life. Although his books are often personal, in his writing he excluded this major aspect of his experience, even when writing about love. Because of the attacks launched against him for his critical innovations, he was apparently reluctant to give his enemies an additional stick with which to beat him. Barthes’ posthumously published Incidents (Paris, 1987) does contain some revealing diary entries. The first group stems from visits he made, evidently in part for sexual purposes, to North Africa in 1968-69. The second group of entries records restless evenings in Paris in the autumn of 1979 just before his death. These jottings reveal that, despite his great fame, he frequently experienced rejection and loneliness. Whatever his personal sorrows, Barthes’ books remain to attest a remarkable human being whose activity coincided with an ebullient phase of Western culture.”

Sanford Freedman, Roland Barthes: A Bibliographical Reader’s Guide, New York: Garland, 1983.

BEAT GENERATION

The origins of this trend in American culture can be traced to the friendship of three key figures in New York City at the beginning of the 1940s. Allen Ginsberg (1926-[1997]) and Jack Kerouac (1922-1969) met as students at Columbia University, where both were working at becoming writers. In 1944 Ginsberg encountered the somewhat older William Burroughs (1914-[1997]), who was not connected with the University, but whose acquaintance with avant-garde literature supplied an essential intellectual complement to college study. Both Ginsberg and Burroughs were homosexual; Kerouac bisexual. At first the ideas and accomplishments of the three were known only to a small circle. But toward the end of the 1950s, as their works began to be published and widely read, large numbers of young people, <beatniks> and <hippies>, took up elements of their life-style.”

The word beat was sometimes traced to <beatific>, and sometimes to <beat out> and similar expressions, suggesting a pleasant exhaustion that derives from intensity of experience. Its appeal also reflects the beat and improvisation of jazz music, one of the principal influences on the trend. Some beat poets tried to match their writings with jazz in ballroom recitals, prefiguring the more effective melding of words and music in folk and rock. The ideal of spontaneity was one of the essential elements of the beat aesthetic. These writers sought to capture the immediacy of speech and lived experience, which were, if possible, to be transcribed directly as they occurred. This and related ideals reflect a new version of American folk pragmatism, preferring life to theory, immediacy to reflection, and feeling to reason. Contrary to what one might expect, however, the beat generation was not anti-intellectual, but chose to seek new sources of inspiration in neglected aspects of the European avant-garde and in Eastern thought and religion.”

First published in Paris in 1959, his novel Naked Lunch became available in the United States only after a series of landmark obscenity decisions. With its phantasmagoric and sometimes sexually explicit subject matter, together with its quasi-surrealist techniques of narrative and syntactic disjunction, this novel presented a striking new vision. This novel was followed by The Soft Machine and The Ticket That Exploded to form a trilogy. Nova Express (1964) makes extensive use of the <cut-up> techniques, which Burroughs had developed with his friend Brion Gysin. A keen observer of contemporary reality in several countries, Burroughs has sought to present a kind of <world upside down> in order to sharpen the reader’s consciousness. One of his major themes has been his anarchist-based protest against what he sees as increasingly repressive social control through such institutions as medicine and the police. Involved with

drugs for some years, he managed to kick the habit, but there is no doubt that such experiences shaped his viewpoint. His works have been compared to pop art in painting and science fiction in literature. Sometimes taxed for misogyny, his world tends to be a masculine one, sometimes exploiting fantasies of regression to a hedonistic world of juvenile freedom. Burroughs’s hedonism is acerbic and ironic, and his mixture of qualities yields a distorting mirror of reality which some have found, because perhaps of the many contradictions of later 20th-century civilization itself, to be a compelling representation.”

Ted Morgan, Literary Outlaw: The Life and Times of William Burroughs, New York: Henry Holt, 1988.

BEATS AND HIPPIES

The journalistic word <beatnik> is a pseudo-Slavic coinage of a type popular in the 1960s, the core element deriving from <beat> (generation), the suffix -nik being the formative of the noun of agent in Slavic languages. The term <hippie> was originally a slightly pejorative diminutive of the beat <hipster>, which in turn seems to derive from 1940s jivetalk adjective <hep>, meaning <with it, in step with current fashions>. The original hippies were a younger group with more spending money and more flamboyant dress. Their music was rock instead of the jazz of the beats. Despite differences that seemed important at the time, beats and hippies are probably best regarded as successive phases of a single phenomenon.

Attracted by the prestige of the beat writers, many beats/hippies cultivated claims to be poets and philosophers. In reality, once the tendency became modish only a few of the beat recruits were certifiably creative in literature and the arts; these individuals were surrounded by masses of people attracted by the atmosphere of revolt and experiment, or just seeking temporary separation – a moratorium as it was then called – from the banalities of ordinary American life. At its height the phenomenon supported scores of underground newspapers, which were read avidly by curious outsiders as well.”

Significantly, the street term for the Other, <straight>, could refer either to non-drug users or heterosexuals.”

Mysticism exerted a potent influence among beats and hippies, and some steeped themselves in Asian religions, especially Buddhism, Taoism, and Sufism. This fascination was not new, inasmuch as ever since the foundation of Theosophy as an official movement in 1875, American and other western societies had been permeated by Eastern religious elements. Impelled by a search for wisdom and cheap living conditions, many hippies and beatniks set out for prolonged sojourns in India, Nepal, and North Africa. Stay-at-homes professed their deep respect for American Indian culture.”

Most hippies were heterosexual, but their long hair exposed them to jibes of effeminacy. In this way they could experience something of the rejection that had always been the lot of homosexuals.”

With its adoption of a variant of jive talk, largely derived from black urban speech, the movement has left a lasting impression on the English vernacular, as seen in such expressions as <cool>, <spaced out>, and <rip off>.”

Marco Vassi, The Stoned Apocalypse, New York: Trident, 1972.

BENTHAM, JEREMY (1748-1832)

English philosopher and law reformer. Bentham was the founder of the Utilitarian school of social philosophy, which held that legislation should promote the greatest happiness of the greatest number. (…) His Principles of Morals and Legislation (1789) was eventually extremely influential in England, France, Spain, and Latin America where several new republics adopted constitutions and penal codes drawn up by him or inspired by his writings.

Bentham’s utilitarian ethics led him to favor abolition of laws prohibiting homosexual behavior. English law in his day (and until 1861) prescribed hanging for sodomy and during the early 19th century was enforced with, on the average, 2 or 3 hangings a year. Bentham held that relations between men were a source of sexual pleasure that did not lead to unwanted pregnancies and hence a social good rather than a social evil. He wrote extensive notes favoring law reform about 1774 and a 50-page manuscript essay in 1785. In 1791, the French National Assembly repealed France’s sodomy law but in England the period of reaction that followed the outbreak of the French Revolution made reforms impossible. In 1814 and 1816 Bentham returned to the subject and wrote lengthy critiques of traditional homophobia which he regarded as an irrational prejudice leading to <cruelty and intolerance>. In 1817-18 he wrote over 300 pages of notes on homosexuality and the Bible. Homophobic sentiment was, however, so intense in England, both in the popular press and in learned circles, that Bentham did not dare to publish any of his writings on this subject. They remained in manuscript until 1931 when C.K. Ogden included brief excerpts in an appendix to his edition of Bentham’s Theory of Legislation. Bentham’s manuscript writings on this subject are excerpted and described in detail in Louis Crompton’s 1985 monograph on Byron. Bentham’s views on homosexuality are sufficiently positive that he might be described as a precursor of the modern gay liberation movement. Bentham not only treats legal, literary, and religious aspects of the subject in his notes, but also finds support for his opinions in ancient history and comparative anthropology.”

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The emergence of systematic bibliographical control had to await the birth of the first homosexual emancipation movement in Berlin in 1897. This movement firmly held that progress toward homosexual rights must go hand in hand with intellectual enlightenment. Accordingly, each year’s production was noted in the annual volumes of the Jahrbuch fur sexuelle Zwischenstufen (1899-1923); by the end of the first ten years of monitoring over 1,000 new titles had been recorded. Although surveys were made of earlier literature, up to the time of the extinction of the movement by National-Socialism in 1933, no attempt had been made to organize this material into a single comprehensive bibliography of homosexual studies. Nonetheless, much valuable material was noted in the vast work of Magnus Hirschfeld, Die Homosexualität des Mannes und des Weisses (Berlin, 1914).”

Athenaeus (fl. ca. A.D. 200), Deipnosophists, Book 13;

Félix Buffiére, Eros adolescent: la pederastie dans la Grece antique (Paris, 1980);

Vern Bullough et al., Annotated Bibliography of Homosexuality (2 vols., New York, 1976);

Wayne R. Dynes, Homosexuality: A Research Guide (New York, 1987).

BRAZIL [HOMOPHOBIA NEWLAND] & PORTUGAL

The Colonial Era. When the Portuguese reached Brazil in 1500, they were horrified to discover so many Indians who practiced the <unspeakable sin of sodomy>. In the Indian language they were called tivira, and André Thevet, chaplain to Catherine de Medici, described them in 1575 with the word bardache, perhaps the first occasion on which this term was used to describe Amerindian homosexuals. The native women also had relations with one another: according to the chroniclers they were completely <inverted> in appearance, work, and leisure, preferring to die rather than accept the name of women. Perhaps these cacoaimbeguire contributed to the rise of the New World Amazon myth.

In their turn the blacks – more than 5 million were imported during almost 4 centuries of slavery – made a major contribution to the spread of homosexuality in the <Land of the Parrots>. The first transvestite in Brazilian history was a black named Francisco, of the Mani-Congo tribe, who was denounced in 1591 by the Inquisition visitors, but refused to discard women’s clothing. Francisco was a member of the brotherhood of the quimbanba, homosexual fetishists who were well known and respected in the old kingdom of Congo-Angola. Less well established than among the Amerindians and Africans, the Portuguese component (despite the menace of the Tribunal of the Holy Office, 1536-62) continued unabated during the whole history of the kingdom, involving 3 rulers and innumerable notables, and earning sodomy the sobriquet of the <vice of the clergy>. If we compare Portugal with the other European countries of the Renaissance – not excluding England and the Netherlands – our documentation (abundant in the archives of the Inquisition) requires the conclusion that Lisbon and the principal cities of the realm, including the overseas metropolises of Bahia and Rio de Janeiro, boasted a gay subculture that was stronger, more vital, and more stratified than those of other lands, reflecting the fact that Luso-Brazilian gays were accorded more tolerance and social acceptance. Thirty sodomites were burned by the Inquisition during 3 centuries of repression, but none in Brazil, despite the more than 300 who were denounced for practicing the <evil sin>. They were referred to as sodomitas and fanchonos.

Independence. With Brazilian independence and the promulgation of the first constitution (1823) under the influence of the Napoleonic Code, homosexual behavior ceased to be criminal, and from this date forward there has been no Brazilian law restricting homosexuality [Bolsonaro e seu séquito se encontram quase 200 anos enterrados na História; me admira que não tenham morrido asfixiados em seu ideal de mundo até agora!] – apart from the prohibition with persons less than 18 years of age, the same as for heterosexuals. Lesbianism, outlawed by the Inquisition since 1646, had always been less visible than male homosexuality in Brazil, and there is no record of any mulher-macho (<male woman>) burned by the Portuguese Inquisition. In the course of Brazilian history various persons of note were publicly defamed for practicing homosexuality: in the 17th century 2 Bahia governors, Diogo Botelho and Câmara Coutinho, both contemporaries of the major satirical poet, Gregorio de Matos, author of the oldest known poem about a lesbian in the Americas, Nise. He himself was brought before the Inquisition for blasphemy in saying that <Jesus Christ was a sodomite>. [HAHAHA!] In the 19th century the revolutionary leader Sabino was accused of homosexual practices. A considerable surviving correspondence between Empress Leopoldina, consort of the Brazil’s first sovereign, Dom Pedro, with her English lady in waiting, Maria Graham, attests that they had both a homosexual relationship and an intense homoemotional reciprocity. Such famous poets and writers as Álvares de Azevedo (1831-1852), Olavo Bilac (1865-1918), and Mário de Andrade (1893-1945) rank among the votaries of Ganymede. The list also includes the pioneer of Brazilian aeronautics, Alberto Santos-Dumont (1873-1932), after whose airship the pommes Santos-Dumont were named. At the end of the 19th century homosexuality appears as a literary theme. In 1890 Aluizio Azevedo included a realistic lesbian scene in O Cortiço, and in 1895 Adolfo Caminha devoted the entire novel O Bom Crioulo (which has been translated into English) to a love affair between a cabin boy and his black protector. In the faculties of medicine of Rio de Janeiro and Bahia various theses addressed the homosexual question, beginning with O Androfilismo of Domingos Firmínio Ribeiro (1898) and O Homosexualismo: A Libertinagem no Rio de Janeiro (1906) by Pires de Almeida – both strongly influenced by the European psychiatrists Moll, Krafft-Ebing, and Tardieu. From 1930 comes the first and most outspoken Brazilian novel on lesbianism, O Terceiro Sexo, by Odilon Azevedo, where lesbian workers founded an association intended to displace men from power, thus setting forth a radical feminist discourse.

In 1976 appeared the main gay journal of Brazilian history, O Lampião (The Lantern)[!], which had a great positive effect on the rise of the Brazilian homosexual movement.” “One of the chief battles of gay activists is to denounce the repeated murders of homosexuals – about every 10 days the newspapers report a homophobic crime.”

Recently the transvestite Roberta Close appeared on the cover of the main national magazines, receiving the accolade of <the model of the beauty of the Brazilian woman>. In the mid-1980s more than 400 Brazilian transvestites could be counted in the Bois de Boulogne in Paris; many also offer themselves in Rome. When they hear the statistics of the Kinsey Report, Brazilian gays smile, suggesting through experience and <participant observation> that in Brazil the proportion of predominantly homosexual men is as high as 30%.

Brazil, once the paradise of gays, has entered a difficult path.” Premonitório. Mas falava apenas da AIDS.

BUDDHISM

Among world religions, Buddhism has been notable for the absence of condemnation of homosexuality as such.”

For an account of the earliest form of Buddhism, scholars look to the canonical texts of the Tipitaka preserved in the Pali language and transmitted orally until committed to writing in the 2nd century B.C. These scriptures remain authoritative for the Theravada or Hinayana school of Buddhism, now dominant in Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka. The Pali Canon draws a sharp distinction between the path of the lay-person and that of the bhikkhu (mendicant monk, an ordained member of the Buddhist Sangha or Order). The former is expected primarily to support the Sangha and to improve his karmic standing through the performance of meritorious deeds so that his future lives will be more fortunate than his present one. The bhikkhu, in contrast, is expected to devote all his energies to self-liberation, the struggle to cast off the attachments which prevent him from attaining the goal of nirvana in the present lifetime.”

all acts involving the intentional emission of his semen are prohibited for the monk; the insertion of the penis into a female or male is grounds for automatic expulsion from the Sangha, while even masturbation is a (lesser) offense.” “there is no law against a monk receiving a penis into his own body.”

The full rules of the vinaya are not applied to the samanera or novice monk, who may be taken into the Sangha as early as 7 years old and who is generally expected though not obligated to take the Higher Ordination by the age of 21. In this way the more intense sexual drive of the male teenager is tacitly allowed for. A samanera may masturbate without committing an offense. Interestingly, while a novice commits a grave offense if he engages in coitus with a female, requiring him to leave the Sangha, should he instead have sex with a male he is only guilty of a lesser offense requiring that he reaffirms his samanera vows and perform such penance as is directed by his teacher. This may be the only instance of a world religion treating homosexual acts more favorably than heterosexual ones.”

it has been speculated that homosexual orientation may arise from the residual karma of a previous life spent in the opposite gender from that of the body currently occupied by the life-continuum. This explanation contains no element of negativity but rather posits homosexuality as a <natural> result of the rebirth cycle.”

The form of Buddhism which spread northward into Tibet, China, Japan, Korea, and Mongolia from its Indian heartland came to be known as the Mahayana. It de-emphasized the dichotomy between monk and lay-person and relaxed the strict vinaya codes, even permitting monks to marry (in Japan). The Mahayana doctrinally sought to obliterate categorical thinking in general and resolutely fought against conceptual dualism. These tendencies favored the development of positive attitudes toward homosexual practices, most notably in Japan.”

When Father Francis Xavier arrived in Japan in the mid-16th century with the hope of converting the Japanese to Christianity, he was horrified upon encountering many Buddhist monks involved in same-sex relationships; indeed, he soon began referring to homoeroticism as the <Japanese vice>. Although some Buddhist monks condemned such relationships, notably the monk Genshin, many others either accepted or participated in same-sex relationships. Among Japanese Buddhist sects in which such relationships have been documented are the Jishu, Hokkeshu, Shingon, and Zen.”

Zen, that form of Buddhism perhaps most familiar to Westerners, emerged during the 9th century. In the Zen monasteries of medieval Japan, same-sex relations, both between monks and between monks and novices (known as kasshiki and shami), appear to have been so commonplace that the shogun Hojo Sadatoki (whom we might now refer to as <homophobic>) initiated an unsuccessful campaign in 1303 to rid the monasteries of same-sex love. Homoerotic relationships occurring within a Zen Buddhist context have been documented in such literary works as the Gozan Bungaku, Iwatsutsuji, and Comrade Loves of the Samurai [1972]. The blending of Buddhism and homoeroticism has continued to figure prominently in the works of contemporary Japanese writers, notably Yukio Mishima and Mutsuo Takahashi.”

the Gelugpas [seita tibetana dos Lamas que se sucedem] condemned heterosexual intercourse for monks, believing that the mere odor resulting from heterosexual copulation could provoke the rage of certain deities. Such misogynistic and anti-heterosexual notions may have encouraged same-sex bonding.”

Among those who may be credited with introducing the West to Buddhism are Walt Whitman and Henry David Thoreau, both of whom are thought to have loved members of the same sex and both of whom blended elements of Buddhism with elements of other spiritual traditions in their work. In the latter half of the 20th century, many American gays are practitioners of Buddhism, and the blending of homoeroticism and Buddhism may be found in the work of a number of gay American writers and musicians including Allen Ginsberg, Harold Norse, Richard Ronan, Franklin Abbott, and Lou Harrison.”

BYRON

The most influential poet of his day, with a world-wide reputation, Byron became famous with the publication of Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage (1812-

18), an account of his early travels in Portugal, Spain, Albania, and Greece. The proud, gloomy, guilt-ridden, alienated Harold defined the <Byronic hero> who was to reappear in various guises in Byron’s later poems, notably in Manfred, The Corsair, and Lara. The type became a defining image for European and American romanticism. Forced into exile in 1816 because of the scandal caused by his wife’s leaving him, Byron settled in Italy, principally in Venice. There he wrote his sparkling satire on cant and hypocrisy, Don Juan. He spent the last months of his life in Greece, trying to help the Greeks in their struggle to gain independence from the Turks.”

Because of the intense homophobia of English society these poems were ostensibly addressed to a woman, as the name Thyrza and Byron’s use of feminine pronouns implied.”

publicity about his love affair with his half-sister, Augusta Leigh, compounded the scandal [of his homosexuality].”

Byron’s last three poems, On This Day I Complete My 36th Year, Last Words on Greece, and Love and Death, poignantly describe his love for Loukas, which was not reciprocated.”

A surreptitiously published erotic poem, Don Leon, purporting to be Byron’s lost autobiography, probably written in 1833, had set forth many of the facts about Byron’s homosexuality but was dismissed as an unwarranted libel. An edition appeared in 1866 but it remained unknown to all but a few specialists. When the Fortune Press reprinted it in 1934, the publication was confiscated by the British police.”

CAESAR

In addition to his three wives and several mistresses, Julius Caesar had a number of homosexual affairs.”

Arthur D. Kahn, The Education of Julius Caesar: A Biography, a Reconstruction, New York: Schocken, 1986;

Caesar, Gallic Wars (uma prosa bélica comemorativa cortante)

CAPOTE

American novelist and journalist. Capote became famous at the age of 24 with his elegant, evocative book Other Voices, Other Rooms, which concerns the growing consciousness of a boy seeking to comprehend the ambivalent inhabitants of a remote Mississippi house. Dubbed <swamp baroque>, this short novel was easily assimilated into then-current notions of Southern decadence. (…) In 1966 he published In Cold Blood, a <non-fiction novel> about the seemingly senseless murder of a Kansas farm family by two drifters. In preparing for the book, Capote gained the confidence of the murderers, and was thus able to make vivid their sleazy mental universe.”

Capote became the confidant of rich and famous people, especially women, and he gathered their stories for incorporation in a major work which was intended to rival Marcel Proust. Yet when excerpts from this work-in-progress were published in magazines, not only were they found to be vulgar and lacking in insight, but Capote began to be dropped by the socialites he had so unsubtly satirized. Dismayed, the writer sank more and more into a miasma of alcohol, cocaine, and valium – his only consolation the devoted love, or so he claimed, of a succession of straight, proletarian young men whom he prized because of their very ordinariness.”

CARAVAGGIO

Caravaggio came under the protection of Cardinal Francesco Maria del Monte, a homosexual prelate. During this period he painted several works showing ambiguous or androgynous young men, including The Musicians (New York, Metropolitan Museum). Efforts have been made to deny the homoerotic implications of these works, but they seem feeble.”

caravaggio1

Only after World War II did his reputation begin to climb, attaining remarkable heights in the 1980s, when even the abstract artist Frank Stella praised him. In 1986 Derek Jarman’s stylish film Caravaggio was released, presenting the artist as bisexual, but emphasizing the homosexual side.”

caravaggio2
Baco/Dionísio pelas mãos do pintor bissexual italiano.

CASTRATI

The castrati were male singers emasculated in boyhood to preserve the soprano or contralto range of their voices, who from the 16th century to the 19th played roles in Italian opera.” “Boys are commonly mischievous, unruly, and troublesome, and by the time they have really been trained their voices are usually on the edge of breaking; falsettists do not share these drawbacks, but their voices have a peculiar, unpleasant quality, and as a rule cannot attain as high a range as the soprano.”

The elaborate a cappella style, which began to flourish about the middle of the 15th century, required a much wider range of voices and a higher degree of virtuosity than anything that had gone before, and for this task the existing singers were inadequate. The first response took the form of Spanish falsettists of a special kind, but by the end of the 16th century these had yielded to the castrati, who also dominated the new baroque art form – the opera, which was the principal musical activity of the Italian nation in the next two centuries. Opera was unlike legitimate theatre in that it traveled well; it was the first form of musical entertainment that was both popular and to a certain degree international, so that a star system transcending national borders arose. Leading singers were discussed, criticized, and compared in fashionable drawing rooms from Lisbon to St. Petersburg. (…) If other nations had some form of native opera, this ranked lower on the cultural scale and was indifferently sung, while the Italian version enjoyed the highest standard of singing that had ever been known, and will in all likelihood never again be attained. France alone refused admission to Italian singers, and virtually banned the castrati; but Frenchmen, like other Europeans, were full of praise for the opera of Italy.

Since no recording devices existed in the heyday of the castrati, the modern critic has no way of judging the quality of their performance, yet 6 generations of music-lovers preferred the voices of these <half-men> to those of women themselves and of whole men.

In this economic stratum, however, it was accepted that any male child who betrayed the slightest aptitude for music should be sold into servitude, just as in modern Thailand children are sold by their parents to labor in factories or serve in brothels. The successful castrato naturally tried to conceal his humble origins and pose as the scion of an honorable family. The singing-masters of that era were responsible for the perfection of the art of the castrati; no one since has rivaled them in perseverance and thoroughness, and in their perfect command of the capabilities and shortcomings of the human vocal organs. They usually worked in a conservatorio, though sometimes they had their own singing schools or tutored pupils on the side.

Since canon law condemned castration and threatened anyone involved in it with excommunication, which could be reinforced by civil penalties, the business had to be carried on more or less clandestinely, and everywhere prying questions brought only misleading and deceitful answers. The town of Lecce in Apulia, and Norcia, a small town in the Papal States about 20 miles east of Spoleto, are mentioned as notorious for the practice, though the castrati themselves came from all parts of the peninsula. The doctors most esteemed for their skill in the operation were those of Bologna, and their services were in demand not just in Italy but abroad as well.

The curriculum entailed much hard work, and was thorough and comprehensive; as much attention was given to the theory of singing as to its actual practice. Between the ages of 15 and 20, a castrato who had retained and embellished his voice, and passed the various tests with greater or lesser distinction, was considered ready for his debut. On contract to some opera house, he would often first be seen in a female part, for which his youth and fresh complexion would particularly suit him. His looks and unfamiliarity would perhaps gain him greater success than his art would have merited, to the rage and envy of his senior colleagues. Once his name was made, he would have his clique of admirers who attended en masse his every performance and extolled him as their idol; aristocratic ladies and gentlemen would fancy themselves in love with him and manipulate a piquant interview. Backstage, the rivalry with other singers could rage with intense virulence; and a castrato who was too vain and insolent might be assassinated by the hirelings of a rival’s protector. If, however, the performer did not please his audience, he would be doomed to touring small provincial opera houses, or to performing in a church choir. Dissatisfied with his situation, he could set off for Bologna, the marketplace for the musical profession in Italy, to better his fortunes. The castrati came in for a great amount of scurrilous and unkind abuse, and as their fame increased, so did the hatred of them. They were often castigated as malign creatures who lured men into homosexuality, and there were admittedly homosexual castrati, as Casanova’s accounts of XVIII century Italy bear witness. He mentions meeting an abbé whom he

took for a girl in disguise, but was later told that it was a famous castrate. In Rome in 1762, he attended a performance at which the prima donna was a castrato, the minion of Cardinal Borghese, who supped every evening with his protector. From his behavior on stage, <it was obvious that he hoped to inspire the love of those who liked him as a man, and probably would not have done so as a woman.> He concludes by saying that the holy city of Rome forces every man to become a pederast, even if it does not believe in the effect of the illusion which the castrati provoke.”

Opponents of castration have claimed that the practice caused its victims an early loss of voice and an untimely death, while others have affirmed that castration prolonged the life of the vocal cords, and even that of their owner. There is no solid evidence for either contention: the castrati had approximately the same life span as their contemporaries, and retired at roughly the same age as other singers. The operation appears to have had surprisingly little effect on the general health and well-being of the subject, any more than on his sexual impulses. The trauma was largely a psychological one, in an age when virility was deemed a sovereign virtue.A castração tardia não elimina a libido, ao contrário da crença vulgar. Não há solução fácil para o dilema da energia! Eu-nuco El-niño or neverminds

Toward the end of the XVIII century castrati went out of fashion, and new styles in musical composition led to the disappearance of these singers. Meyerbeer was the last composer of importance to write for the male soprano voice; his Il Crociato in Egitto, produced at Venice in 1824, was designed especially for a castrato star. Succeeding generations regarded their memory with derision and disgust, and were happy to live in an age when such products of barbarism were no longer possible. A few castrati performed in the Vatican chapel and some other Roman churches until late in the XIX century, but their vogue on the operatic stage had long passed.”

Angus Heriot, The Castrati in Opera

CATAMITE

The Latin common noun, catamitus, designating a minion or kept boy, is usually derived from the Greek proper name Ganymede(s), the favorite of Zeus. Another possible source is Kadmilos, the companion of the Theban god Kabeiros. The word entered English in 16th century as part of the Renaissance revival of classical literature, and has always retained a learned, quasi-exotic aura. The term could also be used as a verbal adjective, as <a catamited boy>.” “In modern English the termination -ite tends to be perceived as pejorative, as in Trotskyite (vs. Trotskyist) and sodomite.”

CATULLUS

Born at Verona, he spent most of his life in Rome, but kept a villa near his birthplace at Smirno on Lake Garda. Often considered the best Republican poet, he imitated Sappho as well as other archaic, classical, and Hellenistic models, upon which he often improved, and which he combined with native Latin traditions to create stunning, original pieces. He wrote poems, 250 of which survive, of happiness and bitter disappointment. Some are addressed to his mistress Clodia, 10 years his senior, whom he addressed as Lesbia (though with no insinuation of what we now call lesbianism), and who was unfaithful to him with other men. Homophobic Christians and modern schoolmasters have, however, greatly exaggerated the importance of the poems to Lesbia, which amount to no more than 1/8 of the Catullan corpus.”

Sophisticated and fastidious, he set the standard for the Augustan poets of love Ovid, Horace, Vergil, and Propertius. In the Silver Age even Martial acknowledged his debt to Catullus’ epigrams. Like those poets, and most specifically Tibullus, he showed little inhibition and equal attraction to boys and women, but also shared the traditional attitude that the active, full-grown male partner degraded the passive one, and that the threat to penetrate another male symbolized one’s superior virility and power. On the other hand, the accusation of having been raped by another male has a largely negative force”

CENSORSHIP AND OBSCENITY

The practice of tolerating certain hand-produced materials clearly shows that censorship is concerned not simply with the prohibition of materials, but with the size of the audience. It is for this reason that medical and other books dealing with sexual matters formerly had the crucial details in Latin.”

The urge to censor is probably ultimately rooted in fear of blasphemy, the apprehension that if utterances offensive to the gods are tolerated their wrath will fall on the whole society. It was impiety toward the gods for which Socrates was tried and condemned in 399 B.C. The Roman erotic poet Ovid was banished by the puritanical emperor Augustus in A.D. 8.”

Since the monasteries had a monopoly on producing manuscripts, it was assumed that such oversight was not necessary. In fact the abbey scriptoria not only copied erotic materials from Greco-Roman times, but created their own new genres of this type. In any event, the medieval authorities were concerned more with doctrinal deviation than with obscenity.” “The centralization of printing in the hands of a relatively few firms made it possible to scrutinize their intended productions before publication; only those that had passed the test and bore the imprimatur [seal] could be printed. It was then only necessary to make sure that heretical materials were not smuggled in from abroad. In Catholic countries this system was put in place by the establishment, under the Inquisition, with the Index of Prohibited Books in 1557. In countries where the Reformation took hold the control of books was generally assumed by the government. In England the requirement that books should be licenced for printing by the privy council or other agents of the crown was introduced in 1538. These origins explain why the activity of censors was for long chiefly concerned with the printed word. Revealingly, this system is still in force in Communist countries today [1990].”

The French author Nicolas Chorier contrived an even more ambitious ruse for his pansexual dialogues of Aloisia Sigea (1658(?)), which purported to be a translation into Latin by a Dutch author (Jan de Meurs) working from a Spanish original by a learned woman.” Entendeu? Uma tradução para o latim (língua culta) de um escrito erudito (mas vulgar) de uma espanhola, feito por um holandês, para circular na França!

Many French books, unwelcome to throne and altar, were published in Geneva, in Amsterdam, and in Germany. With the coming of the French revolution, however, all restraints were off. Thus the large works which the Marquis de Sade had composed in prison were published, as well as two fascinating homosexual pamphlets, Les enfans de Sodome and Les petits bougres au manège. Although controls were eventually tightened again, Paris gained the reputation (which lasted until about 1960) among English and American travelers as the place where <dirty books> could be obtained.

Through his prudish editions of Shakespeare, Thomas Bowdler (1754-1825) gave rise to the term <bowdlerize>. At the ports, an efficient customs service kept all but a trickle of works deemed to be obscene from coming in. In the United States, the morals crusader Anthony Comstock (1844-1915) not only fought successfully for stringent new legislation, but as head of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice [haha] he claimed responsibility for the destruction of 160 tons of literature and pictures. The restrictions on malleability proved to be particularly hard on publishers of homosexual material, and this problem was not overcome until the ONE, Inc. case in 1954. A landmark in freedom to read books in the United States was the 1931 Ulysses case. Shortly thereafter, however, Hollywood instituted a system of self-censorship known as the Hays Office. This device effectively prevented any direct representation of homosexual love on the silver screen for decades, the only exceptions being a very few foreign films shown at art houses. During this period book publishers practiced their own form of self-censorship by insisting that novels featuring homosexual characters must doom them to an unhappy end.

Only after World War II did the walls begin to come tumbling down in English-speaking countries. In Britain the publishers of Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H. Lawrence were acquitted after a spectacular trial in 1960. In America Grove Press had obtained a favorable court decision on the availability of Lady Chatterley in 1959; three years later the firm went on to publish Henry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer without difficulty. The travails of a book containing explicit homosexual passages, William Burroughs’ Naked Lunch, were more extended. In 1958 authorities at the University of Chicago refused to permit publication of excerpts in a campus literary review. This led to the founding of a new journal, largely to publish the Burroughs text; once this had been done, a lengthy court battle ensued. Only in 1964 was the way clear for the whole novel to be issued by Grove Press. (The book had been published in Paris in 1959.)

Subsequently, a series of United States Supreme Court decisions made censorship impractical, and for all intents and purposes it has ceased nationally, though local option is sometimes exercised. This cessation permitted the appearance and sale of a mass of sexually explicit

books, films, and magazines. The only restriction that is ubiquitously enforced is the ban on <kiddy porn>, photographs and films of children engaging in sexual acts. In an unlikely de facto alliance, two groups emerged at the end of the 1970s in America to reestablish some form of censorship: one consisting of fundamentalists and other religious conservatives; the other of feminist groups [haha].

Michael Barry Goodman, Contemporary Literary Censorship: The Case of Burroughs’ Naked Lunch, Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow, 1981;

Rocco, Alcibiades The Schoolboy (1652) (diálogo êmulo de Platão apólogo da pederastia)

CERVANTES

For 5 years he was a captive in Algiers, where he was on surprisingly good terms with a homosexual convert to Islam; he refers several times in his writings to the pederasty that flourished in the Ottoman empire – on his return from Algiers he was accused of unspecified filthy acts. His marriage was unhappy, and women in his works are treated distantly. Like Manuel Azaña, he put a very high value on freedom.

While Cervantes presented the male-female relationship as the theoretical ideal and goal for most people, the use of pairs of male friends is characteristic of his fiction, and questions of gender are often close to the surface. In his masterpiece Don Quixote (1605-15), which includes cross-dressing by both sexes, the middle-aged protagonist has never had, and has no interest in, sexual intercourse with a woman. A boy servant who appears fleetingly at the outset is replaced by the unhappily-married companion Sancho Panza. The two men come to love each other, although the love is not sexual.”

Verbete por Daniel Eisenberg

Louis Combet, Cervantes ou les incertitudes du désir, Lyon: Presses Universitaires, 1982 (review in MLN, 97 [1982], 422-27);

Rosa Rossi, Ascoltare Cervantes, Milan: Riuniti, 1987 (Spanish translation: Escuchar a Cervantes, Valladolid: Ámbito, 1988);

Luis Rosales, Cervantes y la libertad, 2ed., Madrid: Cultura Hispánica, 1985;

Ruth El Saffar, Cervantes and the Androgyne, Cervantes, III (1983);

______. Beyond Fiction: The Recovery of the Feminine in the Novels of Cervantes, Berkeley: University of California Press, 1984.

CHINA

The civilization of China emerged from pre-history during the first half of the 2nd millennium B.C. in the valley of the Huang-He (Yellow River), spreading gradually southwards. Over the centuries China has exercised extensive influence on Korea, Japan, and southeast Asia. Inasmuch as Chinese society has traditionally viewed male homosexuality and lesbianism as altogether different, their histories are separate and are consequently treated in sequence in this article.

During the latter part of the Zhou, homosexuality appears as a part of the sex lives of the rulers of many states of that era. Ancient records include homosexual relationships as unexceptional in nature and not needing justification or explanation. This tone of prosaic acceptance indicates that these authors considered homosexuality among the social elite to be fairly common and unremarkable. However, the political, ritual and social importance of the family unit made procreation a necessity. Bisexuality therefore became more accepted than exclusive homosexuality, a predominance continuing throughout Chinese history.

The Eastern Zhou produced several figures who became so associated with homosexuality that later generations invoked their names as symbols of homosexual love, much in the same way that Europeans looked to Ganymede, Socrates, and Hadrian. These famous men included Mizi Xia, who offered his royal lover a half-eaten peach, and Long Yang, who compared the fickle [volúvel] lover to a fisherman who tosses back a small fish when he catches a larger one. Rather than adopt scientific terminology, with associations of sexual pathology, Chinese litterateurs preferred the aesthetic appeal of these literary tropes [figures of speech].”

One incident in the life of Dong Xian became a timeless metaphor for homosexuality. A tersely worded account [relato oral sucinto] relates how Emperor Ai [last Han] was sleeping with Dong Xian one afternoon when he was called to court. Rather than wake up his beloved, who was reclining across the emperor’s sleeve [manga, sobra de tecido], Ai took out a dagger and cut off the end of his garment. When courtiers inquired after the missing fabric, Emperor Ai told them what had happened. This example of love moved his courtiers to cut off the ends of their own sleeves in imitation, beginning a new fashion trend.

The Jin dynasty (265-420) poet Zhang Hanbian wrote a glowing tribute to the 15-year-old boy prostitute Zhou Xiaoshi. In it he presents the boy’s life as happy and care-free, <inclined toward extravagance and festiveness, gazing around at the leisurely and beautiful>. A later poet, the Liang dynasty (502-557) figure Liu Zun, tried to present a more balanced view in a poem entitled Many Blossoms. In this piece he shows the dangers and uncertainty associated with a boy prostitute’s life. His Zhou Xiaoshi

<knows both wounds and frivolity

Withholding words, ashamed of communicating.>

Although these poems take opposite perspectives on homosexual prostitution, the appearance of this theme as an inspiration for poetry points to the presence of a significant homosexual world complete with male prostitutes catering [sendo ofertados] to the wealthy.”

The high profile of male prostitution led the Song rulers to take limited action against it. Many Confucian moralists objected to male prostitution because they saw the sexual passivity of a prostitute as extremely feminizing. In the early 12th century, a law was codified which declared that male prostitutes would receive 100 strokes of a bamboo rod and pay a fine of 50,000 cash. Considering the harsh legal penalties of the period, which included mutilation and death by slicing, this punishment was actually quite lenient. And it appears that the law was rarely if ever enforced, so it soon became a dead letter.”

Legal intervention peaked in the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) when the Kang Xi Emperor (r. 1662-1723) took steps against the sexual procurement of young boys, homosexual rape, and even consensual homosexual acts.” “it seems that the traditional government laissez-faire attitude toward male sexuality prevented enforcement of the law against consensual homosexual acts.”

A thirst for knowledge of homosexual history led to the compilation of the anonymous Ming collection Records of the Cut Sleeve (Duan xiu pian) which contains vignettes of homosexual encounters culled from nearly two millennia of sources. This anthology is the first history of Chinese homosexuality, perhaps the first comprehensive homosexual history in any culture, and still serves as our primary guide to China’s male homosexual past.”

In Fujian province on the South China coast, a form of male marriage developed during the Ming. Two men were united, the older referred to as an <adoptive older brother> (qixiong) and the younger as <adoptive younger brother> (qidi). The younger qidi would move into the qixiong’s household, where he would be treated as a son-in-law by his husband’s parents. Throughout the marriage, which often lasted for 20 years, the qixiong was completely responsible for his younger husband’s upkeep. Wealthy qixiong even adopted young boys who were raised as sons by the couple. At the end of each marriage, which was usually terminated because of the familial responsibilities of procreation, the older husband paid the necessary price to acquire a suitable bride for his beloved qidi.” [!!!]

The famous 17th century author Li Yu wrote several works featuring male homosexuality and lesbianism. The greatest Chinese work of prose fiction, Dream of the Red Chamber (Honglou meng), features a bisexual protagonist and many homosexual interludes. And the mid-19th century saw the creation of A Mirror Ranking Precious Flowers (Pinhua baojian), a literary masterpiece detailing the romances of male actors and their scholar patrons.”

Within a few generations, China shifted from a relative tolerance of homosexuality to open hostility. The reasons for this change are complex and not yet completely understood. First, the creation of colloquial baihua literary language removed many potential readers from the difficult classical Chinese works which contained the native homosexual tradition. Also, the Chinese reformers early in the century began to see any divergence between their own society and that of the West as a sign of backwardness. This led to a restructuring of Chinese marriage and sexuality along more Western lines. The uncritical acceptance of Western science, which regarded homosexuality as pathological, added to the Chinese rejection of same-sex love. The end result is a contemporary China in which the native homosexual tradition has been virtually forgotten and homosexuality is ironically seen as a recent importation from the decadent West.

Communist China. In the People’s Republic of China, homosexuality is taken as a sign of bourgeois immorality and punished by <reeducation> in labor camps. Officially the incidence of homosexuality is quite low. Western psychologists, however, have noted that the official reporting of impotence is much higher in mainland China than in the West. It seems that many Chinese men, unfamiliar with homosexual role models, interpret their sexuality solely according to their attraction to women. Nevertheless, a small gay subculture has begun to develop in the major cities since the end of the Maoist era [?]. Fear of discovery and lack of privacy tend to limit the quality and duration of homosexual relationships. And for the vast majority of Chinese living in the conservative country-side, homosexual contacts are much more difficult to come by.” “With the 1997 return of Hong Kong to China approaching, British liberals have supported a last minute repeal of the sodomy law.”

Traditionally, Chinese people have viewed male homosexuality and lesbianism as unrelated. Consequently, much of the information we have on male homosexuality in China does not apply to the female experience. Piecing together the Chinese lesbian past is frustrated by the relative lack of source material. Since literature and scholarship were usually written by men and for men, aspects of female sexuality unrelated to male concerns were almost always ignored.” “Sex manuals of the period Ming include instructions integrating lesbian acts with heterosexual intercourse as a way of varying the sex lives of men with multiple concubines.”

Li Yu’s first play, Pitying the Fragrant Companion (Lianxiangban), describes a young married woman’s love for a younger unmarried woman. The married woman convinces her husband to take her talented beloved as a concubine. The 3 then live as a happy ménage-à-trois free from jealousy. A more conventional lesbian love affair is detailed in Dream of the Red Chamber, in which a former actress regularly offers incense to the memory of her deceased beloved.”

The most highly developed form of female relationship was the lesbian marriages formed by the exclusively female membership of Golden Orchid Associations. A lesbian couple within this group could choose to undergo a marriage ceremony in which one partner was designated <husband> and the other <wife>. After an exchange of ritual gifts, a wedding feast attended by female friends served to witness the marriage. These married lesbian couples could even adopt young girls, who in turn could inherit family property from the couple’s parents. This ritual was not uncommon in 19th-century Guangzhou province. Prior to this, the only other honorable way for a woman to remain unmarried was to enter a Buddhist nunnery.” “The existence of Golden Orchid Associations became possible only by the rise of a textile industry in south China which enabled women to become economically independent. The traditional social and economic attachment of women to the home has so far prevented the emergence in modem China of a lesbian community on even so limited a scale as that of male homosexuals.”

Lanling Xiaoxiao Sheng, Golden Lotus ou The Plum [Ameixa] in The Golden Vase (2013) (título original: Jin ping mei) (novela de costumes, considerada o “Lolita” oriental), s/ data precisa (~séc. XVI; ed. por Zhang Zhupo no século seguinte). trad. francesa: La merveilleuse histoire de Hsi Men avec ses six femmes (1), Fleur en fiole d’or (2);

Pai Hsien-yung, The Outsiders (Niezi) (inspirou um filme homônimo, de 1986)

CHRISTIANITY

ORÍGENES” DO MAL II: “By about A.D. 200, the church had come to recognize the texts making up the New Testament as a single canon. After some hesitation, the Hebrew Bible, known to Christians as the Old Testament, was taken from Judaism and also accepted as divinely inspired. From this point onwards, Christian doctrines were elaborated by a group of intellectuals, known as the Fathers of the Church or the Patristic writers, beginning with such figures as Origen, Clement of Alexandria and Tertullian.” “Though they based their exegesis upon the Bible, they were inevitably influenced by philosophical and religious currents of their own time, especially Greek Stoicism and Neo-Platonism and by rival mystery cults such as Manichaeanism and Gnosticism.” “Still today there are differences on such sexually related topics as divorce, celibacy, and so forth between Roman Catholics and members of various eastern branches of Christianity which date from the foundations of Christianity, including Coptic, Nestorian, and various Orthodox Churches. In practice, most of these churches have been more tolerant of homosexuality than the Roman Catholic Church and its Protestant off-shoots.”

RESUMO DAS CONFISSÕES DE UM HOMEM POUCO SANTO

St. Augustine (d. 430), one of the great scholars of the ancient world, had converted to the austere faith of Manichaeanism after receiving a classical education. It seemed to his mind more suited to his Neo-Platonic and Stoic ideals than the Christianity of his mother. In Manichaean belief, which drew heavily from Zoroastrianism, intercourse leading to procreation was particularly evil because it caused other souls to be imprisoned in bodies, thus continuing the cycle of good versus evil.

Augustine was a member of the Manichaean religion for some 11 years but never reached the stage of the Elect in part because of his inability to control his sexual appetites. He kept a mistress, fathered a child, and according to his own statement, struggled to overcome his lustful appetites everyday by praying: <Give me chastity, and continence, but do not give it yet>. Recognizing his own inability to give up sexual intercourse, Augustine finally arrived at the conclusion that the only way to control his venereal desire was through marriage. He expelled his mistress and his son from his house, became engaged to a young girl not yet of age for wedlock (probably under 12 years of age), and planned a marriage. Unable to abstain from sex, he turned to prostitutes, went through a religious crisis, and in the process became converted to Christianity.

HA-HA: “All other sex was sinful including coitus within marriage not performed in the proper position (the female on her back and facing the male) and using the proper appendages and orifices (penis in vagina). St. Augustine’s views became the views of the western church centered in Rome.” “In general there was no extensive discussion of homosexuality by any of the early Church Fathers, and most of the references are incidental.”

The Augustinian views were modified in the 13th century [o que houve nestes 7 séculos além de monges devassos e burros?] by St. Thomas Aquinas, who held that homosexual activities, though similar to other sins of lust, were more sinful because they were also sins against nature. The sins against nature in descending order were (I) masturbation, (2) intercourse in an unnatural position, (3) copulation with the same sex (homosexuality and lesbianism), and (4) sex with non-humans (bestiality).

One of the key sources in the early medieval Church is the penitential literature. Originally penance had been a way of reconciling the sinner with God and had taken place through open confession. The earliest penitentials put sexual purity at a high premium, and failure to observe the sexual regulations was classified as equal to idolatry (reversion to paganism) and homicide. Ultimately public penance was replaced by private penance and confession which was regulated by the manuals or penitentials designed to guide those who were hearing them. Most of the early penitentials classified homosexual and lesbian activities as equivalent to fornication. Later ones classified such activities as equivalent to adultery although some writers distinguished between interfemoral intercourse and anal intercourse and between fellatio or oral-genital contacts. Anal intercourse was regarded as being the most serious sin.“Sodomy came to be regarded as the most heinous of sexual offenses, even worse than incest, and as civil law began to take over from canon law, it could be punished as a capital crime.”

Antes só dormia, hoje sodomia.

Só dormia, ou será que prazer também? No lato sensucht

Calvin & Child Harolde: “Catholics denounced Calvin for his supposed pederasty, a charge that was completely unfounded.”

NADA COMO COMER O BRIOCO DUMA INDIAZINHA: “In 1730-31 the great Dutch persecution of sodomites occurred, and in the accompanying propaganda the old charges against Roman Catholicism were revived. In Catholic countries themselves, the dissolution of the Jesuit order in 1773 was preceded by accusations of sodomy.”

Graciano, A Harmony of Discordant Canons (1140)

St. Peter Damián (1007-1072), Liber Gomorrhianus

CHURCHES, GAY

The emergence of Christian churches with predominantly gay and lesbian congregations, as well as interest groups within or allied to existing denominations, is a recent phenomenon, centered in the English-speaking world. There are records of homosexual monks, nuns, and priests, especially in the later Middle Ages and in early modern times, but no indication that they even thought of organizing on the basis of their sexual preference. Christian homosexuals drawn to particular parishes, where cliques [panelinhas] occasionally even became a visible segment of the congregation, would not openly avow this shift in the church’s character: they remained closeted gay Christians, so to speak.”

Some maintain that Jesus – an unmarried man in a Jewish milieu where marriage and procreation were de rigueur even for the religious elite – had a passionate relationship with John, the beloved disciple. Liturgically and sociologically the UFMCC tends to be of a <low church> character, with notable exceptions in some congregations. The evangelical fundamentalist domination of the UFMCC may be regarded as a response to the homophobic vehemence of the mainstream fundamentalist churches, which drives gay Christians out of their fold with a vengeance and forces them into an external redoubt, in contrast to the relatively more tolerant atmosphere, hospitable to internal gay caucuses [panelinhas, partidos], of the more liberal churches.”

CICERO

Roman politician, orator, and writer, who left behind a corpus of Latin prose (speeches, treatises, letters) that make him one of the great authors of classical antiquity. Unsuccessful in politics, he was overestimated as a philosopher by the Middle Ages and the Renaissance and underestimated in modern times, but was and is ranked as one of the greatest masters of Latin style. His career as an orator began in 81 B.C., and from the very beginning his speeches revealed his rhetorical gifts. His denunciation of Verres, the proconsul who had plundered the province of Sicily, opened the way to his election as aedile, praetor, and then consul, but subsequently the intrigues of his enemies led to his banishment from Rome (58/57), followed by his triumphal return. In the civil war he took the side of Pompey and so failed again, but was pardoned by the victorious Caesar, after whose death he launched a rhetorical attack on Mark Antony. The formation of the triumvirate meant that Cicero was to be proscribed by his opponent and murdered by his henchmen.”

In the last turbulent century of the Roman republic in which he lived, a contrast between the austere virtue of earlier times and the luxury and vice of the present had become commonplace. Also, as we know from the slightly later genre of satirical poetry, a taste for salacious gossip had taken root in the metropolis. In his orations Cicero remorselessly flays the homosexual acts of his enemies, contrasting homosexual love with the passion inspired by women which is <far more of natural inspiration>.”

Something of the Roman antipathy to Greek paiderasteia transpires from Cicero’s condemnation of the nudity which the Greeks flaunted in their public baths and gymnasia, and from his assertion that the Greeks were inconsistent in their notion of friendship. He pointedly noted: <Why is it that no one falls in love with an ugly youth or a handsome old man?> Effeminacy and passive homosexuality are unnatural and blameworthy in a free man, though Cicero remained enough under the influence of Greek mores to express no negative judgment on the practice of keeping handsome young slaves as minions of their master.” “The Judaic condemnation of homosexuality per se had not yet reached Rome, but the

distinction that had existed in Hellenic law and custom between acts worthy and unworthy of a citizen was adopted and even heightened by the com[cu]bination of appeal to Roman civic virtue and his own rhetorical flair.”

The term patientia used with reference to Verres implies the passivity in sexual relations that is degrading and unworthy of a free man, just as in the case of Mark Antony, charged with having <prostituted himself to all>, much like the Timarchus whom Aeschines had denounced centuries earlier in Athens for a like failing [op. cit. – para mais detalhes, vide seção OBRAS RECOMENDADAS em https://seclusao.art.blog/2019/09/28/do-espirito-das-leis-de-montesquieu-abreviado-na-traducao-de-jean-melville-com-comentarios-e-aprofundamentos-de-rafael-aguiar-indicacoes-de-leituras-durante-o-tratado-e-ao-final/].”

SMEAR CAMPAIGN: “Cicero’s rhetoric thus had two sides: the attempt to discredit opponents by inflammatory imputations of homosexual conduct and of sexual immorality in general – a type of smear to be followed in political life down to modern times”

CIRCUMCISION

GENEALOGIA DA PROFILAXIA: “Male circumcision, or the cutting away of the foreskin [prepúcio] of the penis, has been practiced by numerous peoples from remotest antiquity as a religious custom, while to some modern homosexuals it has an aesthetic and erotic significance. It has been speculated that the custom originated somewhere in Africa where water was scarce and the ability to wash was limited. Thus the Western Semites (Israelites, Canaanites, Phoenicians, Arabs, Edomites, Syrians), who lived in an area where water was never really plentiful, also observed the custom, while the Eastem Semites (Assyrians and Babylonians), in an area where water was more abundant, did not circumcise. This is true also of the Greeks and other Aegean peoples who always lived near the water.”

Jesus never mentioned circumcision, though the Jewish rite was (Luke 2:21) performed upon him on his 8th day as it was with all other males of his community of faith – hence the designation of the calendar in which the first day of the year is January 1 as <circumcision style>. In the early church the party of Paul of Tarsus which opposed circumcision was victorious, and uncircumcised Greeks and Romans poured into the new faith, so that to this day the majority of European men have retained their foreskins. With the coming of the faith of Islam, however, in the VII century the Middle East and North Africa became a stronghold of the practice of circumcision. Hindus and Buddhists avoid it, hence East Asians – and Amerindians – retain their foreskins.”

In the late 20th century the trend is being reversed in America as more and more medical articles – and some books – have argued that the operation in most cases is needless.”

There are even groups of men who have retained their foreskins (and others who admire them); these individuals with generous or pronounced <curtains> are in demand.”

Bud Berkeley & Joe Tiffenbach, Circumcision: Its Past, Its Present, and Its Future, San Francisco: Bud Berkeley, 1983-84;

Rosemary Romberg, Circumcision: The Painful Dilemma, South Hadley, MA: Bergin & Garvey, 1985;

Edward Wallerstein, Circumcision: An American Health Fallacy, New York: Springer Publishing Co., 1980.

CLASS

When there are no children to raise there is more discretionary income, so that adopting a homosexual lifestyle provides a margin for class enhancement.” “An established gay man or lesbian may put resources which parents would use for raising the status of their children into helping a lover-protegé. The mentor may also provide private lessons in manners and business acumen.” “Curiously, some parents seem to tolerate same-sex alliances by their offspring more easily than those that cross class or racial lines. § Internalizing the folk belief that homosexuals are more <artistic>, some gay men cultivate musical, theatrical, and culinary tastes that are above their <station> – and above their income. Acquisition of these refined preferences, together with <corrected> speech patterns, hinders easy communication with former peers, though there are many factors that work for geographical and psychological distance between homosexuals, on the one hand, and their families and original peer groups, on the other. Given their relative freedom, some individuals may be inclined to experiment with <class bending>, [sinuosidade de classe] sometimes with paradoxical results.”

There is class, and there is class fantasy.”

CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA

Greek church father. Born in Athens, probably of pagan and peasant ancestry, he is not to be confused with Clement, bishop of Rome, author of the New Testament epistle. After his conversion, Clement of Alexandria traveled widely to study under Christians, finally under the learned Pantaenus in Alexandria. Of the early Fathers, he had the most thorough knowledge of Greek literature. He quoted Homer, Hesiod, the dramatists, and (most of all) Platonic and Stoic philosophers. Sometime before 200 he succeeded Pantaenus, whom he praised for his orthodoxy, as head of the catechetical school at Alexandria, but in 202 he had to flee the persecution unleashed by the emperor Septimius Severus and perhaps died in Asia Minor.”

Although Clement’s christianity has been criticized as being too Hellenized, his serene hope and classical learning helped convert the upper classes. His pseudo-Platonic doctrine that homosexuality was particularly noxious because it was <against nature> served to combine that strand of classical philosophy with Hellenistic Jewish homophobia, most trenchantly exemplified by the Alexandrian philosopher Philo Judaeus (20 B.C.-A.D. 45), to justify persecution of sodomites. He thus preceded and stimulated the homophobia of the Christian emperors, from Constantine’s sons to Justinian, and of the two most influential Fathers, John Chrysostom and Augustine of Hippo.

CLERGY, GAY

that there is a psychological affinity between religious ministry and hemophilia” Edward Carpenter

The patrician John XII (938-964) went so far as to model himself on the scandalous Roman emperor Heliogabalus, holding homosexual orgies in the papal palace – a practice imitated by Benedict IX (1021-ca. 1052).” “paradoxically the enforcement of celibacy on priests and even attempts to impose it on those in lesser orders increased the danger of homosexuality.”

Friars, who unlike the monks were free to wander among the laity without much supervision, became notorious as seducers of boys as well as women, whose confessions they often heard to the disgruntlement [desabono] of parish priests. Many homosexual clergy, then as now, confessed to one another and were formally absolved. Indeed, the confessional at times became the locus of seduction.

Philip IV of France charged Boniface VIII not only with heresy, usury, and simony, but with sodomy and masturbation as well.”

The Renaissance in Italy, with its revival of classical antiquity and love of art, saw a number of popes who were interested in their own sex. Among them were the anti-pope John XXIII (d. 1419), who began his career as a pirate. Entering the clergy he quickly acquired the reputation of an unblushing libertine. The humanist pope Pius II (1405-1464) watched boys run naked in a race at Pienza, noting a boy <with fair hair and a beautiful body, though disfigured with mud>. The vain Venetian Paul II (1417-1471) toyed with adopting the name Formosus. Affecting the most lavish costumes, he was attacked by his enemies as <Our Lady of Pity>. His successor, Sixtus IV (1414-1482), made his mark as an art patron, erecting the Sistine chapel. He also elevated to the cardinalate a number of handsome young men. Julius II (1443-1513), another art-loving pope, provoked such scandal that he was arraigned under various charges, including that of sodomy, but he managed to survive the attempt to depose him. His successor, the extravagant Medici Leo X (1475-1521), became embroiled in intrigues to advance favorite nephews, a hobby that strained the treasury to the utmost. Julius III (1487-1555), who had presided over the Council of Trent before his pontificate, was nonetheless sometimes seen at official functions with catamites [<coroinhas>], one of whom he made a cardinal.”

The anticlerical literature of the last decades of that century delighted in exposing cases in which a clergyman had committed a sexual offense, to the point where in 1911 the Pope had to issue the motu proprio decree Quamvis diligenter forbidding the Catholic laity to bring charges against the clergy before secular courts. This step unilaterally abolished the principle of the equality of all citizens before the law established by the French Revolution, reinstating the <benefit of clergy> of the Middle Ages. The anticlerical literature of that period still needs study for the light that it can shed on the homosexual subculture of the clerical milieux.”

The Bible for Believers and Unbelievers (1922) (clássico anticlerical russo)

The Rule of St. Benedict, chapter 22.

Transcrição completa do capítulo 22 das regras de São Benedito (regulamento dos monges na alta idade média):

CHAPTER XXII: HOW THE MONKS ARE TO SLEEP

Let them sleep singly in separate beds. Let them receive bedding suitable to their manner of life, at the discretion of the abbot. If it can be done, let all sleep in one room: but if their number does not allow of this, let them repose by tens or by twenties with their seniors who have charge of them. Let a candle burn continually in the dormitory until morning. Let them sleep clothed and girded with girdles or cords, but let them not have knives at their sides while they sleep, lest by chance while dreaming they wound a sleeper; and let them be monks always ready; and upon the signal being given let them rise without delay and hasten one after the other, yet with all gravity and decorum, to be ready in good time for the Work of God. Let not the younger brethren have their beds by themselves, but among those of the seniors: and let them be allowed gently to encourage one another as they rise for the Work of God, because some may feel drowsy and listless.”

COCTEAU, JEAN

The Infernal Machine (peça)

COLETTE

A happy childhood is a bad preparation for contact with human beings.”

COLOR SYMBOLISM

A current Russian term for a gay man is golubchik, from goluboy, <blue>, evidently through association with the <blue blood> of the aristocracy of the Old Régime.”

According to Havelock Ellis, one could not safely walk down the streets of late 19th century New York wearing a red tie without being accosted, since this garment was then the universal mark of the male prostitute.” “Because of the <scarlet woman>, the great Whore of Babylon of the book of Revelation, that color has acquired a strong association with prostitution and adultery”

In American culture the word lavender – a blend of red and blue (as in <lavender lover>, The Lavender Lexicon, etc.) – almost speaks for itself.”

The mid-1980s saw public display at rallies and marches of a rainbow Gay Pride Flag, consisting of six parallel stripes ranging from bright red to deep purple. The juxtaposition of colors stands for the diversity of the gay/lesbian community with regard to ethnicity, gender, and class – perhaps also connoting, in the minds of some, the coalition politics of the Rainbow Alliance headed by Jesse Jackson.”

COMICS

The first true comic strips were introduced in 1897 as a circulation-building device in the Sunday supplements of the Hearst newspapers. The now-familiar pulp comic book was a creation of the Depression: the first commercial example is Famous Funnies of 1934. Although these strips generally affirmed middle-class values, and certainly contained not the slightest overt indication of sex, they were regularly denounced by pundits as a pernicious influence on the young.”

Batman, appearing in 1939, featured the adventures of a playboy detective and his teenage ward, Robin. Although the relationship is portrayed as a simple mentor-protegé one, some teenage male readers were able to project something stronger into it. This aspect was certainly flirted with in the campy television off-shoot beginning in 1966, though this series reflects a much changed cultural climate. In 1941 there appeared Wonder-woman, featuring an Amazon with special powers living on an all-woman island. This strip – contrary to the expressed wishes of its creators – served as a focus for lesbian aspirations. In the 1970s it was rediscovered by the women’s movement as a proto-feminist statement.

In the late 1940s Blade drew several illustrated stories, including The Barn and Truck Hiker, that can be considered predecessors of the gay comics. Circulated underground, they have been officially published only in recent years. Somewhat later the wordless strips of supermacho types created by Tom of Finland began to circulate in Europe.

It was the American counterculture of the 1960s, however, which first made possible the exploration of taboo subjects in a context of crumbling censorship restrictions. In 1964 a Philadelphia gay monthly, Drum, began serializing Harry Chess by Al Shapiro (A. Jay). Modeled on a popular television series, Harry Chess was both macho and campy, though explicit sex scenes were veiled. In the 1970s no-holds-barred examples appeared drawn by such artists as Bill Ward, Sean, and Stephen (Meatman).”

COMING OUT

A few gays and lesbians report no memory of a coming out process; they always considered themselves homosexual and were never <in the closet>. Others have reported a sudden revelation of their own homosexuality which does not fit into any theory of stages but has brought them from apparently heterosexual to comfortably homosexual virtually overnight.”

The self-help literature for gay and lesbian youth is quite explicit in designating parents as the crucial factor in the youth’s coming out process. Those who do not come out to their family, according to G.B. MacDonald, become <half-members of the family unit: afraid and alienated, unable ever to be totally open and spontaneous, to trust or be trusted… This sad stunting of human potential breeds stress for gay people and their families alike – stress characterized by secrecy, ignorance, helplessness, and distance.> The scientific literature, however, has largely ignored the role of parents, having centered on gay and lesbian adults.”

CONTEST LITERATURE

Diálogos.

Achilles Tatius, Leucippe and Clitophon

Pseudo-Lucian, Affairs of the Heart

CONTRARY SEXUAL FEELING

the linguistic remnant of the first, uncertain psychiatric attempt to grapple with the problem of homosexuality.”

COUNTERCULTURE

Apparently the term counterculture is an adaptation of the slightly earlier <adversary culture>, an expression coined by the literary critic Lionel Trilling (1905-1975). In many respects the counterculture constituted a mass diffusion – fostered by diligent media exploitation – of the prefigurative beat/hippie phenomenon. As American involvement in the Vietnam War increased, in the wake of opposition to it the counterculture shifted from the gentle <flower-child> phase to a more aggressive posture, making common cause with the New Left, which was not, like the radicalism of the 30s, forced by economic crisis to focus on issues of unemployment and poverty. Of course radical political leaders were accustomed to decry the self-indulgence of the hippies, but their followers, as often as not, readily succumbed to the lure of psychedelic drugs and the happy times of group togetherness accompanied by ever present rock music.”

MESSIANISMO EPIDÊMICO: “The counterculture shamelessly embraced ageism: <Don’t trust anyone over thirty.> Observing this precept cut young people off from the accumulated experience and wisdom of sympathetic elders. Moreover, it meant that the adherents of the movement themselves quickly became back numbers as they crossed over the 30-year line. In regard to gay adherents, the distrust of older people tended to reinforce the ageism already present in their own subculture. To be sure, the full force of such problematic effects has become evident only in retrospect. Although outsiders, and some insiders as well, exaggerated the fusion of the counterculture and the New Left, still the convergence of massive cultural innovation with hopes for fundamental political change gave the young generation a heady sense of imminent revolution.”

The psychiatrist Thomas Szasz and others correctly perceived the link between the campaign to decriminalize marijuana and the efforts to reform sex laws.” “many assumed that homosexuals were essentially counterculturist, leftist, and opposed root and branch to the established order. Subsequent observation has shown, not surprisingly perhaps, that a majority of gay men and lesbians were (and are) liberal-reformist and even conservative, rather than revolutionary in then-overall political and social outlook.”

CROWLEY, ALEISTER

After the turn of the century Crowley’s public career began, and he was regularly attacked in the press as <The Great Beast> and <The Wickedest Man in the World>.”

Raulseixismo: <There is no law beyond Do what thou wilt.>

In a 1910 memoir Aleister Crowley proclaimed, <I shall fight openly for that which no Englishman dare defend, even in secret – sodomy! At school I was taught to admire Plato and Aristotle, who recommend sodomy to youths – I am not so rebellious as to oppose their dictum; and in truth there seems to be no better way to avoid the contamination of woman and the morose pleasures of solitary vice.>

he advanced beyond the grade of Magus to the supreme status of Ipsissimus.” E o Quico?

Scarcely known today outside occult circles, Crowley is an extravagant instance of the concern with heterodox religion that has flourished among some male homosexuals who could find no peace within established Christianity, and more recently among female adherents of <the craft>. Through his voluminous writings Crowley foreshadowed the emergence of the <Age of Aquarius>.”

Israel Regardie, The Eye in the Triangle: An Interpretation of Aleister Crowley, St. Paul: Llewellen Publications, 1970.

CRUISING

Nicole Ariana, How to Pick up Men, New York: Bantam, 1972;

Mark Freedman & Harvey Mayes, Loving Man, New York: Hark, 1976, chapter 2;

John A. Lee, Getting Sex, Toronto: General, 1978 [Tinder on paper for human beings as archaic as those from a century ago];

Publius Ovid, Art of Love [~1A.D., obra seminal do “flerte” e “sondagens de sexo casual”, homo e heteronormativas!]

CUBA

The largest island of the Antilles chain, home to 10 million Spanish-speaking people” Para 2017, o censo ainda não aponta população superior a 11.5 milhões.

The British, French, and Dutch seized islands from the Spanish or colonized vacant ones as naval bases or sugar plantations; like the pirates they seldom brought women along. All 3 European powers were involved in the notorious triangular trade, shipping molasses or rum to Europe, guns and trinkets from there to Africa, and slaves back to the West Indies.”

Cuba began to excel in sugar production after 1762. Havana became a glittering metropolis, rivaling New York and Rio de Janeiro, by 1800. The slave population, including huge numbers of males imported for work in the cane fields or molasses manufacturing, grew from fewer than 40,000 in 1770 to over 430,000 seventy years later. The census of 1841 reported that more than half the population was non-white (black and mixed blood) and that 43% were slaves. Males outnumbered females by 2 to 1 in the center and west and were just equal in the east. Other islands in the Caribbean had even greater sexual imbalances. Documentation for the homosexuality that must have abounded is scarce but the earlier prevalence can be assumed from attitudes and customs that still survive.”

With Spain’s adoption of the Napoleonic Code in 1889, homosexuality was decriminalized 3 years after the abolition of slavery.”

During World War I, Europe was closed to North Americans and Cuba, especially Havana, became a resort for the more adventurous. Prosperity increased with a rise in commodity prices. Also, the Prohibition in the United States after 1920 left Cuba as an oasis where liquor still flowed freely. Casino gambling and prostitution were also legal. A favorite port of call of cruise ships [pun intended!], Havana flourished as a mecca for pleasure-seekers.”

The post-war collapse of commodity prices was to some extent offset by tourism. Everything was for sale in Havana under the dictator Fulgencio Batista, whose 1952 coup ousted an outwardly democratic but venal and nepotistic predecessor.

Old Havana had gay bars. Moral laxity, characteristic of the slave-rooted Caribbean economy, the Napoleonic Code, and the weakness of the Catholic Church (which was mainly Spanish, urban and upper class) produced an environment where gays were only mildly persecuted and could buy protection from corrupt officials. Drugs, especially marijuana, which flourished throughout the Caribbean, were available in Cuba long before they won popularity in the United States.”

Exploiting popular revulsion against continuing political corruption as well as resentment of the diminishing but still important American domination, Fidel Castro led an ill-assorted group of liberals, patriots, and Marxists, including some gays, to victory over Batista in 1959. Only after he came to power did the United States realize that Castro was an avowed Communist. The American Central Intelligence Agency then tried and failed to assassinate him. His triumph was sealed by the missile crisis of 1962 when Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in return for Kennedy’s promise never to try to invade Cuba.”

Soviet hostility toward homosexuality since 1934, when Stalin restored the penal laws against male homosexuals, combined with traditional Latin American machismo and Catholic homophobia, made the existence of Cuban homosexuals wretched and oppressive. To prevent their <contamination> of youth, thousands of gays in the 1960s were placed in work camps known as Military Units to Increase Production (UMAP). Although the camps were abolished by the end of the decade, other forms of discrimination continued. Article 359 of the Cuban penal code prohibits public homosexuality. Violations are punished with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 20 years. Parents must discourage their children from homosexuality or report their failure to officials as Articles 355-58 mandate. Articles 76-94 punish with 4 years imprisonment sexual deviation regarded by the government as contrary to the spirit of Socialism.”

The gifted playwright and fiction writer Virgilio Piñera (1912-1967) returned from Argentina in 1957 and after Castro’s triumph worked for several of the newspapers of the regime. On October 11, 1961, he was arrested and jailed for homosexuality. Che Guevara personally denounced him.”

Allen Young, Gays under the Cuban Revolution

DANDYISM

The dandy has been since antiquity the man who prides himself on being the incarnation of elegance and of male fashion. The word itself stems from the Romantic period in the 19th century, when the character type reached its apogee; England and France were the principal countries in which it flourished. Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867) was one of the first to perceive that the type was not limited to the age just preceding his own, but had emerged across the centuries in some celebrated historical figures. Jules Barbey d’Aurevilly (1808-1889) wrote an Essay on Dandyism and George Brummel (1845), dealing with Beau Brummell (1778-1840), the most famous English representative of the dandy in the London of George IV.

History of the Type. Ancient Greece saw two classical specimens of the dandy: Agathon and Alcibiades. In Plato’s Symposium Agathon is a poet and tragedian, not merely handsome, but obsessed with the most trivial details of his wardrobe. Aristophanes shows him using a razor to keep his cheeks as smooth and glistening as marble, wearing sumptuous clothing in the latest Ionian fashion. Later in the same dialogue Alcibiades also enters the stage, the most dazzling figure of the jeunesse dorée of Athens, richer and more influential than Agathon, and never sparing any expenditure that would enhance his renown.”

Another aesthete of this era, Oscar Wilde, affected a particularly striking costume when he made a lecture tour of the United States, capitalizing on a character featured in the Gilbert and Sullivan opera Patience (1881).”

Rationale. The relation of the dandy to male homosexuality is complicated. As a rule the homosexual – more than the male who is attracted to women – feels the need to distinguish his person in some way, is more conscious of the world of male fashion and more likely to be narcissistically preoccupied with his image. Naturally not all the dandies of the past were homosexual or bisexual, and an element of leisure class self-demarcation and snobbery enters into the picture. Since it is usually the male of the species whom nature makes physically more noteworthy, the male-female antithesis in style of dress that has prevailed in Western culture since the French Revolution reverses the immemorial state of affairs. The notion that only a woman may be preoccupied with her wardrobe and that a man should dress simply and even unobtrusively is of recent date.”

DANTE ALIGHIERI

As a youth he had a profound spiritual experience in an encounter with the young Beatrice Portinari; after her death he submerged himself in the study of philosophy and poetry. In 1302 Dante was banished from Florence, pursuing his literary career in various other cities of Italy.”

The presence in both the Inferno and the Purgatorio of groups of <sodomites> has given rise to a series of debates over the centuries. These passages must be interpreted in the larger context of the great poem’s situations and personnel.” “The sodomites of the Inferno (cantos 15 and 16) are seen running under a rain of fire, condemned never to stop if they wish to avoid the fate of being nailed to the ground for a hundred years with no chance of shielding themselves against the flames. Having recognized Dante, Brunetto Latini (ca. 1212-1294) called him to speak with him, voicing an important prophecy of Dante’s future. In describing his fellow sufferers, Latini mentioned a number of famous intellectuals, politicians, and soldiers.

In the Purgatorio (canto 26) the sodomites appear in a different context – together with lustful heterosexuals. The two categories travel in opposite directions, yelling out the reason for their punishment.

How can one account for the striking deference and sympathy that Dante shows for the sodomites? This matter began to puzzle commentators only a few years after the poet’s death.

Dante’s education took place in the 13th century when Italy was beginning to change its attitudes toward homosexual behavior. Conduct which had been a transgression condemned by religion but viewed with indulgence by everyday morality assumed increasing seriousness in the eyes of the laity. For Dante it was still possible – as it had commonly been through the first half of the 13th century – to separate human and divine judgment with respect to sodomy.”

IDADE DAS LUZES E O BURACO ESCURO: “For Dante’s commentators sodomy was a sin of such gravity that it was inconceivable for them to treat with respect men seared with such <infamy>.”

That Dante had spoken of Brunetto Latini and the sodomites with too much sympathy because he too shared their feelings was the conclusion of one anonymous commentator of the 14th century. Another wild suggestion is that the shameless Latini had made an attempt on Dante’s own virtue, and that hence Dante’s gentle words are in reality sarcasm that must be understood <in the opposite sense> (Guiniforto dei Bargigi; 1406-ca. 1460). Then, foreshadowing a thesis that would be favored by medical opinion in the 12th century, it was suggested that there were two types of sodomites, those by <choice> and those who are such by <necessity>.”

The debate on Dante’s motives has continued until our own day. In 1950 Andre Pezard devoted a whole book, Dante sous la pluie de feu, to an effort to show that the sin for which Brunetto and his companions were being punished was sodomy not in the usual sense, but in an allegorical one: sodomie spirituelle, which in Brunetto’s case meant having used the French language as a medium for one of his works.

The authoritative Encyclopedia Dantesca has sought to bring the conflict to an end, taking adequate account of Dante’s indulgent judgment as the correct key for solving the supposed <enigma> of the band of sodomites. As regards the reason for Brunetto Latini’s presence among the sodomites, Avalle D’Arco’s recent confirmation of the attribution to him of a long love poem directed to a man, S’eo son distretto inamoramente, shows that it was probably on the basis of facts that were publicly known in Dante’s time that he was consigned to Hell.” Aposto o cu que você já deu o cu.

DICKINSON, EMILY (1830-1886)

American poet. After brief periods at Amherst Academy and Holyoke Female Seminary, she settled into an outwardly uneventful life keeping house for her family. Dickinson never married. The real events in her life are her writings, which have assumed classic status in American literature.

These homoerotic poems are never joyous, but that is to be expected in a society where heterosexual marriage was virtually believed inevitable and there was little possibility of two unrelated women establishing a life together if they were not wealthy through independent inheritance.”

DIONYSUS

Greek god associated with wine and emotional exuberance. Although the name occurs in linear B tablets [?] from the end of the second millennium B.C., his figure absorbed additional elements from Thrace and the East in the following centuries. Dionysus, called Bacchus in Latin, was the son of Zeus and a mortal, Semele. When his mother unwisely besought Zeus to reveal himself in his true form, she was incinerated, but the embryo of her son escaped destruction. Zeus then inserted it into his own thigh and carried the child to term. This quality of being <twice born>, once from a woman and once from a man, points to the ambiguity of the god, who though male had effeminate traits. In literary and artistic representations, he sometimes served as a vehicle for questioning sex roles, otherwise strongly polarized in ancient Greece.

According to the late-antique writer Nonnus, Dionysus fell in love with a Phrygian boy, Ampelos, who became his inseparable companion. When the boy was killed in a bull-riding accident, the grief-stricken Dionysus turned him into a vine. As a result, the practices of vine cultivating and grape harvesting, of wine making and drinking, commemorate this deeply felt pederastic relationship: in honoring the vine (ampelos in Greek), one honors the god through his beloved.

In historic times Dionysus attracted a cult following consisting largely of women, the Bacchae or maenads. During the ritual followers abandoned their houses and work to roam about in the mountains, hair and clothing in disarray, and liberally imbibing wine, normally forbidden to women. At the height of their ecstasy they would seize upon an animal or even a child, tear it to pieces, and devour the uncooked flesh, by ingesting which they sought to incorporate the god and his powers within themselves. From a sociological point of view, the Bacchic cult is a <religion of the oppressed>, affording an ecstatic relief to women, whose status was low. Occurring only once during the year, or once every two years, these Dionysiac rites were bracketed off from the normal life of the Greek polis, suggesting comparison with such later European customs as the feast of fools, the carnival, the charivari, and mardi gras.

The maenads assume a major role in Euripides’ tragedy, The Bacchae (406 BC). Accompanied by his female followers, Dionysus appears in Thebes as a missionary. Unwisely, King Pentheus insults and arrests the divine visitor; after he has been rendered mad and humiliated, the transgressor is dismembered by the maenads. Interpretations of the play differ: a warning of the consequences of emotional excess versus a reaffirmation of the enduring presence of humanity’s irrational side. The subject probably attracted Euripides as a phenomenon of individual and group psychology in its own right, but it is unlikely that he intended it as a forecast of modern gay liberation in the <faery spirituality> mode, as Arthur Evans has argued. Inasmuch as the sexuality of The Bacchae was not pederastic, the Greek audience would not have seen the play as homosexual (a concept foreign to their mentality), but rather as challenging gender-role assumptions about men and women, whatever their sexual orientation. That the parts of the maenads were taken by men was not exceptional: women never appeared on the Greek stage.

Bacchanalian rites were introduced into Rome during the Republic. Men joined women in the frenzied gatherings, and (according to the historian Livy) there was more debauchery among the men with each other than with the women. Apart from their orgiastic aspects, the rites caused concern because they crossed class lines, welcoming citizens, freed men and slaves alike. Condemned as a subversive foreign import, the Senate suppressed the Bacchanalia in 186 BC, but they evidently were soon revived. Roman sarcophagi of the 2nd and 3rd century of our era show Bacchic scenes, projecting hopes for an afterlife spent in Dionysic bliss. In its last phases the cult of Dionysus emerged as an other-worldly mystery religion, showing affinities with Mithraism, the religion of Isis, and Christianity. Meeting now behind closed doors, members of the sect recognized one another by passwords and signs.

Although the early Christians regarded all pagan worship as demonic, they were not averse to purloining the Bacchic wine harvest imagery for their own sarcophagi and mosaics. Some Bacchic reminiscences recur in drinking songs of medieval goliardic poets, notably the Carmina Burana.”

At the end of the 16th century the flamboyant bisexual painter Caravaggio created a notably provocative image of Bacchus-Dionysus (Florence, Uffizi Gallery).” Veja pintura no verbete do pintor mais acima.

The most influential latter-day evocation of the god occurs in The Birth of Tragedy (1872) of Friedrich Nietzsche, who exalted the category of the Dionysiac as an antidote for excessive rationality in the interpretation of ancient Greece and, by implication, in modern life as well.

Nietzsche’s ideas were modernized and correlated with anthropology and psychoanalysis by the classical scholar E.R. Dodds, who in turn influenced the poet W.H. Auden. Together with his lover, Chester Kallman, Auden turned Euripides’ play into an opera libretto entitled The Bassarids.”

Karl Kerenyi, Dionysus: Archetypal Image of Indestructible Life, London: Routledge, 1976.

DREAMS

When a dream has homosexual content, the hermeneutic process is complicated by the ethical assumptions of the dreamer and the interpreter, which reflect the attitudes of society toward same-sex experience.

To understand their dream experiences human beings have formulated a lore to which the ancients gave the name oneirocritical. Because the ancient world accepted homosexual interest and activity as part of human sexuality, the dream interpreters of the eastern Mediterranean cultures could calmly explain the homoerotic episodes in dreams in terms of their overall system of signs and meanings and without anxiety. Such was the work of Artemidorus of Daldis (middle of the 2nd century), which alludes to pédérastie and homosexual dream sequences and assigns them a specific, often prophetic meaning. Not so the Christian Middle Ages; the literature of dreams became exclusively heterosexual because the taboo with which theology had tainted sexual attraction to one’s own sex imposed a censorship that is only now being lifted.”

DRUGS

It should be noted that there has never been a country or society in which unrestricted use of all psychoactive drugs has been permitted over any period of time.”

In some users hallucinogens cause terrifying experiences; psychological problems can be exacerbated, and brain damage caused. The action of stimulants is often followed by a compensatory negative experience through which the body restores its equilibrium.”

Society can tolerate drug use if it is encapsulated within an artistic, recreational, religious, or therapeutic context; while some are able to so control their usagé, for many that is a daunting or impossible condition, at least in our present culture”

education is more effective than prohibition. Exaggeration of drugs’ harmful effects reduces respect for law, overwhelms the courts and prisons, inhibits research on any therapeutic use of drugs, makes drugs of controlled strength and purity unavailable, gives drugs the glamour of the forbidden, and encourages progression to ever more dangerous yet legally equal substances. As with alcohol during America’s Prohibition (1920-33), the supply of illegal drugs has become a very profitable industry, and not a passive or benign one. Foreigners who supply drugs sometimes justify their actions to themselves and their countrymen as a means of striking back at the political and economic power of the United States.”

during the 1960s, there were a considerable number of reports of people becoming aware of homoeroticism for the first time while under the influence of LSD especially. Drugs have also been used by musicians, artists, and writers who claim that the substances help them create, although this claim is controversial, perhaps because if substantiated it would be a powerful argument for drug use.”

The use of hashish (cannabis), eaten in sweets rather than smoked, is found in the Bible (Song of Songs 5:1; I Samuel 14:25-45), and there is evidence of psychic use of hemp (marijuana), from which hashish is made, from pre-historic times. Herodotus, for example, reports its popularity among the Scythians. However, widespread use of hashish begins in Islam in the 12th and 13th centuries. While the Koran prohibited wine, which because of distribution costs was somewhat more expensive than today, it was silent on hashish, which was also much less expensive. There was debate about whether the Koran’s silence was to be taken as approval, or whether prohibition was to be inferred from the treatment of wine; still, as long as it remained a minority indulgence it was tolerated, as wine usually was. Hashish users became a subculture; in particular it is linked to the mystical Sufis, who made a cult and ritual of its use. However, almost every Islamic poet from the 13th to the 16th centuries produced at least some playful poems on hashish, although wine poetry is much more abundant.”

Hashish was thought to cause effeminacy, a preference for the passive sexual role, and a loss of interest in sex. However, it was also prized as the drug of scholars and lovers of young men, and an aid in seduction of the latter. Turkish soldiers frequently ate hashish together before going into battle.

Coffee was introduced to Europe in the 17th century from the Turkish empire. Both within Islam and in Europe coffee was at first a similarly controversial drug, subject to occasional legal restriction or suppression. Its use in coffee-houses, later cafés, was typical of intellectuals and dissidents.”

The first half of the 20th century was characterized by a wave of reaction against drugs and the establishment of legal controls throughout Westem Europe and North America. However, the tensions of the 1960s, against a backdrop of the Holocaust and the invention and use of the atomic bomb, brought on a new wave of drug use. The hedonistic use of cannabis increased greatly; its enthusiasts promoted it as an aid to sensual and sexual enjoyment. The Beat generation, especially William Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg, had already turned to potent psychedelics as a means of self-improvement; they became part of the short-lived counterculture of the late 1960s. The discovery of psychedelics was in part due to progress in anthropology and archeology. The use by native peoples of mescaline (peyote), psilocybin (mushrooms), and other psychedelics became known, and the possible role of such substances in visions and oracles of the ancient Mediterranean world was proposed by scholars. The hallucinogenic properties of the most potent psychedelic yet known, lysergic acid diethylamine-25 (LSD), were discovered in 1943” “until it became too controversial, it was manufactured by a pharmaceutical company for research in psychotherapeutic treatment.”

The gay bar remains the only gay institution in many American communities, as it was almost everywhere until the 1970s.”

Poppers are a vasodilator of transitory effect, and cause a <high> from a drop in blood pressure; users say that the intensity and/or duration of orgasm is increased, that muscles (such as throat and anal sphincters) and gag reflexes are relaxed, and that feelings of increased union or <melting> with the sex partner result. Many users report that continued use (a single inhalation produces effects only for a few minutes) inhibits erections, while other users seem unaffected. Likewise, some users say the poppers encourage passivity and complete relaxation, while others report no such effect. Headaches and dizziness are sometimes reported as side effects.” “In the early 1980s poppers were accused of being a co-factor in the development of AIDS, and they were made illegal in some areas, although the accusation remains unproven.”

EFFEMINACY, HISTORICAL SEMANTICS OF

In reading older texts it is important to bear these differences in mind, for the term effeminate can be used slightingly of a womanizer [mulherengo] as well as of a <womanish> man.

The ancient Greeks and Romans sharply differentiated the active male homosexual, the paiderastes (in the New Testament arsenokoites, literally <man-layer>), from the passive partner, the cinaedus or pathicus (New Testament Greek malakos; Hebrew, rakha). The Greeks also sometimes used the term androgynos, <man-woman>, to stigmatize the passive homosexual. Beginning with the Old Attic comedies of Aristophanes, the passive is a stock figure of derision and contempt, the active partner far less so. Because of the military ideals on which ancient societies were founded, passivity and softness in the male were equated with cowardice and want of virility. A seeming exception is the god Dionysus – whose effeminate characteristics are, however, probably an import from the non-Greek East.

In ancient Rome the terms mollis (soft) and effeminatus acquired special connotations of decadence and enervating luxury. By contrast the word virtus meant manliness. The Roman satirists took sardonic delight in flagellating the vices of luxury that were rampant among the upper classes of a nation that, once rude and war-like, had succumbed to the temptations that followed its successful conquest and plunder of the entire ancient world. The classical notion of effeminacy as the result of luxury, idleness, and pampered self-indulgence is thus far removed from the claim of some gay liberationists today to kinship with the exploited and down-trodden.

The old Icelandic literature stemming from medieval Scandinavia documents the condemnation of the argr, the cowardly, unwar-like effeminate (compare Modern German arg, <bad>). The Latin term mollities (softness) entered early Christian and medieval writings, but often with reference to masturbation. It may be that the 18th-century English term molly for an effeminate homosexual is a reminiscence of Latin mollis.”

In the 16th century the French monarch Henri III assembled an entourage of favorites whose name mignon connotes effeminacy and delicacy. In French also the original meaning of bardache was the passive partner of the active bougre. English writings of the 17th and 18th century frequently denounced foppery [dandismo], sometimes homosexual but more often heterosexual.”

Restoration times also witnessed the popularity of the self-referencing habit of male homosexuals adopting women’s names: Mary, Mary-Anne, Molly, Nance or Nancy, and Nelly. The habit occurs in other languages as well – Janet in Flemish; Checca (from Francesca) in Italian; Maricón (from Maria) in Spanish; and Adelaida in Portuguese.”

19th-century English witnessed a semantic shift of a number of terms originally applied to women to provide opprobrious designations of male homosexuals. Thus gay had the meaning of a loose woman, prostitute; faggot, a slatternly woman –, and queen (or quean), a trollop. Even today the popular mind tends to the view that gay men seek to imitate women, or even become women –, the considerable number of unstereotypical, masculine homosexuals are not taken into account.”

Termagant and virago, though pejorative, do not suggest variance of sexual orientation. The girl who is a tomboy has always been treated more indulgently than the boy who is a sissy.”

Men who cross-dress as women are of two kinds. Some go to great lengths to make the simulation credible, an effort that may be a prelude to transsexualism. In other instances the simulation is imperfect, a kind of send-up. Although some feminists have interpreted such cross-dressing exercises as mockery of women, it is more likely that they signify a questioning of gender categories. In any event, transvestism is not normally held to lie within the province of effeminacy, which is thought to be the adjunction of feminine traits in a person otherwise fully recognizable as masculine.”

Hans Herter, Reallexikon fur Antike und Christentum, 4 (1959).

EGYPT

Traditionally the pharaohs married their half-sisters, a custom that other peoples considered curious. Self-confident in their cherished habits and customs, the Egyptians nonetheless cherished a distinct sense of privacy, which restricted discussion of erotic themes in the documents that have come down to modern times. Most of our evidence stems from temples and tombs, where a full record of everyday life could scarcely be expected. Unfortunately, Egypt had no law codes comparable to those known from ancient Mesopotamia.”

The realm of mythology provides several instances of homosexual behavior. In order to subordinate him, the god Seth attempted to sodomize his brother Horus, but the latter foiled him, and tricked Seth into ingesting some of his (Horus’s) own semen. Seth then became pregnant. In another myth the ithyphallic god Min anally assaulted an enemy, who later gave birth to the god Thoth. Both these stories present involuntary receptive homosexuality as a humiliation, but the act itself is not condemned; in the latter incident the god of wisdom is born as a result. (In another myth the high god engenders offspring parthenogenetically by masturbation.) While it is sometimes claimed that the ancient Egyptians were accustomed to sodomize enemies after their defeat on the battlefield, the evidence is equivocal.”

In what is surely history’s first homosexual short story, King Pepy II Neferkare (2355-2261) makes nocturnal visits to have sex with his general Sisinne. This episode is significant as an instance of androphilia – sex between two adult men – rather than the pederasty that was dominant in the ancient world. From a slightly earlier period comes the Tomb of the Two Brothers at Thebes, which the excavators have explained as the joint sepulcher of two men, Niankhnum and Khnumhotep, who were lovers. Bas reliefs on the tomb walls show the owners embracing affectionately.”

Queen Hatshepsut (reigned 1503-1482 BC) adopted male dress and even wore a false beard; these male attributes probably stem from her decision to reign alone, rather than from lesbianism.

A figure of particular interest is the pharaoh Akhenaten (Amenhotep IV; reigned ca. 1372-1354 BC), who was a religious and artistic reformer. Although this king begat several daughters with his wife, the famous Nefertiti, in art he is often shown as eunuch-like, with swollen hips and feminine breasts. According to some interpreters these somatic features reflect a glandular disorder. Other scholars believe that they are a deliberate artistic stylization, so that the appearance of androgyny may convey a universal concept of the office of kingship, uniting the male and the female so as to constitute an appropriate counterpart of the universal god Aten he introduced. Scenes of Akhenaten caressing his son-in-law Smenkhkare have been interpreted, doubtfully, as indicating a homosexual relation between the two.”

ELLIS, HAVELOCK

Pioneering British writer on sexual psychology. Descended from a family with many generations of seafarers, Henry Havelock Ellis was named after a distinguished soldier who was the hero of the Indian Mutiny. Early in life he sailed twice around the world and spent some years in Australia. In boarding school he had some unpleasant experiences suggesting a passive element in his character, and his attachments to women were often more friendships than erotic liaisons. At the age of 32 he married Edith Lees, a lesbian; after the first year of their marriage all sexual relations ceased, and both went on to a series of affairs with women. By nature an autodidact, Ellis obtained in 1889 only a licentiate in Medicine, Surgery, and Midwifery from the Society of Apothecaries – a somewhat inferior degree that always embarrassed him. More interested in his literary studies than in the practice of medicine, he nevertheless collected case histories mainly by correspondence, as his autobiography makes no mention of clinical practice.

ERA DE AQUARIUS: “In the atmosphere that prevailed after the disgrace of Oscar Wilde (May 1895), publication in England was problematic, but under doubtful auspices the English edition was released in November 1897.”

Sexual Inversion was the first book in English to treat homosexuality as neither disease nor crime, and if he dismissed the current notion that it was a species of <degeneracy> (in the biological sense), he also maintained that it was inborn and unmodifiable – a view that he never renounced. His book, couched in simple language, urged public toleration for what was then regarded as unnatural and criminal to the highest degree. To a readership conditioned from childhood to regard homosexual behavior with disgust and abhorrence, the book was beyond the limits of comprehension, and a radical publisher and bookseller named George Bedborough was duly prosecuted for issuing <a certain lewd wicked bawdy scandalous and obscene libel>” “The book was to appear in two later editions as the second volume of Ellis’ Studies in the Psychology of Sex, which in its final format extended to 7 volumes covering the whole of sexual science as it existed in the first three decades of the 20th century.” “Ellis never endorsed the explanations offered by Freud and the psychoanalytic school, so that the third edition of Sexual Inversion (1915), which was supplemented by material drawn from Magnus Hirschfeld’s Die Homosexualität des Mannes und des Weibes, published a year earlier, presented essentially the standpoint of 1904. The next in radical character was the measured discussion of masturbation, which Victorian society had been taught to regard with virtual paranoia as the cause of numberless ills.

EPHEBOPHILIA

The term ephebophilia seems to have been coined by Magnus Hirschfeld in his Wesen der Liebe (1906)

ANTI-AQUILINO (BANQUETE): “those with bearded faces who had outgrown the stage at which they were appropriate as the younger partners in pederasty, but not yet old enough to marry: the prime age for military service. The ancient Greek age of puberty was likely in the mid-teens rather than the younger ages typical of contemporary Western society.”

In other societies, ephebes are legally on a par with younger children, but in practice sexual activities with them are not as harshly repressed as with the younger group.”

The combination of heightened sexual energy with a lack of heterosexual outlets (owing to marriage ages in the twenties and restrictions on pre-marital opportunities) and low incomes (characteristic of males still in school, military service, or just beginning to acquire work experience) has in many societies made heterosexual ephebes more available for trade (one-sided) relationships with homosexuals than any other group of heterosexual males.

For many ephebophiles, the naïveté of ephebes is a source of attraction, their enthusiasm for new experiences (including sexual and romantic involvements) contrasted with what is perceived to be the more jaded and skeptical attitudes of other adults.”

The ancient Greeks acknowledged this trait with the term philephebos (fond of young men) and philoboupais (one who is fond of over-matured boys, <bull-boys> or <husky young men>), but generally slighted it in favor of the pederastic preference. Nevertheless, the athletic games of which the Greeks were so fond featured nude ephebes, the size of whose members received public acclaim, and the victors basked in adulation; Pindar wrote odes to them.”

In the 20th century, the dominance of the androphile model of male homosexuality has tended to subsume, appropriate, and obscure the ephebophile current, and to consider it as a mode of adult-adult relationships rather than as a distinctive type of preference.”

EPICUREANISM

Knowledge of Epicureanism, the classical rival of Stoicism, is fragmentary because Christians, disliking its atheistic materialism, belief in the accidental existence of the cosmos, and ethical libertarianism, either failed to copy or actually destroyed the detested works. Of all the numerous works composed in antiquity, only Lucretius’ philosophical poem De rerum natura survives intact. Diogenes Laertius reported that Epicurus wrote more than anyone else, including 37 books On Nature. A typical maxim: <We see that pleasure is the beginning and end of living happily>.

Epicurus (341-270 BC), the founder of the school, served as an ephebe in Athens at 18 and then studied at the Academy, a fellow classmate of Menander, when Aristotle was absent in Chalcis. Having taught abroad, where he combatted the atomist philosophy of Democritus, he returned to Athens and bought his house with a garden in 307-6. There he taught until his death, allowing women and slaves to participate in his lessons – to the shock of traditionalists. Only a few lines of his works survive. Apparently he likened sexual object choice, whether of women or boys, to food preferences – a parallel that often recurred in later times. His beloved Metrodorus predeceased him.

[O LEITMOTIF INCONSCIENTE DO BLOG] The Epicurean school, consisting of scholars who secluded themselves from society in Epicurus’ garden, lived modestly or even austerely. Stoics, however, libeled the secretive Epicureans because of their professed hedonism, accusing them of profligacy of every kind despite the fact that Epicurus felt that pleasure could be attained only in restraint of some pursuits that in the long run bring more pain than the temporary pleasure they seem to offer. Natural pleasures are easily satisfied, others being unnecessary. The ideal was freedom from destiny by satisfying desire and avoiding the pain of desires too difficult or impossible to satisfy. By freeing man from fear of gods and an afterlife and by teaching him to avoid competition in politics and business it liberates him from emotional turmoil. Friendship was extremely important to Epicureans.”

Lucretius (ca. 94-55 BC) seems not to have added any ideas to those taught by Epicurus himself. But others, like the fabulously rich general Lucullus, whose banquets became proverbial, excused their gross sensuality by references to Epicurus’ maxims. Julius Caesar proclaimed himself an Epicurean. Under the Empire Stoicism vanquished its rival and vied with Christianity, which when triumphant anathematized Epicureanism.”

the Soviet Communists, who naturally ranked Epicurus above Plato as the greatest philosopher of antiquity.” ???

Gassendi (1592-1655) [neo-epicurean] exerted enormous influence on both Newton and Leibniz.”

FAGGOT

One of the most persistent myths that have gained a foot-hold in the gay movement is the belief that faggot derives from the basic meaning of <bundle of sticks used to light a fire>, with the historical commentary that when witches were burned at the stake, <only presumed male homosexuals were considered low enough to help kindle the fires>.

The English word has in fact three forms: faggot, attested by the Oxford English Dictionary from circa 1300; fadge, attested from 1588; and faggald, which the Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue first records from 1375. The first and second forms have the additional meaning <fat, slovenly woman> which according to the English Dialect Dictionary survived into the 19th century in the folk speech of England.

The homosexual sense of the term, unknown in England itself, appears for the first time in America in a vocabulary of criminal slang printed in Portland, Oregon in 1914, with the example <All the fagots (sissies) will be dressed in drag at the ball tonight>. The apocopated (clipped) form fag then arose by virtue of the tendency of American colloquial speech to create words of one syllable; the first quotation is from the book by Neis Anderson, The Hobo (1923): <Fairies or Fags are men or boys who exploit sex for profit.> The short form thus also has no connection with British fag as attested from the 19th century (for example, in the novel Tom Brown’s Schooldays) in the sense of <public school boy who performs menial tasks for an upper-classman>.

In American slang faggot/fag usurped the semantic role of bugger in British usage, with its connotations of extreme hostility and contempt bordering on death wishes. In more recent decades it has become the term of abuse par excellence in the mouths of heterosexuals, often just as an insult aimed at another male’s alleged want of masculinity or courage, rather than implying a sexual role or orientation.

The ultimate origin of the word is a Germanic term represented by the Norwegian dialect words fagg, <bundle, heap>, alongside bagge, <obese, clumsy creature> (chiefly of animals). From the latter are derived such Romance words as French bagasse and ltalian bagascia, <prostitute>, whence the parallel derivative bagascione whose meaning matches that of American English faggot/fag, while Catalan bagassejar signifies to faggot, <to frequent the company of loose women>.

The final proof that faggot cannot have originated in the burning of witches at the stake is that in English law both witchcraft and buggery were punishable by hanging, and that in the reign of the homosexual monarch James I the execution of heretics came to an end, so that by the time American English gave the word its new meaning there cannot have been in the popular mind even the faintest remnant of the complex of ideas credited to the term in the contemporary myth. It is purely and simply an Americanism of the 20th century.

Given the fact that the term faggot cannot refer to burning at the stake, why does the myth continue to enjoy popularity in the gay movement? On the conscious level it serves as a device with which to attack the medieval church, by extension Christianity in toto, and finally all authority. On another level, it may linger as a <myth of origins>, a kind of collective masochistic ritual that willingly identifies the homosexual as victim.

FASCISM

The term fascism derives from fasces, the bundles of rods carried by the lictors of ancient Rome to symbolize the unity of classes in the Republic. Fascism is the authoritarian movement that arose in Italy in the wake of World War I. Although Hitler admired its founder Mussolini and imitated him at first – the term Führer is modeled on Duce – one cannot simply equate his more radical National Socialist movement with the Italian phenomenon, as writers of the left are prone to do.”

Not essentially racist like Nazism or anti-bourgeois like Marxism, Italian fascism, with its corporative binding of workers and employers, has been less consistently hostile to homosexuals.”

Mussolini also argued in a discussion of a draft penal code in 1930 that because Italians, being virile, were not homosexuals, Italy needed no law banning homosexual acts, which he believed only degenerate foreigners to practice. A ban would only frighten such tourists away, and Italy needed the money they spent to improve its balance of payments and shore up its sagging economy. Napoléon had promulgated his code, which did not penalize homosexual acts between consenting adults, in northern Italy in 1810, and thus decriminalized sodomy. It had already been decriminalized in Tuscany by Grand Duke Leopold, the enlightened brother of Joseph II. The Albertine Code of 1837 for Piedmont-Sardinia was extended to all its dominions after the House of Savoy created a united Kingdom of Italy, a task completed in 1870. Pervasive was the influence of the jurist Marquis Cesare Beccaria, who argued against cruel and unusual punishments and against all offenses motivated by religious superstition and fanaticism.

Thus Italy with its age-old <Mediterranean homosexuality> in which women were protected, almost secluded – upper-class girls at least in the South being accompanied in public by dueñas –, had like other Latin countries allowed female prostitution and closed its eyes to homosexuality. As such it had became the playground par excellence during the grand tour of the English milords, and also the refuge of exiles and émigrés from the criminal sanctions of the Anglo-American common law and the Prussian code. The Prussian Code was extended in 1871-72 to the North and then South German territories incorporated in the Reich, including ones where the Code Napoleon had prevailed in the early part of the century. Byron and John Addington Symonds took refuge in Italy, as William Beckford did in Portugal and Oscar Wilde in Paris. Friedrich Alfred Krupp’s playground was in Capri, Thomas Mann’s in Venice, and Count Adelswárd Fersen’s also in Capri.”

Personally, Mussolini was somewhat of a sexual acrobat, in that he had a succession of mistresses and often took time out in the office to have sex with one or another of his secretaries.”

Believing in military strength through numbers, Mussolini did more than Hitler to subsidize parents of numerous progeny, thus hoping to increase Italy’s population from 40 to 60 million.”

However, after he formed the Rome-Berlin Axis with Hitler in 1936, Mussolini began, under Nazi influence, to persecute homosexuals and to promulgate anti-Semitic decrees in 1938 and 1939, though these were laxly enforced, and permitted exceptions, such as veterans of World War I.”

Oppressing homosexuals more than Jews, Mussolini’s regime rounded up and imprisoned a substantial number, a procedure poignantly depicted in Ettore Scola’s excellent film A Special Day (1977).” “Even exclusive homosexuals, if they were not unlucky, survived fascism unscathed.”

Admiral Horthy seized control of Hungary from the communist Bela Kun in 1920 and as Regent unleashed a <White Terror> largely directed against Jews, two years before Mussolini marched on Rome with his black-shirts.”

Fascists were less consistent and more divided among themselves than even communists or Nazis. After all, they had no sacred text like Das Kapital or Mein Kampf, and further were not ruling only a single powerful country.” “Czechoslovakia, the only democracy in Central Europe to survive this period, simply continued the Austrian penal code of 1852 that penalized both male and female homosexuality.”

The great homosexual poet Federico García Lorca was shot by a death squad near Granada in 1936; it is said that they fired the bullets through his backside to <make the punishment fit the crime>.” “More than Mussolini, Franco resisted the theories and pressures of Hitler, whom he regarded as a despicable (and perhaps deranged) upstart. It has been argued that Franco was not a fascist at all and that he actually maintained a pro-Jewish policy, granting asylum to refugees from Nazi-occupied Europe and attempting to protect Sephardic Jews in the Balkan countries. In his last years he in fact liberalized Spain to a certain extent, allowing among other things a resurgence of gay bars, baths, and culture even before the accession of King Juan Carlos upon his death in 1975. Today Spain is one of the freest countries in Europe.”

Naturally Latins, like Slavs, being considered inferior peoples by Hitler, did not in general espouse racism (Hitler had to make the Japanese honorary Aryans to ally with them in the Tripartite Pact of 1937), so they had no reason to think of homosexuals in his terms.”

FASCIST PERVERSION, BELIEF IN

Fascism and National Socialism (Nazism) were originally distinct political systems, but their eventual international ties (the <Rome-Berlin axis>) led to the use of <fascist> as an umbrella term¹ by Communist writers anxious to avoid the implication that <National Socialism> was a type of socialism. Neither in Italy nor in Spain did the right-authoritarian political movements have a homosexual component. Rather it was in Weimar Germany that the right-wing paramilitary groups which constituted the nucleus of the later National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP) attracted a considerable number of homosexuals whose erotic leanings overlapped with the male bonding of the party. This strong male bonding, in the later judgment of their own leaders, gave the Nazis a crucial advantage in their victory over the rival Social Democratic and communist formations in the early 1930s.

The most celebrated of the homosexuals in the Nazi Party of the 1920s was Ernst Rohm, whose sexual proclivities were openly denounced by left-wing propagandists, but this did not deprive him of Hitler’s confidence until the putsch of June 30, 1934, in which he and many of his homosexual comrades in arms were massacred.”

¹ Discordo, mas segue o jogo.

theorists such as Wilhelm Reich who were opposed to homosexuality [?] could claim that the right-wing youth were <becoming more homosexual>. The victory of National Socialism at the beginning of 1933 then reinforced Communist and émigré propagandists in their resort to <fascist perversion> as a rhetorical device with which they could abuse and vilify the regime that had defeated and exiled them – and which they hoped would be transient and unstable.

In particular, the statute by which Stalin restored the criminal sanctions against homosexuality that had been omitted from the penal codes of 1922 and 1926 was officially titled the <Law of March 7, 1934> – a pointed allusion to the anniversary of the National Socialist consolidation of power one year earlier.”

In the United States Maoists charged that the gay liberation movement of 1969 and the years following was an example of <bourgeois décadance> that would vanish once the triumph of socialism was achieved. “

Samuel Igra, Germany’s National Vice, London: Quality Press, 1945.

FILM

Adolescent alienation was the theme of Rebel without a Cause (1955), in which, however, the delicate Sal Mineo character dies so that James Dean can be united with Natalie Wood.”

In the book Midnight Express the hero admitted to a gay love affair in prison, but in the movie version (1978) he rejects a handsome fellow inmate’s advances.”

Screen biographies of gay people have had similar fates. Michelangelo and Cole Porter appear as joyful heterosexuals; Oscar Wilde could not be sanitized, to be sure, but he was presented in a <tasteful> manner (3 British versions, 2 in 1960, one in 1984). Recent screen biographies have been better; the documentary on the painter Paul Cadmus (1980) is open without being sensational; Prick Up Your Ears, on the life of Joe Orton, is as frank as one can wish, though it somehow misses the core of his personality.”

In The Third Sex (West Germany, 1959) a sophisticated older man has an entourage of teenage boys. Although this film purveys dated ideas of homosexuality, it went farther in explicitness than anything that Hollywood was able to do for over a decade. Federico Fellini’s celebrated La Dolce Vita (1960) is a multifaceted portrait of eternal decadence in chic circles in Rome.”

One breakthrough came in 1967 when the legendary Marlon Brando portrayed a closeted homosexual army officer in John Huston’s Reflections in a Golden Eye, a film which drew a <Condemned> rating from the Catholic Church.” Who gives a fuck (literally)!

Sunday Bloody Sunday: this film was notable for the shock experienced by straight audiences at a kissing scene between Peter Finch and Murray Head. Perhaps the most notorious of the gay directors was Rainer Werner Fassbinder, whose Fox and His Friends (1975) deals with homosexuality and class struggle. Fassbinder’s last film was his controversial version of a Genet novel, Querelle (1982). The death of Franco created the possibility of a new openness in Spanish culture, including a number of gay films. Influenced by Luis Buñuel, Law of Desire (1986) by Pedro Almodóvar is surely a masterpiece of comic surrealism.”

Already in the 1920s some major directors were known to be gay, including the German Friedrich W. Murnau and the Russian Sergei Eisenstein.”

During their lifetimes Charles Laughton and Montgomery Clift had to suffer fag-baiting taunts from colleagues, while Rock Hudson remained largely untouched by public scandal until his death from AIDS in 1985. Tyrone Power and Cary Grant were decloseted after their deaths. The sexuality of others, such as Errol Flynn and James Dean, remains the subject of argument. In Germany the stage actor and film director Gustav Grundgens managed to work through the Nazi period, even though his homosexuality was known to the regime.”

In 1969, however, hardcore porno arrived, apparently to stay. Some 50 theatres across the United States specialized in the genre, and where the authorities were willing to turn a blind eye, sexual acts took place there, stimulated by the films.”

Much of the early production was forgettable, but in 1971, in Boys in the Sand starring Casey Donovan (Cal Culver), the director-producer Wakefield Poole achieved a rare blend of sexual explicitness and cinematographic values.”

In the later 80s AIDS began to devastate porno-industry workers, gay and straight, and safe sex procedures became more rigorous on the set (it should be noted, however, that long before AIDS, by strict convention, pornographic film ejaculations were always conducted outside the body, so as to be graphically visible; hence film sex was always basically <safe sex>).”

PROVAVELMENTE ULTRAPASSADO: “Lesbian porno exists only as scenes within films addressed to heterosexual males, their being, thus far, no market for full-length lesbian films of this nature. A number of independent lesbian film-makers have made candid motion pictures about lesbian life, but they are not pornographic.”

Carel Rowe, The Baudelairean Cinema: A Trend Within the American Avant-Garde, Ann Arbor, MI: UMI Research Press, 1982.

FLAUBERT

From his early years at the lycée onward, he preferred the pen to his father’s scalpel, and single-handedly edited a minor journal, the Colibri, that clumsily but clearly foretold his future talent. In Paris he read Law but never took the degree for reasons of health, and there met Maxime Du Camp, with whom he formed a close friendship. Together they traveled through Brittany and Normandy in 1847, bringing back a volume of reminiscences that was to be published only after Flaubert’s death (Par les champs et par les grèves, 1885). Between October of 1849 and May of 1851 the two traveled in Egypt and Turkey, and there Flaubert had a number of pédérastie experiences which he related in his letters to Louis Bouilhet.”

BORING FASHION: “On his return to France Flaubert shut himself up in his country house at Croisset, near Rouen. Instead of aspiring to self-discovery in the manner of the Romanticists, Flaubert sought to bury his own personality by striving for the goal of art in itself, and he devoted his entire life to the quest for its secrets. His ferocious will to be in his works <like God>, everywhere and nowhere, explains the nerve-wracking effort that went into each of his novels, in which nothing is left to the free flow of inspiration, nothing is asserted without being verified, nothing is described that has not been seen.” “This explains the multiple versions that are periodically uncovered of almost every one of his works, with the sole exception of Madame Bovary (1857), which led to his being tried for offending public decency.”

In 1857 he traveled to Tunisia to collect material for a historical novel set in Carthage after the First Punic War. Salammbô (1862), abundantly documented, is so rich in sadistic scenes, including one of a mass child-sacrifice, that it horrified some contemporary readers.”

In 1874 he published La tentation de saint Antoine, a prose poem of great power and imagination. His last work, Bouvard et Pécuchet (issued posthumously in 1881), is an unfinished study in male bonding.”

Sodomy is a subject of conversation at table. You can deny it at times, but everyone starts ribbing you and you end up spilling the beans. Traveling for our own information and entrusted with a mission by the government, we regarded it as our duty to abandon ourselves to this manner of ejaculation. The occasion has not yet presented itself, but we are looking for one. The Turkish baths are where it is practiced. One rents the bath for 5 fr., including the masseurs, pipe, coffee, and linen, and takes one’s urchin into one of the rooms. – You should know that all the bath attendants are bardaches [homossexuais passivos].”

FOUCAULT

at the end of his life he surprised the world with 2 successor volumes with a different subject matter: the management of sexuality in ancient Greece and Rome. While completing these books he was already gravely ill, a fact that may account for their turgid, sometimes repetitive presentation. In June 1984 Michel Foucault died in Paris of complications resulting from AIDS.”

O CONTINENTE SE ESMIGALHA: “Discontent with the systems of Marx and Freud and their contentious followers had nonetheless left an appetite for new <mega-theories>, which the Anglo-Saxon pragmatic tradition was unable to satisfy.”

This concept of discontinuity was all the more welcome as the ground had been prepared by an influential American philosopher of science, Thomas Kuhn, whose concept of radical shifts in paradigm had been widely adopted. In vain did Foucault protest toward the end of his life that he was not the philosopher of discontinuity; he is now generally taken to be such.”

Not since Jean-Paul Sartre had France given the world a thinker of such resonance. Yet Foucault’s work shows a number of key weaknesses. Not gifted with the patience for accumulating detail that since Aristotle has been taken to be a hallmark of the historian’s craft, he often spun elaborate theories from scanty empirical evidence. He also showed a predilection for scatter-gun concepts such as episteme, discourse, difference, and power; in seeking to explain much, these talismans make for fuzziness. Foucauldian language has had a seductive appeal for his followers, but repetition dulls the magic and banalization looms.”

FOURIER

French Utopian philosopher and sexual radical. Fourier spent much of his life in Lyon, trapped in a business world which he hated with a passion. Disillusioned in childhood by the dishonesty and hypocrisy of the people around him, he gradually formulated an elaborate theory of how totally to transform society in a Utopian world of the future known as Harmony, in which mankind would live in large communes called Phalansteries.

Fourier hid his sexual beliefs from his contemporaries, and it was more than a century after his death before his main erotic work, Le nouveau monde amoureux, was first published. (…) Fourier did not believe that anyone under 16 had any sexual feelings, nor did he understand the psychology of sadism, pedophilia, or rape, so that his sexual theories are not entirely suitable for modem experimentation. (…) He recognized male homosexuals and lesbians as biological categories long before Krafft-Ebing created the modern concept of immutable sexual <perversions>.” “He wrote some fictional episodes in the vein of William Beckford, one of which describes the seduction of a beautiful youth by an older man.”

FRANCE

French politics and literature have exercised an incalculable influence on other countries, from England to Quebec, from Senegal to Vietnam. Whether justified or not, a reputation for libertine hedonism clings to the country, and especially to its capital, Paris – by far the largest city of northern Europe from the 12th to the 18th centuries (when London surpassed it), making France a barometer of changing sexual mores.”

The heavy-drinking later Merovingians, descendants of the Frankish king Merovech and his grandson Clovis, who conquered all Gaul, were barbarians who indulged their sensual appetites freely. Lack of control allowed considerable sexual license to continue into the more Christianized Carolingian period (late 8th-9th centuries), and probably to increase during the feudal anarchy that followed the Viking invasions of the 9th and 10th, but in the 11th century the church moved to regulate private conduct according to its own strict canons.”

The term sodomia, which appears in the last decades of the 12th century [?], covered bestiality, homosexual practices, and <unnatural> heterosexual relations of all kinds.” “Popes organized the Inquisition against them and invoked the bloody Albigensian Crusade which devastated much of Languedoc, homeland of a sensual culture tinged by Moslem influences from the south. The word bougre itself survives to this day as English bugger, which in Great Britain, apart from legal usage, remains a coarse and virtually obscene expression.”

The guilt of the Templars remains moot to this day; while some may have been involved in homosexual liaisons, the political atmosphere surrounding the investigation and the later controversy made impartial judgment impossible. A persistent fear of sexuality and a pathetic inability to stamp out its proscribed manifestations, even with periodic burning of offenders at the stake and strict regulations within the cloister, plagued medieval society to the end.”

Henri III was celebrated for his mignons, the favorites drawn from the ranks of the petty nobility – handsome, gorgeously attired and adorned adolescents and magnificent swordsmen ready to sacrifice their lives for their sovereign. Although the king had exhibited homosexual tendencies earlier in life, these became more marked after a stay in Venice in 1574. Yet neither he nor the mignons scorned the opposite sex in their pursuit of pleasure, and there is no absolute proof that any of this circle expressed their desires genitally. Yet a whole literature of pamphlets and lampoons by Protestants and by Catholic extremists, both of whom disapproved of the king’s moderate policy, was inspired by the life of the court of Henri III until his assassination in 1589.”

Even the entourage of Cardinal Richelieu included the Abbé Boisrobert, patron of the theatre and the arts, and founder of the French Academy, the summit of French intellectual life. His proclivities were so well known that he was nicknamed <the mayor of Sodom>, while the king who occupied the throne, Louis XIII, was surnamed <the chaste> because of his absolute indifference to the fair sex and to his wife Marie de Medici.”

In his posthumously published novel La religieuse, Denis Diderot indicted convents as hot-houses of lesbianism.”

The Revolution secured the release (though only for a time) of the imprisoned pansexual writer and thinker, the Marquis D.A.F. de Sade, who carried the transgressive strain in the Enlightenment to the ultimate limits of the imagination.”

The novels of Jean Genet, a former professional thief, treated male homosexuality with a pornographic frankness and style rich in imagery unparalleled in world literature. Genet enjoyed the patronage of the dominant intellectual of the time, the heterosexual Jean-Paul Sartre, who also wrote about homosexuality in other contexts.”

Innovations such as a computerized gay bulletin board – the Minitel – reached France, but also the tragic incursion of AIDS (in French, SIDA), spread in no small part from Haiti and the United States.”

FREE-MASONRY

The fraternal order of Free and Accepted Masons is a male secret society having adherents throughout the world. The order is claimed to have arisen from the English and Scottish fraternities of stone-masons and cathedral builders in the late Middle Ages. The formation of a grand lodge in London in 1717 marked the beginning of the spread of free-masonry on the continent as far east as Poland and Russia. From its obscure origins free-masonry gradually evolved into a political and benevolent society that vigorously promoted the ideology of the Enlightenment, and thus came into sharp and lasting antagonism with the defenders of the Old Régime.”

The slogan Liberty, Equality, Fraternity immortalized by the French Revolution is said to have begun in the lodges of the Martinist affiliate.”

FREUDIAN CONCEPTS

Five aspects of Freud’s psychoanalytic work are relevant to homosexuality, though by no means have all of them been fully appreciated in the discussion of the legal and social aspects of the subject. These include: (1) the psychology of sex; (2) the etiology of paranoia; (3) psychoanalytic anthropology; (4) the psychology of religion; and (5) the origins of Judaism and Christianity. In regard to the last two the psychoanalytic profession in the United States has notably shied away from the implications of the founder’s ideas, in no small part because of its accommodation to the norms of American culture, including popular Protestant religiosity.”

Freud pointed out that the pederast is attracted only to the male youth who has not yet lost his androgynous quality, so that it is the blend of masculine and feminine traits in the boy that arouses and attracts the adult male” “with a narcissistic starting point they seek youthful sexual partners resembling themselves, whom they then love as the mother loved them. He also determined that alleged inverts were not indifferent to female stimuli, but transferred their arousal to male objects.”

Recent investigations have sought to confirm this insight for paranoia in male subjects only, and in all likelihood it is related not just to the phenomenon of homosexual panic but to the generally higher level of societal anxiety and legal intolerance in regard to male as opposed to female homosexuality. This would also explain why lesbianism is invisible to the unconscious: the collective male psyche experiences no threat from female homosexuality.”

The outcome of Freud’s explorations in this direction [anthropology] was Totem and Taboo (1913), which despite the break with his Swiss colleague in that year is the most Jungian of all his works.” “While Hellenic civilization could distinguish between father-son and erastes-eromenos relationships, Biblical Judaism could not, and expanded its earlier prohibition of homosexual acts with a father or uncle to a generalized taboo. It is perhaps pertinent that pedophilia (sex with pre-pubertal children), as distinct from pederasty, usually involves members of the same family, not total strangers. Also, extending this mode of thinking, the fascination which some homosexual men have for partners of other races may be owing to the unconscious guilt that still adheres to a sexual relationship with anyone who could be even remotely related to them, which is to say a member of the same ethnic or racial group.” “Totemism and exogamy are the two halves of the familiar Oedipus complex, the attraction to the mother and the death wishes against the rival father.” “Freud then appealed to Robertson Smith’s writings on sacrifice and sacrificial feasts in which the totem is ceremonially slain and eaten, thus reenacting the original deed. The rite is followed by mourning and then by triumphant rejoicing and wild excesses –, the events serve to perpetuate the community and its identity with the ancestor. After thousands of years of religious evolution the totem became a god, and the complicated story of the various religions begins. This work of Freud’s has been condemned by anthropologists and other specialists, yet it may throw considerable light on aspects of Judeo-Christian myth and legend that cluster around the rivalry of the father and his adolescent son – in which the homosexual aggressor is, ostensibly, seeking to destroy the masculinity of his rival by <using him as a woman>.

Obsessional neurosis is a pathological counterpart of religion, while religion may be styled a collective obsessional neurosis.”

From the secondary sources that he had read, Freud surmised that the lawgiver Moses was an Egyptian who had opted for exile after religious counter-revolution had undone the reforms of the first monotheist, Akhenaten. His Egyptian retinue became the Levites, the elite of the new religious community which received its law code, not from him, but from the Midianite priest of a volcanic deity, Jahweh, at the shrine of Kadesh Barnea. This last site, amusingly enough, presumably took its name from the bevy of male and female cult prostitutes who ministered at its shrine. The Biblical Moses is a fusion of the two historic figures.

Freud also, on the basis of a book published by the German Semiticist Ernst Sellin, posited the death of Moses in an uprising caused by his autocratic rule and apodictic pronouncements. The whole notion was based upon a reinterpretation of some passages in the book of Hosea, which because of its early and poetic character, not to speak of the problems of textual transmission, poses enormous difficulties even for the expert.” “Judaism is a religion of the father, Christianity a religion of the son, whose death on the cross and the institution of the eucharist are the last stage in the evolution that began with the slaying and eating of the totem animal by the primal horde.”

The particular emphasis with which Freud contradicted Magnus Hirschfeld’s notion that homosexuals were a biological third sex led – together with a tendency (not confined to psychoanalysis) to deny the constitutional bases of behavior – to the assertion that homosexuality was purely the result of <fixation> in an infantile stage of sexual development provoked by the action or inaction of the parents. (…) Thus in the popular mind the belief that homosexuality is somehow a failure of psychological development has its underpinning in the Freudian concepts.”

his legacy has quietly worked in favor of toleration”

FRIENDSHIP, FEMALE ROMANTIC

When Sarah’s family discovered that she had run off with a woman instead of a man, they were relieved – her reputation would not suffer any irreparable harm (as it would have had her accomplice been male). Her relative Mrs. Tighe observed, <Sarah’s conduct, though it has an appearance of imprudence, is I am sure void of serious impropriety. There were no gentlemen concerned, nor does it appear to be anything more than a scheme of Romantic Friendship.> The English, during the second half of the 18th century, prized sensibility, faithfulness, and devotion in a woman, but forbade her significant contact with the opposite sex before she was betrothed. It was reasoned, apparently, that young women could practice these sentiments on each other so that when they were ready for marriage they would have perfected themselves in those areas. It is doubtful that women viewed their own romantic friendships in such a way, but – if we can place any credence in 18th century English fiction as a true reflection of that society – men did. Because romantic friendship between women served men’s self-interest in their view, it was permitted and even socially encouraged. The attitude of Charlotte Lennox’s hero in Euphemia (1790) is typical. Maria Harley’s uncle chides her for her great love for Euphemia and her obstinate grief when Euphemia leaves for America, and he points out that her fiancé <has reason to be jealous of a friendship that leaves him but second place in Maria’s affection>; but the fiancé responds, <Miss Harley’s sensibility on this occasion is the foundation of all my hopes. From a heart so capable of a sincere attachment, the man who is so happy as to be her choice may expect all the refinements of a delicate passion, with all the permanence of a generous friendship.>

The most complete fictional blueprint for conducting a romantic friendship is Sarah Scott’s A Description of Millennium Hall (1762), a novel which went through four editions by 1778.”

Mrs. Delany’s description of her own first love (in The Autobiography and Correspondence of Mrs. Delany, ed. Sara L. Woolsey) is typical of what numerous autobiographies, diaries, letters, and novels of the period contained. As a young woman, she formed a passionate attachment to a clergyman’s daughter, whom she admired for her <uncommon genius … intrepid spirit … extraordinary understanding, lively imagination, and humane disposition.> They shared <secret talk> and <whispers> together –, they wrote to one another every day, and met in the fields between their fathers’ houses at every opportunity. <We thought that day tedious,> Mrs. Delany wrote years later, <that we did not meet, and had many stolen interviews>. Typical of many youthful romantic friendships, it did not last long (at the age of 17, Mrs. Delany was given in marriage to an old man), but it provided fuel for the imagination which idealized the possibilities of what such a relationship might be like without the impingement of cold marital reality. Because of such girlhood intimacies (which were often cut off in an untimely manner), most women would have understood when those attachments were compared with heterosexual love by the female characters in 18th century novels, and were considered, as Lucy says in William Hayley’s The Young Widow, <infinitely more valuable>. They would have had their own frame of reference when in those novels, women adopted the David and Jonathan story for themselves and swore that they felt for each other (again as Lucy says) <a love passing the Love of Men>, or proclaimed as does Anne Hughes, the author of Henry and Isabella (1788), that such friendships are <more sweet, interesting, and to complete all, lasting, than any other which we can ever hope to possess; and were a just account of anxiety and satisfaction to be made out, would, it is possible, in the eye of rational estimation, far exceed the so-much boasted pleasure of love.>

Saint Mery, who recorded his observations of his 1793-1798 journey, was shocked by the <unlimited liberty> which American young ladies seemed to enjoy, and by their ostensible lack of passion toward men. The combination of their independence, heterosexual passionlessness, and intimacy with each other could have meant only one thing to a Frenchman

in the 1790s: that <they are not at all strangers to being willing to seek unnatural pleasures with persons of their own sex>. It is as doubtful that great masses of middle and upper-class young ladies gave themselves up to homosexuality as it is that they gave themselves up to heterosexual intercourse before marriage. But the fiction of the period corroborates that St. Mery saw American women behaving openly as though they were in love with each other. Charles Brockden Brown’s Ormand, for example, suggests that American romantic friends were very much like their English counterparts.”

But love between women, at least as it was lived in women’s fantasies, was far more consuming than the likes of Casanova could believe. Women dreamed not of erotic escapades but of a blissful life together. In such a life a woman would have choices; she would be in command of her own destiny; she would be an adult relating to another adult in a way that a heterosexual relationship with a virtual stranger (often an old or at least a much older man), arranged by a parent for consideration totally divorced from affection, would not allow her to be. Samuel Richardson permitted Miss Howe to express the yearnings of many a frustrated romantic friend when she remarked to Clarissa, <How charmingly might you and I live together and despise them all>.”

FRIENDSHIP, MALE

For Plato, friendship is rather part of the philosopher’s quest: a link between the world of the senses in which we live and the eternal world.”

How could the masculinity of a youth be preserved in a homosexual relationship with an older man? That was the kernel of the problem for the Greeks. For the Romans it was the perennial anxiety that a free citizen might take a passive role in a sexual relationship with a slave. Homosexuality in itself was not the problem for either: it was in the forms that homosexuality might take that the difficulty lay.”

Homosexuality and friendship: they may well appear at first as two discrete histories, one of society and the other of sexuality. But if one tries to follow their subterranean currents in the Europe of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, one will end by finding oneself drawn into writing about something larger. One will find oneself writing about power and the power not only of judges but of words.”

Marriage itself was redefined, with implicit consequences for friendship. A society that had observed the tradition of arranged marriages between unequal partners was confronted with a need for change. Under the influence of the middle-class ideology of the 18th century, society now accepted the principle of a marriage founded upon the affinity of equals, upon love rather than family interest. In this sense husband and wife could now be friends, and friendship was no longer invested with an exclusively homo-social character. The decisive shift in this direction occurred in England, where the Industrial Revolution and the ideology of classical liberalism went hand in hand.”

So Romanticism revived the classical model of friendship for which Hellenic antecedents could always be held up as an ideal by such homosexual admirers of antiquity as Johann Joachim Winckelmann, a thinker who in Goethe’s words <felt himself born for a friendship of this kind> and <became conscious of his true self only under this form of friendship>.”

While Ernst Röhm could boast, late in 1933, that the homoerotic component in the SA and SS had given the Nazis the crucial edge in their struggle against the Weimar system, homophobic writers could call for the suppression of all forms of overt male homosexuality and the enactment of even more punitive laws – which were in fact adopted in 1935.”

Certain women feel more comfortable in their dealings with gay men, just because they know that they do not have to be constantly on guard against sexual aggression, but can have close relationships, both social and professional, that attain high levels of creativity and imagination.”

The use of friend or friendship as an euphemism for the homosexual partner (lover) and the liaison itself persists. Recently the compilers of newspaper obituary columns have taken to describing the lifelong companion of a deceased homosexual as <his friend>, in contexts where a heterosexual would be survived by the spouse and children.” Haha

Edward Carpenter, Ioläus: An Anthology of Friendship (1902)

GAMES, GAY

Anyone was allowed to compete regardless of race, sex, age, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, or athletic ability. In keeping with the Masters Movement in sports, athletes competed with others in their own age group. The track and field and swimming events were officially sanctioned by their respective national masters programs. Athletes participated, not as representatives of their respective countries, but as individuals on behalf of cities and towns. There were no minimum qualifying standards in any events.”

The organizers of the Gay Games have experienced considerable legal difficulties. Before the 1982 Gay Games, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) filed a court action against the organizers of the Gay Games, which were going to be called the Gay Olympic Games. In 1978, the United States Congress passed the Amateur Sports Act which, among other things, granted the USOC exclusive use of the word Olympic. Although the USOC had allowed the Rat Olympics, Police Olympics, and Dog Olympics, it took exception to the term Gay Olympic Games. Two years later, the USOC continued its harassment of the Gay Games and filed suit to recover legal fees in the amount of $96,600.”

GAY

The word gay (though not its 3 later slang meanings) stems from the Old Provençal gai, <high spirited, mirthful>. A derivation of this term in turn from the Old High German gahi, <impetuous> (cf. modem German jah, <sudden>), though attractive at first sight, seems unlikely. Gai was a favorite expression among the troubadours, who came to speak of their intricate art of poetry as gai saber, <gay knowledge>. Despite assertions to the contrary, none of these uses reveals any particular sexual content. In so far as the word gay or gai has acquired a sexual meaning in Romance languages, as it has very recently, this connotation is entirely owing to the influence of the American homosexual liberation movement as a component of the American popular culture that has swamped the non-Communist world.

Beginning in the 17th century, the English word gay began to connote the conduct of a playboy or dashing man about town, whose behavior was not always strictly moral but not totally depraved either; hence the popularity of such expressions as <gay lothario>, <gay deceiver>, and <gay blade>. Applied to women in the 19th century (or perhaps somewhat before), it came to mean <of loose morals; a prostitute>: <As soon as a woman has ostensibly lost her reputation we, with grim inappositeness, call her gay> (Sunday Times, London, 1868).”

The expansion of the term to mean homosexual man constitutes a tertiary stage of modification, the sequence being lothario, then female prostitute, then homosexual man.”

The word (and its equivalents in other European languages) is attested in the sense of <belonging to the demimonde> or <given to illicit sexual pleasures>, even specifically to prostitution, but nowhere with the special homosexual sense that is reinforced by the antonym straight, which in the sense of heterosexual was known exclusively in the gay subculture until quite recently.”

Although it has not been found in print before 1933 (when it appears in Noel Ersine’s Dictionary of Underworld Slang as gay cat, <a homosexual boy>), it is safe to assume that the usage must have been circulating orally in the United States for a decade or more. (As Jack London explains in The Road of 1907, gay cat originally meant – or so he thought – an apprentice hobo, without reference to sexual orientation.) In 1955 the English journalist Peter Wildblood defined gay as <an American euphemism for homosexual>, at the same time conceding that it had made inroads in Britain. Grammatically, the word is an adjective, and there has been some resistance to the use of gay, gays as nouns, but this opposition seems to be fading.”

Many lesbian organizations now reject the term gay, restricting it to men, hence the spread of such binary phrases as <gay and lesbian> and <lesbian and gay people>.”

GAY STUDIES

Karl Heinrich Ulrichs (1825-1895), whose Forschungen zur mannmännhchen Liebe (Researches on Love between Males), published from 1864 to 1870, ranged in an encyclopedic manner over the history, literature, and ethnography of past and present.”

In England John Addington Symonds may be considered the first gay scholar, since he composed two privately printed works, A Problem in Greek Ethics and A Problem in Modern Ethics, the latter of which introduced to the English-speaking world the recent findings of continental psychiatrists and the new vision of Ulrichs and Walt Whitman. Symonds was also a major contributor to the first edition of Havelock Ellis’ Sexual Inversion (German 1896, English 1897). At the same time the American university president Andrew Dickson White quietly inserted into his 2-volume History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom (1896) a comprehensive analysis and demolition of the Sodom legend. In the same year Marc-André Raffalovich published his Uranisme et unisexualité (Uranism and unisexuality), with copious bibliographical and literary material, some from German authors of the 19th century, which he supplemented at intervals in a series of articles in the Archives d’anthropologie criminelle down to World War I.”

psychoanalytic biographies of famous homosexuals, a genre initiated by Freud’s philologically rather weak Eine Kindheitserinnerung des Leonardo da Vinci (A Childhood Reminiscence of Leonardo da Vinci; 1910).”

The interest of geneticists in twin studies led to some papers on the sexual orientation of monozygotic and dizygotic twins, a field pioneered by Franz Kallmann. While certain issues continue to be disputed, the study of monozygotic twin pairs has revealed concordances as marked as those for intelligence and other character traits, albeit with a complexity in the developmental aspect of the personality that earlier thinkers had not fully appreciated.”

black studies and women’s studies are by their very nature interdisciplinary. In 1976, for example, ONE Institute, the independent Los Angeles homophile education foundation, articulated the subject in the following fields: anthropology, history, psychology, sociology, education, medicine and biology, psychiatry, law and its enforcement, military, religion and ethics, biography and autobiography, literature and the arts, the homophile movement, and transvestism and transsexualism (An Annotated Bibliography of Homosexuality, New York, 1976).”

In anthropology there is a continuing temptation to ethno-romanticism, that is over-idealizing the exotic culture one is studying, viewing it as natural, non-repressive, organic, and so forth.”

GENET, JEAN

The homosexuality of Genet’s characters is explicit, and the scenes of love-making attain the limit of physical and psychological detail, recounted in the argot of the French criminal underworld (which largely defies English translation) and in a style once possible only in pornographic novels sold <under the counter>. If the homosexuality of the heroes of Genet’s novels has a strong sado-masochistic component, their love is depicted with honesty and tenderness. The plot construction borders on free association, while the sordid and brutal aspects of male love are not suppressed or denied.” “Since French writing shapes literary trends throughout the world, the influence of Genet on future depictions of homosexual experience is likely to mount.”

GERMANY

In the Passion of Saint Pelagius composed in Latin by Roswitha (Hrotswith) of Gandersheim, there is the story of the son of the king of Galicia in Spain who, captured by the Moslem invaders, was approached by Abderrahman with offers of the highest honors if he would submit to his pederastic advances but violently refused – at the cost of his life. The Latin poem on Lantfrid and Cobbo relates the love of two men, one homosexual, the other bisexual. A High German version of Solomon and Mololf composed about 1190 makes an allusion to sodomy, while the Eneid of Heinrich von Veldeke has the mother of Lavinia, the daughter of King Latinus of Italy accuse Aeneas of being a notorious sodomite to dissuade her from marrying him. Moriz von Craun, a verse narrative of ca. 1200, makes the emperor Nero the archetype of the mad sodomite, who even wishes to give birth to a child. In his rhymed Flauenbuch (1257), Ulrich von Lichtenstein presents a debate between a knight and a lady, in which the latter accuses men of preferring hunting, drinking, and boy-love to the service of women. About the same time the Austrian poet Der Strieker used references to Sodom and Gomorrah in his negative condemnation.”

Prussia was the first German state that in 1794 abolished the death penalty for sodomy and replaced it with imprisonment and flogging. After 1810 many states (including Bavaria, Württemberg, and Hannover) followed the model of the Code Napoleon in France and introduced complete impunity for homosexual acts, a policy reversed in 1871 in favor of the anti-homosexual Paragraph 175 of the uniform Imperial Penal Code.”

In German poetry, however, the homosexual theme was rare before the 19th century. Friendship between men is, to be sure, a frequent subject of poetry (especially in Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock, Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim, Wilhelm Heinse, even in Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen and others), but the amicable feelings depicted in them are clearly demarcated from the longing of pederasts and sodomites, and the boundary between friendship and sexuality is seldom if ever crossed (though possibly in F.W.B. von Ramdohr, Venus Urania, 1798, Part 2, pp. 103ff.)”

The flowering of a gay movement in the first third of the 20th century was the outstanding feature that set the homosexuals in Germany apart from those in other countries.”

The campaign for the abolition of Paragraph 175 provoked an enormous literature of books, pamphlets, and articles pro and con, so extensive that by 1914 the criminologist Hans Gross could write that everything that anyone could ever have to say on the subject had by then appeared in print. There was also a profusion of gay and lesbian poetry, short stories, and novels. Such mainstream authors as Hans Henny Jahnn, Klaus Mann, Thomas Mann, Anna Elisabet Weihrauch, and Christa Winsloe also discussed the theme. This cultural efflorescence lent substance to the claim of Weimar Germany to be a land of cultural innovation, though to be sure the Republic had its dark side as well.”

If until then Germany was probably unique and unparalleled in the world in terms of governmental liberalism and of opportunities for homosexual life, then the same was true in reverse for the Nazi era from 1933 to 1945: at least 10,000 homosexual men, stigmatized with the pink triangle, were confined in German concentration camps under the Holocaust during those 12 years, and many of them were killed.”

In West Germany after about 1948 conditions returned to what they had been before 1933. Although the Nazi version of Paragraph 175 remained on the books, homosexual organizations, bars, and gay magazines were tolerated in many West German cities and in West Berlin. In East Germany, to be sure, only the milder pre-1933 version of paragraph 175 was in force, but homosexual life was subject to restrictions on the part of the state and the police, so that gay men and lesbians had scarcely any opportunity to organize and express their views freely.”

Richard Plant, The Pink Triangle, New York: Henry Holt, 1986.

GIDE, ANDRÉ

In 1891 Gide met Oscar Wilde, the flamboyant aesthete, who set about ridding him of his inhibitions – with seductive grace. Gide’s first really striking work of moral <subversion> was Les Nourritures terrestres (The Fruits of the Earth, 1897), a set of lyrical exhortations to a fictional youth, Nathanaël, who is urged to free himself of the Christian sense of sin and cultivate the life of the senses with sincerity and independence. During the political turmoil of the 1930s Gide returned to the same themes and stylistic manners in Les nouvelles nourritures (1935).”

In 1895 he married his cousin, Madeleine Rondeaux, and suffered an acute conflict between her strict Christian values and his own yearning for self-liberation, together with his awakening homosexual drives. The never-ending battle within himself between the puritan and the pagan, the Biblical and the Nietzschean, caused his intellect to oscillate between two poles that are reflected in his succeeding books. In Les Caves du Vatican (The Vatican Cellars, 1914), the hero, Lafcadio, <lives dangerously> according to the Gidean formula and commits a seemingly senseless murder as a psychologically liberating <gratuitous act>. A further series of short novels have an ironic structure dominated by the viewpoint of a single character, while his major novel, Les Fauxmonnayeurs (The Counterfeiters, 1926) has a Chinese-box like structure meant to reflect the disorder and complexity of real life.”

Limited in scope as they were, Gide’s four dialogues constituted a remarkable achievement for their time by blending personal experience, the French literary mode of detached presentation of abnormal behavior, the traditional appeal to ancient Greece, and the then quite young science of ethology – the comparative study of the behavior of species lower on the evolutionary scale.”

Gide, Retour de l’U.R.S.S. (Back from the USSR, 1936)

GILGAMESH

This Mesopotamian figure ranks as the first tragic hero in world literature. The Epic of Gilgamesh has survived in Sumerian, Akkadian, and Hittite versions that go back to the 3rd millennium before our era. Lost from sight until the decipherment of the cuneiform script retrieved the literatures of early Mesopotamia, the epic is a blend of pure adventure, morality, and tragedy. Only the final version, that of Assurbanipal’s library in Nineveh, has survived in virtually complete form, but all the episodes in the cycle existed as separate poems in Sumerian. The setting of the story is the 3rd millennium, and the original language was Sumerian, the Paleoeurasian speech of the first literate civilization of Mesopotamia, which continued like Latin to be copied as a dead language of past culture even after it was displaced by the Eastern Semitic Akkadian.”

Gilgamesh is announced at the outset as a hero: two-thirds god and one-third man, endowed by the gods with strength, with beauty, with wisdom. His sexual demands upon the people of Uruk are insatiable: <No son is left with his father, for Gilgamesh takes them all . . . His lust leaves no virgin to her lover, neither the warrior’s daughter nor the wife of the noble.> In reply to their complaints Aruru, the goddess of creation, forms Enkidu out of clay. <His body was rough, he had long hair like a woman’s. He was innocent of mankind; he knew not the cultivated land.> To tame the wild man a harlot offers her services, <she made herself naked and welcomed his eagerness, she incited the savage to love and taught him the woman’s art.> At the conclusion, the transforming power of eros has humanized him; the wild animals flee from him, sensing that as a civilized man he is no longer one of them. The metamorphosis from the subhuman and savage to his new self proves strikingly how love is the force behind civilization.”

Gilgamesh has two dreams with symbolism which presages the homoerotic relationship which the gods have planned for him and the challenger Enkidu. In the Akkadian text there are puns on the words lusru, <ball (of fire), meteorite>, andiezru, <male with curled hair>, the counterpart of the harlot, and on hassinu, <axe>, and assinu, <male prostitute>. Gilgamesh’s superior energy and wisdom set him apart from others and make him lonely; he needs a male companion who can be his intimate and his equal at the same time, while their male bond stimulates and inspires them to action. After a wrestling match between Enkidu and Gilgamesh in which the latter triumphs, the two become comrades. Their erotic drive is not lost, but rather transformed and directed to higher objects; it leads to a homoerotic relationship that entails the rejection of Ishtar, the goddess of love. A liaison of this kind is not contingent on the physical beauty of the lover, it endures until death. Gilgamesh himself abandons his earlier oppressive conduct toward Uruk and comes to behave like a virtuous ruler who pursues the noble goals of fame and immortality through great deeds. But a dream warns Gilgamesh: <The father of the gods has given you kingship (but) everlasting life is not your destiny … Do not abuse this power, deal justly with your servants in the palace.>

To obtain the secret of everlasting life he journeys far across the sea to Utnapishtim, who tells him the Babylonian version of the story of the Deluge. On his return he carries with him a flower that has the power of conferring eternal youth, but loses it to a serpent lying beside a pool and so reaches Uruk empty-handed, yet still able to engrave the tale of his journey in stone. Gilgamesh has been transformed by a love that makes him seek not the pleasures of the moment, but virtue, wisdom, and immortality, hence the motif of the epic is that male bonding is a positive ingredient of civilization itself.

George F. Held, “Parallels between The Gilgamesh Epic and Plato’s Symposium”, Journal of Near Eastern Studies, 42 (1983) (artigo)

GOETHE

BIOGRAFIAS PARTE II & III: “Settling at Weimar under the patronage of the ducal heir and elected to the Privy Council, he became leader in that intellectual center, associating with Wieland, Herder, and later Schiller. His visit to Italy recorded in Italienische Reise and probably involving pederastic adventures inspired him anew as did his intimate friendship with Schiller. Even after he married in 1806 he continued his frequent love affairs with women. His autobiographical Wilhelm Meister, a Bildungsroman or novel of character formation [probably boring…], and the second part of Faust (in 1832), exalted his reputation further, although he was already first in German literature. The non-exhaustive Weimar edition of his works extends to over 130 volumes.

Knaben hebt ich wohl auch, doch

lieber sind mir die Mädchen,

Hab ich als Mädchen sie sätt, dient

sie als Knabe mir noch.

If I have had enough of one as a girl, she still serves me as a boy.”

In the play Egmont (1788) the hero’s enemy Alba is embarrassed by his son’s intense emotional bonding with Egmont. The figure of Mignon, the waif girl in Wilhelm Meister, could be androgynous. In his Travels in Switzerland [DV] he waxed rapturous over the sight of a nude comrade bathing in the lake, and in the West Eastern Divan (1819, enlarged edition, 1827), he used the pretext of being inspired by Persian poetry to allude to the <pure> love which a handsome cupbearer evokes from his master (sec. 9).”

GREECE, ANCIENT

Paiderasteia, or the love of an adult male for an adolescent boy, was invested with a particular aura of idealism and integrated firmly into the social fabric. The erastes or lover was a free male citizen, often a member of the upper social strata, and the eromenos or beloved was a youth between 12 and 17, occasionally somewhat older. Pedophilia, in the sense of erotic interest in young children, was unknown to the Greeks and the practice never approved by them. An interesting question, however, is what was the average age of puberty for ancient Greek boys? For some men (the philobupais type), the boy remained attractive after the growth of the first beard, for most he was not – exactly as with the modern pederast.”

It formed part of the process of initiation of the adolescent into the society of adult males, of his apprenticeship in the arts of the hunter and warrior. The attachment of the lover to his boy eroticized the process of learning, making it less arduous and more pleasurable, while reinforcing the bond between the mentor and his pupil.”

a biological universal – the physical beauty and grace of the adolescent that invest him with an androgynous quality soon lost when he reaches adulthood.”

The achievements of their own history necessarily rested upon the legacy of 3,000 years of cultural evolution in the Semitic and Hamitic nations. In technology and material culture they – and their successor peoples – never went far beyond the accomplishments of the non-Indo-European civilizations of the East. It was in the realm of theory and philosophy that the Greeks innovated – and created a new model of the state and society, a new conception of truth and justice that were the foundations of Western civilization.”

Sir Francis Galton calculated in the late 19th century that in the space of 200 years the population of Athens – a mere 45,000 adult male citizens [número controverso] – had produced 14 of the 100 greatest men of all time. This legacy – the <Greek miracle> – owed no small part of its splendor to the pederastic ethos that underlay its educational system and its civic ideal.”

Marriage and fatherhood were part of the life cycle of duties for which the initiation and training prepared the eromenos. Needless to say, family life did not hinder a male from pursuing boys or frequenting the geisha-like hetairai. Down to the 4th century BC, however, the really intense and reciprocal passion that the modern world calls romantic love was reserved for relationships between males. Only in the Hellenistic period (after 323 BC) was the additional possibility of love between man and wife recognized.”

A INSÂNIA E O RANCOR DO MESTRE: “The misinterpretations have been reinforced by the strictures of the elderly Plato in the Laws, where an element of resentment toward the young and of embitterment at his own failures and disappointments as a teacher seems to have been at work. This text, however it may anticipate later judeo-Christian attitudes and practices, was never typical of Greek thought on the subject. The evidence of the classical authors shows that as late as the early 3rd century of our era the Greeks accepted pederasty non-chalantly as part of the sexual order, without condemnation or apprehension.”

The Greeks knew nothing of the Book of Leviticus, cared nothing for the injunctions it contained, and scarcely even heard of the religious community for which it was meant down to the beginning of the Hellenistic era, when Judea was incorporated into the empire of Alexander the Great. On the other hand, there is evidence that in the Zoroastrian religion pederasty was ascribed to a demonic inventor and regarded as an inexpiable sin, as a vice of the Georgians, the Caucasian neighbors of the Persians – just as the Israelites identified homosexual practices with the religion of the heathen Canaanites whose land they coveted and invaded. However, the antagonism between the Greeks and the Persians precluded any adoption of the beliefs and customs of the <evil empire> – against which they won their legendary victories. The Greek spirit – of which pederasty was a vital component – stood guard over the cradle of Western civilization against the encroachments of Persian despotism. Only on the eastern periphery of the Hellenic world – where Greeks lived as subject peoples under Persian rule – could the Zoroastrian beliefs gain a foothold.

Oral-genital sexuality seems not to have been popular, but this was probably for hygienic reasons specific to the ancient world.”

The career of Sappho suggests that lesbian relations in ancient Greece took the same pattern, that is to say, they were corophile – between adult women and adolescent girls who were receiving their own initiation into the arts of womanhood. But the paucity of evidence makes it difficult to assay the incidence of the phenomenon, especially as Greek sexual mores were entirely androcentric – everything was seen from the standpoint of the adult male and free citizen. The subordinate status of women and children was taken for granted, and the effeminate man was the object of ridicule if not contempt, as can be seen in the plays of Aristophanes and his older contemporary Cratinus.”

It is true that the more abstract thinking of the Greeks ultimately recognized the parallel between male and female homosexuality, beginning with a passage in Plato’s Laws (636bc) in which both are stigmatized as <against nature> – a concept which the Semitic mind, incidentally, lacked until it was adopted from the Greek authors translated in the Middle Ages.”

Toward the end of the 2nd millennium the Mycenean era closed with a series of disasters, both natural catastrophes and wars – of which the Trojan war sung by Homer was an episode. During this period the Dorians invaded Greece, blending with the older stocks. One landmark paper on Greek pederasty, Erich Bethe’s article of 1907, ascribed pederasty to the military culture of the Dorian conquerors, an innovation ostensibly reflected in the greater prominence of the institution among the Dorian city-states of history.”

The sexual lives of the Greeks were free of ritualistic taboos, but enacted in a context of comrade simplified in the devotion of Achilles and Patroclus, which foreshadowed the pederastic ideal of the Golden Age. The lyric poetry composed in the dawn of Greek literature was rich in allusions to male love, between gods and between mortals.”

In a mere 4 centuries Greek civilization had matured into a force that intellectually and militarily dominated the world – and laid the foundations not just for Western culture, but for the entire global meta-system of today. What followed was the Hellenistic era, in which Greek thought confronted the traditions of the peoples of the east with whom the colonists in the new cities founded in Egypt and Syria mingled. The emergence of huge bureaucratic monarchies effectively crushed the independence of the city-states, eroding the base of the pederastic institution with its emphasis on civic initiative. The outcome of this period, once Rome had begun its eastward expansion, was Roman civilization as a derivative culture that blended Greek and indigenous elements. Even under Roman rule the position of the Greek language was maintained, and the literary heritage of previous centuries was codified in the form in which, by and large, it has been transmitted to modern scholars and admirers.”

For nearly 200 years scholars have argued the Homeric question: Did one, two, or many authors create the two great epic poems known as the Illiad and the Odyssey? What were the sources and techniques of composition of the author (or authors)? The current consensus favors a single author utilizing a traditional stock of legends and myths – the final redaction may have taken place as late as 640 BC. A second question arises in connection with these epic poems: Did they recognize homoerotic passion as a theme, or was this an accretion of later times?” “Homer may not have judged the details of their intimacy suitable for epic recitation, but he was not oblivious to a form of affection common to all the warrior societies of the Eastern Mediterranean in antiquity. The peculiar resonance of the Achilles-Patroclus bond probably is rooted in far older Near Eastern epic traditions, such as the liaison between Gilgamesh and Enkidu in the Mesopotamian texts.

PLATÃO CHATEADÍSSIMO: “The famous Athenian lawgiver Solon was also a poet, and in two surviving fragments (13 and 14) he speaks of pederasty as absolutely normal.”

Despite the mutilated and fragmentary state in which Sappho’s poetry has been transmitted, she was hailed in antiquity as the <tenth Muse>, and her poetry remains one of the high points of lyric intensity in world literature. In the 19th century philologists tried to reconcile her with the Judeo-Christian tradition by dismissing the lesbian interpretation of her poems as libelous, and misinterpreting or misusing bits of biographical data to make her nothing but the strait-laced mistress of a girls’ finishing school.”

Anacreon of Teos [Ceos?], who flourished in the mid-6th century, owes his fame to his drinking songs, texts composed for performance at the symposia, which inspired an entire genre of poetry: anacreontic.”

Herodotus, the <Father of History>, used the data that he gathered on his

extensive travels to point up the relativism of moral norms. Among the phenomena that he reported was the Scythian institution of the Enarees, a shift in gender that puzzled the Greeks, who called it the nousos theleia or <feminine disease>, but can now be identified as akin to the shaman and the berdache/bardache of the sub-Arctic and New World cultures. Profiting from the insights of the pre-Socratic thinkers, Herodotus anticipated the findings of modern anthropology in regard to the role of culture in shaping social norms. The consequence of his relativistic standpoint was to discredit absolutist concepts of <revealed> or <natural> morality and to allow for a pluralist approach to sexual ethics.”

Thanks to a surviving oration of Aeschines, the Contra Timarchum of 346 BC, we know of the restrictions that Athenian law placed on the homosexual activity of male citizens: the male who put his body in the power of another by prostituting himself incurred atimia or infamy, the gymnasia anathose who had authority over youth were subject to legal control, and a slave could not be the lover of a free youth. There is no evidence for parallel statutes elsewhere, and certainly no indication that homosexual behavior per se was ever the object of legal prohibition, or more stringently regulated than heterosexual, which had its own juridical norms.”

In the writings of Plato and Xenophon, Socrates basks in a strongly homophile ambiance, as his auditors are exclusively male, even if he was no stranger to heterosexuality and had a wife named Xanthippe who has come down in history as the type of the shrewish wife. His chief disciple, Plato (ca. 429-347 BC), whose thought cannot easily be disentangled from that of his teacher, never married, and left a record of ambivalence toward sexuality and homosexuality in particular that is one of the problematic sides of his thinking. His influence on Western civilization has been incalculable. One of the ironies of history is that the atypical hostility to pederasty in the elderly Plato, probably reflecting both personal resentment and envy and the decline of the institution in the 4th century (while anticipating later <puritan> attitudes), was often received with enthusiasm in later centuries, becoming a Hellenic source of Christian homophobia.“he inculcated the notion of sexual activity as ignoble and demeaning, which was integrated with the absolute <purity> of biblical Judaic ascetic ideal of complete asexuality which was to have fateful consequences for homosexuals in later centuries. A completely negative approach to pederasty emerges in one of his last works, the Laws, the product of the pessimism of old age disappointed by Athenian democracy and the failure of his ambitions at statecraft in Sicily. In the 1st book Plato calls homosexual acts <against nature> (para physin) because they do not lead to procreation, and in the 8th book (836b-839a) he proposes that homosexual activity can be repressed by law and by constant and unrelenting defamation, likening this procedure to the incest taboo. The designation of homosexual acts as <contrary to nature> found its way into the New Testament in a text that intertwined Judaic myth with Hellenic reasoning, Romans 1:18-32. This passage argues that <the wrath of God is revealed from heaven> in the form of the rain of water that drowned the Watchers and their human paramours and the rain of fire that obliterated the homosexual denizens of Sodom and Gomorrah. Later Christian thinkers were to insist that the morality of sexual acts was coterminous with procreation, and that any non-procreative gratification was <contrary to nature>, but this view never held sway in pagan antiquity, so that Plato himself cannot be charged with the tragic aftermath of this belief and the attempt to impose it upon the entire population by penal sanctions and by ostracism. The attempt of modern Christian historians to prove that Plato’s idiosyncratic later attitude corresponded to the mores of Athenian society, or of Greece as a whole, is unfounded.

Plato was succeeded by the almost equally influential Aristotle (384-322 BC), who sought to correct some of the imbalances in his teacher’s work and bring it more in line with experience.” “In the Nicomachean Ethics (1148b) he undertook to differentiate two types of homosexual inclination, one innate or constitutionally determined (<by nature>) and one acquired from having been sexually abused (<by habit>). He stated categorically that no fault attached to behavior that flowed from the nature of the subject (thereby contradicting Plato’s assertion that homosexuality per se was unnatural), while in the second type some moral fault could be imputed. In the 13th century Thomas Aquinas utilized this passage in arguing that sodomy was unnatural in general, but connatural in some human beings; yet in quoting Aristotle he suppressed the mention of homosexual urges as determined <by nature>, so that Christian theology has never been able to accept the claims of gay activists that their behavior had innate causes. At all events, Aristotle can be cited in favor of the belief that in some forms, at least, homosexuality is inborn and unmodifiable.

The successors of Plato and Aristotle, the Stoics, are sometimes regarded as condemnatory of pederasty, but a closer examination of their texts shows that they approved of boy-love and engaged in it, but counseled their followers to practice it in moderation and with ethical concern for the interests of the younger partner [= Epicureans].”

the pseudo-Aristotelian Problemata (IV, 26) claims that the propensity to take the passive role in anal intercourse is caused by an accumulation of semen in the rectum that stimulates activity to relieve the tension.”

pangenesis – the belief that the semen incorporated major parts of the body in microscopic form; yet the belief that the male seed alone determines the formation of the embryo (only in the 19th century was the actual process of fertilization of the ovum observed and analyzed).”

The Hippocratic treatise On Airs, Waters, and Places touched upon the effeminacy of the Scythians, the so-called nasos theleia, which it ascribed to climate – a view that was to recur in later centuries. The Greek adaptation of late Babylonian astrology created the individual horoscope – which included the factors determining sexual characterology. Such authors as Teucer of Babylon and Claudius Ptolemy of Alexandria named the planets whose conjunctions foretold that an individual would prefer his or her own sex or would be effeminate or viraginous. Because Greek religion and law did not condemn homosexual behavior, it fell into the category of an idiosyncrasy of temperament which the heavenly bodies had ordained, not of a pathological condition that entitled the bearer to reprieve from the severity of the law. Ptolemy taught, for example, that if the influence of Venus is joined to that of Mercury, the individuals affected <become restrained in their relations with women but more passionate for boys> (Tetrabiblos, III, 13). The astrological texts make it abundantly clear that the ancients were familiar with the whole range of sexual preferences – a knowledge that psychiatry was to recoup only in modern times.”

GREECE, MODERN

The modern Greeks derived their sexual mores, like their music, cuisine, and dress, from their overlords the Turks rather than from ancient Greece. During the long Ottoman domination from the fall of Byzantium in 1453 to 1821 and in Macedonia and Crete until 1911, and in Anatolia and Cyprus even today, the descendants of the Byzantines who did not convert to Islam preserved their language and religion. Orthodox bishops were given wide political authority over their flocks whom they helped the Turks fleece. The black (monastic) clergy were forbidden to marry, and they were often inclined to homosexuality. Greeks, like Armenians, often rose in the hierarchy at the Sublime Porte, sometimes as eunuchs. Also they served as Janissaries in the Ottoman regiments which were taught to revere the Sultan as their father, the regiment as their family, and the barracks as their home. Forbidden to marry, they engaged in sodomy, particularly pederasty, and in such Ottoman vices as opium and bribery. Along with the Armenians, Greeks became the chief merchants of the Empire, especially dominating the relatively backward Balkan provinces where they congregated in the cities and towns as Jews did in the Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth.”

Winckelmann e Byron morreram durante a guerra de independência da Grécia.

GREEK ANTHOLOGY

The Greek Anthology is another name for the Palatine Anthology preserved in a unique manuscript belonging to the Palatine Library in Heidelberg. It was assembled in the 10th century by the Byzantine scholar Constantine Cephalas on the basis of 3 older collections: (1) the Garland of Meleager, edited at the beginning of the 1st century BC; (2) the Garland of Philippus, which probably dates from the reign of Augustus; and (3) the Cycle of Agathias, collected in the reign of Justinian (527-535) and including only contemporary works. But in addition Cephalas incorporated in his anthology the Musa Puerilis or <Boy-love Muse> of Strato of Sardis, who probably flourished under Hadrian (second quarter of the 2nd century). It is probable that the segregation of the poems on boy-love from the rest of the anthology (with the mistaken inclusion of some heterosexual pieces) reflects the Byzantine attitude, quite different from that of the pagan Meleager who indifferently set the two themes side by side. These poems, assembled in the 12th book of the Anthology (with others scattered elsewhere in the collection), are monuments of the passion of an adult male for an adolescent boy (never another adult, as some modern scholars have suggested; XII, 4 is the most explicit testimony on this matter) that was an integral part of Greek civilization. The verses frankly reveal the mores and values of Greek pederasty, exalting the beauty and charm of the beloved youth, sounding the intensity of the lover’s attachment, and no less skillfully describing the physical practices to which these liaisons led, so that it is not surprising that the complete set of these poems was not published until 1764.

HANDBALLING

This sexual practice involves the insertion of one partner’s hand – and sometimes much of the arm – into the rectum of the other. Before attempting such insertion the nails are pared and the hand lubricated. Sometimes alcohol and drags are used by the receptive partner as relaxants. This practice acquired a certain popularity – and notoriety under the name of fistfucking – in a sector of the gay male leather/S&M community in the 1970s. A few lesbians have also reported engaging in it. A medical term, apparently uncommon, has been proposed for handballing: brachiproctic eroticism.

It need scarcely be stressed that handballing is dangerous in all its variations, as puncturing of the rectal lining may lead to infection and even death. Although handballing does not directly expose the passive partner to AIDS or to sexually transmitted diseases, by scratching or scarring the rectal wall it may create tiny portals for the invasion of microbes during a subsequent penetration. With the new emphasis on safe sex in the 1980s, handballing has greatly declined, and it will probably be relegated to history as one of the temporary excesses of the sexual revolution.”

It may be conjectured that the recent resort to the practice is due to medical knowledge of operations in which the anus is dilated, since the ordinary individual scarcely credits that such enlargement is possible or desirable. In a late Iranian version of the binding and riding of the god of darkness Ahriman by the hero Taxmoruw, the demonic figure breaks loose by means of a trick and swallows the hero; by pretending to be interested in anal intercourse the brother of Taxmoruw manages to insert his arm into Ahriman’s anus and retrieve the body from his belly. The brother’s arm – the one that entered the demon’s anus – becomes silvery white and stinking, and the brother has to exile himself voluntarily so that others will not become polluted. The myth is interesting as linking the forbidden sexual activity with stigmatization and outlawry of the perpetrator. There seems to have been no term for handballing in the Greek language, though siphniazein (from the island of Siphnos) has been defined as to <insert a finger in the anus>. This harmless practice has long been known, and it may have served as a kind of modest precedent.”

HELIOGABALUS / ELAGABALUS

O imperador teria vivido apenas 18 anos – como regente, 4!

he reigned in a style of luxury and effeminacy unprecedented even in the history of Rome. He sent out agents to comb the city for particularly well-hung partners for his couch, whom he made his advisers and ministers. His life was an endless search for pleasure of every kind, and he had his body depilated so that he could arouse the lusts of the greatest number. His extant portraits on coins suggest a sensual, even African type evolving through late adolescence. The refinements which he innovated in the spheres of culinary pleasure and of sumptuous interior decoration and household furnishing are mentioned by the historians of his reign as having survived him and found emulators among the Roman aristocracy of later times. For what Veblen called <conspicuous consumption> he set a standard probably unequaled until the Islamic middle ages.

His sexual personality cannot be reduced to a mere formula of passive-effeminate homosexuality, although this aspect of his erotic pleasure-seeking is the one stressed by his ancient biographers. He loved the role of Venus at the theatre and the passive role in his encounters with other men, yet he was married several times and even violated a Vestal virgin, but remained childless.”

As high priest of the Syrian deity Elagabal he sought to elevate the cult of the latter to the sole religion of the Empire, yet he did not persecute the Christians. Family intrigues ultimately cost him the favor of the soldiers who murdered him and his mother on March 11, 222. Unique as he was in the history of eroticism and of luxury, he has inspired writers from the 3rd century biographer Aelius Lampridius in the Scriptores Historiae Augustas through the later treatments of Jean Lombard, Louis Couperus, and Stefan George to Antonin Artaud and Alberto Arbasino.

HOLOCAUST, GAY

The genocide of Jews and Gypsies in Nazi-occupied Europe has overshadowed the persecution and murder of male homosexuals, which is only now beginning to be recognized and analyzed from the few surviving documents and memoirs. Regrettably, in the immediate post-war period most of those who wrote about the concentration and extermination camps, and even courts which dealt with the staffs and inmates of the camps, treated those sent there for violating the laws against homosexual offenses as common criminals deserving the punishment meted out to them by the Third Reich. The final insult to the victims of Nazi intolerance was the decision of the Bundesverfassungsgericht (Federal Constitutional Court) in Karlsruhe on May 10, 1957, which not only upheld the constitutionality of the more punitive 1935 version of Paragraph 175 of the Penal Code because it <contained nothing specifically National-Socialist> and homosexual acts <unquestionably offended the moral feelings of the German people>, but even recommended doubling the maximum penalty – from 5 to 10 years. If any other victims of National-Socialism had been rebuffed in this manner by a West German court, there would have been outraged demonstrations around the globe; but this one went unprotested and ignored – above all by the psychiatrists who until recently never missed an opportunity to assert that <homosexuality is a serious disease> – for which ostracism and punishment were the best if not the only therapy. Until the late 1980s homosexuals, along with Gypsies, were denied compensation by the West German authorities for their suffering and losses under the Nazis.

Günther (1891-1968), professor of rural sociology and racial science first at Berlin and then at Freiburg im Breisgau, the chief authority on such matters in the Third Reich, held that the genetically inferior elements of the population should be given complete freedom to gratify their sexual urges in any manner that did not lead to reproduction because they would painlessly eliminate themselves from the breeding pool.”

National-Socialism in Germany, like Marxism-Leninism in Russia, was a conspiracy of the 17th and the 19th centuries against the 18th-century Enlightenment” OK

Among all modern states for which figures can be compiled, Nazi Germany offers the horrible example of suicides increasing rather than decreasing in wartime.”

HOMER

Although dramatically dated to Mycenean times, the late 2nd millennium BC, the epics sometimes refer to things that cannot predate 650 or even 570, because interpolations existed in one form or another when 7th century poets cited the epics.”

It is difficult to detect all interpolations and changes, especially additions of Attic terms as high culture became increasingly centered in Athens, where the Peisistratids in the mid-6th century had the epics recited annually at a festival, and many believe the first texts written well over a century after the latest possible date for Homer’s death. A definitive text resulted only from the efforts of 2nd century editors in Alexandria. These texts became almost sacred to the Greeks, whose education was based on them even until the fall of Constantinople to the Turks in 1453.

Homer failed to depict institutionalized pederasty, to which almost all subsequent writers referred, many making it central. Though poets and artists around 600 BC make the earliest unmistakable references to institutionalized pederasty, Homer mentioned Ganymede twice, <the loveliest born of the race of mortals, and therefore the gods caught him away to themselves, to be Zeus’ wine-pourer, for the sake of his beauty, so he might be among the immortals> (Iliad, 20, 233-35) and Zeus’ giving Tros, Ganymede’s father, <the finest of all horses beneath the sun and the daybreak> (Iliad, 5, 265ff.) as compensation for his son. Sir Moses Finley concluded that <the text of the poems offers no directly affirmative evidence at any point; even the two references to the elevation of Ganymede to Olympus speak only of his becoming cup-bearer to Zeus.> Sir Kenneth Dover denied that these passages implied pederasty: <It should not be impossible for us … to imagine that the gods on Olympus, like the souls of men in the Muslim paradise … simply rejoiced in the beauty of their servants as one ingredient of felicity.> However, the Abrahamic religions’ taboo on homosexuality did not exist in Hellenic and Etruscan antiquity. Societies that had the formula <eat, drink, and be merry> held that banquets should fittingly issue in sexual revelry. Anachronisms such as those of Finley and Dover should therefore be dismissed, even though Homer’s allusions to Ganymede may be pederastic interpolations like those ordered by the Peisistratids – successors of Solon, who introduced institutionalized pederasty into Athens – to antedate the cultural prominence of Athens.

HUMBOLDT

MAGNUM OPUS: Voyage aux regions equinoxiales du nouveau continent (30 vols.!)

Mas não só: Cosmos: Outline of a Physical Description of the World (5 vols.!) (1862)

O FIM DE UMA ERA: “It was the last attempt by a single individual to collect within the pages of a work of his own the totality of human knowledge of the universe; after his time the increasing specialization of the sciences and the sheer accumulation of data made such a venture impossible.” Embora Le Bon seja um respeitável polímata, outrossim.

Through the accounts of his findings – models for all subsequent undertakings – he made significant contributions to oceanography, meteorology, climatology, and geography, and furthered virtually all the natural sciences of his time; but above all else he was responsible for major advances in the geographical and geological sciences.”

HYDRAULIC METAPHOR

The idea that sexual energy accumulates in the body until sufficient pressure is generated to require an outlet has over the centuries had considerable appeal. The notion acquires plausibility through observation of the wet dream, which eventually occurs in males if the semen is not evacuated through intercourse or masturbation.”

The first statement of the doctrine is probably owing to the Roman philosopher-poet Lucretius who says that the semen gradually builds up in the body until it is discharged in any available body (On the Nature of Things, IV, 1.065).”

As a device for relieving erotic tension, a homosexual outlet stands on the same plane as a heterosexual one. A curious attestation of the hydraulic concept comes from colonial America. In his reflections on an outbreak of <sodomy and buggery> in the Bay Colony, William Bradford (1590-1637) noted: <It may be in this case as it is with water when their streams are stopped or dammed up; when they get passage they flow with more violence and make more noise and disturbance, than when they are suffered to run quietly in their own channels.>

Some Victorians defended prostitution as a necessary evil. Without this safety valve, they held, the pent-up desires of men would be inflicted on decent women, whose security depends, ironically, on their <fallen> sisters. The Nazi leader Heinrich Himmler even extended this belief by analogy to hustlers and male homosexuals.”

Despite its appeal, the metaphor is not unproblematic. The hydraulic idea rests upon materialist reductionism, identifying the accumulation of semen with the strengthening of sexual desire. Yet the two do not necessarily act in concert, as anyone knows who has visited some sexual resort such as a sauna and felt sexual desire far more frequently than the body is able to replenish its supply of semen.”

INCARCERATION MOTIF

This term refers not to literal incarceration or confinement but to an aspect of gender dysphoria – the idea that a human body can contain, locked within itself, a soul of the other gender. In their adhesion to this self-concept, many pre and post-operative transsexuals unknowingly echo a theme that has an age old, though recondite history.”

Foreign as this idea is to the rationalistic Jew of the 20th century, and to the Biblical and Talmudic periods of Judaism as well, it is first mentioned by Saadiah Gaon (882-942), the spiritual leader of Babylonian Jewry, who rejected it as an alien doctrine that had found its way into Judaism from the Islamic cultural milieu.”

The transmigration of a man’s soul into the body of a woman was considered by some Kabbalists a punishment for the commission of heinous sins, such as man’s refusing to give alms or to communicate his own wisdom to others.”

In the Hollywood film Dog Day Afternoon (1975), which was based upon a real incident in Brooklyn a few years earlier, the character Leon asserts that <My psychiatrist told me I have a female soul trapped in a male body> (…) So a doctrine of medieval Jewish mysticism has entered the folklore of the gay subculture, and thence passed into the mainstream of American popular culture as a metaphor for a profound state of alienation.”

JUNG

The two thinkers increasingly diverged, particularly after Jung published his own ideas in a book entitled The Psychology of the Unconscious (1912), later renamed Symbols of Transformation. At the first meeting of the International Psychoanalytic Association in Munich in 1913, the rift between Jung and Freud turned to open hostility, and the two never met again. In April 1914 Jung resigned as President of the Association. Between 1913 and 1917 Jung went through a period of deep and intensive self-analysis; he now asserted that he had never been a Freudian, and set about creating his own school, which he dubbed analytical psychology in contrast to psychoanalysis.” Diferentão…

his Collected Works amount to eighteen volumes.” “He treated not only psychology and psychotherapy, but also religion, mythology, social issues, art and literature, and such occult and mystical themes as alchemy, astrology, telepathy and clairvoyance, yoga, and spiritualism.”

KEYNES

A polymath [raça resiliente!], Keynes cultivated many interests, from book collecting to probability theory. His real importance, however, stems from the epistemic break he achieved with the classical theory of economics, changing the landscape of that discipline for all time. Keynes was no ivory-tower theorist, and the 30-year boom in Western industrial countries (1945-75) has been called the Age of Keynes.”

In the Apostles he met his lifelong friends Lytton Strachey and Leonard Woolf. Believing himself ugly, Keynes tended to be shy in the presence of the undergraduates he admired. In 1908, however, he began a serious affair with the painter Duncan Grant, whom he later said to be the only person in whom he found a truly satisfying combination of beauty and intelligence.”

In 1908, however, he obtained a lecturer-ship in economics at King’s College, and the courses he gave there were the foundation of his later writings in the field. As editor of the Economic Journal he actively promoted new trends in the discipline outside of Cambridge. Yet he did not turn immediately to the core of the subject, as he spent a number of years writing a challenging Treatise on Probability, which was published in 1921.”

ESCASSEZ DE RECURSOS (GAYS) & SEMENTES DO NAZISMO: “Keynes elected to enter the Treasury where, despite the chronic disapproval of the Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, he worked wonders in managing the wartime economy. During this period the homosexual members of Bloomsbury (Keynes included) found their supply of eligible young men cut off, and began to engage in flirtations and even liaisons with women. After the end of the war Keynes spent a frustrating period as an adviser at the Paris peace conference [for British to see!], trying to limit voracious Allied demands for reparations from defeated Germany. Returning to London, he set down his pungent reflections on the event in what became his most widely read book, The Economic Consequences of the Peace (1919), which eroded the resolve of the Allies to enforce the Treaty of Versailles, at least in its financial provisions.

In 1925 Keynes, now famous, married the noted ballerina Lydia Lopokova. He became an adviser to government and business, consolidating his practical knowledge of economic affairs. These experiences contributed to his great book, General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money (1936).”

[PET-ROYAL]TIES: “Economic difficulties after 1975 subjected Keynesian views, which had become orthodoxy, to contemporary reassessment.”

Surprisingly, in the decades after the conviction of Oscar Wilde, his numerous affairs with young men never caused the slightest legal or even social trouble. This charmed life can be explained only by his combination of extreme personal brilliance, family and professional connections, and remarkable self-confidence.”

KLEIST HEINRICH VON (1777-1811)

German playwright and short story writer, whose The Broken Pitcher is esteemed as possibly the greatest of (and among the few) German comedies. Overshadowed by his contemporary, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Kleist’s significance came to light only after his suicide at age 34, a secretive joint pact made with a terminally ill female friend.

Kleist’s slim literary production (8 plays and 8 short stories) vividly and violently captures the historical break between Enlightenment rationalism and Romantic mysticism, often framed as either a psychological conflict (Das Käthchen von Heilbronn, Penthesilea) or a political one (Prinz Friedrich von Homburg, Die Hermannsschlacht). A profound sense of the irrational and absurd permeates Kleist’s works. In stories such as Michael Kohlhaas or Earthquake in Chile, individuals stand powerless before arbitrary circumstances. Kleist’s remarkable heroines, who bear uncanny resemblance to Kleist psychologically, act from the unconscious, for example when The Marquise of O. places a newspaper ad in hopes of discovering the gentleman responsible for her pregnant condition, or when Penthesilea’s confusion between love and war leads her, while intending to kiss her lover Achilles, instead to tear him from limb to limb with her bare hands and teeth.”

LAUTRÉAMONT, o Conde que faltava ao Marquês

Ducasse [nome de batismo] certainly shows more strongly the influence of Baudelaire and Sade than does any other writer. Like Sade, he is rarely studied in universities.”

LAWRENCE, DAVID HERBERT (1885-1930)

Born in a mining area of Nottinghamshire, Lawrence derived much of the problematic of his work from the tension between his coal-miner father, representing for him the physical and the elemental, and his mother, a former school-teacher, who stood for the world of higher culture, politeness, and civilization. Having attended a 2-year teacher training course in Nottingham (his only higher education), Lawrence wrote two early novels, The White Peacock (1911) and The Ties-passer (1912), while teaching at Croydon. In 1912 he eloped with the German-born Frieda von Richthofen Weekley, and the two led a bohemian life of wandering on the continent until the outbreak of World War I. During this period he wrote and published his first masterpiece, Sons and Lovers (1913), an intensely autobiographical novel [more so?].

Women in Love (1921) [currently reading!] has, despite the title, an extraordinary emphasis on the male love affair (though it is non-genitally expressed [forçação de barra, i.m.o.]) between the wealthy Gerald Crich and the school-teacher Rupert Birkin. These aspects were further explored in the Prologue to the book [!], which Lawrence withheld from publication.”

LORCA

In the famous Residencia de Estudiantes, he met and collaborated with such future celebrities as Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí, with the latter of whom he had an amorous relationship of several years’ duration.”

An extensive literature exists concerning the mechanics of and motives for his death, which immediately became an international incident and a symbol of fascist stupidity and anti-intellectualism. Lorca’s leftist sympathies, friends, and relatives would be sufficient to explain his execution, but much evidence suggests that his sexual orientation, activities, and writings were at least as important.”

A CANALHA (ESPERO QUE NÃO CUIDEM DO MEU ESPÓLIO!): “The House of Bernarda Alba, suppressed by his family, in 1945.”

MCCARTHYISM (BOECHATISMO NO BRASIL CONTEMPORÂNEO)

The political tactics of the United States Senator from Wisconsin Joseph R. McCarthy (1908-1957)(*) have since the 50s been labeled McCarthyism. They consisted in poorly founded but sensationally publicized charges against individuals in government service or public life whom McCarthy accused on the Senate floor of being Communists, security risks, or otherwise disloyal or untrustworthy. Senator McCarthy’s campaign did not spare <sex perverts in government>, and so it made homosexuality an issue in American political life for the first time since the founding of the republic.Homossexualidade restrita ao Triângulo das Bermudas.

(*) Oxalá nosso expoente morresse tão jovem! (P.S.: Escrito antes de sua inesperada – hoho, que clichê – morte!)

It is also noteworthy that the danger of blackmail which Magnus Hirschfeld and his Berlin Scientific-Humanitarian Committee had used as an argument for the repeal of Paragraph 175 was now turned against homosexuals to deny them employment in the name of <national security>. This factor and others worked so strongly in McCarthy’s favor that despite bitter opposition he was reelected in 1952 in the Eisenhower landslide that brought the Republican Party back to the White House after 20 years of Democratic rule.

Once the Republicans had become the majority party for a brief time, McCarthy’s tactics became a source of embarrassment to them [huhu, quantas semelhanças…], and in 1954 a campaign was launched against him in the Senate which included the (true) accusation that a young University of Wisconsin graduate employed in his office in 1947 to handle veterans’ affairs had been arrested as a homosexual and then promptly fired, and the (probably false) accusation that McCarthy himself was a homosexual, which Senator Ralph Flanders of Vermont included in his denunciation. However, it was alleged that McCarthy’s marriage in 1953 at the age of 45 was motivated by his need to squelch the rumors of his own sexual deviation; the marriage remained childless, though the couple did adopt a little girl. What is significant in retrospect is that Roy Cohn, a young attorney who was one of McCarthy’s chief aidés [sponsored by him] during his heyday, was a lifelong homosexual who died of AIDS in 1986 [meme Cazuza de direita]. Censured by the Senate in 1954, McCarthy thereafter faded in political importance, and when he died in 1957 no great wave of emotion went through the ranks of either his friends or his enemies.”

The policy of denying employment to homosexuals on moral grounds and as security risks, however, remained long after McCarthy himself.”

In France, after André Gide published his negative reflections on his trip to the Soviet Union in 1936-37, he was attacked by his former Communist associates as a pédé (faggot).”

The sexual aspect of McCarthyism has an ancestry going as far back as Aeschines, Cicero, and the Byzantine Emperor Justinian (r. 527-565), whose laws against sodomites forged the <crime of those to whom no crime could be imputed>, a weapon for political intimidation and blackmail that even the enlightened 20th century has not deprived of its cutting edge.”

PEDOPHILIA

the term <p(a)edophilia> was first used in English only as recently as 1906, by Havelock Ellis. It had previously appeared as a specific form of sexual pathology in a German article of 1896 by Richard von Krafft-Ebing. Because the term <pedophilia> originated in a medical context and today connotes disease, efforts have been made to replace it. Pederasty is sometimes used as a synonym, or as a term restricted to post-pubescent adolescents, but in the present writers’ view, it should properly be restricted to the Greek custom it originally designated, which, though a form of pedophilia as we understand it, is not congruent with it.” “The earlier average age for puberty within the last century also means that classical texts (and even more recent ones) which speak of relations with mid-teenage boys were not necessarily referring to sexually mature individuals. (The term ephebophile has been used to describe erotic attraction to boys in their late teens, who are considered adults in many if not all cultures.)” “woman/girl (korophile)” “<Child molestation> or <abuse>, terms current in the media, and in psychological and legal discourse, are neither descriptive of the phenomenon, nor value-free, as academic discourse requires.

That variant of pedophilia occurring between men and boys – male homosexual pedophilia – will be the chief focus of this article. This choice is dictated by several considerations, including the context of the article, the dearth [escassez] of research on korophile relationships, and the fact that until very recently man/boy relationships were accepted as a part, and indeed were a major part, of male homosexuality.”

pedophilia might be considered a remnant, more evident in some persons than others, of the instinct to nurture and protect the young of the species, which in human development has come to serve an educational (including sex-educational) or initiatory purpose in some societies. The attempt to root pedophilia in man’s biological inheritance is controversial, but a cross-cultural survey of man/boy pedophilia at least suggests that it is a universal phenomenon, which, when accepted by a society, generally carries a socially constructed meaning related to the acculturation process for boys.”

Several of these societies (as the Melanesians) believe that without receiving the man’s semen through fellatio the boy cannot physically mature.”

TRANSIÇÃO GRÉCIA-ROMA: “As the function of same-sex relationships increasingly became hedonistic, the age limits broke down: we find increasing references to homosexuality between men (particularly in the satiric poets, who make it clear that this was still scorned) and, to a lesser extent, to the sexual use of very young children.”

That Ganymede was more than an artistic convention is shown by the number of artists who were charged with sodomy with boys, especially their studio assistants. Histories of the Renaissance record similar charges involving popes, poets, and nobles.”

Incarcerated pedophiles continue to be subject to coercive procedures to alter their sexual interest or reduce its level. Although surgical castration is no longer employed, chemical dosages and aversion therapy may be used without the subject’s consent.”

Much of the <research> that exists on pedophilia today reflects a predetermination that adult-child sexual contacts are evil or pathological, and merely documents the point of view with which the authors began. There has been no lack of evidence by which such negative pre-suppositions could be supported, because in the same way that studies of homosexuality until quite recently were limited by the source of their research subjects, resulting in a portrayal of homosexuals as criminal, troubled, and unhappy, most studies of pedophilia examine only cases which have come before either courts or psychiatrists, precisely those where the subjects are most under stress or disturbed. In many countries, research into pedophile relationships under other circumstances is legally

impossible: if a researcher should find a healthy, quietly functioning relationship he or she would be required to report it for prosecution under <child protection> laws. These factors, plus the sensationalism surrounding the topic, assure that much of what is written on the subject is, and will continue to be, worthless.”

Pedophile organizations have linked their arguments to support of the rights of children. While emphasizing that these rights most certainly include the power to say ‘no’ to any unwanted sexual contact as well as the opportunity to say ‘yes’ to contacts children desire, some groups go further than others in espousing a broad range of children’s liberation issues. Related to the question of legal rights for children is the issue of the child’s consent in pedophile relationships. Those speaking for the protection of children frequently assert that children are incapable of consenting to such sexual relationships, sometimes justifying this assertion by the child’s lack of experience or knowledge of long-range consequences of an act. It has been answered that children can and do consent, or at least are quite capable of rejecting experiences they find distasteful, and that the proper response is to empower children to be able to say ‘no’ effectively. This impasse raises the issue of what consent means – freedom to refuse, simple assent, or an <informed> consent that is probably not realized in most human relationships? Closely related to this is the issue of power, and the assertion that the power imbalance between the adult and the younger partner in a pedophile relationship is so great that it inevitably leads to coercion and exploitation. Various responses have been made: either that the power imbalance is not so clear-cut as the critics state, particularly citing the power of the child to terminate the relationship; or that while power imbalances are inherent in all human relationships, they do not necessarily lead to exploitation, but can be used for benevolent ends, and the real issue is not the power imbalance but the use of power.

Child pornography is the sharpest point of attack on pedophilia and pedophiles. Included in this attack are the imputation that children are always abused in the production of such images, and the fear that such images will stimulate the abuse of children. It has been shown that this issue has been exploited for political purposes, and the statistics on the amount of such material exaggerated beyond proportion. Despite rhetoric, it has not been demonstrated that any more connection exists between pedophilia and child pornography than between any other sexuality and its pornography: either to show that pedophiles are more likely to create or use pornography than other persons, or that child pornography encourages sexual contacts with children. Indeed, the Kutschinsky study of the Danish experience with pornography, which has never been refuted, demonstrated that sexual assaults on children declined with the availability of pornography. Pedophiles who have responded to this issue have noted that there is no reason that depictions of children nude or even engaged in sexual actions should be any more or less objectionable than such depictions of adults, and argue that the true issue, as with all pornography, is whether coercion actually is employed in making it. The issues of child prostitution and the sexual exploitation of children in Third World countries have also been used to attack pedophiles and, by implication, pedophilia. Once it is acknowledged that pedophiles are by no means the only persons who engage in <sex tourism> or patronize prostitutes, the debate again seems to resolve itself into issues of power and consent. A defense has been offered that the right of self-determination in sexual behavior for the individual choosing prostitution should apply here. Poverty, however, may diminish the individual freedom of choice in these situations.”

???, Men and Boys [“America’s first anthology of homosexual poetry”];

Bleibtreu-Ehrenberg, Tabu Homosexualität: Die Geschichte eines Vorurteils (The taboo of homosexuality: The history of a prejudice), 1978;

______., Mannbarkeitsriten: Zur institutionellen Päderastie bei Papuas und Melanesiern (Rites of passage into manhood: On institutional paederasty in Papuas and Melanesians), 1980;

______., Der Weibmann: Kultischer Geschlechtswechsel im Schamanismus, eine Studie zur Transvestition und Transsexualität bei Naturvölkern (Androgynous: Cultic sex change in shamanism, a study on transvestism and transsexualism in primitives), 1984;

______., Paidika 1/3 (The Journal of Paedophilia): Der pädophile Impuls: Wie lernt ein junger Mensch Sexualität? (The paedophile impulse: Toward the Development of an Aetiology of Child-Adult Sexual Contacts from an Ethological and Ethnological Viewpoint), 1988;

Cook & Howells, Adult Sexual Interest in Children, 1981;

Fraser, Death of Narcissus, 1976;

Mackay, Books of the Nameless Love, 1913 (sécs. XIX-XX; o pai do “associacionismo pedofílico”);

Theo Sandfort, The sexual aspect of paedosexual relations: The experiences of 25 boys with men, 2000.

SCHOPENHAUER

Through a large inheritance from his father the celebrated misanthrope enjoyed financial independence so that he could devote his life completely to philosophy. Even today Schopenhauer’s ethic of compassion possesses great philosophical significance.”

Schopenhauer’s teleologically oriented conception of nature therefore had to assume in male homosexual behavior – the only form he discussed – a <stratagem of nature> (in the words of Oskar Eichler). Referring to Aristotle he hypothesized that young men (supposedly boys just past puberty) and likewise men who are too old (the magic boundary is here the age of 54) are not capable of begetting healthy and strong offspring, because their semen is too inferior. As nature is interested in perfecting every species, in men older than 54 <a pédérastie tendency gradually and imperceptibly makes its appearance>. When he formulated this argument Schopenhauer himself was 71 years old, so that he could have harbored a homosexual tendency for some years.”

Schopenhauer was himself the father of at least two illegitimate children and had many unhappy affairs with women. He passionately admired Lord Byron and like him came to the conclusion that women could be considered beautiful only by <the male intellect clouded by the sexual instinct>. In intellectual and aesthetic respects Schopenhauer had homosexual preferences. In a letter to his admirer Julius Frauenstadt he stressed that <even women’s faces are nothing alongside those of handsome boys>. Bryan Magee hypothesizes that the philosopher systematically suppressed his gay tendencies, a view shared by Oskar Eichler and others. Thirty years after the publication of the third edition of The World as Will and Representation Oswald Oskar Hartmann adopted Schopenhauer’s teleological explanation of homosexuality, suggesting that the first champions of homosexual rights voluntarily followed Schopenhauer’s arguments.”

SEPARATISM, LESBIAN

In its strongest form, lesbian separatism means social, cultural, and physical separation from all who are not lesbians. As society is now constituted this option is possible only for a very few. Many lesbians who regard themselves as separatists seek to live and work in circumstances that are as far as possible <women’s space>, without insisting on the absolute exclusion of men.”

Aristophanes’ play Lysistrata (411 BC) shows Athenian women seceding from their city in a <sex strike>, but only temporarily – until the men agree to make peace. Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860-1935), a pioneering American socialist and feminist, wrote a novel, Herland (1915; reprinted 1979), depicting a Utopia in Africa populated only by women.”

Outsiders tend to label lesbian separatists as <women who hate men>. In their defense, separatists often say that what they are opposed to are the domineering, aggressive aspects of male behavior, rather than men themselves. They wish to make a clear statement that will set them apart from the ambivalent stance of heterosexual women, even those who profess feminism. Separatists believe that such straight women enter too readily into complicity with the power structure of patriarchy; by continuing to meet the sexual and emotional needs of men, these women give aid and comfort to the enemy.

Some women choose to form communes on <women’s land>, setting themselves apart from all males, including male children and animals. In so doing they hold that they are creating liberated zones in which their natures can grow unhampered by the dictates of patriarchy.”

Some women have entered lesbian separatism for a number of years as part of a process of personal growth, only to emerge later with a more complex position. This seems to have been the experience of a principal theorist of the movement, Charlotte Bunch, who remains a radical lesbian feminist.”

SHAKESPEARE

Of tenant farmer stock and the son of a glover, Shakespeare was born in the provincial town of Stratford-upon-Avon in England; however, the very few facts known about his life are derived from various legal documents. In 1582, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had 3 children within the next 3 years; the following 5 years are unaccounted for, but by 1594 he was involved in the theatre world in London as both an actor and a playwright. He enjoyed an increasingly successful theatrical career until his retirement in 1612 and his return to Stratford.”

Shakespeare’s prolonged separation from his wife and the stipulation in his will that she inherit his <second best bed> has sparked much debate about his sexuality.”

Historically, theatrical companies of Shakespeare’s time did not employ women; instead, their roles were played by boys, apprentices to the companies. In adherence to the laws and sympathies of the times, the plays were, therefore, unable to display any overtly sexual behavior, but one of Shakespeare’s most frequent plot devices was to have his heroines disguise themselves as boys, particularly in the comedies. Thus, what in reality was a boy pretending to be a woman pretending to be a boy leads to some psychologically acute and complex scenes with homoerotic suggestions, such as the encounters between Rosalind (as Ganymede, a name rich in suggestiveness) and Orlando in As You Like It and Viola (as Caesario) and Orsino in Twelfth Night.

For more substantive evidence, one must turn instead to Shakespeare’s sequence of 154 poems in the form of sonnets, published surreptitiously in 1609 and immediately protested by their author. Probably intended as a personal exercise for private circulation, the sonnets may be the works that reveal something of the man himself; in them, Shakespeare names the persona Will, an obviously personal and intimate diminution of William, and, as in most of the Renaissance sonnet sequences, their subject is erotic love. Dedicated to Mr. W.H., who has been variously identified as the Earl of Southampton, a boy actor named Willy Hewes, Shakespeare himself (in a misprint of his initials), someone unknown to history, or someone invented, the first 126 are clearly homoerotic, while most of the others concern a woman conventionally called <the Dark Lady>. Historically, those scholars who begrudgingly admit to their subject matter try to discount their message. Most claim that the attraction the persona feels for the fair young man is either platonic or unconsummated; others assert that the poems are only examples of the Renaissance male friendship tradition. Still others insist on the fallacy of equating the persona with the poet and confusing literature with autobiography.”

Joseph Pequigney, Such Is My Love: A Study of Shakespeare’s Sonnets, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1985.

SOCRATES

In early life he was interested in the scientific philosophy of his time and is said to have associated with Archelaus the physicist, but in the period best known to posterity he had abandoned these interests and was concerned solely with the right conduct of life, a quest which he conducted by the so-called <Socratic> method of cross-examining the individuals whom he encountered. While serving in the army he gained a great reputation for bravery, and as one of the presidents of the Athenian Assembly at the trial of the generals after the battle of Arginusae, he courageously refused to put an illegal motion to the vote despite the fury of the multitude.”

There has been considerable dispute over the precise meaning of the indictment, but the first part seems not to have been serious, while the second amounted to a charge that he had a <subversive> influence on the minds of the young, which was based on his known friendship with some of those who had been most prominent in their attacks on democracy in Athens. He made no attempt to placate the jury and was found guilty and sentenced to die by drinking a cup of hemlock.”

He probably rejected the conventional Greek religious beliefs of his time, yet professed or created no heterodox religious doctrines. From time to time he had paranormal experiences, signs, or warnings which he interpreted as guideposts to his own conduct.

His sexual life, apart from the unhappy marriage, reflected the Greek custom of paiderasteia to the fullest. He was both the teacher of the young men who frequented his circle and the lover of at least some of them. As a boy of 17 he had been the favorite of Archelaus, because he was in the bloom of youthful sensuality, which later gave place to serious intellectual concerns.”

he was never given to a coarse and purely sensual pederasty; if the beauty of the young Alcibiades made an intense and lasting impression on him, he never forgot his duty as a teacher to guide his youthful pupils toward perfection.” “As a bisexual Hellene, Socrates was always responsive to the beauty of the male adolescent and craved the companionship of young men; as a philosopher he practiced and taught the virtues of moderation and self-control. He endures as one of the outstanding examples in antiquity of a teacher for whom eros was an inspiration and a guide.

Because Socrates is a major figure in Western tradition, his sexual nature posed a continual problem. From Ficino to Johann Matthias Gesner (1691-1761) scholars sought to address the question discreetly. The Marquis de Sade was bolder, using socratiser as a verb meaning to sodomize. Even today, however, many classicists choose to evade the problem.”

SODOM AND GOMORRAH

These legendary cities have been traditionally located in the vicinity of the Dead Sea, where they constituted two members of a pentapolis, the Cities of the Plain. According to the Old Testament account in Genesis 14, 18, and 19, God overthrew 4 of the 5 cities in a rain of brimstone and fire. The names of Sodom and Gomorrah, especially the former, have become proverbial. Echoes of the episode recur in the Bible and in the Koran, as well as in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic exegetical and homiletic writings. From the first city, Jewish Hellenistic Greek formed the derivative sodomites, from which medieval Latin obtained the noun of agent sodomita – as a result, the connection with male homosexuality is for many axiomatic. However the matter is more complex.”

The ancient world’s rudimentary science of geology correctly related this barrenness to the circumstance that the water level of the Dead Sea had in prehistoric times been far higher; the sinking of the water level had exposed the previously inundated, now strikingly arid and sterile region to the gaze of the traveler.”

to the Bedouin living east and south of the Dead Sea it suggested the etiological inference that at one time the area surrounding this salinized body of water had been a fruitful garden belt. Yet the inhabitants of the cities of the plain had even in the midst of their abundance and prosperity denied hospitality to the poverty-stricken and the wayfarer, while the luxury in which they wallowed led them inevitably into effeminacy and vice (the parallel in the Hellenistic world was the city of Sybaris, whose proverbial self-indulgence gave the English language the word sybaritic). For this reason they were punished by the destruction of their cities and the conversion of the whole area into a lifeless desert.”

In Genesis 14:12 Lot is taken captive when Sodom is conquered by the 4 kings who have allied themselves against the Cities of the Plain; Abraham saves him by military intervention in the manner of a tribal sheikh with his retinue of 318 warriors. In 19:4-9 the Sodomites threaten Lot’s guests with gang rape, but are miraculously blinded and repelled, and in 19:13, 15 the angelic visitors warn Lot of the imminent destruction of the city so that he and his family can leave just in time to escape the rain of brimstone and fire. This underlying motif explains why Lot later <feared to dwell in Zoar> (19:30), even though God has spared the place as a reward for his model hospitality toward the 2 visitors. Over the centuries Sodom and Gomorrah, along with the Babylon of the Book of Revelation, came to symbolize the corruption and depravity of the big city as contrasted with the virtue and innocence of the countryside, a notion cherished by those who idealized rural life and is still present, though fading in 20th century America.”

These volcanic eruptions, which have left traces still to be seen at the present day, inspired the <rain of brimstone and fire> (burning sulfur) of Genesis 19:24, which supplemented the notion that the 4 cities had been <overthrown> (destroyed by an earthquake) that figures in Genesis 19:25.” Sempre o nº 4!

+ Judges 19; Romans 1:18

the currency in antiquity of world destruction legends, in which the earth is annihilated either by water (kataklysmos) or by fire (ekvyrosis). The story of Noah and the deluge is the rendering of the first in the book of Genesis, while the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is a localization of the second, in which the catastrophe is limited to 4 cities in the vicinity of the Dead Sea (Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim) even though the epilogue involving Lot and his daughters clearly derives from a universal conflagration myth.”

If the human race were annihilated with the exception of a single family, the earth could be repeopled only by means of sexual unions ordinarily condemned as incestuous.”

World destruction fantasies [are] associated in modern clinical experience with the early stages of schizophrenia.”

Astrological literature supplied the ancients with an entire list of calamities that betokened divine wrath, as in Luke 21:11, all of which were later ascribed to retribution for <sodomy>. Fear of homosexual aggression plays a role in these paranoid fantasies, of the sort analyzed by Freud in the classic Schreber case.”

The notion of sodomy is an innovation of Latin Christianity toward the end of the 12th century; it is not found in Jewish or Byzantine writings.” “In the late Middle Ages the tendency of the allegorizing mind to parallelism led to the notion that Gomorrah, the twin city of Sodom, had been a hotbed of lesbianism, even though there was nothing in either Testament that would suggest such a construction.”

TURING, ALAN (1912-1954)

He seems to have been a brilliant, awkward boy whose latent genius went unnoticed by all his teachers; he also had no friends until his very last years at Sherborne. Then he fell in love with a fellow science enthusiast, Christopher Morcom: the Platonic friendship was returned, and Alan Turing was for the first time in his life a happy young man. He had dreams of joining Christopher at Trinity, to pursue science together – unfortunately, Christopher Morcom suddenly died (from a much earlier infection with bovine tuberculosis).”

Turing spent two years in America, at Princeton University, and, on his return to Britain, was drafted into British cryptanalysis for the war effort. Turing was already unusual among mathematicians for his interest in machinery; it was not an interest in applied mathematics so much as something which did not really have a name yet – applied logic. His contribution to the design of code-breaking machines during the war led him deeper and deeper into the field of what would now be called computer programming, except that neither concept existed at the time. He and a colleague named Welshman designed the Bombe machines which were to prove decisive in breaking the main German Enigma ciphers. For his contribution to the Allied victory in World War II Turing was named an Officer of the British Empire (O.B.E.) in 1946. (…) He was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1951.”

The earliest inventor of such a device was the eccentric 19th century Charles Babbage, who could not obtain the necessary hardware to implement his ideas.”

He was brought to trial and sentenced to a year’s probation under the care of a psychiatrist, who proceeded to administer doses of female hormone to his patient, this being the current <wonder-therapy> which replaced castration as an attempt to kill the sexual instinct. For the entire year, Turing underwent the humiliation of femininization (<I’m growing breasts!>, he confided to a friend), but emerged seemingly intact from the public ordeal. He committed suicide in 1954, by eating an apple he had laced with cyanide.”

WHITMAN, WALT

A VIDA TEM DESSAS: “Often acclaimed as America’s greatest poet, Whitman, of working-class background, was self-taught, but as a printer, school teacher, journalist, and editor he contributed fiction and verse in the worst modes of the day to the best literary journals. There is no evidence of his genius until he suddenly began to write scraps of what was to become Leaves of Grass in his notebooks.”

It has in fact been argued that Leaves is an inverted mystical experience. This work, which encompassed his complete poetic opus, was first published in 1855 with 12 poems (Song of Myself being rather lengthy); the second edition (1857) had 32, the third (1860) 156, and so on through various printings and editions until 1881. Beginning in 1860, Whitman not only added poems (including the homoerotic Calamus collection), but dropped them, changed them, and rearranged the order. He has often been criticized for making changes, but he clearly did not do so for purposes of concealment.”

In his more programmatic poems, Whitman was always careful to say he and she, him and her. Women are permitted to have sexual lives, and he sympathizes with a prostitute, but they are generally thought of and idealized as perfect mothers for the new race of Americans.”

It was his explicitness about male-female sex that shocked his early readers. Only a few homosexuals in England and some readers in Germany caught what is now obvious to any reader who can admit what he sees on the page. The 2nd and 3rd sections of Song of Myself are homosexual in their imagery, as is the subsequent discussion of the body and soul, which climaxes in the intercourse between body and soul in the 5th section. One might also cite the tremendous sweep of eroticism from section 24 to the climax of fulfillment in male intercourse in section 29.”

He was not merely the poet of an idealized Jacksonian democracy nor of a new political structure, but of a culture bound together by love and religious faith in which each person could fulfill his or her own sexual nature.”

Whitman, who was disappointed at his contemporary reception, would have been gratified by his reputation in the 20th century, which is too widespread to more than mention. He is the democratic poet and a progenitor of the development of poetry beyond traditional metrical practice in the United States and foreign countries. A remarkable number of modern poets have paid him tribute in prose or verse, among the most notable being Ezra Pound, Pablo Neruda, Federico García Lorca, Fernando Pessoa, and Allen Ginsberg.”

WOOLF, VIRGINIA

Virginia Woolf was educated largely through reading books in the family library. Unlike her brothers, she did not go to university, and this perceived slight was later to sustain her feminist critique of discrimination against women. In 1912 she married Leonard Woolf, a brilliant Cambridge graduate who had served as a judge in Ceylon, and her sister Vanessa married the art critic Clive Bell. The two couples were major figures in the Bloomsbury group, which also included such male homosexual writers as E.M. Forster, John Maynard Keynes, and Lytton Strachey. Through much of her life Virginia suffered from severe spells of mental depression, and it was partly to provide work therapy that she and Leonard founded the Hogarth Press in 1917.”

Virginia Woolf remained a virgin until her marriage, and found the idea of sex with a man repellent. At the time of their engagement she warned Leonard of this aversion, and their sexual relations seem to have been rare. Before marriage Virginia Stephen was closely attached to her sister Vanessa – loving her almost to the point of <thought-incest> –, and was deeply involved platonically with Madge Vaughan, a daughter of John Addington Symonds, and Violet Dickinson, to whom she wrote an enormous number of letters. Throughout her life, Woolf was to draw emotional sustenance from her intense relations with other women.

Her first novel, The Voyage Out (1915), concerns the trip of a young Englishwoman to South America, followed by her engagement and death there. While this novel was conventional in form, Jacob’s Room (1922) joined the mainstream of innovative modernism through its poetic impressionism and indirection of narrative development. After this work, which marks her real beginning as a literary artist, Woolf secured her place in modernism by a series of carefully wrought books. Mrs. Dalloway (1925) blends interior monologue with the sights and sounds of a single day in central London. To the Lighthouse (1927) explores the tensions of the male-female dyad in the form of a holiday trip of Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey. Its fantastic form notwithstanding, Orlando (1928) is of great personal significance, tracing the biography of the hero-heroine through 4 centuries of male and female existence. This book is a tribute to, and portrait of, her lover Vita Sackville-West, whom she had met in 1922. Woolf’s most ambitious novel is probably The Waves (1931) which presents the contrasting personalities of 6 characters through a series of <recitatives> in which their inner consciousness is revealed.

Shortly after completing her last book, Between the Acts (1941), she suffered a final bout of mental illness and drowned herself in a river near her country home. The posthumous publication of Virginia Woolf’s Letters and Diaries have revealed some unattractive aspects of her personality: she was xenophobic and snobbish, sometimes given to expressions of personal malice, as well as anti-Semitic and homophobic sides. Yet she participated wholeheartedly in the Bloomsbury ethic of individual fulfillment and social enlightenment. Her use of stream-of-consciousness techniques, and other sophisticated literary devices, places her very near the front rank – if not within it – of modernist writers in English.

With the general decline of the Bloomsbury ethos in the middle decades of the century, Woolf’s reputation seemed to fade. In the 1970s, however, feminist critics hailed her as a major champion of then-cause. There is no doubt that A Room of One’s Own (1929), and its sequel, Three Guineas (1938), are powerful pleas for women’s creative independence. Yet her own feminism was fluid and variable, and thus not easily accommodated to present-minded uses. Throughout her life she struggled valiantly against mental illness, succeeding in building up an imposing corpus of writings while expressing her own emotional feelings in her deep relationships with women.”

WORKING CLASS, EROTICIZATION OF

One of the reasons why Walt Whitman had such an impact on English homosexuals of this period was that his praise of democracy was (mis)understood in large part as a veiled plea for such prince-and-pauper liaisons.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of Henry V – First Folio – Teacher Curriculum Guide

Directed by David Muse, folio text by Abby Jackson

 

“Before working on it, I had always thought that this play was a rah-rah, pro-Henry, pro-England, pro-war play. I also thought that it was a story about a former wastrel who had reformed himself completely and then marched his way through a play, being a terrific leader and saying all the right things. But as I got to know the play better, I realized that it portrays a Henry and a war that are much more complicated and interesting than they first seem. The play is full of incredibly provocative moments for a leader: Henry has to deal with committing his country to go to war, and then he has to deal with the betrayal of one of his best friends. He has to execute a beloved old companion in the middle of a war in order to send the right message to the rest of his troops. Then he has to deal with the carnage of war and what it means to be on a battlefield full of dead men. And so I began to find the kernel of a really interesting psychological story, especially if the distance between how this man acts publicly and how he feels privately is vast; if this is a man who in public is inspiring, direct, sure of himself and sure of what his country needs to be doing, and then in private is uncertain about the wisdom of the war, exhausted, lonely, anxious and torn apart by the things he must do. But so much of the Henry we see in the play is the politician, the public figure. What we get of the private man comes mostly in a big speech in the fourth act. We’ve been watching this king deal with crisis after crisis and move on in what seems to be a pretty untroubled fashion, and then all of a sudden we see him explode with self doubt. It’s an eruption of internality, of self examination—it’s almost as if Hamlet or Brutus walks onstage in the middle of Henry V and delivers a monologue. It’s amazing, but for me it was a little frustrating that it happens so late in the play. So in this production we’re going to try to find ways to spend moments alone with Henry, to <go into his head> at critical moments, and then return to the play to watch the acts he needs to perform in order to behave like the good king that he knows he needs to be. The speech by the soldier called Williams that prompts Henry’s self reflection is morally one of the most challenging moments for the king and for the audience to negotiate. Its theme is, <How much responsibility for the death of men in war should lie on the leaders who sent them there?>That speech really cuts Henry to the quick, and it sends him into a forceful description of how <uneasy lies the head that wears a crown>. It is in a way a summation of a major theme that’s going on in all of Shakespeare’s history plays, which is, <How does one manage to be a human being and a king at the same time?>. That speech, for me, encapsulates how painful it must be to maintain your humanity while doing the things that are expected of you as the leader of your country.” Muse

 

HISTORICAL EXPLOITATION OF ARTS’ LONELY SUPREMACY

 

“1599: Henry V was originally performed at the Globe Theatre in London, just after it was built. Elizabethan theater-goers easily related to the patriotic themes of the play, as explorers like Sir Francis Drake were establishing an English presence in Europe and the New World, pushing the country to the forefront of global political power.

1744: This production took place during King George’s War, in which England and France once again drew their swords against each other.

1944: Laurence Olivier’s famous film version of Henry V emphasized the positive power of a national hero, debuting at the close of World War II when the English were desperate for encouragement.

1964: The Royal Shakespeare Company focused on the darker aspects of Henry V in this Vietnam War-era production, which included a group of soldiers more weary of war than elated with patriotism.”

 

O CORO

 

“Although we tend to focus on Shakespearean comedies and tragedies, Shakespeare also wrote a handful of plays that bring significant events in English history to life. This type of play, originally called a <chronicle play> and now referred to as a <history play>, was essentially invented by Shakespeare and quickly became popular in Elizabethan England. While Shakespeare based these plays on real historical events and people, he made them theatrically interesting by condensing and simplifying events, taking liberties with chronology and altering characters’ actions and ages to tell a compelling story. (…)

Plagiarism (claiming someone else’s work as one’s own) was not illegal in Elizabethan England and Shakespeare freely used the works of other authors and historians for inspiration and to supplement his own writing. For Henry V, Shakespeare borrowed from several works, including Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1577) and an anonymous play called The Famous Victories of Henry the Fifth (1580s). Shakespeare used these kinds of works as background research for all of his history plays in order to shape real historical events into tantalizing, stage-worthy stories about power, prestige and politics.

As one of the key history plays, Henry V is the last in a four-work series of plays (also called a tetralogy) known as the Henriad, which includes Richard II, both parts of Henry IV, and culminates in Henry V. Many of the same characters reappear in each of the four plays, creating something like a modern day mini-series that would have had audiences coming back for more. The historical through-line of all four plays is the Hundred Years War (1337-1453) between England and France. In Henry V, we see one of the great climaxes of this war as King Henry V breaks the peace by reclaiming his inheritance of the French throne, momentarily defeats the French at the Battle of Agincourt, and takes Katharine, the daughter of French King Charles VI, as his wife.”

“Shakespeare used his imagination to creatively bring to life the inner motivations and private conversations of historical figures that history books will simply never be able to capture.”

“The choral interludes throughout Henry V are famous for eloquently bridging the action on stage with the reaction of the audience. Although a chorus can serve many purposes, Shakespeare uses the chorus in Henry V mainly to prepare, engage and teach the audience.”

“At the beginning of the play, the chorus apologizes for substituting actors for kings and the theater’s <wooden O> (a reference to the shape of the newly built Globe Theatre) for famous kingdoms.”

“The chorus begins the play with an apology but ends with a reminder that princes are merely actors and each kingdom really is a stage”

REIS E BOBOS

 

Nym, Bardolph, Pistol and Mistress Quickly are the key players in Henry’s motley crew, providing colorful comic relief in the midst of King Henry’s heroic but difficult journey. These characters, along with the infamous knight aristocrat Sir John Falstaff, all appear in at least one of the other plays within the series”

“Henry V was once part of this gang himself as a young, wild prince in Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2, which is why the Dauphin’s <gift> of tennis balls is insulting—it implies that Henry is still the same reckless youth he once was. In responding to the Dauphin’s joke with the threat of cannon balls, however, Henry proves that he has grown up and takes his role as king seriously.”

Proposta de exercício para o aluno de Cênicas: “Henry and History: Research the real life of King Henry V and the life of one political leader from the 20th century. Write a 3-4 page paper comparing and contrasting these two leaders. Be creative and explore both personal and public information, including life events, world events, personality, political endeavors and achievements, and legacy.”

APROFUNDAMENTO

 

Shakespeare Dictionaries

  • Schmidt, Alexander. Shakespeare Lexicon and Quotation Dictionary. Dover, 1971.
  • Onion, C.T. A Shakespeare Glossary. Oxford University Press, 1986.

Fallon, Robert Thomas. A Theatregoer’s Guide to Shakespeare. Ivan M. Dee, 2001.

Hattaway, Michael (Ed.). The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare’s History Plays. Cambridge, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LORD[S] OF CHAOS: The bloody rise of the satanic metal underground (1998), revised & enlarged (2003) [Ou: uma biografia obviamente não-autorizada do delinqüente eternamente juvenil Varg. V. de VVinter e VVar / & outras estórias não-relacionadas] – Moynihan & Søderlind

Our world, increasingly homogenized and with the entire spectrum of its cultural creations adulterated for palatable mass-consumption, needs dangerous ideas more than ever. It may not need the often ill-formed and destructive ideas expressed by some of the protagonists in Lords of Chaos, but we felt all along that this is an issue for the individual reader to decide.”

The notion of a Protocols of the Elders of Zion-style Jewish cabal running the world is absurd to begin with, but all the more so in a country with practically no Jewish population, and we felt the need to point this out.”

The Satyricon single Fuel for Hatred received heavy air-play on one of Norway’s 3 biggest radio stations, and just before this revised edition went to press we heard that Dimmu Borgir’s new album will be hawked to the public through TV advertising spots.”

William Pierce – The Turner Diaries

Heavy Metal exists on the periphery of Pop music, isolated in its exaggerated imagery and venting of masculine lusts. Often ignored, scorned, or castigated by critics and parents, Heavy Metal has been forced to create its own underworld. It plays by its own rules, follows its own aesthetic prerogatives. Born from the nihilism of the 1970s, the music has followed a singular course. Now in the latter half of the 1990s it is often considered passé and irrelevant, a costume parade of the worst traits in Rock. Metal is no longer a staple of FM radio, nor are record labels pushing it like they used to. Watching MTV and reading popular music magazines, one might not even realize Heavy Metal still existed at all.”

Arthur Lyons – The Second Coming: Satanism in America

In the first half of the twentieth century, Jazz was considered particularly dangerous, with its imagined potential to unleash animal passions, especially among unsuspecting white folk. (…) In his book on the Rolling Stones, Dance With the Devil, Stanley Booth quotes the New Orleans Times-Picayune in 1918: <On certain natures sound loud and meaningless has an exciting, almost an intoxicating effect, like crude colors and strong perfumes, the sight of flesh or the sadic pleasure in blood.>”

More directly tied to deviltry than Jazz, and likewise imbued with the potency of its racial origins, was Blues. Black slaves often adopted Christianity after their enforced arrival in America, but melded it with native or Voudoun strains. Blues songs abound with references to devils, demons, and spirits. One of the most influential Blues singers of all time, Robert Johnson, is said to have sold his soul to the Devil at a crossroads in the Mississippi Delta, and the surviving recordings of his haunting songs give credence to the legend that Satan rewarded his pact with the ability to play. Johnson recorded only 29 tunes, some of the more famous being Crossroads Blues, Me and the Devil Blues, and Hellhound on My Trail. The leaden resignation of his music is a genuine reflection of his existence. Life for Johnson began on the plantations, wound through years of carousing and playing juke joints, ending abruptly in 1938 when at the age of 27 he was poisoned in a bar, probably as a result of an affair with the club owner’s wife.”

A DÉCADA QUE COMEÇOU 26 DIAS MAIS CEDO: “The Stones took their diabolical inspiration seriously, deliberately cultivating a Satanic image, from wearing Devil masks in promotional photos to conjuring up sinister album titles such as Their Satanic Majesties Request and Let it Bleed. The band’s lyrics ambivalently explored drug addiction, rape, murder, and predation. The infamous culmination of these flirtations revealed itself at the Altamont Speedway outdoor festival on December 6, 1969. Inadvertently captured on film in the live documentary Gimme Shelter, it was only moments into the song Sympathy for the Devil before all hell broke loose between the legion of Hell’s Angels <security guards> and members of the audience, ending with the fatal stabbing of Meredith Hunter, a gun-wielding black man in the crowd. The infernal, violent chaos of the event at Altamont made it abundantly clear the peace and love of the ‘60s wouldn’t survive the transition to a new decade.” 7, o mais belo número.

Page’s interest in Crowley developed to a far more serious level than the Satanic dabbling of the Stones; his collection of original Crowley books and manuscripts is among the best in the world. Page held a financial share in the Equinox occult bookshop (named after the hefty journal of <magick> Crowley edited and published between 1909–14) in London and at one point even purchased Crowley’s former Scottish Loch Ness estate, Boleskine. The property continued to perpetuate its sinister reputation under new ownership, as caretakers were confined to mental asylums, or worse, committed suicide during their tenures there.” “If there is any early Rock band bearing exemplifying the basic themes that would later preoccupy many of the Black Metal bands in the ‘90s, it is Led Zeppelin.”

I read a lot of Dennis Wheatley’s books, stuff about astral planes. I’d been having loads of these experiences since I was a child and finally I was reading stuff that was explaining them. It lead me into reading about the whole thing —black magic, white magic, every sort of magic. I found out Satanism was around before any Christian or Jewish religion. It’s an incredibly interesting subject. I sort of got more into the black side of it and was putting upside-down crosses on my wall and pictures of Satan all over. I painted my apartment black. I was getting really involved in it and all these horrible things started happening to me. You come to a point where you cross over and totally follow it and totally forget about Jesus and God.” GZR, Seconds Magazine, #39, 1996, pg. 64.

Groups further from the spotlight than Black Sabbath—such as Black Widow and Coven—could afford to be even more obsessive in their imagery. The English sextet Black Widow released three diaphanous Hard Rock albums between 1970–72, and later appear as a footnote in books that cover the history of occultism in pop culture. The chanting refrain of their song Come to the Sabbat evokes images of their concerts which featured a mock ritual sacrifice as part of the show. Beyond sketchy tales of such events, and the few recordings and photos they’ve left behind, Black Widow remains shrouded in mystery.

Coven are just as obscure, but deserve greater attention for their overtly diabolic album Witchcraft: Destroys Minds and Reaps Souls. Presented in a stunning gatefold sleeve with the possessed visages of the three band members on the front, the cover hints at a true Black Mass, showing a photo with a nude girl as the living altar. The packaging undoubtedly caused consternation for the promotional department of Mercury Records, the major label who released it, and the album quickly faded into obscurity. Today it fetches large sums from collectors, clearly due more to its bizarre impression than for any other reason. The songs themselves are standard end-of-the-‘60s Rock, not far removed from Jefferson Airplane; the infusion of unabashed Satanism throughout the album’s lyrics and artwork makes up for its lack of strong musical impact. In addition to the normal tracks, the album closes with a thirteen minute Satanic Mass.”

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first Black Mass to be recorded, either in written words or in audio. It is as authentic as hundreds of hours of research in every known source can make it. We do not recommend its use by anyone who has not thoroughly studied Black Magic and is aware of the risks and dangers involved.” Coven, Witchcraft, Mercury Records, SR 61239.

Coven included the attractive female lead singer Jinx as well as a man by the name of Oz Osbourne, who bore no relation to the British vocalist Ozzy. In an additional coincidental twist, the first track on the Coven album is titled Black Sabbath.”

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law”

Stories persisted for a time of a planned Satanic Woodstock in the early ‘70s where Coven was to play as a prelude to an address by Anton LaVey, High Priest of the Church of Satan.”

King Diamond, the singer and driving force behind Mercyful Fate, one of the most important openly Satanic Metal bands of the ‘80s, acknowledges he received dramatic influences from a Black Sabbath concert he attended as a kid in his native Denmark in 1971. He also tells of finding inspiration from Coven’s lead vocalist Jinx: An amazing singer, her voice, her range… not that I stand up for the viewpoints on their Witchcraft record, which was like good old Christian Satanism. But they had something about them that I liked…

Anton Szandor LaVey made headlines when he founded the first official Church of Satan on the dark evening of Walpurgisnacht, April 30, 1966. The fundamentals of the Church were based not on shallow blasphemy, but opposition to herd mentality and dedication to a Nietzschean ethic of the antiegalitarian development of man as a veritable god on earth, freed from the chains of Christian morality.”

We played to skinheads and punks and hairies—everybody. Where some guy with long hair couldn’t come into a Punk gig, all of the sudden it was really cool to go to a Venom gig for anybody. That’s why the audience grew really quick and became very strong; they were always religiously behind Venom and they’ve always stayed the same.” Abaddon

I never thought we’d be able to enter a studio again after that because we were really dirty sounding. But it turned out that 85-90% of all the fan mail that came to the record company from that record (the compilation was titled Scandinavian Metal Attack) was about our songs. So the guy from the record company called me up and said, <Hey, you really need to put your band together again and write some songs, because you have a full-length album to record this summer>. (…) Everybody seems to think that I’m a megalomaniac with a big head or something, but it wasn’t really my fault —I should have been born in some place like San Francisco or London where I would have had a real easy time putting this band together.” Quorthon

Much of the explanation for this sound was simply the circumstances of recording an entire album in two-and-a-half days on only a few hundred dollars. The end result was more extreme than anything else being done in 1984 (save maybe for some of the more violent English Industrial <power electronics> bands like Whitehouse, Ramleh, and Sutcliffe Jugend) and made a huge impact on the underground Metal scene.”

Aplicável ao “projeto ATS”: “I’m not one inch deeper into it than I was at that time, but your mind was younger and more innocent and you tend to put more reality toward horror stories than there is really. Of course there was a huge interest and fascination, just because you are at the same time trying to rebel against the adult world, you want to show everybody that I’d rather turn to Satan than to Christ, by wearing all these crosses upside down and so forth. Initially the lyrics were not trying to put some message across or anything, they were just like horror stories and very innocent.”

Like any style hyped incessantly by the music industry, Thrash Metal’s days were ultimately numbered. The genre became too big for its own good and major labels scrambled to sign Thrash bands, who promptly cleaned up their sound or lost their original focus in self-indulgent demonstrations of technical ability.”

The whole Norwegian scene is based on Euronymous and his testimony from this shop. He convinced them what was right and what was wrong.”

Norway’s official religion is Protestantism, organized through a Norwegian Church under the State. This has deep historical roots and a membership encompassing approximately 88% of Norway’s population. However, only about 2-3% of the population are involved enough to attend regular church services. A saying goes that most Norwegians will visit church on three occasions in their lives—and on two of them, they will be carried in.”

An example of the conservative Christian influence in Norway was the banning of Monty Python’s classic comedy The Life of Brian as blasphemous. The amicable rivalry and fun-making between Norwegians and Swedes led to the movie being advertised in Sweden as <a film so funny it’s banned in Norway>.” “While America has figures like Edgar Allan Poe as a part of the literary heritage, and slasher movies are screened on National TV, Norway’s otherwise highly prolific movie industry has produced but one horror film in its 70-year history. Horror films from abroad are routinely heavily censored, if not banned outright. This taboo against violence and horror permeates every part of Norwegian media. In one case, Norwegian National Broadcasting stopped a transmission of the popular children’s TV series Colargol the Singing Bear on the grounds that the particular episode featured a gun.”

When denied something, one tends to gorge on it when access is finally gained. Black Metal adherents tend to be those in their late teens to early twenties who have recently gained a relative degree of freedom and independence from their parents and other moral authorities.” Aqui, ao contrário, o pré-adolescente se rebela e o adultinho adere ao sertanejo e forró, arrependido e tosado, quando não rebola no axé.

One strange aspect of the Black Metal mentality of the earlier days was the insistence on suffering. Unlike other belief systems, where damnation is usually reserved for one’s enemies, the Black Metalers thought that they, too, deserved eternal torment. They were also eager to begin this suffering long before meeting their master in hell.”

I think Norway, being a very wealthy country with a high standard of living, makes young kids very blasé. It’s not enough to just play pinball anymore. They need something strong, and Black Metal provides really strong impulses if you get into it.” Desse ponto de vista, era pro Aloísio virar o metaleirinho do mal e eu ser o normal dos 2, concentrado em objetivos “realistas”. Conquanto… o jovem frustrado acaba caindo de barriga no fascismo quando vislumbra o “poder-na-máquina” e sente que pode tocá-lo e participar dele… Bolsonaro é seu goregrind e nada lhe faltará!

A MAN’S DEAD BODY MUST ALWAYS HAVE BEEN A SOURCE OF INTEREST TO THOSE WHOSE COMPANION HE WAS WHILE HE LIVED…”

GEORGES BATAILLE, DEATH AND SENSUALITY

Do the names eerily reflect the karma of the personalities they denote? Or are the people destined to fulfill the fate foretold in titles they (ir)reverently adopt?”

Mayhem began in 1984, inspired by the likes of Black Metal pioneers Venom, and later Bathory and Hellhammer. Judging from an early issue of Metalion’s Slayer magazine, Aarseth initially adopted Destructor for his stage name as guitarist. The other members of the earliest incarnation of the band were bassist Necro Butcher, Manheim on drums, and lead vocalist Messiah. Not long after this Aarseth took on Euronymous as his own personal mantle—presumably it sounded less comical and more exotic than his previous pseudonym. His new name was a Greek title mentioned in occult reference books as corresponding to a <prince of death>.”

Mayhem played their first show in 1985. Their debut demo tape, Pure Fucking Armageddon, appeared a year later in a limited edition of 100 numbered copies. By 1987 someone called Maniac replaced the previous singer, whom Aarseth henceforth referred to as a <former session vocalist>, despite his appearance on the demo as well as the first proper release, that year’s Deathcrush mini-LP.” “Dead, the distinctive singer for the Stockholm cult act Morbid, joined Mayhem and moved to Oslo. A new drummer was found in Jan Axel <Hellhammer> Blomberg, one of the most talented musicians in the underground. Even with the mini-LP selling briskly, and Mayhem’s bestial reputation increasing, the band and its members remained dirt poor.”

Euronymous found him. We only had one key to the door and it was locked, and he had to go in the window. The only window that was open was in Dead’s room, so he climbed in there and found him with half of his head blown away. So he went out and drove to the nearest store to buy a camera to take some pictures of him, and then he called the police.” Hellhammer, the drummer

He just sat in his room and became more and more depressed, and there was a lot of fighting. One time Euronymous was playing some synth music that Dead hated, so he just took his pillow outside, to go sleep in the woods, and after awhile Euronymous went out with a shotgun to shoot some birds or something and Dead was upset because he couldn’t sleep out in the woods either because Euronymous was there too, making noises.”

It might sound a bit weird, but Mayhem was the band that everyone had heard of, but not many people had actually heard because they had released the demos which were quite limited and the mini-LP itself was very limited. But I was lucky because I knew Maniac, the vocalist, so he had some extra copies of the mini-album and he gave me one. I was very impressed because it was the most violent stuff I had ever heard, very brutal. I remember I thought that these people like Euronymous, Maniac, and Necro Butcher were very mysterious, because they didn’t do many interviews but they were always in magazines and I saw pictures of them. They had long black hair and you couldn’t see their faces, it was mysterious and atmospheric.” Bård Eithun

WHEN DID YOU FIRST MEET EURONYMOUS?

I met Euronymous and Dead at a gig in Oslo in 1989; it was an Anthrax concert and I met them outside”

Dead hated cats. I remember one night he was trying to sleep. A cat was outside his apartment, so he ran outside with a big knife to get the cat. The cat ran into a shed [galpão] and he went after it. Then you heard lots of noise, and screaming, and there was a hole in the shed where the cat came out again, and Dead ran after it with his big knife, screaming, hunting the cat, only dressed in his underwear. That was his idea of how to deal with a cat.”

I remember Aarseth told me, <Dead did it himself, but it is okay to let people believe that I might have done it because that will create more rumors about Mayhem>. (…) But he did use some stuff from the brain to make necklaces.”

There is a bootleg of the Sarpsborg show [1990] called Dawn of the Black Hearts: Live in Sarpsborg [vídeo?], released by someone in South America.” Metalion

That’s one thing about worshiping death—why worry when people die?”

I see Dead, people.

Where?

Oh, everywhere on the stage!

She told me that the first <plane> in the astral world has the color of blue. The earthly plane has the color of black. Then comes a gray that is very near the earthly one and is easy to come to. The next one further is blue, then it gets brighter and brighter till it “stops” at a white shining one that can’t be entered by mortals. If any mortal succeeds in entering it, that one is no longer mortal and can not come back to the earthly planes nor back to this earth.” Morto, o Místico

No one speaks ill of him, which is rare in such an insular and competitive realm as the extreme music underground. As many will testify, however, Aarseth appeared to feel little sorrow over the loss of Dead, instead glorifying his violent departure in order to cultivate a further mystique of catastrophe surrounding the band.”

This has nothing to do with black, these stupid people must fear black metal! But instead they love shitty bands like Deicide, Benediction, Napalm Death, Sepultura and all that shit!! We must take this scene to what it was in the past! Dead died for this cause and now I have declared war! I’m angry, but at the same time I have to admit that it was interesting to examine a human brain in rigor mortis. Death to false black metal or death metal!! Also to the trendy hardcore people… Aarrgghh!” Euronymous “manifesto”

Dead died wearing a white T-shirt with I ❤ Transylvania stenciled across it.”

if we ever come to, for example, India, the most evil thing that we can do there that I have in mind will be to sacrifice a holy cow on stage.” Euro.

HELL IS FULL OF MUSICAL AMATEURS;

MUSIC IS THE BRANDY OF THE DAMNED.”

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW, MAN AND SUPERMAN

I’d rather be selling Judas Priest than Napalm Death, but at least now we can be specialized within <death> metal and make a shop where all the trend people will know that they will find all the trend music.”

O que vocês fazer hoje, Cérebro Mole e Solto?

O que fazemos todas as noites, Blacky… Tentar conquistar o mundo para Satanás!

Aarseth also kept in touch with a growing number of extreme bands from outside Norway whom he likewise encouraged and made plans to release records by: Japan’s Sigh, Monumentum from Italy, and the bizarre Swedish entity Abruptum. Only a few of these schemes would ever be realized before Aarseth’s death, mostly because he was never cut out to be a businessman. He ran his label ineptly, and the capital to invest in new releases was simply not there.”

WHAT SORT OF IDEAS DID VARG HAVE WHEN YOU FIRST MET HIM?

He was a Devil worshiper and he was against Nazis, for reasons I don’t know, but that’s what he said. After the arrest in early ’93 then he got into this Nazi stuff.” Eithun

the shelves contained bands like Metallica and Godflesh.”

he had a specific taste for German electronic music like Kraftwerk.”

Politically, Aarseth was a long way from the nationalist and often pseudo-right-wing sentiments that are so prominent in Black Metal today. He proclaimed himself a communist, and for a while had been a member of the Rød Ungdom (Red Youth), the youth wing of the Arbeidernes Kommunist Parti (Marxist-Leninistene) —The Marxist/Leninist Communist Workers Party. Though rather few in number, the party had an appeal for intellectuals, including many prominent writers and politicians, and thus maintained a strong grip on Norwegian cultural life for many years. Rød Ungdom was aggressively anti-Soviet, and looked to China and Albania for inspiration. Despots like Pol Pot were also viewed as models of resistance against Western imperialism.”

Some of the treasured objects in his collection were heroic photographs of Nicolae Ceaucescu, the former dictator of Rumania and one of Aarseth’s idols. <Albania is the future>, he would muse to anyone willing to listen.”

Varg came to Oslo for a time and moved into the basement of the record shop, living in the barren space there along with Samoth, the guitarist of Emperor.”

On the second Burzum release, Aske (Ashes), bass playing would be done by Samoth, but with this sole exception Vikernes maintained his project entirely alone.”

Very few such corpse-painted portraits of Vikernes exist—the fashion seems to be something more particular to Aarseth. If it is true that Vikernes introduced the ideology of medieval-style Devil worship to Norwegian Black Metal, it must be also acknowledged that not a moment was lost before Aarseth began trumpeting it as his own.”

As many as 1,200 stave churches may have existed in the early Middle Ages; only 32 original examples survived in the second half of this century. That total has since been revised to 31.”

News of the destruction of one of Norway’s cultural landmarks made national headlines. It would not be long before other churches began to ignite in nighttime blazes. On August 1st of the same year the Revheim Church in southern Norway was torched; twenty days later the Holmenkollen Chapel in Oslo also erupted in flames. On September 1st the Ormøya Church caught fire, and on the 13th of that month Skjold Church likewise. In October the Hauketo Church burned with the others. After a short pause of a few months’ time, Åsane

Church in Bergen was consumed in flames, and the Sarpsborg Church was destroyed only two days later. In battling the blaze at Sarpsborg a member of the fire department was killed in the line of duty. Some would later consider this death the responsibility of the Black Circle.” “The authorities are reluctant to discuss the details of many of these incidents, fearing that undue attention may literally spark other firebugs or copycats to join the assault which Vikernes and his associates began in 1992.”

In eleventh-century England, arson was a crime punishable by death. Later, during the reign of King Henry II, a person convicted of arson would be exiled from the community after they had suffered the amputation of one hand and one foot.”

Lewis & Yarnell – Pathological Firesetting

True pyromaniacs tend to have a sexual impulse behind their action, according to psychologist Wilhelm Stekel, whose Peculiarities of Behavior covers the affliction in detail.”

It’s not a Satanic thing, it’s a national heathen thing. It’s not a rebellion against my parents or something, it’s serious. My mother totally agrees with it. She doesn’t mind if someone burns a church down. She hates the Church quite a lot. Also about the murder (of Østein Aarseth), she thinks that he deserved it, he asked for it. So she thinks it’s wrong to punish me for it. There’s no conflict between us at all about these things. The only thing she disliked was that I liked weapons and wanted to buy weapons, and suddenly she got a box of helmets at her place because I ordered them! Bulletproof vests, all this stuff…” Varg

TEENAGERS GONNA TEEN:

I said, I know who burned the churches, to the journalist, and I was making a lot of fun with him because we told him on the phone, we have a gun and if you try to bring anybody we’ll shoot you. Come meet me at midnight and all this, it was very theatrical. He was a Christian, and I fed him a lot of amusing info. Very amusing! Of course he twisted the words like usual. After he left we lay on the floor laughing.

We thought it would be some tiny interview in the paper and it was a big front page. The same day, an hour or so after I talked to him on the phone, the police came and arrested me. That was why I was arrested. I didn’t tell them anything. I talked to the police that time and I told them, I know who burned the churches —so what? They tried to say, We’ve seen you at the site, and all this, and I said, No you haven’t!

I’d already killed a man so it’s okay to be involved in this too, to burn down a church.” Eithun

VON [americana] were merely an obscure group who managed to release one raw-sounding demo tape, Satanic Blood, which became legendary within the Norwegian scene.” O primeiro full length (Satanic Blood, idem) dos caras é de 2012!

kerrang03
IMAGEM 1. Kerrang!, 27/03/1993

The Kerrang! exposé is also notable as it appears to be the first media story which labels the Black Metal scene as <neo-fascist>. Arnopp quotes members of Venom and mainstream UK Metal band Paradise Lost (who the article claims were haphazardly attacked by teenage Black Metalers while on tour in Norway), referring to the Satanic Terrorists as Hitlerian Nazis.”

I support all dictatorships—Stalin, Hitler, Ceaucescu… and I will become the dictator of Scandinavia myself.” V.V. Mau-Mau

I didn’t care much about the value of human life. Nothing was too extreme. That there were burned churches, and people were killed, I didn’t react at all. I just thought, Excellent! I never thought, Oh, this is getting out of hand, and I still don’t. Burning churches is okay; I don’t care that much anymore because I think that point was proven. Burning churches isn’t the way to get Christianity out of Norway. More sophisticated ways should be used if you really want to get rid of it.” Ihsahn (Emperor)

I told them, why not burn up a mosque, the foreign churches from the Hindu and Islamic jerks—why not take those out instead of setting fires to some very old Norwegian artworks? They could have taken mosques instead, with plenty of people in them” Hellhammer o Batera

The epidemic mostly afflicted poor black churches in the South (States), and public outrage against a presumed conspiracy of racist terrorism resulted in the President’s formation of a National Church Arson Task Force in June, 1996. The Task Force has since concluded that no nationwide conspiracy exists, and suspects arrested in relation to the the fires have been blacks and Hispanics as well as whites. The motives in specific incidents have ranged widely, from revenge to vandalism to racial hatred.”

I understood that he was a homosexual very quickly. He was asking if I had a light, but he was already smoking. It was obvious that he wanted to have some contact. Then he asked me if we could leave this place and go up to the woods. So I agreed, because already then I had decided that I wanted to kill him, which was very weird because I’m not like this—I don’t go around and kill people. (…) He was walking behind me and I turned and stabbed him in the stomach. After that I don’t remember much, only that it was like looking at this whole incident through eyes outside of my body. It was as if I was looking at two people who were having a fight—and one had a knife, so it was easy to kill the other person. If something happens that is obscure, it’s easier for the mind to react if it acts like it is watching it from outside of yourself.” Eithun

The bizarre duo Abruptum (SUE), who allegedly recorded their music during bouts of self-inflicted torture, was praised by Aarseth as <the audial essence of Pure Black Evil>. He released their debut album Obscuritatem Advoco Amplectère Me on Deathlike Silence in 1992. Østein had also managed, with financial assistance from Varg Vikernes, to release the first Burzum CD on DSP. The second Burzum effort, Aske, was released in early 1993, some months after the burning of the Fantoft Stave Church. It was around this time, in the first months of the year, that bad blood arose between Vikernes and Aarseth. Their disagreement appears to come at the same period when Øystein was also arguing with members of the Swedish scene, causing a general animosity to surface between Black Metalers in the two neighboring countries.” “There was a certain degree of cooperation between the two groups, but the recent frictions had been strong enough that when Øystein Aarseth was found slaughtered in the stairwell of his apartment building on August 10, 1993, the initial suspicion of many was directed at the Swedes.”

People who never knew what Black Metal was, or Death Metal, or Metal at all, were attracted to this because they thought it was cool. People who never knew Grishnackh and never knew Euronymous. Oh yeah, Black Metal—that’s the new thing. There were so many new bands starting at this time in ’93 who were influenced by the writing in the newspapers.” Metalion

Aarseth had been forced to close the Helvete store a few months earlier, due to overwhelming attention from the media and police after the initial Black Metal church fire revelations. His parents were upset about all the negative publicity and, since they had helped him finance the shop, they successfully leaned on him to shut it down. Vikernes sarcastically points out how Aarseth’s inconsistent nature often resulted in deference to his parents’ wishes instead of adhering to the black and <evil> image he supposedly embodied: <Øystein once came to one of the newspapers wearing a white sweater, and later apologized to the scene, in case he had insulted anybody! It was all because of his parents. He was 26 years old!>

Øystein owed Varg a significant sum of royalty payments from the Burzum releases on Deathlike Silence, although given the poorly-run nature of the record label, this was hardly unusual or unexpected. Vikernes denies there was any monetary motive behind his actions. Others claim the attack came about as a result of a power struggle for dominance of the Black Metal scene, although astute insiders like Metalion are skeptical: That’s stupid reasoning, because you can’t expect to kill someone and have everyone think of you as the king and forget about him. That’s very, very primitive. It’s something more than that, I think.“Also Grishnackh’s mother paid for the studio recording of the first album, and Euronymous owed her money which she was supposed to get back.”

When he was sitting in his shop drinking Coca-Cola and eating Kebab from the Paki shop next door, it was all our money he bought everything with. It was dishonest pay. He was a parasite. Also he was half Lappish, a Sami, so that was a bonus. Bastard!” V.

They told the police they heard a woman screaming! I was laughing when I read about it. He ran away, pressing the doorbells and calling Help!

Bam! he was dead. Through his skull. I actually had to knock the knife out. It was stuck in his skull and I had to pry it out, he was hanging on it—and then he fell down the stairs. I hit him directly into his skull and his eyes went boing! And he was dead.”

NONE OF THE NEIGHBORS OPENED THEIR DOORS?

They didn’t dare. They thought it was some drunken fight. It’s the worst neighborhood in Oslo—60% colored people.”

When three people are going to tell the same story to the police, in interrogations lasting seven hours, it will go to hell.” Snorre Ruch, o Cúmplice

Varg was saying that what Bård had done was uncool, but inside the scene Bård’s actions commanded respect.”

The truth of the matter is that Snorre had shortly before joined Mayhem as a second guitar player. It is difficult to believe that he could have cared less about killing the founder of the band he was in—doubly difficult given Mayhem’s position as such a legendary group in the underground. In hearing his and Vikernes’s versions of the story, both are flawed. With his history of mental problems, one far-fetched explanation may be that Snorre was too daft to comprehend what he was actually participating in.”

The only foolish thing I did and the only thing I regret, is not killing (Snorre) as well. If I’d killed him as well I would not have gotten any more punishment if I was caught, and secondly, I wouldn’t have been caught. That’s what I regret.”

What is striking about members of the Scandinavian Black Metal circles in general is how little they cared about the lives or deaths of one another. When Dead killed himself, it became merely an opportunity for Aarseth to hype Mayhem to a new level. When he himself died violently two years later, his own bandmates speak of the killing with a tone of indifference more suited to a court stenographer.”

With the exception of Darkthrone, the major Norwegian Black Metal bands were now in hiatus, their key members facing prison sentences for arson, grave desecration, and murder. The legal proceedings that would follow disrupted the entire scene and pitted different factions against one another. People felt forced to choose sides: pro-Vikernes or pro-Euronymous. At this point a cult developed around the memory of Euronymous, hailed as <the King> or <Godfather of Black Metal>. As many have commented in the preceding interviews, much of this was hyperbole, emanating from a second generation of musicians trying to gain credibility by riding on the back of the legend of Aarseth’s Black Metal legacy.”

He simply refused to cooperate with the authorities, and maintained he was innocent until proven guilty. He followed the advice of his lawyer and never testified in court. The same cannot be said of the other offenders, most of whom confessed in detail once they were pressured by the police. On the one hand, this is understandable given their young age, relative naivety, and fear of worse punishments if they refused to admit their wrongdoing.”

ERROS E PUERILIDADES DA POLÍCIA NORUEGUESA: “Especially difficult to take seriously is the alleged calendar of <Satanic holy days> reprinted in the report, with many of the dates involving the sexual molestation of minors—something that is strongly condemned by all established Satanic organizations. And while it might be argued that fringe religious phenomena like Satanism are often so bewildering that it’s hard to accurately assess their practices, even complete novices in the study of New Religious Movements should begin to suspect something is wrong when they see references to dates that don’t exist, such as April 31. Unless, of course, Satanists are so evil that they follow their own calendar.” ZAGALLO (OLLAGAZ) AMOU.

Kirkebranner og satanistisk motiverte skadeverk also refers to stories that never really reached the media when the Satanic furor was at its height.”

But despite his smart-ass remarks and mental capabilities, Vikernes was no match for the seasoned investigators of the Kripos [FBI norueguês]. He sensed that the police net was tightening around him and that he was no longer in control of the situation, especially as the Oslo police dispatched its Church Fire Group to Bergen in 1993 to follow the goose steps of the Count and his subjects around Bergen.”

Lendas a respeito de Vikinho: “Vikernes knocked on the door of the police investigation’s impromptu headquarters in Room 318 of the Hotel Norge in Bergen, and seems to have virtually forced his way into the suite.”

A M O R A M O R A M O R A M O R

A M O R A M O R A M O R A M O R

A M O R A M O R A M O R A M O R

A M O R A M O R A M O R A M O R

The word Varg has a great meaning for me. I could speak about this matter for an hour.”

Grishnackh is an evil character on the side of Sauron.”

That’s typical trial bullshit. Like my psychiatrists who examined me, one of them was a Jew and a Freemason! The other was a communist. My lawyer was a homosexual. The other lawyer was a Freemason. The one single Christian faith healer in Norway was in the jury! Can you imagine? In other words, a person who says, I can look through you and with the power of Jesus pull out the evil spirits who make you sick!

There is one person who has always stood by Varg’s side and spoken out rigorously in his defense: his mother Lene Bore. Not only has she attempted to improve the public perception of her son, she also visits him frequently, helps him deal with correspondence, and assists in business matters relating to Burzum.

A number of Burzum albums have been released since his imprisonment and all have sold admirably well on the worldwide market. Royalties for the record sales are received by Lene Bore, a fact that allegedly allowed for the development of serious trouble in the future. Lene Bore also helped provide the money for recording and releasing the early Burzum releases on Aarseth’s Deathlike Silence label, and as a result she had occasion to meet a number of Varg’s friends in the Black Metal scene. Her comments are interesting, for she has dealt with an amazing amount of unrest as a result of her son’s actions over the years, and some of her impressions of Varg’s life are quite different from his own.”

YOUR FAMILY SPENT A YEAR IN IRAQ. WHAT WAS THIS LIKE FOR VARG?

I think it might be here that Varg’s dislike toward other peoples started. He experienced a very differential treatment. The other children in his class would get slapped by their teachers; he would not be. For example when they were going to the doctor, even when there were other children waiting in line, Varg would be placed first. He reacted very strongly to this. He could not understand why we should go first when there were so many before us. He had a very strongly developed sense of justice. This created a lot of problems, because when he saw students being treated unfairly, he would intervene, and try to sort things out.”

DID VARG’S RACISM INTENSIFY AT A CERTAIN POINT?

If he had racist tendencies to begin with, I am sure that they came to the surface when he lived in Oslo.”

LONG-HAIRED SKINHEADS: “It’s difficult to say. When I was three years old we moved to a road named Odinsvei, Odin’s Walk, and we were playing with the neighbor. He had German toy soldiers, but he always wanted to have the American soldiers, because they were the big heroes in his view. So I ended up with the German soldiers, as he was five years older than I. And I actually came to like them. It developed from soldiers to running around with SS helmets and German hand grenades and a Schmeizer with a swastika on it. In time we tried to figure it out —what the hell does this mean? That’s how it really began, and it developed. I was a skinhead when I was 15 or 16. Nobody knows that. People say that suddenly I became a Nazi, but I was actually a skinhead back then. It was in waves—in ‘91 I was into occultism, in ‘92 Satanism, in ‘93 mythology and so on, in waves.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR FATHER?

I have very little contact with him. They’re divorced. He left about ten years ago. There wasn’t any big impact. I was glad to be rid of him; he was just making a lot of trouble for me, always bugging me. He was in the Navy. We were raised very orderly; it was a good experience. I had a swastika flag at home and he was hysterical about it. He’s a hypocrite.¹ He was pissed about all the colored people he saw in town, but then he’s worried about me being a Nazi. He’s very materialistic, as is my mother really, but that’s the only negative thing I can say about her.² The positive thing is that she’s very efficient, and in business I have to have someone take care of my money and I can trust her fully. I know she will do things in the best way.”

¹ Yeah, that prettily sums it up for all of us – satanists, pagans, nihilistics, depressed, guilty or innocent boys… with bad dads! Apenas troca “Nazi” por “PT” e “pessoas de cor” por “corrupção” (que ele pratica) e aí tens.

² This is war! UHHH

WHAT WAS SCHOOL LIKE?

It was an Iraqi elementary school. The English school couldn’t take us because they were full. I went to a regular Iraqi school. I could use some basic English. I think it was my mother’s idea, because she didn’t want us to stay home, bored. We couldn’t go out too much because of the rabid dogs and all this, so she put us in school, just to keep us active.”

In Bergen it’s a more aristocratic society I was part of, because of my mother mainly. I had very little contact with colored people, really. In Bergen we are still blessed with having a majority of whites—unlike Oslo, which is the biggest sewer in Norway.”

When I was a skinhead there still weren’t any colored people, but there were these punks—that was more the reason I went over to the other side.” He-he

We liked the Germans, because they always had better weapons and they looked better, they had discipline. They were like Vikings. The volunteers from America were tall, blond guys, who looked much more like the ones they were attacking than some Dagos who were waving them good luck when they left home. It’s pretty absurd.”

Our big hope was to be invaded by Americans so we could shoot them. The hope of war was all we lived for. That was until I was 17, and then I met these guys in Old Funeral.”

WHAT INFLUENCED YOU TOWARD THAT?

I got interested in occultism through other friends. We played role-playing games, and some of these guys (all older than me) started to buy books on occultism, because they were interested in magic and spell casting. They showed me the books and then I bought similar things. But the music guys weren’t interested in that stuff at all, they only cared about food. [QUE PORRA É ESSA? HAHA]

WHAT WAS THE MUSIC LIKE?

Originally it was Thrash Metal, and then it became Death-Thrash or Techno-Thrash, and I lost interest. I liked the first Old Funeral demo. It had ridiculous lyrics, but I liked the demo and that was why I joined with them. They developed into this Swedish Death Metal trend; I didn’t like that so I dropped out. But I played with them for two years.” The fart(Varg) that should’ve been.

We were drawn to Sauron and his lot, and not the hobbits, those stupid little dwarves. I hate dwarves and elves. The elves are fair, but typically Jewish—arrogant, saying, We are the chosen ones. So I don’t like them. But you have Barad-dûr, the tower of Sauron, and you have Hlidhskjálf, the tower of Odin; you have Sauron’s all-seeing-eye, and then Odin’s one eye; the ring of power, and Odin’s ring Draupnir; the trolls are like typical berserkers, big huge guys who went berserk, and the Uruk-Hai are like the Ulfhedhnar, the wolfcoats. This wolf element is typically heathen. So I sympathize with Sauron. That’s partly why I became interested in occultism, because it was a so-called <dark> thing. I was drawn to Sauron, who was supposedly <dark and evil>, so I realized there had to be a connection.”

Just like democracy claims to be <light> and <good>, I reasoned that then we obviously have to be <dark> and <evil>.” J.R.R. se revira no túmulo.

SALADA DE MAIONESE ESTRAGADA NA CAIXA ENCEFÁLICA: “I never said I will become the dictator of Scandinavia myself. I did say that I support Stalin, Hitler, and Ceaucescu, and I even said that Rumania is my favorite country—an area full of Gypsies! But the point is that Rumania is the best example of communism, and when people can realize how ridiculously the whole thing works, they can see what it really is. (…) It may be a provocative way to say it, but if there wasn’t Stalin, Hitler would look even worse. Now at least we can say, look at Stalin—he’s worse. He killed 26 million.”

Well, there was a T-shirt that Øystein printed which said <Kill the Christians.> I think that’s ridiculous. What’s the logic in that? Why should we kill our own brothers? They’re just temporarily asleep, entranced. We have to say, <Hey, wake up!> That’s what we have to do, wake them up from the Jewish trance. We don’t have to kill them—that would be killing ourselves, because they are part of us.”

He was at first allowed a computer, which he used for correspondence and for the preliminary texts which would form his nationalist heathen codex. Some of the essays he composed were forwarded to correspondents and began to appear in underground publications around Europe. Most of these concerned his investigations into the esoterica of Nordic mythology and cosmology. At a certain point, after he had compiled a large portion of his book, the prison authorities decided to take away his computer; presumably they were worried he was somehow employing it for nefarious ends.” “By titling his treatise Vargsmål, Vikernes seeks to place himself in mythic lineage as a modern-day figure worthy of the ancient sagas.” “The official publication of Vargsmål would only come about years after it was written. With Varg’s front-page notoriety there were certain publishers interested in releasing the book, obviously figuring to make a quick buck on the sensationalism that could be generated, but it appears that most backed out when they had a chance to review the actual contents. In addition to mythological commentary, the book brims with volatile statements and racial, anti-Christian, nationalist rhetoric.”

I would like to find a woman to live with in peace and quiet, far away from the world’s problems, but I cannot. It is my duty to sacrifice myself and my personal wishes for the benefit of my tribe.” He-he

Varg Vikernes serves the role of a pariah and heretic to Norwegians, similar on a number of levels to that of Charles Manson in America. Both profess a radical ideology at odds with, and at times unintelligible to the average citizen. Both insist they have done nothing wrong. Both espouse a revolutionary attitude, imbued with strong racial overtones. Both have become media bogeymen in their respective countries, and both knowingly contribute to their own mythicization. Both also understand well the inherent archetypal power of symbols and names—especially those they adopt for themselves.”

With his increasing nationalism, Vikernes has discovered his predecessor in Vidkun Quisling, the Norwegian political leader who founded a collaborationist pro-German government in the midst of the Second World War. Quisling was tried and executed for treason shortly after the war’s end. As a result his name has entered international vernacular as a synonym for <traitor>. In Norway, that name is still anathema even today.” Quisling – That Inhabited Worlds Are To Be Found Outside of the Earth, and the Significance Thereof for Our View of Life, o manifesto deste idiota.

Norway’s conversion to Christianity, made possible by St. Olav’s death as a martyr at Stiklestad, was described by Jacobsen [dissidente do quislinguismo, ainda mais extremista] as the introduction of <something false and unnatural into our folk’s life>. It was therefore logical for him to condemn Quisling’s adoption of the St. Olav’s cross as the NS symbol, declaring that the party symbol itself was non-Nordic.”

He lamented not being able to legally register his own religious organization in Norway due to his criminal record. Toward this goal he has, however, formed the Norwegian Heathen Front, a loosely knit operation through which he will issue propaganda. The members of German Black Metal band Absurd, also currently behind bars, are involved with a branch of the organization in their country.” Além de ideólogos degenerados, péssimos músicos. Um absurdo, literalmente.

he plans to employ his philosophy on the nature of women as a basis for NHF strategy. His awareness of the woman’s role in revolutionary activities is not unlike that of Charles Manson before him, although Vikernes claims to have arrived at it from personal observation during his Black Metal period.”

A PSICOLOGIA INFANTO-JUVENIL DO FASCISMO: “The groundwork of the Black Metal scene is the will to be different from the masses.¹ That’s the main object. Also girls have a very important part in this, because they like mystical things and are attracted to people who are different, who have a mystique.² When a girl says <Look how cute he is> when she sees a picture of someone, her male friends will think <She likes him. If I look like him maybe she will like me as well.> They turn toward the person she admires.² The way to make Norway heathen is to go through the girls, because the males follow the girls.³” Varg

¹ Baudrillard diria: Coitado, ele ainda está preso às concepções socialistas-revolucionárias! As massas não são nada conceituável, ou são tudo, não há relação binária passível de ser feita entre massa e não-massa, não é simples assim. Não mais. Mas sendo a massa o advento inevitável do mundo moderno decadente, negar a massa como os neo-pagãos presumem, seria negar a vida, e não reafirmá-la, como pensam os Anti-Nazarenos.

² Gado demais. Boi ou vaca.

³ No Brasil atual isso seria mais condizente com tornar-se funkeiro. Mundial e macroscopicamente falando, talvez aderir ao k-pop.

Males aren’t extreme really. You find females are more to the left or more to the right than the males. Females are more communistic, more extremely Marxist-Leninist, or more extremely rightist than the males.”

In Oslo everybody fucks everybody in the scene. If one person gets a venereal disease, everyone does. The females I know in the Black Metal scene are not very intelligent, they are basically just whores. That’s a typical Oslo phenomenon.

The people I correspond with are not Black Metal girls at all. Some of them were, but they realized that I don’t like it and then they realized they didn’t really like it either. They were just doing it because they wanted to get in touch with certain people. The way to power is through the women. Hitler knew this as well. Women elected Hitler.”

O TRAPÉZIO DOS MÍMICOS: “Ironically, while Vikernes’s name is more or less synonymous with Black Metal, he takes great care to distance himself from that musical milieu. He even now claims the early Burzum releases—records regarded today as milestones of the genre—never were Black Metal music at all, instead classifying them as <standard, bad Heavy Metal>. He passionately distances himself from all forms of Rock and Roll, stressing that Rock’s roots in Afro-American culture make it alien to white people.”

Presently, Vikernes is no longer even permitted to listen to CDs. The only music he is currently allowed to experience must come via MTV—something which, in his case, might be considered a cruel and unusual form of punishment.”

Denied a musical outlet, Vikernes has focused his strong creative drive on writing. His output has encompassed political tracts, a book on mythology called Germansk Mytologi og Verdensanskuelse (Germanic Mythology and Worldview), and fiction, including a short novel. His fictional works can be compared to the infamous neo-Nazi novels Hunter and The Turner Diaries, in the sense that much of it functions as a dramatization of National Socialist rhetoric. Vikernes seems to be slightly more aware of his literary limitations than the late author of the aforementioned books, Dr. William Pierce (a former physics professor who became director of the American racialist political group the National Alliance), who makes his characters’ tender pillow-talk read like political sermonizing.”

In the early days of the Heathen Front, the organization’s mailing address was one and the same with Vikernes’s private P.O. box prison address. This would, of course, mean that any prospective members would have their letters read and, one presumes, registered by the authorities. And this actually strengthens the Heathen Front’s assertion that Vikernes is not the leader: it would be very hard for him to do an effective job of it. Whatever his official role may be, Vikernes certainly has left a strong mark on the Heathen Front. Its program was written by Vikernes, and this is a mix of rather orthodox National Socialist doctrine and neo-Heathen, anti-Christian ideas, along with some emphasis on environmentalism.” “The Allgermanische Heidnische Front [subdivisão do já irrelevante Heathen Front] and its subdivisions in Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Holland, Iceland, Germany, and Sweden (with <affiliated subdivisions> in Russia, Finland, and the USA) are probably little more than Internet tigers. While the AHF’s policy of concentrating on producing web pages might be a bid to attract [“““]intellectually[”””] inclined youthful recruits rather than the streetfighters that make up much of the younger rank-and-file of other European National Socialist organizations, the focus on the Internet may have a more pragmatic motive.

One of the wonders of the Internet is that, in theory, a single person with a little know-how, a modem, and an acceptable computer can create web pages just as impressive as those of any huge organization. And, still theoretically, a loose group of e-mail correspondents across Europe can take on the appearance of a tremendously organized international network. In addition to its functioning as a political equalizer, the added attraction to all this is that Net know-how is mainly the field of younger people—exactly the sort the AHF has aboard. But while Vikernes’s network might theoretically consist of one teenage computer nerd per country, each still living in his parents’ house, such an estimation would probably be way off the mark. So how real is the AHF?” “whether the AHF will be noticed in the future probably depends most on if it can succeed at recruiting young Burzum fans (its most realistic recruitment base) into political activism—or at providing a conduit for them into more militant groups and scenes.” Cenário pouco auspicioso para a “organização”.

He also explains their recruiting strategy: <We don’t approach the great masses, but rather let individuals from the masses approach us instead. This is probably why so many see us as an ‘Internet project’ or as inactive and passive.> braço sueco

National-Socialists in Sweden are as much a minority as they are everywhere else, and young activists are likely to rub brown-shirted¹ shoulders with members of other groups in informal settings like concerts, meetings, and parties.”

¹ Essencialmente, <Juventude Hitlerista>, qualquer grupo paramilitar subversivo de extrema-direita – análogo aos camisas-negras para a Alemanha.

while the Third Reich was in some ways a modern welfare state (at least for those whose blood and ideology were in line with NS doctrines), Vikernes asserts that military veterans who are disabled in future wars for the greatness of Germania should commit suicide rather than be a burden on the resources of the Nation.”

SS

solo sangue Scandinavia

The journal Kulturorgan Skadinaujo appears to be the work of young students, some of whom have adopted an academic writing style. Though the fanzine-style musings that occasionally appear in its pages detract from its academic tone, the main reason why Skadinaujo seems doomed to fail as a scholarly venture is the fact that it reviews books like the pseudo-archaeology of Graham Hancock side by side with properly executed scholarly works. The end result is hardly something to show your professor.”

He has taken to interpreting the Old Norse texts as proof of—or at the very least circumstantial evidence for—contact between humans and extra-terrestrials in ancient times.”

And in the same way that Hymir sent all his trolls out to wreak revenge on Thor for having gone fishing and catching the Midgard Serpent in one of the most well-known of the Norse myths, a war was waged on Atlantis. After the conflict, the island sank into the ocean and the Aryans sought refuge on other continents, where they eventually mixed with lower races of men. The Atlantean Aryans only survived as a pure race in Northern Europe, where they can produce children like Vikernes: blonde, blue-eyed, and long-skulled.”

LIGANDO LÉ COM CRÉ E NO KIBE DANDO RÉ: “Thor had red hair, but all our ancestors had blonde hair prior to the degeneration of the Viking Age. [?] But the planet Jupiter is the colour of rust! [?] And Thor protected men against uncontrollable natural forces, just like Jupiter’s gravitation protects earth. […] Why does Thor have a belt of strength? Does not Jupiter have a ring around it? [??]”

The roots of Nazi preoccupation with flying saucers are complex, and date back to before the Second World War. Clear indications exist that the Third Reich had a program for developing flying saucers as part of its war machine.” Legal, salvou meu dia.

After the war, the UFO myth entered the subconscious of the West, with the rumored UFO crash at Roswell and alien abduction stories becoming standard features in modern folklore. And while many of the contemporary myths dramatized by the tremendously successful TV series The X-Files might seem fantastic, the strangest ideas are the ones that people actually seem to believe in.”

While the circumstances that led to the creation of the book [ufologia babaca envolvendo a tribo Africana dos Dogon!] are convoluted (as any arguments dealing with ancient astronauts invariably are), at the root of the mystery lie the writings of the French anthropologists Marcel Griaule and Germaine Dieterlen, who did research on the Dogon in the 1930s. Twenty years later, the Frenchmen published their story of how the Dogon had revealed this astronomical knowledge about Sirius (Sigu Tolo in the native language) to them.

But other anthropologists who later visited the area have been unable to find the same astronomical knowledge circulating among the Dogon, and the most realistic hypotheses seem to be that the one Dogon informant who divulged the information to the two Frenchmen either learned his Sirius lore from earlier visitors (of the human variety), or indeed from Marcel Griaule himself, a keen astronomy fan who took along star-charts to help extract information. Either wittingly or unconsciously, the Dogon native might have had this knowledge transferred to him from his interviewer—or else Griaule overemphasized what was passed to him through his interpreter, thus finding exactly what he wanted to. Furthermore, many of the Dogon’s astronomical <facts> are just plain wrong.

In the world of the pop esotericism, however, the fact that claims are exposed as lackluster or even fraudulent often has little bearing on their continuing distribution via the myriad magazines and bookshops that cater to alternative ideas.”

Sitchin was first attracted to this peculiar field of research because he was puzzled by the Nefilim, who are mentioned in Genesis, 6. There, the Nefilim (also spelled Nephilim) are described as the sons of the gods who married the daughters of Man in the days before the great flood, the Deluge. The word Nefilim is often translated as <giants>, meaning that the Old Testament asserts there were days when giants walked upon the earth. If this sounds a bit like the occult narrative of Varg Vikernes, it only becomes more so when Sitchin claims that the correct and literal meaning of the word Nefilim is <those who have come down to earth from the heavens>. [eram filósofos: viviam com a cabeça nas nuvens!] Fallen angels procured the daughters of men as mates, which Sitchin takes to mean that the space-farers mixed their superior DNA with that of primitive mankind, leading to a quantum leap in human genetic and cultural evolution which spawned the blossoming Mesopotamian cultures.” Tão crível seria a hipótese de que caiu um meteorito radioativo na Terra e fez com que gorilas e chimpanzés entrassem em acelerada mutação – com mortalidade de virtuais 100%… Os escassos sobreviventes desta hecatombe ecológica, entretanto, viriam a ser Prometeus… Cof, cof.

IS THERE A SPECIAL CONNECTION BETWEEN NATIONAL-SOCIALISM AND UFOs?

DR. MICHAEL ROTHSTEIN [cético que estuda gente que acredita em OVNIs]: In certain ways, yes. Nazism has always had some kind of relation to the occult and certain Nazi groups (often outside the actual Nazi parties) have made a special point out of it. However, this really is fringe stuff [indie, marginal]. What is more interesting is the fact that UFOs on many occasions have been interpreted as devices developed by Nazi scientists, as German secret weapons. This is, I believe, more interesting than notions of clones of Hitler hiding under Antarctica in huge UFO-related facilities. Nazis are in many ways the demons of the modern world, at least most people find them disgusting and dangerous, and any association between the bewildering UFOs and these groups points to a certain understanding of UFOs as sinister or demonic.”

As long as people wish to believe, they will readily accept authorities that support their beliefs. The phenomenon is not that Von Däniken is able to persuade people of anything. The phenomenon is that people want Von Däniken to provide material for them to believe in. Furthermore, this is not in itself a <far-out> belief. Any belief in things out of the ordinary could be considered <far out>: God, for instance, or the Resurrection of Christ, flying yogis, whatever.”

As hinted by Rothstein, one of the most unusual marriages of UFO lore and National Socialism is the idea that the Third Reich is alive and well under the Antarctic ice-cap, keeping watch over the world by means of its flying saucers and waiting for the day to return and free the world from Zionist bankers, communists, and other enemies of the Aryan race.” “The most eloquent spiritual representative of such ideas in the present day is the Chilean dignitary and author Miguel Serrano [1917-2009], a former diplomat (to India, Yugoslavia and Austria) who counted both Carl Jung and Herman Hesse [curiosamente, anti-nazi notório – autor da novela Steppenwolf] among his circle of friends.” Serrano – C.G. Jung and Hermann Hesse: A Record of Two Friendships (1965) (original: El círculo hermético, de Hesse a Jung)

Mattias Gardell is a lecturer in religious anthropology at the University of Stockholm. He has studied radical religions extensively, and is the author of a book on the Nation of Islam, Countdown to Armageddon. His latest research project has involved a year of travelling around North America and interviewing figures involved in the neo-Nazi and Ásatru movements, two milieus that sometimes overlap—and especially so in the case of Varg Vikernes.”

Such ideas of blood as a carrier of hereditary information are common in Nazi circles, and can in some way be compared to Carl Jung’s theory of the collective unconscious.”

Their law of the strong scorns pity as a four-letter word; they await the day it is banished from the dictionaries. They despise doctrines of humility. Christ’s Sermon on the Mount is even worse poison to their ears. War is their ideal, and they romanticize the grim glory of older epochs where it was a fact of life. Where is the source for such a river of animosity and primal urges? Did torrents of hatred arise simply from the amplification of a phonograph needle vibrating through the spiralled grooves of a Venom album? Is Black Metal music possessed of the inherent power to impregnate destructive messages into the minds of the impressionable, laying a fertile seed destined to sprout into deed? To an enlightened mind it would seem unlikely.”

After reading a number of similar texts by Varg Vikernes, the Austrian artist and occult researcher named Kadmon was inspired to investigate in detail what enigmatic connections might exist between the phenomena of modern Black Metal and the ancient myths of the Oskorei. The Oskorei is the Norse name for the legion of dead souls who are witnessed flying, en masse, across the night sky on certain occasions. They are rumored to sometimes swoop down from the dark heavens and whisk a living person away with them. This army of the dead is often led by Odin or another of the heathen deities. Throughout the centuries, there are many reports from people who claim to have experienced the terrifying phenomenon—they attest to having seen and heard the Oskorei with their own eyes and ears. The tales of the Oskorei also refer to real-life folk customs which were still prevalent a few hundred years ago in rural parts of Northern Europe.” “noise, corpse-paint, ghoulish appearances, the adoption of pseudonyms, high-pitched singing, and even arson.”

In German folklore, stories of the Oskorei correspond directly to the Wild Hunt, also termed Wotan’s Host. Wotan (alternately spelled Wodan) is the continental German title for Odin, Varg Vikernes’s <patron deity>”

Gyldendal’s Store Norske Leksikon (The Large Norse Encyclopedia)

O SATÃ DE VIKERNES É O JUDEU ERRANTE: “There were often fights and killings at those places Oskoreia stopped. They could drink the yule ale and eat the food, but also carry people away if they were out in the dark. One could protect against the ride by gesturing in the shape of a cross or by throwing oneself to the ground with the arms stretched out like a cross. The best way was to place a cross above all the doors. Steel above the stalls was effective as well. The Oskorei was probably regarded as a riding company of dead people, perhaps those who deserved neither Heaven nor Hell.”

the cover of Bathory’s first <Viking> album, Blood Fire Death (1988), features a haunting depiction of the Oskorei in action. The remarkable development is how so many of the minute details of the legends would inadvertently or coincidentally resurface in unique traits of the Norwegian Black Metal adherents. This behavior had already become prominent years before the scene acquired its current attraction toward Nordic mythological themes, and before Vikernes ever began writing commentaries on such topics.”

Many of the <Satanic> bands even evince a strong fascination for native folklore and tradition, seeing them as vital allegories which represent primal energies within man. This type of viewpoint is expressed well by Erik Lancelot of the band Ulver:

<The theme of Ulver has always been the exploration of the dark sides of Norwegian folklore, which is strongly tied to the close relationship our ancestors

had to the forests, mountains, and sea. The dark side of our folklore therefore has a different outlook from the traditional Satanism using cosmic symbolism from Hebraic mythology, but the essence remains the same: the ‘demons’ represent the violent, ruthless forces feared and disclaimed by ordinary men, but without whom the world would lose the impetus which is the fundamental basis of evolution.>”

atavistic ativism

folclorenoruegues
IMAGEM 2. Extraído dum livro de lendas

Ler Two Essays on Analytical Psychology do Jung: “There are present in every individual, besides his personal memories, the great <primordial> images, as Jacob Burckhardt once aptly called them, the inherited powers of human imagination as it was from time immemorial. The fact of this inheritance explains the truly amazing phenomena that certain motifs from myths and legends repeat themselves […] It also explains why it is that our mental patients can reproduce exactly the same images and associations that are known to us from the old texts.”

Kadmon also points out a few strong contrasts between the rural folklore and Black Metal, which he sees as an urban phenomena. He is not entirely correct in this assertion, however, as many of the Norwegian Black Metal musicians do not come [from] cities such as Oslo, Bergen, or Trondheim, but live in small villages in the countryside. And Varg Vikernes, too, is proud to make the distinction that he is originally from a rural area some distance outside of Bergen, rather than the city itself. Further examples can be found with the members of Emperor, Enslaved, and a number of other bands.”

Besides Bathory, one other early Scandinavian Metal band had also extolled the religion and lifestyle of the Vikings in their music, a group from the ‘80s called Heavy Load. Possibly they also inspired some of the kids later involved in Black Metal, and indeed they have been mentioned with appreciation by some close to the scene, like Metalion.”

The group Immortal even went so far as to make a professional video clip with every band member shirtless in the midst of a freezing winter snowscape, furiously playing one of their songs. A video for the Burzum song Darkness goes much further, leaving out any human traces whatsoever—the entire 8:00 clip is based on images of runic stone carvings, over which shots flash of rushing storm clouds, sunsets, rocks, and woods. Co-directed by Vikernes from prison via written instructions, the result is impressively evocative despite the absence of any storyline or drama.”

POUCO IMANENTE VOCÊ, NÃO É, DISCÍPULO EX-QUERIDINHO DE FREUD? “According to Carl Jung, it is not always modern man who actively seeks to consciously revive a pre-Christian worldview, but rather he may become involuntarily possessed by the archetypes of the gods in question. In March, 1936, Jung published a remarkable essay in the Neue Schweizer Rundschau, which remains highly controversial to the present day. Originally written only a few years after the National-Socialists came to power in Germany, it is entitled Wotan.

Jung states in no uncertain terms his conviction that the Nazi movement is a result of <possession> by the god Wotan on a massive scale. He traces elements of the heathen revival back to various German writers, Nietzsche especially, who he feels were <seized> by Wotan and became transmitters for aspects of the god’s archetypal nature. He states, <It is curious, to say the least of it […] that an old god of storm and frenzy, the long quiescent Wotan, should awake, like an extinct volcano, to a new activity, in a country that had long been supposed to have outgrown the Middle Ages.>

Jung would some years later reveal his conviction [not proofs, like Moro] that both Nietzsche and he himself had experienced personal visits [Jung estuprado na infância?] in their dreams from the ghostly procession of the <Wild Hunt>, the German equivalent of the Oskorei.”

In Norway and Sweden there has also been growing general interest in the indigenous religion of their forefathers, to the point that at least one heathen group, Draupnir, has been recognized as a legitimate religious organization by the Norwegian government. Along with them, other Ásatrú organizations such as Bifrost also hold regular gatherings where they offer blot, or symbolic sacrifice, to the deities of old.

There is absolutely no specific connection between these Nordic religious practitioners and the Black Metal scene. In fact, public assumptions that such a link would exist have been a severe liability to these groups. Dispelling negative public impressions of their religion is made considerably more difficult with characters like Vikernes speaking so frequently of his own heathen beliefs to the press.”

VonStuck
IMAGEM 3. Franz von Stuck, A caçada selvagem

O TRÁGICO ATRASADOR DA REASCENSÃO MITOLÓGICA: “Vikernes’s extreme and bloody interpretation of indigenous Norse religion is just as problematic to the neo-heathen groups as was his flaming-stave-church and brimstone variety of Satanism a few years earlier to organizations like the Church of Satan. When contemporary figures sought to revive the old religion of Northern Europe, they had not intended to bring back uncontrollable barbarism and lawlessness with it.”

There is another obscure old fable of the Oskorei, where they fetch a dead man up from the ground, rather than their usual choice of someone among the living. It was collected by Kjetil A. Flatin in the book Tussar og trolldom (Goblins and Witchcraft) in 1930. If the folkloristic and heathen impulses of Norwegian Black Metal are in fact some untempered form of resurgent atavism, then this short tale is even more surprising in its ominously allegorical portents of events to come over 60 years later with Grishnackh, Euronymous, and the fiery deeds that swirled around them”

Originally bestowed with Kristian for his first name, Vikernes found this increasingly intolerable in his late teenage years. When he first introduced himself to the Black Metal scene it was still his forename. Sometime in 1991–92 he legally changed his name to Varg. His choice of a new title is curious in light of the actions he would later commit, and the legend that would surround him—although he claims to have adopted it mainly for its common meaning of <wolf>. If one understands the etymology and usage of the word varg in the various ancient Germanic cultures (and there is no evidence that Vikernes did at the time of his name change), his decision becomes downright ominous.

A fascinating dissertation exists entitled Wargus, Vargr—‘Criminal’ ‘Wolf’: A Linguistic and Legal Historical Investigation by Michael Jacoby, published in Uppsala, Sweden, but written in German. It is a highly detailed, heavily referenced exploration of the Germanic word Warg, or vargr in Norse.”

Qual é o lado mais podre do LobisOmen?

The designation was used in the oldest written laws of Northern Europe, often with a prefix to add a specific legal meaning, such as gorvargher (cattle thief) or morthvargr (killer).”

another ancient Germanic legal text, the Salic Law, which states: <If any one shall have dug up or despoiled an already buried corpse, let him be a varg.> Hehehe

LICANTROPIA ETIMOLOGIZADA E SOCIOLOGIZADA

Vargr is the same as u-argr, restless; argr being the same as the Anglo-Saxon earg. Vargr had its double signification in Norse. It signified a wolf, and also a godless man. […] The Anglo Saxons regarded him as an evil man: wearg, a scoundrel; Gothic vargs, a fiend. […] the ancient Norman laws said of the criminals condemned to outlawry for certain offenses, Wargus esto: be an outlaw! (be a varg!) […] among the Anglo Saxons an utlagh, or out-law, was said to have the head of a wolf. If then the term vargr was applied at one time to a wolf, at another to an outlaw who lived the life of a wild beast, away from the haunts of men—<he shall be driven away as a wolf, and chased so far as men chase wolves farthest,> was the legal form of sentence—it is certainly no matter of wonder that stories of outlaws should have become surrounded with mythical accounts of their transformation into wolves.” “As can be seen from the Baring-Gould quote above, the wolf connotation of the term later became associated with werewolves, and in certain sources the Devil himself is referred to as a werewolf. However, this negative outlook on wolves appears to surface after the onset of the Christian period of Europe; the pre-Christian heathens had a quite different perception. “A number of Black Metal bands display a fascination for the wolf. The most obvious example is Ulver, whose name itself means wolves in Norwegian.”

The wolf lives in the forest, symbol of the demonic world outside the control of human civilization, and serves thus as a link between the demonic and the cultural, chaos and order, light and dark, subconscious and conscious. Still I do not by this mean to say that the wolf represents the balance point between good and evil—rather he is the promoter of <evil> in a culture which has focused too much on the light side and disowned the animalistic. He symbolizes the forces which human civilization does not like to recognize, and is therefore looked upon with suspicion and awe.” E. Lancelot

In the older Viking times, wolves were totem animals for certain cults of warriors, the Berserkers. A specific group is mentioned in the sagas, the Ulfhethnar or <wolf-coats>, who donned the skin of wolves. Baring-Gould recounts the behavior of the Berserks who, wearing these special vestments, reached an altered state of consciousness:

<They acquired superhuman force […] No sword would wound them, no fire burn them, a club alone could destroy them, by breaking their bones, or crushing their skulls. Their eyes glared as though a flame burned in the sockets, they ground their teeth, and frothed at the mouth; they gnawed at their shield rims, and are said to have sometimes bitten them through, and as they rushed into conflict they yelped as dogs or howled as wolves.>”

Wolves are sacred to Odin, the <Allfather>, who is usually accompanied by his own two wolf-elementals, Geri and Freki. Many Germanic personal first names can be traced back to another root word for wolf, ulv or ulf, so this was clearly not an ignoble or derisive connotation, except in its varg form.” “In the old sagas Odin is bestowed with myriad names and titles, some of which include Herjan (War God), Yggr (the Terrible One), Bölverkr, (The Evil Doer), Boleyg (Fiery Eyed), and Grímnir (the Masked One).”

It happens that he betrays his believers and his protégés, and he sometimes seems to take pleasure in sowing the seeds of fatal discord..” Georges Dumézil

In her essay on the word Warg, Mary Gerstein also discusses comparative symbolism between Odin, who hung on the world tree Yggdrasil for 9 nights in order to gain wisdom, and Christ, who was hung on the cross as an outlaw [3 days], only to be reborn as an empowered heavenly deity. Vikernes, despite his heathenism, has in certain respects set himself up as both avatar and Christ-like martyr for his cause, willing to suffer in prison for his sacrifice.”

SUarEZ

zeus arrrrrrghhhhhhhhh

horror arquetípico:

argh!!!típico

GIMME THE HARP: “Odin is the embodiment of every form of frenzy, from the insane bloodlust that characterized the werewolf warriors who dedicated themselves to him, to erotic and poetic madness.” Não leia senhor dos anéis demaaais…

Odin’s hall is easy to recognize: a varg hangs before the western door, an eagle droops above.”

the renunciation oath which was enforced under Boniface among the Saxons and Thuringians, who were ordered to repeat: <I forsake all the Devil’s works and words, and Thunær (Thor) and Woden (Odin) and Saxnôt (the tribal deity of the Saxons) and all the monsters who are their companions.>”

In my town all they do is have their cars and they drive up and down the one main street. They have nothing else to do—it’s a kind of competition for who has the finest car and the loudest stereo. They basically live in their cars. Those who are younger, who don’t have a car—they sit at the side of the road and look at the cars. Their lives are extremely boring, and I can see that some people want more out of existence, they want to have their own personality and expression which makes it impossible to be associated with all those meaningless humans who walk around everywhere.” Isahn

It started up with the whole <anti-LaVey> attitude that was common within the scene, because his form of Satanism is very humane. No one wanted a humane Satanism” “When LaVey says that the simplest housewife can be a Satanist, which it seems like he does in the Satanic Bible, I guess some were terrified that he had views that would take the special thing they had away from them.” “Many people did not laugh; they were very serious all the time. Nothing should be <good>. Everybody was very grim looking. Everyone wanted to be like that, and I guess there are some who are that way still.” “Of course you were affected by the whole atmosphere, that you don’t sit and laugh in this Helvete place, and you have respect for the known figures in the scene, and were careful what to say to Euronymous in the beginning, before you got to know him.”

Normal people assume, <Oh, people into Black Metal must have had a terrible childhood and have been molested. They’re weak and come from terrible backgrounds.> But as far as I’m concerned, many people I know in the scene actually come from good families, non-religious families, and had a great childhood with very nice parents and no pressure at all. Quite wealthy families, really.”

LÁ VEM O SATANISTA: “Sometimes I think it would be great to be more anonymous—it’s a small town that I live in, everyone knows who I am. People look at me even though I don’t dress particularly extremely, just because everybody knows what I am. Also with where I work, people are very skeptical towards me, and sometimes it would be easier if no one knew.”

The essence of Black Metal is Heavy Metal culture, not Satanic philosophy. Just look at our audience. The average Black Metal record buyer is a stereotypical loser: a good-for-nothing who was teased as a child, got bad grades at school, lives on social welfare and seeks compensation for his inferiority complexes and lack of identity by feeling part of an exclusive gang of outcasts uniting against a society which has turned them down. And with Heavy Metal as a cultural and intellectual foundation, these dependents on social altruism proclaim themselves the <elite>! Hah!” E. Lancelot

MANIFESTUM UNIVERSALIS: “The Satanist is an observer of society—to him, the world is like a stage, in relation to which he chooses sometimes to be a spectator, other times a participant, according to his will. He can watch from the outside and laugh, cry, sigh, or applaud depending on the effect the scenery has on his emotions; or he can throw himself into the game for the thrill; but his nature is always that of the watcher, the artist. He is not overly concerned with changing society, for his commitment to humanity is minimal.”

An appropriate example of how such futile aspirations may end is the case of Varg Vikernes: a neo-Viking martyr. A prophet of the ego who paradoxically enough chose to be the Jesus of his ideals, and now must suffer for it behind the walls of spleen. I have much respect for this man’s conviction and courage, but not his sense of reality.” Garm

I think many of them have grown up with the Bible and phone book as the only books in the house.” Simen Midgaard, jornalista free-lancer e ocultista, líder do grupo Ordo Templi Orientis. “The O.T.O. is established in Norway, unlike the Church of Satan, Temple of Set, or other real Satanic organizations.”

if they are going to get rid of Judeo-Christianity, they will have to get rid of Satan as well, as a matter of fact. He is a sort of Trotsky in the revolution”

I’m rather indifferent to the State Church. I’m not indifferent to these terrible small sects who teach their people with fear from the day they are able to talk [essas pulgas de rodoviária!]. I support any revolt, however strong it is, against that kind of Christianity because I think it makes people into neurotics. It should be forbidden by law because they torture their own children.”

O BRASIL TEM O SATANISMO MAIS MADURO (O CARNAVALESCO – A LUBRICIDADE DA CARNE): “Satanism in Norway has become strong because it’s a despotic form of Satanism, but that is also why it’s going to fade so fast—because people are not able to live like that for a very long period of time.” Pål Mathiesen, teólogo cristão

The Satanists say—to put it brutally—that we are animals. The animal culture is the most important one, and we are losing that part of us. This is broad in the culture today, with the “wild women,” etc., this whole thing of going back to nature. Being part of nature instead of spirit or morals is very strong now.”

That struck me when I was talking to Ihsahn, the symbols he was using of 3,000 or 4,000-year-old Eastern religions, and at the same to say that it’s only Norway for me and only the Nordic religion that counts. It’s not rational on that point at all. It doesn’t relate to history as something rational—you just use it.”

I think Vikernes has been analyzing our times and thinking, what can we do to achieve something? But I also think that over the years he will find out that for us to go back to the heathen religion is very, very unrealistic. It’s not going to happen if you look at the religious aspect of it. We’re not going to go back to that kind of religious ritual. That is not going to happen.”

If you are declared a Satanist or Nazi in Norway, then you are that for the rest of your life, there’s not a question about it. You will be condemned for the rest of your life. I hate that aspect of our culture, I really think it’s a bad thing, because if we don’t have an opening for forgiveness it becomes very alien to me.”

I think in society when something like that happens it’s a very good opportunity for the media. They like it because they can start a lasting soap opera with strong characters, and these Satanic groups. The media embraced it to a certain extent, and made it really big in Norway. Of course it was big, but I would say that the media capitalized on it, because it was something extreme, new, and specifically Norwegian. For them to sell newspapers, they treat it as extremely as possible. Very early on the media started to define them as total extremists, the same way they might look upon the neo-Nazi movement. They defined them as that right away; then they had them there and they can look upon them like animals doing strange things, and they can report it like something that is very different from the rest of our society.”

This is something that’s important—individualism in Norway has been held down. That has happened. If you are different in school, or very good for example, or very intelligent, that becomes a problem for you. We don’t accept people with exceptional gifts or anything like that. In England or the US, you have schools for these kind of youngsters, you send them somewhere else, and say, <You are different, go over there>. We don’t have that. Everything is supposed to fit in, in a classroom of 25 or 30 people. If you are too weak or too healthy, or if you’re too good, you’re supposed to shut up. It’s mediocrity.” “We have a very special relationship to nature, a very close one. And during the Christian period this thing with nature has been suppressed—nature is not good, nature is <evil>, so to speak. Norwegians interact with nature and are very closely connected to it, just due to the way the country itself is formed.”

They’ve spent fifty years after the war bringing down Christianity, and for the first time they’re saying now that we need more Christianity in the schools. It shows the times have changed. Maybe we have become conscious to some extent about the Christian culture when people start to burn down our churches—maybe, you can’t rule that out.”

Asbjørn Dyrendal is a Research Fellow at the Department of Cultural Studies at the University in Oslo. He has been primarily researching the new and emergent religions, especially Wicca.”

There you had a lot of young people who wanted to be Satanists. Where could they hear about what you do when you’re a Satanist? They had to get it through the media and Christian sources. They got the myths, and they tried as best as they could, by their rather modest means, to live up to them. You can see that in the early interviews with Varg Vikernes. There were situations where the journalists were trying to see this in light of the stories supplied by Kobbhaug [policial que fantasiava sobre <sacrifícios de bebês>], and where Vikernes played the appropriate role. He was hinting that many people disappear each year, that these might have been killed, and then said that he cannot comment on who was doing the killings. When asked if he has killed anyone: I can’t talk about that. He was building up to get the question of whether he had killed anyone, and then denying it in a manner which implied the opposite.” Dyrendal

Vikernes was very fond of telling people that he read LaVey and Crowley. However, what he has come out with in interviews indicates that he hasn’t understood it all very well.”

WAIT & BLEED: “If you are an adolescent, you are in a period of your life where it is impossible for you to exert influence upon your surroundings. Being able to hate and feel strong can be very liberating. This is much of the same power that lay in other forms of Metal and in Punk.” “It has passed the point where people point at you and laugh, and reached the point where people shy away from you.”

Almost every form of shocking behavior will only make your parents say, <Well, we did that when we were young too>. So, to get a shock effect, you have to go much further in your symbolism. Personally, I think these explanations are a bit simplistic.”

I am of the opinion that most people see Vikernes as a rather pathetic figure—

someone with delusions of grandeur who is only able to function within this self-created image.”

The myth of the outwardly respectable, even upstanding, citizens that go out at night to do terrible things to children has been around for thousands of years and has been levelled at Christians, Jews, Catholics, Protestants, heretics, Freemasons, and lots of other groups. It was then recycled by horror writers, who fictionalized the material. It now seems to be influencing reality again. One account of <ritual abuse> I have read seems to have been lifted directly from Rosemary’s Baby, one of the great horror classics.”

There have only been a handful of Metal groups with direct ties to LaVey’s church over the years (King Diamond being one of the more outspoken), although in recent times this has begun to change. LaVey was himself a musician, specializing in lost or obscure songs of ages past, but he often mentioned a personal distaste for Rock and other modern music in interviews. This might have alienated some musicians—who otherwise exemplify LaVey’s philosophy—from any public allegiance with the Church of Satan. In reality, LaVey understood fully why a genre like Black Metal has appeal for youth, though he may not had have much interest in the cacophony of the music itself.” “The Black Metalers are also quite mistaken if they believe LaVey is merely a humanist. Even a cursory study of LaVey’s actual writings will uncover his unabashed misanthropy and derisive scorn for the follies of humankind.”

A lot of people had tried to give it exposure, as Devil’s advocates—writers like Twain and Nietzsche—but none had codified it as a religion, a belief system.” LaVey

In the case of the Nine Satanic Statements, it took me twenty minutes to write them out. I was listening to Chopin being played in the next room and I was so moved I just wrote them out on a pad of paper lying next to me. The crux of the philosophy of Satanism can be found in the Satanic Rules of the Earth, Pentagonal Revisionism, and the Nine Satanic Sins, of which of course <stupidity> is tantamount, closely followed by <pretentiousness>. Often pretentiousness comes in the form of so-called <independent thinkers> that have a knee-jerk reaction [reação reflexa, instantânea] to any association with us.” Não compreendo o sentido exato.

It sounds like there’s a lot of stupid people in Norway too, like any country.” “We get more mail from Russia than ever, now that the Soviet Union is gone. They’ve been under atheist control for so long and the new religious <freedom> is pushing bullshit they can’t swallow. They almost yearn for the good old days of Soviet atheism…”

A lot of them are kids and they like the name Satan just as they might be attracted to a swastika and the colors red and black.” “Now, if a representative of the Church of Satan had just one entire hour on national TV to say what we want to say, Christianity would be finished.”

The anti-Christian strength of National-Socialist Germany is part of the appeal to Satanists—the drama, the lighting, the choreography with which they moved millions of people. However, the Satanic attitude is that people should be judged by their own merit—in every race there are leaders and followers. Satanists are the <Others>, who will push the pendulum in the direction it needs to go to reset the balance—depending on circumstances, this could be toward fascism or in the opposite direction. Satanism is a very brutal, realistic way of looking at things sometimes.” Barton, boqueteiro (assessor, amante, secretário, sei lá!) oficial de LaVey – verde a cor do nojo

How can someone say I don’t like Rock and Roll? It’s never been defined. There’s so much that’s fallen under that general heading, but I guess it then evolved into what we have now, which I’ve described as being like a linear metronome, i.e., music without music. They’ve just run out of ideas, really.” Continua ouvindo seu Chopin no Inferno, velhote.

kids who don’t know anything besides Rock music can still gain strength and motivation from Black Metal, Death Metal, and so forth.” Enough to found a new “religion”.

…And then you have to get a job! That’s no market place for 2 (or 20, whatever) LaFEIs…

O SEGUNDO VARG É MAIS ESPERTO: “The biggest success story in Norwegian Black Metal—measured in chart positions, magazine coverage, and gaudy magazine posters—is Dimmu Borgir, a band which boasts of six-figure CD sales on the German label Nuclear Blast. Dimmu Borgir were not part of the initial waves of Norwegian Black Metal, and therefore they have neither blood nor soot on their hands. But they have been very adept at capitalizing on the shocking image of their predecessors in the genre, while at the same time carefully distancing themselves from the worst excesses so as not to lose record sales or gigs. A typical example can be seen in the promo pictures of Dimmu Borgir engaging in the mock sacrifice of a virgin —pictures that were produced in versions ranging from <softcore> (less gore) to <hardcore> (very bloody), so that different media could pick the version most suited to their audience. In other words, it seemed as if Dimmu Borgir wanted to be provocative enough to make the kids think they were cool, but not so provocative that the kids couldn’t get their parents to buy them the album for Christmas.”

Two or three years ago it was on the verge of becoming really, really big, and the international press was interested in Black Metal. If there had been more bands like Dimmu Borgir and The Kovenant that could have made it big in the mainstream, Black Metal could have been another example of an underground that stepped up to the major league. But strong forces in the scene suddenly became very introverted and reverted to an older, harder style of Black Metal.” AsbjØrn Slettemark

There is a handful of bands that sell well, about 10,000 to 20,000 copies of each release. But sales figures are hard to confirm, because labels tend to exaggerate; and on the other hand, many of the retailers for Black Metal records don’t register their sales.”

It is my impression that Nuclear Blast realized their stable of Death Metal and Speed Metal artists were starting to lag behind. It seems to me like they picked Dimmu Borgir more or less by chance, because the records that got them the contract weren’t really that special. But Dimmu Borgir were still developing as a band, and they were willing to do the image and magazine poster thing. It wouldn’t be possible to sell a more established band like Mayhem or Darkthrone the same way. I guess Dimmu Borgir have the good old Pop Star ambition, the standing in front of the mirror singing into the toothbrush thing.”

Compared to the multinational record companies, Nuclear Blast Records is like a hot dog stand. But the German label has its home base in the world’s biggest market for heavy metal, and is serious enough to have an American distribution deal with Warner Records. And Nuclear Blast know how to <move units>, in record business parlance. The Marketing Director of Nuclear Blast, Yorck Eysel, says Dimmu Borgir has sold 150,000 copies of their last album and 400,000 discs in all during the time they have been with his label. These numbers are repeated like a mantra by everyone that works with the band, but should be taken with a pinch of salt, as exaggerating sales figures is the oldest trick in the book for vinyl and CD pushers. They know that it is easier to sell you a record that has been in the charts than one which has only been coveted by a few obsessive collectors. Even if the sales figures might be inflated, Dimmu Borgir has sold an impressive amount of records, and Eysel thinks that is due to the band’s merit.”

Interestingly, during Varg Vikernes’s trial a Burzum album was reviewed in the news section of Dagbladet, one of Norway’s most important tabloids; this was at a time when his band was being treated with contempt [even] by the Rock [specialized] press.” “Pop music there generally has been difficult to export and the Metal bands regularly outsell the <commercial> Norwegian bands”

Sigurd Wongraven of Satyricon, who had earlier starred in a Rock Furore exposé about racism in Black Metal, later received the full Rock star treatment in mainstream tabloid Dagbladet for a 2-page article which focused on the fact that Wongraven liked Italian designer clothes. Black Metal had become popular enough, and house-trained enough, for the mainstream press to dispense with the barge pole when touching it, even if the specters of racism and satanism still surfaced often enough to make the bands seem somewhat scary.”

Ketil Sveen, a co-founder of the record label and distributor Voices of Wonder, was one of the first people to sell Norwegian Black Metal records on a bigger scale. He ended his cooperation with Burzum after Varg Vikernes stated that he was a National-Socialist. Today there is a racism clause in the contracts which prospective artists have to sign in order to work with Voices of Wonder.”

We sell Black Metal in 25 countries—there’s not a lot of other music that we get out to so many.” Sveen

BURZUM_lighter

IMAGEM 4. Igreja de Fantoft em brasa e logotipo da banda de Vikernes num isqueiro promocional da Voices of Wonder. “I’ve done a few stupid things in my life, and that lighter was one of the stupidest. In my defense I want to say that none of us suspected Vikernes had really done anything like that. We figured that if he was crazy enough to torch a church he would not be crazy enough to go around bragging about it.” Sveen

Welcome to the world of German Black Metal. Less well known than its Norwegian counterpart, the German scene remains genuinely underground, an obscure exit off the darkened Autobahn of extreme Rock. That changed briefly following the night of April 29, 1993, however, when the members of the Black Metal band [arguably] Absurd followed the example set by Bård Eithun and Varg Vikernes and replaced thought with crime.”

Lianne von Billerbeck & Frank Nordhausen – Satanskinder (Satan’s Children: The murder case of Sandro B., 1994)

Such curiosities were difficult to satisfy until the Wall fell in 1989 and East Germany was opened to the West. At this point previously forbidden or impossible-to-obtain records and videos steadily came within reach. The three 17-year-olds Hendrik Möbus, Sebastian Schauscheill, and Andreas Kirchner began to draw attention to themselves with their Satanic obsessions and penchant for Black Metal. They were antagonized for their interests by many of the other kids in town—both left-wing punks and right-wing skinheads [curiosamente, o som da banda é nazi, sobre guitarras punks estéreis] —but developed a group of admirers among the local schoolgirls.” “At a certain point in 1992, a younger student, a 14-year-old named Sandro, also developed a fascination for the members of this sinister band and their associates.” “Widely disliked due to his irritating manners, he had almost no real friends. He quickly began to adopt the style and interests of the satanists and desperately tried to ingratiate himself into their circle. He would ask to attend band rehearsals and began corresponding with them and the others in the clique [panela] around Absurd. Satanskinder describes a peculiar <letter writing culture> that thrived among all of these youths.” “Heated arguments also took place there between them and members of the Christian Youth Club, which met regularly at the Center as well.”

Together with a young girl named Rita, Sandro began to plot actions against Sebastian and Hendrik, hoping to make a mockery of them in Sondershausen.” “He was also aware of an ongoing affair between Sebastian and an older married woman named Heidegrit Goldhardt, now pregnant with Sebastian’s child.” “Sebastian’s romantic relationship with Heidegrit, who oddly enough was an evangelical Christian schoolteacher, had produced some unexpected results. He had joined in with her pet projects for environmentalism and animal rights, and now spent time writing polemical letters to the newspapers about such issues.” “Absurd no longer rehearsed at the Youth Center, but had moved their equipment to a small cottage built by Hendrik’s father in the nearby woods. Through the guise of a female friend, Juliane, a letter was sent to Sandro in which she confided her hatred of Absurd. She asked Sandro to meet her one evening at the Rondell, a WW1 memorial in the forest above the town, in order to discuss how she could contribute to Sandro’s campaign against the satanists.” “Juliane didn’t appear, but the members of Absurd did instead. Sandro must have been confused, but dismissed any idea that he had been set up. They then somehow convinced him to accompany them elsewhere so that they could all discuss an important matter.” “Suddenly Andreas grabbed an electrical cord and wrapped it around Sandro’s neck. A struggle ensued, Sandro tried to scream for help. At this point, Hendrik is alleged to have pulled a knife and cut Sandro. They tied his hands behind his back. Sandro begged to be let free, promising to never speak about anything that had just happened. They could even have his life savings—500 German Marks (approximately $325). The boys considered the idea of letting him go free in the woods, but feared he would not keep his promise of silence about the abduction, especially now that he had been wounded.” “On May 1st [2 dias depois] the three members of Absurd returned to the scene of the crime and dragged Sandro’s corpse, wrapped in a blanket, to a nearby excavation pit, where they quickly buried him.” “Sebastian related a strange personal anecdote: about 6 months before the murder he heard a voice in his head. It was difficult to understand; he thought it uttered the nonsensical phrase <Küster Maier>. Later he decided it probably must have said <töte Beyer> (Kill Beyer!).” “The story detailed above follows the chronology presented in Satanskinder, although the book embellishes it with endless psychological speculation. The descriptions of the authors are based entirely on comments by disgruntled ex-friends and hangers-on who had interacted with the killers, since the latter refused to speak to them. The picture painted is one of an outsider group of youths whose fantasies got the best of them.”

We used to listen to British and German Punk Rock, British Oi, as well as Thrash Metal (Slayer, Destruction, Sodom, Morbid Angel, Possessed).” Hendrik

mostly we obtained Polish or Hungarian bootlegs, or recorded stuff from the West German radio.” “I guess it was just a question of time before we became aware of splendid bands like Deicide, Beherit, Sarcófago, Bathory, Mayhem, and Darkthrone…”

Before he <moved to the beyond>, Øystein Aarseth wanted to sign Absurd to Deathlike Silence, since our Death from the Forest demo appealed to him quite a bit.”

ABSURD HAS CALLED ITSELF <LUCIFERIAN PAGANS>…

You can use the terms <Luciferian>, <Promethean>, and <Faustian> to describe one and the same principle: reaching out toward a higher stage of existence and awareness by facing and overcoming the limiting circumstances. That is the trail we are on. However, a <Luciferian will> on its own would fall into hedonism and egomania. For that reason we need heathenism; on the one hand for expression of free will, but also for its channeling toward the greater good. In other words, a person of this sort should not operate only according to self-interest, but rather should serve his ethnic community and be the <light bringer> for it.

What we didn’t know, and only first learned from the court record, was that Sandro was bisexual. With a likelihood bordering on certainty, Sandro had fallen in love with Sebastian. That is also not astonishing, as in those days Sebastian had a certain <sex appeal> among the youths.

So Sandro discovered the relationship between Sebastian and his lover, who was married and 8 years older, while Sebastian was also considered the leader of the local satanists. If this relationship were to become public—which did indeed happen after the arrests—then it would have caused a significant fuss in the small town of Sondershausen, the result being that the girl would have been expelled from her congregation.”

WHAT WERE YOU EACH FOUND GUILTY OF?

Due to our age of 17, they had to use the youth laws for punishment, which meant a maximum of ten years in detention, no matter if even for mass-murder. At the start of 1994 our trial took place, which was a giant media spectacle. Among other things, the court found us guilty of first degree murder, deprivation of liberty, threat and duress, and bodily injury. (…) Ironically, the section we were sentenced under is one of the few pieces of legislation that remains today from National-Socialist jurisprudence.

Besides the trashy book Satanskinder, at least 3 other books feature our case. However, this book is certainly wrong with its version (although several phrases sound familiar…), due to the fact we refused to cooperate. A TV-film has also been made based on the events in Sondershausen. We have become <Satan murderers> and <Children of Satan> for all time. One could laugh about these stories, which are eternally the same old thing, if only they hadn’t led to such dire consequences. Apart from the media’s self interest for an ongoing story, there are also circles of people that have utilized the media for engaging in personal conflicts with, for example, my parents. It has long since ceased to have anything to do with <discovering the truth> (if that ever had even played a role) or <informing the public>. It has to do with chicanery, with calculated slander. It can further be asserted in my case that I turn more and more into the archetype of the scapegoat. I am the modern Loki, whom the gods punished for their own sins.

Andreas was released a year before Sebastian and I. After getting reacquainted with the scene for a half-year (among other things, he attended a Mayhem reunion concert in Bischofswerda), he retreated completely back into his private life. He broke off all contacts, lives with his girlfriend, and has a good job. Even if I was unhappy about his <departure>, I nevertheless wish him all the best.

Sebastian has totally devoted himself to a folkish world of ideas. He is married and has made a small circle of friends and acquaintances in which he actually plays the same role as he once did in our clique in Sondershausen. In the meantime he has also recorded and released new Absurd material. In addition he sings with Halgadom, a joint project with the band Stahlgewitter who are friends of his. He has only a peripheral contact with the scene, a situation that has probably kept him out of the media’s sights. It is different with me, for I have always had and maintained numerous contacts in the scene. In addition, I worked at Darker Than Black Records, through which I naturally was in a more prominent situation than my two former accomplices. Since then the media has decided to put me in the stocks and clothe me as their new scapegoat. Because I also nurtured an association with nationalistically inclined people, I have been charged severely. Nobody was interested in the facts anymore, the only thing that counted was sensationalism.”

Beginning meagerly with hymns to demons discovered in Satanic horror films, the early demo cassettes of the band are low-fi chunks of adolescent noise, soaked with distortion and offering unintentionally humorous spoken introductions to the songs. Their music is more akin to ’60s garage Punk than some of the well-produced Black Metal of their contemporaries—but what they lacked by way of musical execution they were more than willing to make up for with the real-life execution of the sad figure of Sandro Beyer.” “If there is any clear spiritual mentor behind Absurd’s transformation over the years, it is Varg Vikernes. Varg himself seems to be aware of this, and smiles when talking of recent events inspired by what happened in Norway: <In Germany some churches have burned. And there are the Absurd guys, who have also turned neo-Nazi…>”

The long quotation Hendrik attributes to <Herr Wolf> at the end of the interview is in actuality the words of Adolph Hitler, speaking of the new prototype of hardened, pitiless youth which Nazi Germany would produce.”

WHITEWASHED CARBON COPY: “Such sentiments would make Varg Vikernes proud. Absurd’s own tiny record label, Burznazg, takes its name from a term Varg once planned to use for his own operations, and the most infamous criminal in Norway was surely proud to know of the Tribute to Burzum compilation CD project initiated by Hendrik Möbus and friends.”

Möbus also reveals the existence of a Germanic <Black Circle> which he claims the members of Absurd are also connected to, called Die Teutsche Brüderschaft (Teutonic Brotherhood). The Brüderschaft is mentioned prominently in the dedication list on Absurd’s debut CD.”

In July of 1999 announcements circulated about the release of Absurd’s new 4-song CD entitled Asgardsrei. The CD featured a more aesthetic presentation and an evolved sound, although with much of Absurd’s garage-band ambience still intact. Guests on the release included Graveland’s Rob Darken and well as an <ex-member of the German mainstream band Weissglut>. The end of the advertisement advised interested customers to <ORDER IT NOW before ZOG¹ take YOUR copy>.”

¹ “A sarcastic acronym for Zionist Occupational Government, often employed in radical political circles to describe any of the present-day Western democratic states.”

The public prosecutor had now decided to launch an effort to revoke Hendrik’s parole on the basis of alleged political crimes he had committed since his release from juvenile prison. These consisted of displaying banned political emblems and also giving a <Hitler salute> at a concert.” “Travelling across the USA, Hendrik passed through a string of ill-fated liaisons with racists upon whom he depended for safe-housing, culminating with two of them violently threatening him. Following this incident, he eventually made his way to the state of West Virginia and to the headquarters of William Pierce’s racialist group the National Alliance. All was relatively quiet for a number of weeks until Hendrik was arrested in late August, 2000 by US federal agents acting on an international warrant. The German government had requested to have Hendrik extradited to face his charges of parole violation.

The press treatment of the case was unusual, with Hendrik being elevated from a <Satanic murderer> to a <neo-Nazi fugitive>. He became an international cause célèbre—garnering headlines in US News and World Report, as well as major papers like the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post—and his case raised many serious issues about the way in which modern democratic states handle persons who they deem as threats to democracy itself. Soon after his arrest, Hendrik wrote a letter to US President Bill Clinton and Attorney-General Janet Reno and requested status as a political refugee, stating that if he were extradited back to Germany he would be persecuted on account of his political beliefs.” “A <Free Hendrik Möbus> campaign was also launched on the Internet, and William Pierce produced episodes of his radio program American Dissident Voices in which he addressed the topic of Möbus’s case in detail. In the first major ruling, the U.S. magistrate decided that Hendrik was not eligible for political asylum as he was a <convicted felon> in Germany. Hendrik then attempted to appeal the decision. In their commentaries on the case, both he and William Pierce attempted to make the fundamental issue one of free speech, since the actions which resulted in the original parole revocation were not of a violent nature, but rather <political> misdeeds (which would be perfectly legal according to US laws). Both the US and German governments tried to avoid this thorny issue and confine the legal proceedings to the logistical issues of Hendrik’s parole violation itself, rather than debating the validity of the charges that led to the violation.” A FRAQUEZA CONGÊNITA DO TOTALITARISMO: “His strategy for avoiding extradition created a further paradox: he was forced to seek the mercy of liberal democratic political asylum laws—exactly the sort of laws which a strident German nationalist would vehemently oppose in their own country for anti-immigration reasons.”

Two further court judgments against him, one for public display of the Hitler salute and the other for mocking his victim in published statements, have added more than two years of additional incarceration to the time he will serve in jail. It quickly became clear that Hendrik’s personal goal of collaborating with William Pierce in a venture to promote radical Black Metal through the racial music underground would be impossible to realize from a German prison cell. An equally significant obstacle arose exactly one year later when William Pierce died suddenly from cancer on July 23, 2002.”

Gorefest, an antiracist and politically correct Death Metal group.”

The teenager’s room was described as quite ordinary, except for a collection of disturbing compact discs. His neighbors had often noticed sounds blaring from his room, <gnawing music, hard and stressful, which one would hear late at night>—not a bad description of standard Black Metal from an unfamiliar listener.”

When a black-metaller enters a party at nite, we can say he cvlt up from his home.

Jean-Paul Bourre – Les Profanateurs (The Desecrators): “The fascination surrounding the grave of Jim Morrison of The Doors (buried in Paris’ famous Père La Chaise cemetery) and those of other notable personalities is also inexplicably discussed in one chapter. Les Profanateurs desperately attempts to pull all these disparate elements into a sinister scenario in hopes of alarming its readers.” Parece até o livro que estou lendo!

They got pissed and destroyed a few graveyards and subsequently they were in prison for it. The hoo-hah died down pretty quickly over it, and that sort of thing isn’t good for a band of our stature anyway because people get the whole ideology wrong straight away. This is why we kind of branched off from the Norwegian thing because as soon as you’ve got the Black Metal tag, people assume you are a fascist and you’re into Devil worship, which can be linked to child abuse.” Dani Filth, a ovelha negra (lúcida)

uktabloid
IMAGEM 5. Queen tabloid

The band began fairly quickly to distance themselves from their musical peers in Scandinavia by employing evocative aesthetics in the album artwork, and covering more romanticized themes drawn from nineteenth century literature and poetry. They wore the requisite Black Metal corpsepaint, but began to cultivate an atmosphere befitting of Hammer horror films rather than the one-dimensional <evilness> projected by other groups. Later releases Vempire and Dusk and Her Embrace brought the group to a exponentially increasing audience.”

In a strange political twist, an extremist racial group, the National Radical Party, nominated the singer of Metal band Korrozia Metalla (Коррозия Металла) as a mayoral candidate in Moscow. His name is Sergei Troitsky, AKA Spider, and he normally dresses in black T-shirts, jeans, and jackboots. Korrozia Metalla’s most popular song among fans is called Kill the Sunarefa, a slang term for darkly hued minorities from the south.” “Additional titillation regularly comes from naked females dancers who prance [rebolam, sensualizam] and masturbate on stage beside the musicians.”

The name Russia itself, after all, comes from the predominantly Swedish Viking tribe of the Rus who settled the region in the year 852C.E.[?].”

Poland, too, has a rapidly growing Black Metal scene which is closely linked to the rise of extreme right-wing activity there. The most visible band from that country is Graveland, led by the outspoken frontman Robert Fudali, AKA Darken.”

Fans of extreme Metal in this country are often far less intelligent than their Norwegian or European counterparts.” Which means, actually, that they are more intelligent.

SOCIEDADE DO ESPETÁCULO CONSUMADA: “The primary American interests outside of music include drugs and alcohol, neither of which played any significant part in the Norwegian Black Metal milieu. As a result, any antisocial actions are likely to be misdirected at best. The attempts to interrelate them into any kind of grand Satanic conspiracy are fruitless; the main similitude of these crimes lies in their irrational confusion.”

Singer Glen Benton branded an upside-down cross into his forehead years ago, and (to the obvious irritation of groups like Animal Militia) often advocates animal sacrifice in interviews. Allegedly the band’s albums have sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide.”

On April 13th, a group of male teenagers commenced a campaign of mayhem and terror with startling similarities in spirit to the Norse eruption in 1992–93. Calling themselves the Lords of Chaos, the cabal of six began their crusade by burning down a supermarket construction trailer. They followed this with the arson of a Baptist church. The terror spree escalated in perversity when the youths spread gasoline around a tropical aviary cage adjacent to a theme restaurant, then ignited the thatched-roof structure and watched the blaze exterminate the entire collection of exotic birds.”

Finnish groups like Beherit and Impaled Nazarene have enjoyed considerable success worldwide, paving the way for many fans to form their own bands and follow in their footsteps. And just as in Norway, segments of the Black Metal subculture also wed themselves to an especially virulent strain of teenaged Satanism. (…) They wear the distinctive Black Metal make-up, which gives cause for some Finns to call them <penguins>, and they flock to music festivals where their favorite bands play.” É o finlandês da picada…

Finnish metal him! Flo Mounier’s victory!

Unlike the scene in Norway, the crimes connected with Black Metal in Finland emanate from the fans, not the prominent artists. Despite its small size, this confused scene has produced one of the grisliest events to arise anywhere out of the Black Metal phenomenon. In one of the most notable cases in Finnish court history, four young Black Metalers murdered a friend in a scenario which featured overtones of Satanic sacrifice, cannibalism, and necrophilia.” “Reporting on the case is further complicated by the fact that the court has implemented a forty-year secrecy act on the entire legal proceedings.”

Jarno Elg’s career as a glue-sniffer and aspiring alcoholic led to psychiatric care at the young age of 11. He tried hashish the following year. By the time he was 16, young Jarno was drinking daily and devouring books on Satanism. This diet of Kilju [bebida etílica baseada na fermentação da laranja, com gusto e cheiro horríveis, típica da Finlândia], psychoactive chemicals, and teenaged Satanism was bound to go awry.”

The Poetic Edda, translated by Henry Adams Bellows

Sociologist Jeffrey Arnett has described Heavy Metal music as the <sensory equivalent of war.>” Segundo consta, numa rápida googlada, o sr. Arnett é PSICÓLOGO na área da adolescência/jovens adultos, e não SOCIÓLOGO.

[????????????????????????????] In France the journal Napalm Rock is issued regularly under the auspices of the National-Bolshevist political group Nouvelle Résistance.” Erva mais vencida que Hitler em 44.

The rebellious impulse in Metal therefore has yet to synthesize the nihilism with the fascism, and since fascism is a synthesis itself, there’s no reason this cannot eventually be achieved.” Kerry Bolton

The ‘60s music genres were thoroughly phony in their radicalism. Unlike Black Metal (and for that matter Oi, and much Industrial) the ‘60s musicians had no fundamental difference in outlook to the establishment they were supposedly rebelling against.”

ILLUMINATI: “The possibility of being bought off by the music business would most likely be by way of insisting on a return to the specifically anti-Christian themes at the expense of the heathen resurgence, since I’m sure many of the executives of the music industry can co-exist well enough and even utilize anti-Christianity, including Satanism, especially if it is of the nature of yet one more superficial American commodity.”

Será que esses albinos “phoneys” e bastardos utilizam Mozart o Maçom como garoto-propaganda de seu ideário europeu?

According to the police, the Einsatzgruppe was plotting direct action against prominent Norwegian politicians, bishops, and public figures. The group’s plans included a scheme to break Varg Vikernes out of jail by force. The Einsatzgruppe had all the trappings of a paramilitary unit: bulletproof vests, steel helmets, cartridge belts, and ski masks. In addition, the police found a list of 12 firearms and a map for a hiding place at a mountain. However, the only weapons the police confiscated right away were some sawed-off shotguns and dynamite with blasting caps. The police also found a war chest with 100,000 Norwegian Kroner (close to $20,000). This had been supplied by Lene Bore, Varg Vikernes’s mother. She was also arrested and charged with financing an illegal group. Bore confessed, but claimed she had no idea these people were <right-wing extremists>. She expressed concerns about the treatment her son received in jail, and claimed that he was subjected to violence by his fellow inmates. This was dismissed as unfounded by the prison director. However, it is true that Varg’s jaw had been broken in an altercation with another inmate in late 1996.” “Curiously, Bore could not be prosecuted under Norwegian law—conspiracy to break the law is not illegal if it is done to help a close family member.” “The group was, according to some sources, aiming to escape with the freed Vikernes to Africa—hardly the hideout of choice for passionate racists.”

The stigma associated with Nazism is much stronger in Norway than it is in neighboring Sweden or the US, where most of the Norwegian Nazis draw their inspiration from. This is largely due to the fact that Norway was occupied by Nazi Germany from 1940 to 1945.”

The Mayor of Brumunddal was subjected to what one would call low-level harassment. No physical attacks, no real serious vandalism, but an endless stream of mail-order merchandise, pizzas and ambulances ordered in his name. Pornographic photo montages were also posted along the route his children walked to school. Two of the activists from Brumunddal defecated on the steps of the town hall to express their discontent with municipal policy. They thought this was really smart, so they did it once more, and then were caught.”

Gaston Bachelard – Psychoanalysis of Fire

Fire stirs the spirit of human artistry; it is the spark of the will-to-create. It expresses the polarity of emotions, as Bachelard notes, and represents both the passionate higher ideals, as well as the hot and consuming tempers of irrationality.”

Most people have lost interaction with real fire; the once universal, mystical experience of blazing night fires is gone from their lives. Stoking the flames of resentment or dissension is frowned upon in a world which depends on the smooth exchange of services. Those possessed of unrestrained spirit are silenced, or ordered to fit in. Their tendencies must be stifled. Extreme emotions are shunned; those who act on them become outcasts. Mainstream culture produces a bulging sea of quaint diversions, the ostensible rewards for good behavior. The music and art made available to the masses has the consistency of soft, damp pulp—hardly a conducive medium for fire.”

re-fuse/reexist

* * *

ANEXOS

It’s not good for us to laugh. We have nothing to laugh at in this laughable society.” Varguxo

The wild hunt appeared in many legends—a ghostly flock of dark, martial shapes riding through the night on their horses through the woods, lead by Odin, the one-eyed ruler of the dead, or sometimes by a female rider… a perception that in Christian times was transposed onto the Archangel Michael and his hosts.”

The Austrian folklorist Otto Höfler was able to prove in his books Kultische Geheimbünde der Germanen and Verwandlungskulte (Transformation Cults) that the wild hunt was not at all a mythological interpretation of storms, thunder, or flocks of birds—as many researchers thought—but a union of mythology and folklore, of myth and reality which was of great importance in the Nordic mystery cults.” “Höfler stressed that in the Germanic Weltanschauung, like that of most pre-Christian cultures, there was no sharp distinction between this world and the one beyond—the borders were fluid. The folklore of the cult groups was often very brutal. With or without drugs the members felt a furor teutonicus which Höfler called a <decidedly terroristic ecstasy> with various excesses”

Beer was was their special goal—kegs were stolen or secretly emptied, sometimes to be refilled with water or horse urine, or they themselves urinated back into the barrels. Often horses were also stolen; they became the property of the Oskorei. In the morning the farmers found their horses completely exhausted, or they had to search for them because the apocalyptic riders had set them free somewhere.”

Hoping for a rich harvest, one accepted the demands and offenses of the Oskorei as part of the bargain. Similar perceptions existed in the Alps when the Perchten were given nourishment as they went from house to house, or they were allowed to plunder the pantry.” “Gradually, however, many farmers were no longer willing to accept the outrages of the Oskorei. The cultic background of the thefts and pranks fell into oblivion, becoming superstition. The sympathy of the populace disappeared—now the disguised young men were no longer considered embodiments of the dead or fertility demons, but rather trouble-makers and evil-doers.” “The louder the drums, bells, cries, rattles, and whips, the more effective the noise magic became.”

They dress as ghostly as possible, speaking with a falsetto voice, reaching ecstasy by dancing, music and noise. … Their clothes should be as nightmarish as possible. They attempted to dress as ugly as they were able. They had terrible eyes, with big white rings or painted up with coal. (Johannessen, Norwegisches Burschenbrauchtum. Kult und Saga. Wien, 1967 (dissertation), pp. 13, 95.)”

The disguised members of the Oskorei altered their voices and gave themselves false names—they represented demons and had to remain unknown. In Black Metal as well only a few musicians use their real names; many take pseudonyms from Nordic history and mythology and in the meantime it is possible to find in Black Metal culture almost all deities of the Eddas.”

munch_scream
IMAGEM 6. O Grito, de Munch, pintor norueguês expressionista.

But Black Metal is above all heathen noise, electronically enhanced. The music is powerful, violent, dark and grim; a demonic sonic art with several elements in common with the Norwegian expressionist painter Edvard Munch, whose famous work The Scream would fit well on a record cover. The eternal recurrence of certain leitmotifs, the dark blazing atmosphere, the obscure, viscous sonic landscape of many songs—often lasting more than ten minutes— have at times an almost psychedelic effect. In the heaviness and darkness of certain compositions it is possible to realize some subliminal melodies only after listening to these works several times. Black Metal is a werewolf culture, a werewolf romanticism.”

<A hard heart was placed in my breast by Wotan.> (Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil, aph. 260)” Muito bacana descontextualizar aforismos!

The first song I heard by Burzum was Det Som Engang Var in the CD Hvis lyset tar oss. Even now this song remains for me the most beautiful and powerful work of Burzum; its symphonic sonic violence is impressive over and over again. It is a 14-minute-long composition full of grim, blazing beauty—dark and fateful. The uniquely hair-raising, screaming-at-the-heavens vocal of Varg Vikernes turns the piece into an expressionistic shriek-opera, the words of which are probably incomprehensible even for Norwegians. The song was composed in the spring of 1992. Another work which fascinates me very much is Tomhet (Emptiness), on the same CD. This song too has an extraordinary length; from my point of view it is an exceptional soundtrack to the Norwegian landscape—that is, Norway as I imagine it, a country ruled by silence and storm, solitude and natural violence.”

I am no racist because I do not hate other races. I am no Nazi either, but I am a fascist. I love my race, my culture, and myself. I am a follower of Odin, god of war and death. He is also the god of wisdom, magic, and poetry. Those are the things I am searching for. Burzum exists only for Odin, the cyclopian enemy of the Kristian god. I do not consider my ideas to be extreme at all. That which stupid people call evil is for me the actual reason to survive.”

Daniel Bernard – Wolf und Mensch. Saarbrücken, 1983. [outro?]

Mircea Eliade – Shamanismus und archaische Ekstasetechnik. Frankfurt, 1991.

Rudolf Simek – Lexikon der Germanischen Mythologie. Stuttgart, 1984.

Grimm, Jacob – Teutonic Mythology (4 Vols). Magnolia, MA: Peter Smith, 1976.

Hoidal, Oddvar K. – Quisling: A Study in Treason. Oslo: Norwegian University Press, 1989.

Tarjei Vesaas – Land of Many Fires

À SOMBRA DAS MAIORIAS SILENCIOSAS: O fim do social e o surgimento das massas (4ª ed.) – Baudrillard (MANUAL EM CONTRA-SOCIOLOGIA)

Trad. de 1985, Suely Bastos

Não são boas condutoras do político, nem boas condutoras do social, nem boas condutoras do sentido em geral. Tudo as atravessa, tudo as magnetiza, mas nelas se dilui sem deixar traços. E na realidade o apelo às massas sempre ficou sem resposta. Elas não irradiam, ao contrário, absorvem toda a irradiação das constelações periféricas do Estado, da História, da Cultura, do Sentido. Elas são a inércia, a força da inércia, a força do neutro.” “neutro = nem 1 nem 0utr0”

hoje referente mudo, amanhã protagonista da história, quando elas tomarão a palavra e deixarão de ser a <maioria silenciosa> – ora, justamente as massas não têm história a escrever, nem passado, nem futuro, elas não têm energias virtuais para liberar, nem desejo a realizar: sua força é atual, toda ela está aqui, e é a do seu silêncio.”

A sociologia só pode descrever a expansão do social e suas peripécias. Ela vive apenas da hipótese positiva e definitiva do social. A assimilação, a implosão do social lhe escapam. A hipótese da morte do social é também a da sua própria morte.

O termo massa não é um conceito. Leitmotiv da demagogia política, é uma noção fluida, viscosa, <lumpen-analítica>. Uma boa sociologia procurará abarcá-la em categorias <mais finas>: sócio-profissionais, de classe, de status cultural, etc. Erro: é vagando em torno dessas noções fluidas e acríticas (como outrora a de <mana>) que se pode ir além da sociologia critica inteligente. Além do que, retrospectivamente, se poderá observar que os próprios conceitos de <classe>, de <relação social>, de <poder>, de <status>, todos estes conceitos muito claros que fazem a glória das ciências legítimas, também nunca foram mais do que noções confusas, mas sobre as quais se conciliaram misteriosos objetivos, os de preservar um determinado código de análise.”

As <massas camponesas> de outrora não eram exatamente massas: só se comportam como massa aqueles que estão liberados de suas obrigações simbólicas, <anulados> (presos nas infinitas <redes>) e destinados a serem apenas o inumerável terminal dos mesmos modelos, que não chegam a integrá-los e que finalmente só os apresentam como resíduos estatísticos.” “Qualquer tentativa de qualificá-la é somente um esforço para transferi-Ia para a sociologia e arrancá-la dessa indistinção que não é sequer a da equivalência (soma ilimitada de indivíduos equivalentes: 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 – tal é a definição sociológica)”

Infelizmente não existem aliens. O inferno não é ninguém, o inferno não existe. O inferno sou eu e esse lustre.

O último avatar de deus dura um século. Foi selado, se não fôra selado ficaria ao relento, louco de si mesmo, esfalfado, inútil, um cu negro diante das civilizações selvagens.

Nada de histeria nem de fascismo potencial, mas simulação por precipitação de todos os referenciais perdidos. Caixa preta de todos os referenciais, de todos os sentidos que não admitiu, da história impossível, dos sistemas de representação inencontráveis, a massa é o que resta quando se esqueceu tudo do social.”

Foram pagãs e permaneceram pagãs à sua maneira, jamais freqüentadas pela Instância Suprema, mas vivendo das miudezas das imagens, da superstição e do diabo.” “Esta é a sua maneira de minar o imperativo categórico da moral e da fé, o imperativo sublime do sentido

imperativo incessantemente renovado de moralização da informação: melhor informar, melhor socializar, elevar o nível cultural das massas” “O que elas rejeitam é a <dialética> do sentido. E de nada adianta alegar que elas são mistificadas. Hipótese sempre hipócrita que permite salvaguardar o conforto intelectual dos produtores de sentido: as massas aspirariam espontaneamente às luzes naturais da razão. Isso para conjurar o inverso, ou seja, que é em plena <liberdade> que as massas opõem ao ultimato do sentido a sua recusa e sua vontade de espetáculo. Temem essa transparência e essa vontade política como temem a morte.” “trabalho de absorção e de aniquilamento da cultura” “nós somos apenas episodicamente condutores de sentido, no essencial e em profundidade nós nos comportamos como massa, vivendo a maior parte do tempo num modo pânico ou aleatório, aquém ou além do sentido.”

Nos Estados Unidos, a playlist dá shuffle em vosmecê!

essa indiferença não deveria existir, ela não tem nada a nos dizer. Em outros termos, a <maioria silenciosa> é despossuída até de sua indiferença, ela não tem nem mesmo o direito de que esta lhe seja reconhecida e imputada, é necessário que também esta apatia lhe seja insuflada pelo poder.” “Ora, é exatamente essa indiferença que exigiria ser analisada na sua brutalidade positiva, em vez de ser creditada a uma magia branca, a uma alienação mágica que sempre desviaria as multidões de sua vocação revolucionária.” A indiferença em relação à indiferença é forçoso.

É curioso que essa constatação jamais tenha subvertido a análise, reforçando-a, ao contrário, em sua fantasia de um poder todo-poderoso na manipulação, e de uma massa prostrada num coma ininteligível.”

O poder está muito satisfeito por colocar sobre o futebol uma responsabilidade fácil, ou seja, a de assumir a responsabilidade diabólica pelo embrutecimento das massas.”

VIDA TRANS,CORRA NORMAL: Rancor e Mal

Bom dia, diabo! Casemos essa música em nossos olvidos. Desovados de nosso próprio planeta. Contra-estratégia expressa aos pais fantasmas nebulosos azuis zumbis: nothing beyond our pseudofamily, so… nothing like family routines, nothing like normal boys usually do things. O fascismo não existe, Bolsonaro muito menos; ora, ninguém (me) liga, meu telephone está sempre no silencioso das massas pretas de absorção da matéria escura da Samsung. atroCIDADE alerta…:… ban ban e não bang bang. A missa mulheril de cada dia, ruminando poliânus, ciprestes a cair. Saudade e açucalinidade. Mútuo piscar de olhos de almas desentendidas que se entendem muito bem, pois. Que assim seja! Amem.a.meta.

O Homem veio da @

ANTI-FREUD (E DE CARONA REICH): “Ora, não se trata de maneira alguma de encontrar uma nova interpretação das massas em termos da economia libidinal (remeter o conformismo ou o <fascismo> das massas a uma estrutura latente, a um obscuro desejo de poder e de repressão que eventualmente se alimentaria de uma repressão primária ou de uma pulsão de morte).” Ironia: até quem vai contra Reich vai contra o nazismo!

Esta é hoje a única alternativa para a declinante análise marxista. Outrora se atribuía às massas um destino revolucionário contrariado pela servidão sexual (Reich), hoje se lhes atribui um desejo de alienação e servidão, ou ainda uma espécie de microfascismo cotidiano tão incompreensível quanto sua virtual pulsão de liberação. Ora, não há nem desejo de fascismo e de poder nem desejo de revolução.” Será? O revolucionário encara com otimismo o espectro fascista clássico, pois se existe a vontade de autoescravização, existirá a posteriori, sem dúvida, a revolução. O tique-taque do pêndulo do relógio.

RECADO A DELEUZE: “Última esperança: que as massas tenham um inconsciente ou um desejo, o que permitiria reinvesti-las como suporte ou suposto de sentido. O desejo, reinventado em toda parte, não é senão o referencial do desespero político.”

O cinismo e a imoralidade da política maquiaveliana estão nisso: não no uso sem escrúpulos dos meios com que se o confundiu na concepção vulgar, mas na desenvoltura com relação aos fins. Pois, Nietzsche o viu bem, é nesse menosprezo por uma verdade social, psicológica, histórica, nesse exercício dos simulacros enquanto tais, que se encontra o máximo de energia política, nesse momento em que o político é um jogo e ainda não se deu uma razão. É a partir do século XVIII, e particularmente depois da Revolução, que o político se infletiu de uma maneira decisiva.” Carta de compromissos (grilhões). “No mesmo momento começa a ser representação” “(o teatro segue um destino paralelo: torna-se um teatro representativo – o mesmo acontece com o espaço perspectivo [da pintura]: de instrumental que era no início, torna-se o lugar de inscrição de uma verdade do espaço e da representação)” “idade de ouro dos sistemas representativos burgueses (a constitucionalidade: a Inglaterra do século XVIII, os Estados Unidos da América, a França das revoluções burguesas, a Europa de 1848).

É com o pensamento marxista em seus desenvolvimentos sucessivos que se inaugura o fim do político e de sua energia própria. Nesse momento começa a hegemonia definitiva do social e do econômico, e a coação, para o político, de ser o espelho, legislativo, institucional, executivo, do social.” “a energia do social se inverte, sua especificidade se perde, sua qualidade histórica e sua idealidade desaparecem em benefício de uma configuração em que não só o político se volatilizou, mas em que o próprio social não tem mais nome.”

não há mais investidura política porque também não há mais referente social de definição clássica” massinha: representante da massa.

O fato de a maioria silenciosa (ou as massas) ser um referente imaginário não quer dizer que ela não existe. (…) Elas não se expressam, são sondadas.”

A cabine de votação parece um banheiro químico misturado com cápsula do tempo (um revestimento futurista, branco, metálico, moderno, com coisas bregas e ultrapassadas, fetichistas, por dentro da embalagem), cabine telefônica, uma urna (para os mortos).

jogo nojo gozo enajenación naja-nación luto Geena não

churrasco de cerveja zero álcool na laje na segunda-feira de noite

Fim das esperanças revolucionárias. Porque estas sempre especularam sobre a possibilidade de as massas, como da classe proletária, se negarem enquanto tais. Mas a massa não é um lugar de negatividade nem de explosão, é um lugar de absorção e de implosão.”

Na massa o político se deteriora como vontade e representação.” #IDÉIATÍTULODELIVRO O Único e seus fenômenos. “Durante muito tempo a estratégia do poder pôde parecer se basear na apatia das massas. Quanto mais elas eram passivas, mais ele estava seguro. Mas essa lógica só é característica da fase burocrática e centralista do poder. E é ela que hoje se volta contra ele: a inércia que fomentou se tornou o signo de sua própria morte. É por isso que o poder procura inverter as estratégias: da passividade à participação, do silêncio à palavra. Mas é muito tarde. O limite da <massa crítica>, o da involução do social por inércia, foi transposto.”

Agora buracos negros até existem, pois aparecem em fotografias. O real começou de facto a ser engolido por si mesmo. Nem energia ele arrota, nonobstant.

Em toda parte se procura fazer as massas falarem, se as pressiona a existir de forma social eleitoralmente, sindicalmente, sexualmente, na participação, nas festas, na livre expressão, etc. É preciso conjurar o espectro, é preciso que ele diga seu nome. Nada demonstra com mais clareza que hoje o único problema verdadeiro é o silêncio da massa, o silêncio da maioria silenciosa.” Comprovante de votação nas duas últimas eleições: prove que você existe; comprovante de residência: esse não precisa, sabemos que você pode mesmo morar nas ruas, pular de hotel em motel, pode ter seu organismo alterado artificialmente para jamais dormir. Injetar-se drogas, matar pessoas sonâmbulo pelas ruas de madrugada. Mas isso não nos diz respeito. Votaste? É isso que importa! Não que estejamos indignados com os outros, apenas sabemos que você existe… A propósito, você quer entrar para o sindicato? Nós descontamos a parcela no seu contracheque, não precisa se preocupar. Quem não tem foto no instagram ou facebook, quem não comprova sua vida sexual ativa, tampouco existe. Portanto, cuidado. Você tem direito a ter fases depressivas, mas não exagere… Estamos de olho, passar bem. Ótima semana!

Como não é mais do reino da vontade nem do da representação, ela cai sob o golpe do diagnóstico, da adivinhação pura e simples – de onde o reino universal da informação e da estatística: é preciso auscultá-la, senti-Ia, retirar-lhe algum oráculo. Daí o furor de sedução, de solicitude e de solicitação em torno dela. Daí a predição por ressonância, os efeitos de antecipação e de futuro da multidão em miragens como: <O povo francês pensa… A maioria dos alemães reprova… Toda a Inglaterra vibra com o nascimento do Príncipe…, etc.> – espelho que tende a um reconhecimento sempre cego, sempre ausente.”

Acredita-se que se estruturam as massas injetando-lhes informação, acredita-se que se libera sua energia social cativa à força de informação e de mensagens (a tal ponto que não é mais o enquadramento institucional, mas a quantidade de informação e a taxa de exposição aos meios de comunicação que hoje medem a socialização).”

A massa só é massa porque sua energia social já se esfriou. É um estoque frio, capaz de absorver e de neutralizar todas as energias quentes. Ela se assemelha a esses sistemas semimortos em que se injeta mais energia do que se retira, a essas minas esgotadas que se mantêm em estado de exploração artificial a preço de ouro.”

A energia que se dispende para atenuar a baixa tendencial da taxa de investimento político e a fragilidade absoluta do princípio social de realidade, para manter essa situação do social e impedi-lo de implodir totalmente, essa energia é imensa, e o sistema se precipita aí.”

Não se trata também de produção do social, porque senão o socialismo bastaria, até mesmo o próprio capitalismo. De fato, tudo muda com a precedência da produção da demanda sobre a das mercadorias. A relação lógica (da produção ao consumo) se desfaz, e estamos numa ordem inteiramente diferente, que não é mais nem de produção nem de consumo, mas de simulação de ambas graças à inversão do processo. De repente, não se trata mais de uma crise <real> do capital, como o supõe Attali, crise que depende de um pouco mais de social e de socialismo, mas de um dispositivo absolutamente diferente, hiper-real, que não tem mais nada a ver nem com o capital nem com o social.”

como massa, se limita a ser boa condutora dos fluxos, mas de todos os fluxos, boa condutora da informação, mas de qualquer informação, boa condutora de normas, mas de todas as normas; com isso, se limita a remeter o social à sua transparência absoluta, a só dar lugar aos efeitos do social e do poder, constelações flutuantes em torno desse núcleo imperceptível.”

Nunca houve manipulação. A partida foi jogada pelos dois, com as mesmas armas, e ninguém hoje poderia dizer quem a venceu”

hiperconformismo, forma imanente de humor” “a massa realiza esse paradoxo de não ser um sujeito, um grupo-sujeito, mas de também não ser um objeto.” “a noção de objeto aí se perde, como o campo da microfísica se perde na análise última da <matéria> – impossível captá-la como objeto neste limite infinitesimal

Todo o mundo conhece a profunda indeterminação que reina sobre as estatísticas (o cálculo de probabilidades ou os grandes números também correspondem a uma indeterminação, a uma <flutuação> do conceito de matéria, a que pouco corresponde uma insignificante noção de <lei objetiva>.”

Daí partiria, no sentido literal, uma patafÍsica ou a ciência das soluções imaginárias, ciência da simulação e da hiper-simulação de um mundo exato, verdadeiro, objetivo, com suas leis universais, incluindo o delírio daqueles que o interpretam segundo estas leis. As massas e seu humor involuntário nos introduziriam a uma patafísica do social que finalmente nos desembaraçaria de toda esta metafísica do social que nos atravanca.”

O publicitário não pode deixar de crer que as pessoas acreditam – por pouco que seja, isso quer dizer que existe uma probabilidade mínima de que a mensagem alcance seu objetivo e seja decodificada segundo seu sentido.”

O MEIO É A MENSAGEM, profetizava Mac Luhan: fórmula característica da fase atual, a fase cool de qualquer cultura mass-media

Enquanto o político há muito tempo é considerado só como espetáculo no interior da vida privada, digerido como divertimento semi-esportivo, semilúdico (veja-se o voto vencedor das eleições americanas, ou as tardes de eleições no rádio ou na tevê), e na forma ao mesmo tempo fascinada e maliciosa das velhas comédias de costumes. O jogo eleitoral se identifica há muito tempo aos jogos televisados na consciência do povo. Este, que sempre serviu de álibi e de figurante para a representação política, se vinga entregando-se à representação teatral da cena política e de seus atores.” “É o jogo, o filme ou os desenhos animados que servem de modelos de percepção da esfera política.” Neymar vingador e seu Death Note.

Até os anos 60, a história se impõe como tempo forte: o privado e o cotidiano não são mais do que o avesso obscuro da esfera política. No melhor dos casos, intervém uma dialética entre os dois e pode-se pensar que um dia o cotidiano, como o individual, resplandecerá além da história, no universal. Mas até lá só se pode deplorar o recuo das massas a sua esfera doméstica, sua recusa da história, da política e do universal, e sua absorção na cotidianidade embrutecida do consumo (felizmente elas trabalham, o que lhes garante um estatuto histórico <objetivo> até o momento da tomada de consciência). Hoje, inversão do tempo fraco e do tempo forte: começa-se a vislumbrar que o cotidiano, que os homens em sua banalidade até que poderiam não ser o reverso insignificante da história – melhor: que o recuo para o privado até poderia ser um desafio direto ao político, uma forma de resistência ativa à manipulação política. Os papéis se invertem: é a banalidade da vida, a vida corrente, tudo o que se estigmatizara como pequeno-burguês, abjeto e apolítico (inclusive o sexo) que se torna o tempo forte

Hipótese vertiginosa. As massas despolitizadas não estariam aquém mas além da política. (…) As massas executariam em sua prática <ingênua> (e sem ter esperado as análises sobre o <fim do político>) a sentença da anulação do político, seriam espontaneamente transpolíticas, como são translingüísticas em sua linguagem. Mas, atenção! (…) alguns desejariam que se tratasse (em particular em sua versão sexual e de desejo) de uma nova fonte de energia revolucionária, desejariam lhe dar um sentido e o reconstituir como negatividade histórica em sua própria banalidade. Exaltação de microdesejos, de pequenas diferenças, de práticas cegas, de marginalidades anônimas. Último sobressalto dos intelectuais para exaltar a insignificância, para promover o não-sentido na ordem do sentido. E revertê-lo à razão política. A banalidade, a inércia, o apoliticismo eram fascistas, agora se tornam revolucionários – sem mudar de sentido, isto é, sem deixar de ter sentido. Micro-revolução da banalidade, transpolítica do desejo – mais um truque dos <libertadores>.”

UMA ETNOGRAFIA DA AMÉRICA LATINA 2020’S: “A emergência das maiorias silenciosas se integra no ciclo completo da resistência histórica ao social. Resistência ao trabalho, evidentemente, mas também resistência à medicina, resistência à escola, resistência à segurança, resistência à informação. A história oficial só registra o progresso ininterrupto do social, relegando às trevas, como culturas passadas, como vestígios bárbaros, tudo que não concorreria para esse glorioso acontecimento.” “(o social vai bem, obrigado, só restam uns loucos para escapar ao registro, à vacinação e às vantagens da segurança)”

QUANDO A REDE GLOBO SE TORNA VÍTIMA DO MONSTRO QUE CRIOU (OU MELHOR: QUANDO ELA DESCOBRE QUE A MASSA ERA O DOUTOR E ELA MERO FRANKENSTEIN): “Sempre se acreditou que são os meios de comunicação que enredam as massas – o que é a própria ideologia dos mass media. Procurou-se o segredo da manipulação numa semiologia que combate os mass media. Mas se esqueceu, nessa lógica ingênua da comunicação, que as massas são um meio muito mais forte que todos os meios de comunicação, que são elas que os enredam e os absorvem – ou que pelo menos não há nenhuma prioridade de um sobre o outro. O processo da massa e o dos meios de comunicação são um processo único. Mass(age) é a mensagem.”

trata-se de lhes inculcar de todos os lados (propaganda oficial [Keenes], associação de consumidores, ecólogos [Uirás], sociólogos) a boa prática e o cálculo funcional em matéria de consumo, mas sem esperança.” “Valor/signo em vez de valor de uso já é um desvio da economia política.” “Uso a-social, resistente a todas as pedagogias socialistas – uso aberrante através do qual as massas (nós, vocês, todo o mundo) inverteram a economia política desde agora. Não esperaram as revoluções futuras nem as teorias que pretendem libertá-las de um movimento <dialético>. Elas sabem que não se liberta de nada e que só se abole um sistema obrigando-o ao hiperlógico, impelindo-o a um uso excessivo que equivale a um amortecimento brutal. <Vocês querem que se consuma – pois bem, consumamos sempre mais, e não importa o quê; para todos os fins inúteis e absurdos.>”

O mesmo aconteceu com a medicina: à resistência frontal (que aliás não desapareceu) se substituiu uma forma mais sutil de subversão, um consumo excessivo, irrefreável, da medicina, um conformismo pânico às injunções da saúde. Escalada fantástica do consumo médico que desvia completamente os objetivos e as finalidades sociais da medicina. Que melhor meio de aboli-Ia? Desde então os médicos não sabem mais o que fazem, o que são, muito mais manipulados do que manipuladores. <Queremos mais cuidados, mais médicos, mais medicamentos, mais segurança, mais saúde, sempre mais, sem limites!> As massas são alienadas na medicina? De modo algum: ao exigirem sempre mais, como mercadoria, estão prestes a arruinar sua instituição, a explodir a segurança social, a colocar o próprio social em perigo. Que maior ironia pode haver do que nesta exigência do social como bem de consumo individual, submetido ao excesso da oferta e da procura? Paródia e paradoxo: é por sua inércia nos caminhos do social que lhes foram traçados que as massas lhes ultrapassam a lógica e os limites, e destroem todo o edifício.”

o terrorismo na verdade pretende visar o capital (o imperialismo mundial, etc.) mas se engana de inimigo, e ao fazer isso visa seu verdadeiro inimigo, que é o social.” NADA A VER COM COPA OU OLIMPÍADAS: “terrorismo não-explosivo, não-histórico, não-político; implosivo, cristalizante, siderante” V de Vacância

Ele é o único ato não-representativo. É nisso que ele tem afinidade com as massas, que são a única realidade não-representável. Sobretudo isso não quer dizer que novamente o terrorismo representaria o silêncio e o não-dito das massas, que exprimiria violentamente sua resistência passiva. Isso quer dizer simplesmente: não há equivalente ao caráter cego, não-representativo, desprovido de sentido, do ato terrorista, senão o comportamento cego, desprovido de sentido e além da representação que é o das massas. Eles têm isso de comum porque são a forma atual mais radical, mais exacerbada, de negação de qualquer sistema representativo. É tudo.” “Só conhecemos bem os encadeamentos representativos, não sabemos grande coisa dos encadeamentos analógicos, a-finitários, imediatizados, irreferenciais e outros sistemas.”

Não se pode dizer que é a <era das maiorias silenciosas> que <produz> o terrorismo. É a simultaneidade dos dois que é assombrosa e causa estranheza. Único acontecimento, aceite-se ou não sua brutalidade, que verdadeiramente marca o fim do político e do social. O único que traduz essa realidade de uma implosão violenta de todos os nossos sistemas de representação.” “O terrorismo não visa de modo algum desmascarar o caráter repressivo do Estado (essa é a negatividade provocadora dos grupelhos, que aí encontram uma última oportunidade de serem representativos aos olhos das massas).”

solidariedade dos ativistas mortos “onda de choque”

P. 29: terrorismo x banditismo

os meios são apenas meios

roleta russa mode on

Rael is a problem.

patafísica reacionária do nazista frustrado

de toda forma,

já-deu

agora

fodeu

fode eu

Esahubris 9001 & Stephen Jacobs

Não há diferença alguma entre um terremoto na Guatemala e a queda de um Boeing da Lufthansa com 300 passageiros a bordo, entre a intervenção <natural> e a intervenção <humana> terrorista. A natureza é terrorista, como o é a interrupção abrupta de todo o sistema tecnológico: os grandes black-outs de Nova Iorque (1965 e 1977) criam situações terroristas melhores que as verdadeiras, situações sonhadas. Melhor: esses grandes acidentes tecnológicos, como os grandes acidentes naturais, exemplificam a possibilidade de uma subversão radical sem sujeito. A pane de 1977 em Nova Iorque poderia ser fomentada por um grupo terrorista muito organizado e isso não mudaria nada no resultado objetivo. Teriam sucedido os mesmos atos de violência, de pilhagem, de levante, a mesma suspensão da ordem <social>. Isso significa que o terrorismo não está na decisão de violência, mas em toda parte na normalidade do social, de modo que ela pode de um momento para o outro se transfigurar numa realidade inversa, absurda, incontrolável. A catástrofe natural funciona dessa maneira e é assim que, paradoxalmente, ela se torna a expressão mítica da catástrofe do social. Ou melhor, sendo a catástrofe natural por excelência um incidente desprovido de sentido, não-representativo (senão de Deus, eis por que o responsável pela Continental Edison pôde falar de Deus e de sua intervenção no episódio do último black-out de Nova Iorque), torna-se uma espécie de sintoma ou de encarnação violenta do estado do social, a saber, de sua catástrofe e da ruína de todas as representações que o sustentavam.”

a fascinação é a intensidade extrema do neutro.”

A implosão, para nós e hoje, só pode ser violenta e catastrófica, porque ela resulta do fracasso do sistema de explosão e de expansão dirigida que foi o nosso no Ocidente há alguns séculos.” “A implosão é inelutável, e todos os esforços para salvar os princípios de realidade, de acumulação, de universalidade, os princípios de evolução que dependem dos sistemas em expansão, são arcaicos, regressivos, nostálgicos. Inclusive todos aqueles que querem liberar as energias libidinais, as energias plurais, as intensidades fragmentárias, etc.” “Há traços disso, de diversas tentativas de controlar os novos impulsos anti-universais [satanização do “globalismo”], anti-representativos, tribais, centrípetos, etc.: as comunidades, a ecologia, o crescimento zero [CPTK(SIC) – Centro de Pesquisas Tirei do Ku para a Sustentação Idônea do Capital], as drogas [a única ‘evasão de divisas’ politicamente correta] – tudo isso sem dúvida é dessa natureza. Mas é preciso não se iludir sobre a implosão lenta. Ela está destinada à efemeridade e ao fracasso. Não houve transição equilibrada de sistemas implosivos aos sistemas explosivos: isso sempre aconteceu violentamente, e há toda a possibilidade de que nossa passagem para a implosão também seja violenta e catastrófica.”

ESTE ZERO: “Só a <sociologia> pode parecer testemunhar sua eternidade, e a soberana algaravia das <ciências sociais> ainda o divulgará muito tempo após ele ter desaparecido.”

SANTÍSSIMA TRINDADE SPONSORED BY K. – RIMA COM…: “como o espaço e o tempo, o social efetivamente abre uma perspectiva ao infinito. Não há definição do social senão nessa perspectiva panótica.”

Se o sexo e a sexualidade, dado que a revolução sexual os muda em si mesmos, são verdadeiramente um modo de troca e de produção de relações sexuais, já a sedução é o inverso da troca, e próxima ao desafio. A sexualidade realmente só se tornou <relação sexual>, só pôde ser falada nesses termos já racionalizados de valor e de troca, ao se esquecer qualquer forma de sedução – assim como o social só se torna <relação social> quando perdeu toda a dimensão simbólica.

SEMPRE CABE +1: “Ver, em L’Échange Simbolique et le Mort¹, a tripla residualidade: do valor na ordem econômica, do fantasma na ordem psíquica, da significação da ordem lingüística. É preciso portanto acrescentar aí a residualidade do social na ordem… social.”

¹ Talvez o único livro de Baudrillard que ainda não li!

não se pode dizer que o social morre, pois ele é desde sempre acumulação do morto. Com efeito, estamos numa civilização do super-social, e simultaneamente do resíduo indegradável, indestrutível, que se expande na própria medida da extensão do social.”

O REI MAGNÂNIMO: “Em 1544 abriu-se o primeiro grande estabelecimento de pobres em Paris: vagabundos, dementes, doentes, todos aqueles que o grupo não integrou e deixou como sobras serão adotados sob o signo nascente do social.”

4 CENTURIES LATER…: “Quando a sobra atinge as dimensões da sociedade toda, tem-se uma socialização perfeita. Vejam-se os Guaiaqui [Kwakiutl?] ou os Tupi-Guarani: quando um tal resíduo aparece, é drenado pelos líderes messiânicos para o Atlântico, sob a forma de movimentos escatológicos que purgam o grupo dos resíduos <sociais>. Não só o poder político (Clastres) mas o próprio social é conjurado como instância desintegrada/desintegrante.” Não há uma obra de Baudrillard sem Pierre Clastres…

Sea-arriba: O paradoxo do sociólogo que combate os anti-sociólogos: parcial no cultivo da neutralidade, torna-se tendencioso. A evolução social re-quer o autogolpe, uma espécie de “Brasil transformado em ciência”. Onde tudo é ruçamente permitido!

gestão usurária da morte” “É nessa perspectiva de gestão de resíduos que o social pode aparecer hoje pelo que é: um direito, uma necessidade, um serviço, um puro e simples valor de uso.” “o social como ecossistema, homeostase e superbiologia funcional da espécie“Uma espécie de espaço fetal de segurança (…) a forma mais baixa da energia social”

* * *

Se toda a riqueza fosse sacrificada, as pessoas perderiam o sentido do real. Se toda a riqueza se tornasse disponível, as pessoas perderiam o sentido do útil e do inútil. O social existe para garantir o consumo inútil da sobra a fim de que os indivíduos se dediquem à gestão útil de suas vidas.” Transformar leite e queijo em livros.

Não é à toa que cálculo (estudo de relações entre coisas) se chama razão.

o afluxo repentino de divisas é a maneira mais rápida e mais radical de arruinar uma moeda”

NEGATIVE LOTTO: “A loucura de Hölderlin lhe veio desta prodigalidade dos deuses, desta graça dos deuses que afoga e se torna mortal se não pode ser reparada e compensada por uma equivalência humana, a da terra, a do trabalho. Há aí uma espécie de lei que não tem nada a ver com a moral burguesa. Mais próximo de nós, citemos a confusão mortal das pessoas superexpostas à riqueza e à felicidade – como clientes de uma grande loja aos quais se oferece escolher o que desejam: é o pânico. Ou ainda esses vinhateiros a quem o Estado oferece mais dinheiro para arrancar suas vinhas do que ganhariam trabalhando nelas. São muito mais desestruturados por este prêmio inesperado do que pela tradicional exploração de força de trabalho.”

Eu preciso de imbecis me aparando ou eu seria só cabelo.

Se meu talento fosse reconhecido da noite para o dia, fatalmente eu ficaria louco como se toda a metanfetamina do mundo fosse-me injetada duma vez.

DESAFIO: Cite 10 coisas mais úteis que pisar na Lua.

A verdadeira candura é a dos socialistas e humanistas de toda espécie, que querem que toda a riqueza seja redistribuída, que não haja nenhuma despesa inútil, etc.”

É o que o socialismo não vê: ao querer abolir essa escassez, e ao reivindicar o usufruto generalizado da riqueza, põe fim ao social acreditando que o está conduzindo ao auge.” “Quando tudo, inclusive o social, se torna valor de uso, o mundo se tornou inerte, onde se opera o inverso do que Marx sonhava. Ele sonhava com uma reabsorção do econômico no social (transfigurado). O que nos acontece é a reabsorção do social na economia política (banalizada): a gestão pura e simples.”

Nada mudou desde Mandeville e sua Fábula das Abelhas.”

Terceira hipótese: “O social não foi sempre um equívoco, como na primeira hipótese, nem uma sobra, como na segunda. Mas justamente só teve sentido, como o poder, como o trabalho, como o capital, num espaço perspectivo de distribuição racional (…) e hoje morre” “Ora, o social só existe num espaço perspectivo, morre no espaço de simulação”

Curto-circuito fantástico: o real é hiper-realizado; nem realizado, nem idealizado. O hiper-real é a abolição do real não por destruição violenta, mas pela afirmação, elevação à potência do modelo.” “Há real em demasia, cai-se no obsceno e no pornô.”

CAGADA HAT-TRICK

A direita

A esquerda

O espírito aristocráticotirânico AMEMuns aos outros

Doña Flôbert e seus 2 Partidos

* * *

A esquerda é o monstro do Alien.

Por que, no final das contas, o fascismo (genuíno, pur sang) é sempre eleito democraticamente: “Os representantes do povo são bastante ingênuos a esse respeito: tomam sua eleição por uma aprovação e um consenso popular, não desconfiam nunca que não há nada mais ambíguo do que impelir alguém ao poder e que o espetáculo mais gratificante para o povo sem dúvida sempre foi a derrota de uma classe política.”

O advento do socialismo como modelo é absolutamente diferente de seu advento histórico. Como acontecimento, como mito, como força de ruptura, o socialismo não tem, como se diz, o tempo de se parecer consigo mesmo, de se fortalecer como modelo, não tem tempo de se confundir com a sociedade – nessa qualidade ele não é um estado estável, e aliás só fez breves aparições históricas. Ao passo que hoje o socialismo se propõe como modelo estável e confiável – não é mais uma exigência revolucionária, é uma simulação de mudança (simulação no sentido de desenvolvimento do melhor cenário possível) e uma simulação do futuro. Nada de surpresa, nada de violência, nada de ultrapassagem, nada de verdadeira paixão.”

A menos que haja uma reversão miraculosa da história, que daria sua carne e seu sangue a qualquer projeto social que apareça, e à realidade sem mais, é-nos necessário, como diz Canetti, perseverar na destruição atual.”

* * *

o intelectual infelizmente sempre é bastante virginal para ser cúmplice da repressão ao vício.” Nunca cansamos de ser críticos. Só com críticas explícitas fazemos 3 pontos fora de casa. Como político, excelente filósofo; como filósofo, excelente político. Como legislador, excelente burocrata. Enquanto funcionário racional-legal, criador de exceções imprevisíveis incontroláveis o tempo inteiro. Como pai ótimo filho.

Ou Stalin ou Nada, de que lado Você (o[u] Eu) está?

O CORPO DECIDE QUANDO O TEATRO FICA ENJOADO: “Nós vagueamos entre os fantasmas do capital, de hoje em diante vaguearemos no modelo póstumo do socialismo. A hiper-realidade de tudo isso não mudará nem um pouco, num certo sentido é nossa paisagem familiar há muito tempo. Estamos doentes de leucemia política, e essa indiferença crescente (estamos atravessados pelo poder sem por ele sermos atingidos, analisamos, atravessamos o poder sem alcançá-lo) é absolutamente semelhante ao tipo de patologia mais moderna: a saber, não a agressão biológica objetiva, mas a incapacidade crescente do organismo de fabricar anticorpos (ou mesmo, como na esclerose em placas, a possibilidade de os anticorpos se voltarem contra o próprio organismo).”

E aí nós, intelectuais, fomos pegos. Porque enquanto se tratava de economia, de programação e do desencantamento de uma sociedade liberal, mantivemos nosso foro íntimo, ricos de uma reserva mental e política indefinida, vestais de uma pequena chama crítica e filosófica, promessa de uma eficácia silenciosa da teoria (aliás a teoria se portava muito bem, ela não reencontrará sem dúvida jamais a qualidade ofensiva e jubilatória ao mesmo tempo que a grandiosa sinecura de que desfrutou nesses últimos 20 anos).” “Nada pior do que a absorção da força teórica numa instituição. Eu compreendo: a própria utopia dos conceitos segundo os quais analisávamos esta situação que não era a nossa, e a dissolvíamos em seus componentes imaginários, essa utopia mesma se volta contra nós sob a forma de julgamento de valor real, de jurisdição intelectualmente armada com nossas próprias armas, sob a forma desse fantasma da vontade coletiva, essa utopia foi a de nossa própria classe [os intelectuais], que mantém, mesmo na simulação, o poder de nos anular.”

velho slogan rimbaudiano que se tornou socialista – alegrai-vos, hoje se vai mudar verdadeiramente a vida – é maravilhoso!”

Thomas En(do)gênio: “Tal é o sonho socialista, enlouquecido de transparência, inundado de ingenuidade. Porque nenhum grupo jamais funcionou assim – mas sobretudo: que grupo não sonhou com isso? Felizmente é verossímil que algum projeto social digno desse nome jamais existiu, que nenhum grupo na verdade jamais se concebeu idealmente como social, em suma, jamais houve <a sombra> (salvo nas cabeças intelectuais) nem o embrião de um sujeito coletivo com responsabilidade limitada, nem a possibilidade mesma de um objetivo dessa ordem.”

Rayuela II – Preâmbulo de cesaR brutO, por Rafael Aguiar

Sempre que chega o tempo frio, i.e. lá pr’otôno, dá vontade de meter o loco e pensar umas coisas doidivanas e ezóticas, como porezemplo imaginar que sou uma andorinia, pra sair poraí e voar poresse paíz, uma andorinha só fazendo verão, ou então que sou uma formiga pra mienfiar num buraco e comer todo o estoque da outraestassão, ou que sou uma víbora de zoo-lógico!, que guarda as cobras numa jaula de vidro com calefação e tudo pra elas não congelarem de frio, que é porssinal o que rola com os coitadosdos serexumanos que não têm dinhêro pra comprar rôpa, nem se aquecem noinverno, não têm lênia, carvão ou simplesmente dilma$ o bastante, afinal pra mandar a real quando tu tá com cascalho sobrando tu pode te meter em qualquer péssujo e encher a cara, ô mermão, só exprementando pra saber como que uma pingaquece, sêbem que- não rola ezagerar, pq sabe como é, o exagero leval vício que levaa degenerassão (tanto do corpo quanto da mente tá ligado os tarado?), e quando tu cai, fi, mas cai de jeito, a ponto de ficar na sarjeta e no fundo do poço do.Olho darrua tipo pinto-no-lixo, já-éra, tu refocila na lama sem ninguém mesmo pra liajudar. pensassó mermão, tu que nem abutre, urubu seilá, operação:dragão tá lgd?, tá nuauge tu se acha, que pode tudo, voa lá encima de todumundo, mazdepois vem a decadênsia daí tu cai prabaixo, né pra cima não. tu 10penca que nem cocô ou presunto decomposto, durim-durim. Véi só queria que pelo menos 1 pessoa ouvisse o que toescrevendo pra tomar jeito nessa vida e dps não vênia chorar o leite derramado quando já for tarDD+ e td for pra pqp.

SEIS DAS FRASES MAIS ANACRÔNICAS DE TODOS OS TEMPOS

“O telefone não fará o menor sucesso.”

Diretor da Western Union, 1876

“Nunca haverá uma máquina voadora.”

Lord Kelvin, 1895

“Jamais se escutarão vozes em um filme.”

Warner Brothers, 1920

“O rádio nunca dará lucro.”

Um banqueiro apócrifo, 1925

“O homem será capaz de controlar o clima.”

Cientista, 1960

“Ninguém vai gostar dessas músicas dos Beatles”

Executivo da indústria fonográfica, 1962

“EU SOU HEATHCLIFF!”

Roland Barthes, 1977

DIC – sortija: anel de dedo ou de cabelo; jogo de passar-o-anel, espécie de batata-quente traPnsplantado.

anonadarse: aniquilar-se

asir: agarrar, prender, atingir

colmar: preencher, acalmar

ajetreo: atividade intensa, atarefamento, zigue-zague

esquela: necrológio

pañoleta: lenço, xale

apabullar: aporrinhar

mansalva: a mancheias

candil, plafón: candeia, lustre

guiñar, guiño: brilhar (lampejo); desprezar (indiferença); subentender (latente); talvez gracejar (gracejo).

agujero: buraco

glicina: glicina (Port.), glicocola, aminoácido presente no açúcar

embadurnar: manchar

desgarrador: pungente, lancinante

cordel: barbante

celda: cela

acertijo: adivinhação

descifrar: decifrar

anclar: ancorar

angosto: estreito

oblación/oblação: oferenda

rompecabezas: quebra-cabeça

* * *

Las palabras no son jamás locas, es la sintaxe que es loca.”

<alucinación verbal> (Freud, Lacan): frase trunca que se limita generalmente a su parte sintáctica (<Aunque seas…>, <Si debes aún…>, <Sigue siendo…>)” Quando quero me lembrar de algo esquecido numa lista de afazeres ou simplesmente algo exaustivo que tenho que fechar e soterrar de uma vez. MANTRAS AUTO-COMPLETANTES: TCHEU VÊ…

QUE MAIS? CLAC, CLAC… A BER… ENTONCES… A VECES… POR CIERTO… PERO NI SIEMPRE… !Y AL CABO!… !NO OTRA VEZ!

* * *

índice dos 80 verbetes amorosos

ABISMARSE

ABRAZO

ADORABLE

AFIRMACIÓN

ALTERACIÓN

ANGUSTIA

ANULACIÓN

ASCESIS

ÁTOPOS

AUSENCIA

CARTA

CATÁSTROFE

CELOS

CIRCUNSCRIBIR

COLOCADOS

COMPASIÓN

COMPRENDER

CONDUCTA

CONNIVENCIA

CONTACTOS

CONTINGENCIAS

CORAZÓN

CUERPO

DECLARACIÓN

DEDICATORIA

DEMONIOS

DEPENDENCIA

DESOLLADO

DESPERTAR

DESREALIDAD

DOLIDO

DRAMA

ENCUENTRO

ERRABUNDEO

ESCENA

ESCRIBIR

ESPERA

EXILIO

FADING

FALTAS

FASTIDIOSO

FIESTA

GASTO

GRADIVA

HABLADURÍA

IDENTIFICACIÓN

IMAGEN

INCOGNOSCIBLE

INDUCCIÓN

INDUMENTARIA

INFORMANTE

INSOPORTABLE

LANGUIDEZ

LOCO

LOCUELA

LLORAR

MAGIA

MONSTRUOSO

MORTIFICACIÓN

MUTISMO

NOCHE

NUBES

OBJETOS

OBSCENO

OCULTAR

POR QUÉ

QUERER-ASIR

RAPTO

RECUERDO

RESONANCIA

SACIEDAD O COLMO

SALIDAS

SIGNOS

SOLO

SUICIDIO

TAL

TE AMO

TERNURA

UNIÓN

VERDAD

ABISMARSE. Ataque de anonadamiento que se apodera del sujeto amoroso, por desesperación o plenitud.

la dulzura del abismo (…) felicidad excesiva”

nadie más a quien hablar

hemorragia suave que no mana de ningún parte de mi cuerpo” “Me instalo fugitivamente en un pensamiento falso de la muerte”

SARTRE. Sobre el desvanecimiento y la cólera como huidas, Esquisse d’une théorie des émotions.

ABRAZO. El gesto del abrazo amoroso parece cumplir, por un momento, para el sujeto, el sueño de unión con el ser amado.

ANTI-DELEUZE: “En este incesto prorrogado, nada se agota, nada se quiere: todos los deseos son abolidos, porque parecen definitivamente colmados.” “en medio de este abrazo infantil, lo genital llega infaltablemente a surgir”

la saciedad existe, y no me daré tregua hasta hacer que se repita: a través de todos los meandros de la historia amorosa me obstinaré en querer rencontrar, renovar, la contradicción – la contracción – de los dos abrazos.

ADORABLE. Al no conseguir nombrar la singularidad de su deseo por el ser amado, el sujeto amoroso desemboca en esta palabra un poco tonta: ¡adorable!

el buen humor del deseo. Todo París está a mi disposición, sin que yo quiera asirlo: ni languidez ni codicia. Olvido todo lo real que, en París, excede a su encanto”

DIDEROT. Sobre la teoría del instante fecundo

la correcta traducción de <adorable> sería el ipse latino: es él, es precisamente él en persona.”

De palabra en palabra, me canso de decir de otro modo lo que es propio de mí” “viaje al término del cual mi última filosofía no quede sino ser la de reconocer – y la de practicar – la tautología. Es adorable lo que es adorable. “Lo que clausura así el lenguaje amoroso es aquello mismo que lo ha instituido: la fascinación.” “disco rayado”

AFIRMACIÓN. Contra viento y marea, el sujeto afirma el amor como valor.

PELÉIAS: Que tens? Não me pareces feliz.

(…) Sim, sim, eu sou feliz, mas estou triste.”

indiferença perfeita”

Hago discretamente cosas locas; soy el único testigo de mi locura. Lo que el amor desnuda en mí es la energía. Todo lo que hago tiene un sentido (puedo, pues, vivir, sin quejarme), pero ese sentido es una finalidad inasequible: no es más que el sentido de mi fuerza. Las inflexiones dolientes, culpables, tristes, todo lo reactivo de mi vida cotidiana se revierte. Werther alaba [louva] su propia tensión, que él afirma, frente a la simpleza de Alberto. Nacido de la literatura, no pudiendo hablar sino con la ayuda de esos códigos usados, estoy no obstante solo con mi fuerza, consagrado a mi propia filosofía.”

ALTERACIÓN. Producción breve, en el campo amoroso, de una contraimagen del objeto amado. Al capricho de incidentes ínfimos o de rasgos tenues, el sujeto ve alterarse e invertirse repentinamente la buena Imagen.

había solamente un pequeño punto de la nariz que llevaba una marca ligera, mas una clara marca de corrupción.” Rusbrock

¿Será vulgar el otro, de quien yo alababa su elegancia y originalidad?”

estoy provisionalmente defascinado, no sin dolor.”

la vergüenza viene de la sujeción (…) a merced de un incidente fútil, que sólo mi perspicacia o mi delirio captan”

lo veo de pronto (cuestión de visión) afanándose, enloqueciéndose, o simplemente empeñándose en complacer, en respetar, en plegarse a ritos mundanos gracias a los cuales espera hacerse reconocer.” “imagen mezquina: me mostra al otro preso en la simpleza del mundo social.” “el otro se vuelve gregario.”

Muy a menudo es por el lenguaje que el otro se altera; dice una palabra diferente, y escucho zumbar de una manera amenazante todo otro mundo, que es el mundo del otro.” PIROCO QUEER – Y muy a menudo es cuando está entre sus amigos más viejos, antiguos. Una arqueología abstracta en vivo. DESALTERACIÓN o la reversión perfunctoria del proceso: No era nada. Es diferente. No quiere decir que contigo no me divierto.

el gueto temido de la homosexualidad femenina, de la seducción grosera”

La palabra está hecha de una sustancia química tenue que opera las más violentas alteraciones: el otro, mantenido largo tiempo en el capullo de mi propio discurso, da a entender, por una palabra que se le escapa, los lenguajes a los que puede recurrir y que por consecuencia otros le prestan.”

el otro se me aparece sometido a un deseo. Pero no es un deseo acabado, bien dirigido – en tal caso estaría simplemente celoso – es solamente un deseo nasciente, un impulso de deseo que detecto en el otro, sin que él mismo esté muy consciente de ello: lo veo, en la conversación, agitarse, multiplicarse, sobrepasarse, ponerse en posición de apetencia respecto de un tercero, como suspenso de él para seducirlo.” “verán a ese sujeto enloquecido por aquel otro, impulsado a establecer con él una relación más cálida, más insistente, más empalagosa [melosa, enjoativa]: sorprendo al otro, por así decir, en flagrante delito de inflación de sí mismo.”

Vi la esperma brotar de sus ojos” Sade

y a poco que la persona solicitada responda de la misma manera, la escena se hace irrisoria: tengo la visión de 2 pavorreales desplegando las colas [HAHA], uno ante el otro.”

Gide, cediendo al juego de 3 escolares argelinos, <anhelante, jadeante>, ante su mujer que fingía leer, tenía el aire <de un criminal o de un loco>. ¿Todo deseo no sea el mío no es loco?”

FLAUBERT. Bouvard et Pécuchet

Herido por un propósito que lo sorprende, Werther ve de pronto a Carlota como una parlanchina cualquiera y la incluye en el grupo de las amigas con las cuales parlotea (no es ya la otra, sino otra entre otras), y dice entonces desdeñosamente: <mis mujercitas> (meine Weibchen). Una blasfemia asciende bruscamente a los labios del sujeto y viene a romper irrespetuosamente la bendición del enamorado [O momento da quebra do tabu]: está poseído por un demonio que habla por su boca de donde salen, como en los cuentos de hadas, no ya flores, sino sapos. Horrible reflujo de la Imagen.

(El horror de herir es todavía más fuerte que la angustia de perder.)

A vulgarização da mulher, para o homem hetero, não seria já uma putificação (atestado de promiscuidade)?

ANGUSTIA. El sujeto amoroso, a merced de tal o cual contingencia, se siente asaltado por el miedo a un peligro, a una herida, a un abandono, a una mudanza, sentimiento que expresa con el nombre de angustia.

los muebles, las lámparas, son estúpidos; no hay nada de amistoso donde buscar ánimo.”

el temor clínico al desmoronamiento es el temor a un desmoronamiento que ha sido ya experimentado (primitive agony)”

WINNICOTT – La crainte de l’effondrement

ANULACIÓN. Explosión de lenguaje en el curso del cual el sujeto llega a anular al objeto amado bajo el peso del amor mismo: por una perversión típicamente amorosa, lo que el sujeto ama es el amor y no el objeto.

Carlota es muy insulsa; es el pobre personaje de una escenificación fuerte, atormentada, brillante, montada por el sujeto W.; por una decisión graciosa de este sujeto, un objeto grotesco está ubicado en el centro de la escena“objeto inerte” “es mi deseo lo que deseo, y el ser amado no es más que su agente.” “feliz de elevarme humillando al otro”

Me siento culpable y me reprocho por abandonarlo. Se opera un brusco viraje: trato de desanularlo, me obrigo a sufrir de nuevo.”

ASCESIS. Ya sea que se sienta culpable con respecto al ser amado o que quiera impresionarlo representándole su infortunio, el sujeto amoroso esboza una conducta ascética de autocastigo (régimen de vida, indumentaria, etcétera).

me entregaré al estudio de una ciencia seria y abstracta.”

Seré muy paciente, un poco triste, en una palabra digno, como corresponde al hombre del resentimiento. Remarcaré histéricamente mi duelo (el duelo que presumo) en mi vestimenta, en el corte de pelo, en la regularidad de mis hábitos. Será un retiro apacible; justo ese poco de retiro necesario para el buen funcionamiento de un patético [apaixonado] discreto.”

regresa, mírame, mira lo que haces de mí.”

O enlutado, asceta pleno, diante de si mesmo e do SOCIUS, é isso em escala absoluta: chantageia com o mundo, jamais cede. “Preferiria desaparecer, ser aniquilado, que deixar de sofrer diária e deliberadamente.” “Porque é culpa de vocês, no fundo, será que vocês não reconhecem os monstros que são, a água límpida que sorvem sem pedir licença?”

ÁTOPOS. El ser amado es reconocido por el sujeto amoroso como átopos (calificación dada a Sócrates por sus interlocutores), es decir, como inclasificable, de una originalidad incesantemente imprevisible.

Sobre la atopía de Sócrates, Michel Guérin, Nie., Socrate héroïque.”

intuyo que el verdadero lugar de la originalidad no es ni el otro ni yo, sino nuestra propia relación. Es la originalidad de la relación lo que es preciso conquistar. La mayor parte de las heridas me vienen del estereotipo: estoy obligado a estar celoso, abandonado, frustrado, como todo el mundo.” “los celos, por ejemplo, no tienen ya espacio en esa relación sin lugar”

AUSENCIA. Todo episodio de lenguaje que pone en escena la ausencia del objeto amado – sean cuales fueren la causa y la duración – y tiende a transformar esta ausencia en prueba de abandono.

Es la mujer quien da forma a la ausencia, quien elabora su ficción, puesto que tiene el tiempo para ello” “los Cantos de tejedoras” Los Cantos O(b)scuros o “b” cenos.

en todo hombre que dice la ausencia del otro, lo femenino se declara” “el origen ha pertenecido, el porvenir pertenecerá a los sujetos en quien existe lo femenino.”

destetado detestado sem teto e de vidro e desfigurado apenas verborrágico

No princípio era a Verborragia, no princípio Deus – eu sabia –

sangrava (hemorragia).

Trate de se tratar. Dá para se dar ao respeito. Considere levar-se em consideração.

Soy irregularmente infiel. Es la condición de mi supervivencia” “El enamorado que no olvida a veces, muere por exceso, fatiga y tensión de memorias (como W.).”

muchas veces pasaban los autobuses uno tras otro y ella no aparecía en ninguno.”

Com os cristãos acontece o contrário do que com essa nossa resignação madura? Primeiro a dor da morte inaudita, depois a esperança infinita…

La frustración tendría por figura la Presencia (…) La castración tendría por figura la Intermitencia” “El deseo se estrella contra la necesidad: está ahí el hecho obsesivo del sentimiento amoroso.”

FRAGMENTOS DE UM DISCURSO EDIPIANO: “como una madre que viene a buscar su hijo, del brillo mundanal, de la infatuación social, que me restituya <la intimidad religiosa, la gravedad> del mundo amoroso.”

camarillas [grupo de lobistas ou influenciadores], ambiciones, promociones, tretas, alianzas, escisiones, funciones, poderes”

en el último momento: cuando hayas deseado la verdad como has deseado el aire, entonces sabrás lo que es.”

CARTA. La figura enfoca la dialéctica particular de la carta de amor; a la vez vacía (codificada) y expresiva (cargada de ganas de significar el deseo).

no tengo nada que decirte, sino que este nada es a ti a quien lo digo”

Gide: Paludes, que es el libro de la Nada.”

<cuando escribe a alguien, es para él y no para usted: debe pues buscar menos decirle lo que piensa que lo que le agrada más.> la marquesa de Merteuil, Liaisons dangereuses – ella no está enamorada; lo que ella postula es una correspondencia, es decir una empresa táctica destinada a defender posiciones, a asegurar conquistas” “(se trata pues de una verdadera correspondencia, en el sentido casi matemático del término) Pero la carta, para el enamorado, no tiene valor táctico: es puramente expresiva – en rigor aduladora”

Atenciosamente,

Aquele que preferia ficar sem uma resposta!

Perpetuos monólogos a propósito de un ser amado, que no son ni rectificados ni alimentados, desenbocan en ideas erróneas sobre las relaciones mutuas, y nos vuelven extraños uno al otro cuando nos encontramos de nuevo” Freud: Correspondance, 49 [A su novia Martha]

CATÁSTROFE. Crisis violenta en cuyo transcurso el sujeto, al experimentar la situación amorosa como un atolladero definitivo, como una trampa de la que no podrá jamás salir, se dedica a una destrucción total de sí mismo.

después de no sé qué incidente, me encierro en mi habitación y rompo en sollozos: me lleva una ola poderosa, asfixiado de dolor (…) veo como en un relámpago claro y frío, la destrucción a la que estoy condenado. Ninguna relación con la humillación insidiosa y en suma civilizada de los amores dificiles; ninguna relación con el pasmo del sujeto abandonado; no me autocompadezco.” Vó Maria sempre em meu imaginário nessas horas: qual é a razão?

(¿Causa [de la Catástrofe]? Nunca solemne, de ningún modo por declaración de ruptura)”

¿No es indecente comparar la situación de un sujeto con mal de amores a la de un recluso de Dachau? ¿Una de las injurias más inimaginables de la Historia puede reencontrarse en un incidente fútil, infantil, sofisticado, oscuro, ocurrido a un sujeto cómodo, que es sólo presa de su Imaginario? Estas dos situaciones tienen, sin embargo, algo de común: son, literalmente, pánicas”

<Pánico> se relaciona con el dios Pan; pero se pueden emplear las etimologías como las palabras y fingir creer que <pánico> viene del adjetivo griego que quiere decir <todo>.”

BETTELHEIM. La fortaleza vacía

CELOS.Sentimiento que nace en el amor y que es producido por la creencia de que la persona amada prefire a otro” (Littré).

El celoso de la novela no es W.; es el señor Schmidt, el novio de Friederike, el hombre del mal humor. (…) Se trata (y ahí está una de las bellezas del libro) de una disposición trágica y no psicológica. W. no odia a Alberto; simplemente, Alberto ocupa una plaza deseada: es un adversario”

W. es capturado por esta imagen: Carlota corta rebanadas de pan y las distribuye a sus hermanos y hermanas. Carlota es un pastel, y ese pastel se reparte: a cada uno su tajada: no soy él único”

¿las diosas del Destino no son también las diosas del Reparto, las Parcas (de las que la última es la Muda, la Muerte)?”

si no acepto la partición del ser amado niego su perfección” “Melite se reparte porque ella es perfecta, e Hiperión sufre por ello [Hölderlin]” “Así, sufro, dos veces: por el reparto mismo, y por mi impotencia para soportar su nobleza.”

Zulayha intentó seducir a José y el marido no se indignó por ello (…) la escena transcurre en Egipto y Egipto está bajo un signo zodiacal que excluye los celos: Géminis. [Djedidi: <José cede ‘en la medida de un ala de mosquito’ para que la leyenda no pueda poner en duda su virilidad.>]”

CIRCUNSCRIBIR. Para reducir su infortúnio, el sujeto pone su esperanza en un método de control que le permita circunscribir los placeres que le da la relación amorosa: por una parte, guardar estes placeres, aprovecharlos plenamente, y, por la otra, cerrar la mente a las amplias zonas depresivas que separan estos placeres: “olvidar” al ser amado fuera de los placeres que da.

Gaudium es el <placer que el alma experimenta cuando considera la posesión de un bien presente o futuro como assegurada…>”

Laetitia es un placer alegre, <un estado en que el placer predomina en nosotros> (en medio de otras sensaciones a veces contradictorias).”

LEIBNIZ. Nouveaux essais sur l’entendement humain

nada, de la imagen, puede ser olvidado; una memoria extenuante impide abandonar a voluntad al amor”

(convertir la escasez de frecuentación en lujo de la relación, a la manera epicúrea; o, mas aún, considerar al otro como perdido, y por lo tanto experimentar, cada vez que él vuelve, el alivio de una resurrección)”

la miseria amorosa es indisoluble (el amor no es ni dialéctico ni reformista).”

COLOCADOS. El sujeto amoroso ve a todos los que lo rodean colocados, y cada uno le parece como provisto de un pequeño sistema práctico y afectivo de vínculos contractuales, de los que se siente excluido; experimenta entonces un sentimiento ambiguo de envidia y de irrisión.

W. quiere una plaza que está ya tomada”

los esposos, los amantes, los tríos, los propios marginados (droga, seducción), bien alojados en su marginalidad: todo el mundo salvo yo.

Cuando el tren atraviesa, por encima, las grandes ciudades de Holanda, la mirada del viajero domina los interiores sin cortinas, bien iluminados, donde cada uno parece consagrarse a su intimidad como si no fuera visto por miles de pasajeros”

COMPASIÓN. El sujeto experimenta un sentimiento de compasión violenta con respecto al objeto amado cada vez que lo ve, lo siente o lo sabe desdichado o amenzado por tal o cual razón, exterior a la relación amorosa misma.

NIETZSCHE. Aurora, I, af. 63.

Si el otro sufre alucinaciones, si teme volverse loco, debería yo mismo alucinar, enloquecer. Ahora bien, sea cual fuere la fuerza del amor esto no se produce: estoy conmovido, angustiado, porque es horrible ver sufrir a la gente que se ama, pero, al mismo tiempo, permanezco seco, impermeable. (…) soy una Madre (el otro me da preocupaciones), pero una Madre insuficiente; me agito demasiado, en proporción incluso de la reserva profunda en que, de hecho, me mantengo. (…) siendo desgraciado por sí mismo, el otro me abandona: si sufre sin que yo sea la causa, es que no cuento para él: su sufrimiento me anula

OVERRESIS: “Sufriré por lo tanto con el otro, pero sin exagerar; sin perderme. A esta conducta, a la vez muy afectiva y muy controlada, muy amorosa y muy pulcra [formosa], se le podría dar un nombre: es la delicadeza, es como la forma <sana> (civilizada, artística) de la compasión.”

COMPRENDER. Al percibir de golpe el episodio amoroso como un nudo de razones inexplicables y de soluciones bloqueadas, el sujeto exclama: “¡Quiero comprender lo que me ocurre!”.

El lugar más sombrio – dice un proverbio chino – está siempre bajo la lámpara.”

COMO TE COMO VEGANO

Comprended vuestra locura: tal era el mandato de Zeus cuando ordenó a Apolo volver los rostros de los Andróginos divididos (…) <para que la vista de su seccionamiento los vuelva menos osados>” “el yo, órgano soberbio de la ignorancia”

no desenmascarar más, no interpretar más, sino hacer de la conciencia misma una droga y a través de ella aceder a la visión sin remanente de lo real, al gran sueño claro, al amor profético.”

(…¿Si se requiriera del análisis no ya destruir la fuerza (ni tampoco corregirla o dirigirla), sino solamente decorarla, como lo haría un artista? ¿Nos imaginamos que la ciencia de los lapsus descubra un día su propio lapsus y que ese lapsus sea: una forma nueva, inaudita, de la conciencia?)”

CONDUCTA. Figura deliberativa: el sujeto amoroso se plantea con angustia problemas con mucha frecuencia fútiles, de conducta: ante tal alternativa ¿qué hacer?, ¿cómo actuar?

hasta que, de tal cascada de alternativas, surja por fin un acto puro – puro de todo pesar, de todo estremecimiento –.”

me ato en el cálculo, me impido gozar.”

(la espontaneidad: gran sueño: paraíso, poder, goce)”

no soy el hombre de los pequeños <acting-out>; mi locura es moderada, no se ve; inmediatamente tengo miedo de las consecuencias, de toda consecuencia: es mi miedo – mi deliberación – el que es <espontáneo>.”

paz; sufro, pero al menos no tengo que decidir nada” “no tengo más que estar ahí [Edson]: el karma (la máquina, el aula) se mueve ante mí, pero sin mí.”

CONNIVENCIA. El sujeto se imagina hablando del ser amado con una persona rival y esta imagen desarrolla extrañamente en él una aceptación de complicidad.

Los celos son una ecuación con tres términos permutables (indecidibles): se está siempre celoso de dos personas a la vez (…) El odiosamato (así se dice <rival> em italiano) es también amado por mí: me interesa, me intriga, me llama (véase El eterno marido de Dostoievski).”

CONTACTOS. La figura refiere a todo discurso interior suscitado por un contacto furtivo con el cuerpo (y más precisamente la piel) del ser deseado.

(como Dios, el Fetiche no responde)”

(Presiones de manos – inmenso expediente novelesco –…)”

CONTINGENCIAS. Pequeños acontecimientos, incidentes, reveses, fruslerías, mezquindades, futilidades, pliegues de la existencia amorosa; todo nudo factual cuya resonancia llega a atravesar las miras de felicidad del sujeto amoroso, como si el azar intrigase contra él.

El incidente es fútil (es siempre fútil), pero va a atraer hacia sí todo mi lenguaje. Lo transformo enseguida en acontecimiento importante, pensado por algo que se parece al destino. (…) Circunstancias innumerables y tenues tejen así el velo negro de la Maya, el tapiz de las ilusiones, de los sentidos, de las palabras.”

En el incidente, no es la causa lo que me retiene y repercute en mí, es la estructura. Toda la estructura de la relación viene a mí como se tiende un mantel [toalha]: sus resaltos, sus trampas, sus callejones [becos] sin salida (…) No recrimino, no sospecho, no busco las causas; veo con pavor la extensión de la situación en la que estoy preso; no soy el hombre del resentimiento, sino el de la fatalidad.”

A veces, histéricamente, mi propio cuerpo produce el incidente: (…) un cólico, una gripe: todos los sustitutos posibles de la afonía histérica [pérdida de la voz].”

CORAZÓN. Esta palabra vale para toda clase de movimientos y de deseos, pero lo que es constante es que el corazón se constituya en objeto de donación – aunque sea mal apreciado o rechazado –.”


Com “c” de “confisco”.

¿Qué van a hacer de mi deseo el mundo, el otro?” “el mundo y yo no nos interesamos en la misma cosa”

(sólo los enamorados y el niño tienen el corazón oprimido).”

CUERPO. Todo pensamiento, toda emoción, todo interés suscitados en el sujeto amoroso por el cuerpo amado.

no siendo la fascinación, en suma, más que el extremo del desapego”

Seus dedos ao teclar,

Sua expressão quando está assistindo um vídeo.

DECLARACIÓN. Propensión del sujeto amoroso a conversar abundantemente, con una emoción contenida, con el ser amado, acerca de su amor, de él, de sí mismo, de ellos: la declaración no versa sobre la confesión de amor, sino sobre la forma, infinitamente comentada, de la relación amorosa.

(Hablar amorosamente es desvivirse sin término, sin crisis; es practicar una relación sin orgasmo. Existe tal vez una forma literaria de este coitus reservatus: es el galanteo.)”

DEDICATORIA. Episodio de lenguaje que acompaña todo regalo amoroso, real o proyectado, y, más generalmente, todo gesto, efectivo o interior, por el cual el sujeto dedica alguna cosa al ser amado.

El regalo amoroso es solemne; arrastrado por la metonimia voraz que regula la vida imaginaria, me transporto por entero en él. A través de ese objeto te doy mi Todo, te toco con mi falo; es por eso que estoy loco de excitación, que recorro las tiendas, que me obstino en encontrar el buen fetiche, el fetiche brillante logrado, que se adaptará perfectamente a tu deseo.”

¿el análisis como un regalo de amor?”

<¿Qué voy a hacer con tu regalo?!> se convierte en la frase-farsa del regalo amoroso.”

¡qué es lo que no te doy!”

<Te daré más de lo que me das y así te dominaré> (en los grandes potlatchs amerindios se llegaba así a incendiar aldeas, a degollar esclavos).”

“Declarar lo que regalo es seguir el modelo familiar: mira los sacrificios que hacemos por ti; o más aún: nosotros te hemos dado la vida (-Pero ¡qué voy a hacer ya, con la vida!, etc.).”

No se puede regalar lenguaje, pero se lo puede dedicar – puesto que el otro es un pequeño dios –.” “es el principio mismo del Himno. No pudiendo dar nada, dedico la dedicatoria misma”

El canto es el suplemento precioso de un mensaje vacío, enteramente contenido en su intención, puesto que lo que regalo cantando es a la vez mi cuerpo (a través de mi voz) y el mutismo con que lo golpeas.”

No bien el sujeto amoroso crea o elabora una obra cualquiera, se apodera de él una pulsión de dedicatoria. Lo que hace, quiere inmediatamente, incluso por anticipado, regalarlo a quien ama, a aquel por quien ha trabajado, o trabajará.” “lo que sigue a la dedicatoria tiene poca relación con esa dedicatoria.”

por más que escriba tu nombre sobre mi obra, ésta ha sido escrita para <ellos> (los otros, los lectores). Es pues por una fatalidad de la escritura misma que no se puede decir de un texto que es amoroso, sino solamente, como máximo, que ha sido hecho <amorosamente>, como un pastel o una pantufla bordada.”

La escritura es seca, obtusa; sigue su curso, indiferente, sin delicadeza; mataría <padre, madre, amante>, antes que desviarse de su fatalidad (por lo demás enigmática). Cuando escribo, debo rendirme a esta evidencia (que, según mi Imaginario, me desgarra): no hay ninguna benevolencia en la escritura sino más bien un terror: sofoca al otro, que, lejos de percibir en ella la donación, lee una afirmación de dominio, de poder, de goce, de soledad. De ahí la cruel paradoja de la dedicatoria: quiero regalarte a cualquier precio lo que te asfixia.Verdade Fundamental: não gosto de mim. Meus sermões não são chatos como os hipócritas, e – também – servem para mim mesmo.

(Comprobamos a menudo que un sujeto que escribe no posee para nada la escritura de su imagen privada: quien me ama <por mí mismo>, no me ama por mi escritura (y yo sufro por ello). ¡Es indudable que amar a la vez dos significantes en el mismo cuerpo resulta demasiado! Eso lo sabe cualquiera…)”

PASOLINI. Teorema

O que os matemáticos denominam uma catástrofe (a descomposição de um sistema por outro)”

Catástrofe inicial translúcida tranSibéria trans-baudellairiana transuda

TRANSUBIHARDSOFT

.PUNCH

Não posso pois te dar o que cri escrever para ti; a isso devo render-me: (…) (não me contentaria com um cabeçalho mundano, preguiçoso de dedicar-te uma obra que se nos escapa aos dois). A operação em que se aprisiona o outro não é um cabeçalho. É, mais profundamente, uma inscrição: o outro está inscrito, se inscreveu no texto, deixou aí sua impressão, múltipla. Se, desse livro, tu não fôras mais que quem o dedica, não sairias de tua dura condição de objeto (amado) – de deus –; mas tua presença no texto, já pelo fato de ser ali irreconhecível, não é a de uma figura analógica, a de um fetiche: é a de uma força, que não está, a partir desse momento, segura.”

DEMONIOS. A veces le parece al sujeto amoroso que está poseído por un demonio de lenguaje que lo impulsa a herirse a sí mismo y a expulsarse – según una expresión de Goethe – del paraíso que, en otros momentos, la relación amorosa constituye para él.

El demonio es plural (<mi nombre es Legión>, Lucas 8:30). Cuando se rechaza a un demonio, cuando por fin le impongo silencio, hay otro”

Las burbujas hacen <plop> una tras otra… <Miedo de perder la dignidad> (el más avieso de los demonios)”

sobre todo si son de lenguaje (¿y de qué otra cosa serían?), se combaten por el lenguaje. Puedo pues esperar exorcizar (por mí mismo) la palabra demoniaca que se me sugiere sustituyéndola (si tengo el talento del lenguaje)” “yo creía por fin haber salido de la crisis y he aquí que no ceso de agitarme en el pensamiento, el deseo, el disgusto, la agresión del otro; y agrego a estas heridas el desánimo de comprobar que reincido “farmacopea (veneno por un lado, remedio por el otro)”

DEPENDENCIA. Figura en la cual la opinión ve la condición misma del sujeto amoroso, sojuzgado al objeto amado.

La mecánica del vasallaje amoroso exige una futilidad sin fondo. Puesto que para que la dependencia se manifieste en su pureza es necesario que estalle en las circunstancias más irrisorias, y devenga inconfesable a fuerza de pusilanimidad: esperar un llamado telefónico es de algún modo una dependencia demasiado burda [grosseira]; es necesario que la afine, sin límites” “en el campo amoroso la futilidad no es una <debilidad> o un <ridículo>: es un signo de fuerza

estoy sujeto dos veces: de quien amo y de quien él depende.” círculo da autodependência

não escolhi seus parentes (meus novos parentes)

seus amigos (no mínimo meus novos colegas)

Estoy submetido a ese estadio histórico en que el poder aristocrático comienza a sufrir los primeros golpes de la reivindicación democrática: <No hay razón para que sea yo quien, etc.>.

DESOLLADO [?]. Sensibilidad especial del sujeto amoroso que lo hace vulnerable, ofrecido en carne viva a las heridas más ligeras.

[?] ESFOLADO (Desolado? Porém em Espanhol a palavra é idêntica, sem o segundo “l”!). Alternativamente, em sentido conotativo e coloquial, mas fora de moda, DESCARADO, SEM-VERGONHA.

EMPLUMADO (cheio de si, todo-prosa)

Soy <una masa de sustancia irritable>.”

La carta geográfica de esos puntos sólo yo la conozco” “desearía que se distribuyera preventivamente este mapa de acupuntura moral a mis nuevos conocidos (que, por otra parte, podrían utilizarlo también para hacerme sufrir más).”

EL TRAVIESO PILLO: “Para identificar mis puntos débiles existe un instrumento que semeja un clavo: es la broma; yo la soporto mal. El Imaginario es, en efecto, una materia seria (nada que ver con el <espíritu serio>: el enamorado no es hombre de buena conciencia): el niño que está en la luna no es juguetón [brincalhão]; estoy, del mismo modo, cerrado al juego: no sólo el juego amenaza incesantemente con hacer aflorar uno de mis puntos débiles sino que incluso todo aquello con lo que el mundo se entretiene me parece siniestro” Os suscetíveis aos bromeros pirracentos?

WINNICOTT. Fragment d’une analyse

sueña poco, no practica el retruécano” tipo de jogo de palavras baseado em inversões. Ex: deves comer para viver e não viver para comer.

basta de novela, basta de Imagen simulada

DESPERTAR. Modos diversos bajo los cuales el sujeto amoroso se vuelve a encontrar, al despertar, sitiado por la inquietud de su pasión.

El desvelo amoroso implica un desgaste que afecta al cuerpo tan duramente como un trabajo físico. <Sufría tanto, dice alguien, luchaba de tal modo durante todo el día con la imagen del ser amado, que, por la noche, dormía muy bien.> Y W., poco antes de suicidarse, se acuesta y duerme prolongadamente.”

despertares pánicos (Octavio se despierta de un desmayo: <De golpe sus desdichas se presentaron ante su pensamiento: no se muere de dolor, o hubiese muerto en ese instante>).”

DESREALIDAD. Sentimiento de ausencia, disminución de realidad experimentado por el sujeto amoroso frente al mundo. // DO SENTIMENTO DE SER RABUGENTO

I. (…) atónito [DIC – assombrado por um raio; atordoado.] como un astro desierto, como una Naturaleza que el hombre no hubiera jamás habitado.

II. Hojeo el álbum de un pintor que amo; no puedo hacerlo más que con indiferencia. (…)

III. En un restaurante atestado, con amigos, sufro (palabra incomprensible para quien no está enamorado). El sufrimiento me viene del gentío, del ruido, del decorado (kitsch). (…)

IV. (…) (El mundo está lleno sin mí, como en La náusea; juega a vivir detrás de un vidrio; el mundo está en un acuario; lo veo muy cerca y sin embargo aislado, hecho de otra sustancia; elijo continuamente fuera de mí mismo, como si estuviera drogado. <¡Oh!, cuando esta magnífica Naturaleza, desplegada ante mí, me parece tan glacial como una miniatura cubierta de barniz…>)”

Eu esvazio o mundo. Eu sou o absurdo sem graça, vacilando na pista de gelo que é o reino do propósito.

Toda conversación general en la que estoy obligado a asistir (si no a participar) me desuella, me deja aterido. Me parece que el lenguaje de los otros, del que estoy excluido, esos otros lo sobremplean irrisoriamente: afirman, contestan, presumen, alardean. ¿Que tengo que ver con Portugal, el cariño a los perros o el último Petit Rapporteur? Vivo el mundo – el otro mundo – como una histeria generalizada.”

salvarme de la desrealidad – para retrasar su llegada – intento comunicarme con el mundo a través del mal humor. Pronuncio discursos contra cualquier cosa” Seria uma boa se fosse “aqui” permitido (escrito muito antes de 21/05/17, quando o digito – já não trabalho com os mesmos colegas, o que era meu supremo suplício)

Pp. 110-111, as mais ricas e pungentes do livro? Nada sobre o amor, mas justamente sua antítese, o social.

<…En el aeropuerto el taxi me pidió 14 mil liras (en lugar de 7 mil) porque era ‘Corpus Christi’. Este país pierde en los 2 planos: elimina la diferencia de los gustos pero no la división de las clases, etc.> Basta, por otra parte, que vaya un poco más lejos para que esta agresividad, que me mantenía vivo, comunicado con el mundo, vuelva al abandono: entro en las aguas taciturnas de la desrealidad. <Piazza del Popolo (es feriado), todo el mundo habla, se encuentra en estado de exhibición (¿no es eso el lenguaje: un estado de exhibición?)…> (…) Estoy de sobra, pero, doble duelo, aquello de lo que soy excluido no me inspira deseos.” Na Internet eu me realizo, pois não faço a apologia, a acepção, de nada nem ninguém. “Respeita os outros! Parece que você tem 12 anos!” Justamente até que se tenha mais de 19 não se entende a “criancice” extravasadora dos adultos.

Sufro la realidad como un sistema de poder. Roma en día feriado, todos me imponen su sistema de ser; son mal criados. ¿La descortesía no es solamente una plenitud? El mundo está completo, la plenitud es su sistema, y, como una última ofensa, ese sistema se presenta como una <naturaleza> con la que debo mantener buenas relaciones: para ser <normal> (exento de amor) [Se quer viver aqui, adeqúe-se às regras!] me sería necesario encontrar divertido a Coluche [grande humorista francês dos anos 70-80, o Didi Mocó avec élegance], bueno el restaurante J., bella la pintura de T. y animada la fiesta del <Corpus Christi>; no solamente sufrir el poder sino incluso entrar en simpatía con él: ¿<amar> la realidad? ¡Qué tedio para el enamorado (por la virtud de lo amoroso)!”

Mientras percibo al mundo como hostil permanezco ligado a él: no estoy loco. Pero, a veces, agotado el mal humor, no tengo ya ningún lenguaje [Vânia, Thaís, Nerize, Ueslei, Jussara, Davi, minha sala, o sapateiro, minha casa, o twitter…]: el mundo no es <irreal> (podría entonces hablarlo: hay artes de lo irreal, y son las mayores), sino desreal: lo real ha huido de él, a ninguna parte, de modo que ya no tengo ningún sentido; no alcanzo a definir mis relaciones con Coluche, el restaurante, el pintor, la Piazza del Popolo. ¿Qué relación puedo tener con un poder si no soy ni su esclavo, ni su cómplice, ni su testigo?”

estereotipado, laboriosamente extravagante. Lo encuentro idiota en segundo grado: idiota por representar al idiota. Mi mirada es implacable, como la de un muerto; no me divierte ningún teatro, así sea risible [o tipo risonho universitário: Thomas, Aloísio, Tucano, Saulo…], no acepto ningún guiño; estoy cerrado a todo <tráfico asociativo>: mi conciencia está separada en dos por el vidrio del café.” película cinzescura dalma Ouço risadas ao longe no Setor Bancário Norte da minha alma.

TÍTULO DE LIVRO (SUGESTÃO): O NADA & O TABU

todo <real> lo perturba” (…) ninguna sustitución imaginaria viene a compensar esta pérdida (…) no <sueño> (…) coagulado, petrificado, inmutable (…) En un primer momento estoy neurótico; en el segundo momento estoy loco“si llego, por alguna habilidad de escritura, a decir esta muerte, comienzo a revivir”

Não estou para A-literalidades…

(un loco que escribe no es jamás completamente loco; es un falsificador: ningún Elogio de la Locura es posible).”

¿Qué es lo pueril? ¿Es <cantar el tedio, los dolores, las tristezas, las melancolías, la muerte, las tinieblas, lo sombrío>, etc. – todo eso que, según se dice, hace el enamorado –?”

DOLIDO. Imaginándose muerto, el sujeto amoroso ve la vida del ser amado continuar como si nada hubiera ocurrido.

hasta qué punto sentirían el vacio que tu pérdida causaría en su destino? ¿Cuánto tiempo?…”

es que a través del luto mismo, que no niego, veo la vida de los otros continuar, sin cambio; los veo perseverar en sus ocupaciones, en sus pasatiempos, en sus problemas, frecuentar los mismos lugares, los mismos amigos; nada cambiaría en el contenido de su existencia. Del amor, asunción demencial de la Dependencia (tengo absoluta necesidad del otro), surge cruelmente la posición adversa: nadie tiene verdaderamente necesidad de mí.”

estar deprimido, se dice, es llevar la figura de la Madre tal como me imagino que me llorará para siempre: imagen inmóvil, muerta, salida de la Nekuia [Nekyia, necromancia: diferente da katabasis greco-dantesca, não inclui a jornada ao Submundo, é mais como um holograma de Guerra nas Estrelas]”

el moribundo es apresado por un papear [*]: Carlota y sus amigos son <buenas mujercitas> que hablan fútilmente de la muerte. Me veo comido de dientes afuera por la palabra de los otros, disuelto en el éter de las Habladurías. Y las habladurías continuarán sin que yo sea ya, desde hace tiempo, el objeto: una energía lingual, fútil e incansable, podrá más que mi recuerdo mismo.

[*] “<Papear (ant. <charlar> o <hablar confusamente>): pappa, papilla; pappare, probar con la punta de la lengua, parlotear y comer.”

DRAMA. El sujeto amoroso puede escribir por sí mismo su novela de amor. Sólo una forma muy arcaica podría recoger el acontecimiento que declama sin poder contarlo.

Los acontecimentos de la vida amorosa son tan fútiles que no acceden a la escritura sino a través de un inmenso esfuerzo: uno se desalienta de escribir lo que, al escribirse, denuncia so propia chatura: <Encontré a X… en compañía de Y…>, <Hoy, X… no me ha telefoneado>, <X… estaba de mal humor>, etc.: ¿quién reconocería en esto una historia? El acontecimiento, ínfimo, no existe más que a través de su repercusión, enorme: Diario de mis repercusiones (de mis heridas, de mis alegrías, de mis interpretaciones, de mis razones, de mis veleidades): ¿quién comprendería algo en él?”

Como Relato, el amor es un programa que debe ser recorrido. Para mí, por el contrario, esta historia ya ha tenido lugar. El enamoramiento es un drama, si devolvemos a esta palabra el sentido arcaico que le dio Nietzsche: <El drama antiguo tenía grandes escenas declamatorias, lo que excluía la acción (ésta se producía antes o tras la escena).> El rapto amoroso (puro momento hipnótico) se produce antes del discurso y tras el proscenio de la conciencia: el <acontecimiento> amoroso es de orden hierático” Tróia, Ulisses de Joyce, etc. – o que Afrodites magérrimas de clitóris arregaçado jamais compreenderiam.

ENCUENTRO. La figura remite al tiempo feliz que siguió inmediatamente al primer rapto, antes que nacieran las dificultades de la relación amorosa.

<exploro> con embriaguez la perfección del ser amado, es decir la adecuación inesperada de un objeto a mi deseo: es la dulzura del comienzo, el tiempo proprio del idilio.”

se opone a la <secuela>: <la secuela> es el largo reguero [regueiro, fio, corrente] de sufrimientos, heridas, angustias, desamparos, resentimientos, desesperaciones, penurias y trampas de que soy presa, viviendo entonces sin cesar bajo la amenaza de una ruina que asolaría a la vez al otro, a mí mismo y al encuentro prestigioso que en un comienzo nos ha descubierto el uno al otro.”

Hay enamorados que no se suicidan: (…) vuelvo a ver el día (…) salida dialéctica (…) vuelva a iniciar la jornada (…) afirmo la afirmación, recomienzo, sin repetir.”

(más tarde, en el recuerdo, el sujeto convertirá en un momento los tres momentos de la jornada amorosa)” 2005, 2016- – tubos

ou: -2017-…

es un descubrimiento progresivo de las afinidades, complicidades e intimidades que podré cultivar eternamente con un otro, en trance de convertirse, desde luego, en <mi otro>: voy integramente hasta este descubrimiento (me estremece sólo persarlo), toda curiosidad intensa por un ser encontrado vale en suma por el amor”

¿Quieres eso? ¡Vaya, yo también! ¿No te gusta esto? ¡A mí tampoco!”

la estupefacción de un azar sobrenatural: el amor pertenece al orden (dionisiaco) del Golpe de dados.” shuffle do reprodutor musical

(<He aqui lo que soy>. Es el goce narrativo, lo que a la vez colma y retarda el saber, reenvida [instiga, incita]. En el encuentro amoroso me reanimo incessantemente, soy ligero.)”

ERRABUNDEO [errância, vagabundagem, vadiagem]. Aunque todo amor sea vivido como único y aunque el sujeto rechace la idea de repetirlo más tarde en otra parte, sorprende a veces en él una suerte de difusión del deseo amoroso; comprende entonces que está condenado a errar hasta la muerte de amor en amor.

una especie de inocencia oculta el fin de esta cosa concebida, afirmada, vivida según la eternidad. que desaparezca o pase a la región Amistad, de todas maneras, no lo veo desvanecerse (…) (el otro no desaparece jamás cuándo y cómo se lo espera). limitación del discurso amoroso: no puedo yo mismo construir hasta el fin mi historia de amor: exactamente igual que mi propia muerte” “a los otros corresponde escribir el relato mítico.”

como si el amor pudiera un día colmarme (…) como si, a través del amor, accediera yo a otra lógica (donde el absoluto no estuviera obligado a ser único)” Recuperação mental em 2015 temporária o suficiente

Desde el momento en que no soy colmado y sin embargo no me mato, el errabundeo amoroso es fatal. W. mismo lo ha conocido – passando de la <pobre Leonor> a Carlota –; si hubiera sobrevivido, W. habría escrito las mismas cartas a otra mujer.”

parece un ballet, más o menos rápido según la velocidad del sujeto infiel, es también una gran ópera. El Holandés maldito está condenado a errar por el mar mientras no haya encontrado una mujer de una fidelidad eterna. Soy el Holandés Errante; vicio desde los tiempos remotos de mi infancia profunda, dios Imaginario, afligiéndome con una compulsión de palabra que me lleva a decir <Te amo> hasta que otro recoja esta palabra y me la devuelva <Tomara que dure…>, <Ah, não era pra ser!> <Sossegue um tempo com alguém.> <Sossegue um tempo solteiro> ad infinit.

todos los <fracasos> amorosos se parecen (y con razón: todos proceden de la misma falla).”

La <mutabilidad perpetua> (in inconstantia constans)”

ESCENA. La figura apunta a toda escena (en el sentido restringido del término) como intercambio de cuestionamientos recíprocos.

la <última palabra>” “ejercicio de un derecho” “jamás tú sin mí” “Los participantes saben que el enfrentamiento al que se entregan y que no los separará es tan inconsecuente como un goce perverso (la escena sería una manera de darse placer sin el riesgo de engendrar niños).”

Es el diálogo lo que ha corrumpido a la Tragedia incluso antes de que llegara súbitamente Sócrates.” “esquizofrenia” “soliloquio amoroso” “el proto-actor, el loco y el enamorado” “la lengua social inspirada por la malvada Eris: la de la neurosis universal.”

el héroe y el corifeo [corifeu; o líder do coro trágico, aquele que fala pelos demais personagens da peça, é tanto um representante, um delegado, quanto um metamorfo, camaleão, podendo se passar por qualquer um da estória]”

la molestia de Carlota excita todavía más a W.”

esticomitis, modelo arcaico de todas las escenas del mundo”

Esta sobrepuja no es jamás otra cosa que el grito de Narciso: ¡Y yo! ¡Y yo!

¿De qué médios podría disponer yo? ¿El silencio? No haría más que avivar la voluntad de la escena; soy pues llevado a responder para enjugar, para suavizar. ¿El razonamiento? Nadie es de un metal tan puro que deje al otro sin voz. ¿El análisis de la propia escena? Pasar de la escena a la metaescena no es nunca sino abrir otra escena. ¿La huida? Es el signo de una defección adquirida: la pareja está ya deshecha: como el amor, la escena es siempre recíproca.” Meu silêncio constrangido, minha retirada estratégica, meu bloqueio das redes sociais, meu fajuto <agir com naturalidade com ela a despeito do que está acontecendo>, todos rigorosamente impotentes.

(Lo que X… tenía de bueno era que no explotaba jamás la frase que le era dada; por una suerte de ascesis rara, no se aprovechaba del lenguaje.)” <Ah, então quer dizer que…>

La escena no es ni práctica ni dialéctica” “en Sade la violencia ya no marca: el cuerpo es instantáneamente restaurado por nuevos desgastes” “así ocurre con el participante de la escena: renace de la escena pasada, como si nada hubiera ocurrido.”

arretado ajetreo

cajetera pelota de rabia

Todo participante de una escena sueña con tener la última palabra. Hablar el último, <concluir>, es dar un destino a todo lo que se ha dicho; en el espacio de la palabra, lo que viene último ocupa un lugar soberano” “todo combate de lenguaje (maché de los antiguos sofistas, disputatio de los escolásticos) se dirige a la posesíon de ese lugar; mediante la última palabra voy a desorganizar, a <liquidar> al adversario, voy a infligirle una herida (narcísica) mortal, voy a reducirlo al silencio, voy a castrarlo de toda palabra. (…) es el último golpe de dados lo que cuenta. La escena, no se parece en nada a un juego de ajedrez sino más bien a un juego de sortija [ainda bem]: no obstante, el juego es aquí revertido, puesto que la victoria corresponde a aquel que logra tener el anillo en su mano en el momento mismo en que el juego se detiene”

<Pronto te verás desembarazada de mí> (…) mediante el anuncio del suicidio W. se convierte imediatamente en el más fuerte de los dos

Qué es un héroe? Aquel que tiene la última réplica. ¿Se ha visto alguna vez un héroe que no hable antes de morir? Renunciar a la última réplica revela pues una moral antiheroica: es la de Abraham: hasta el final del sacrificio que se le ordena, no habla. (…) ese maestro zen que, por toda respuesta a la solemne pregunta: <Quién es Buda?>, se quitó las sandalias, las puso sobre su cabeza y se fue: disolución impecable de la última réplica, dominio del no-dominio.”

ESCRIBIR. Señuelos [animal; artimanha; armadilha], debates y callejones sin salida a los que da lugar el deseo de “expresar” el sentimiento amoroso en una “creación” (especialmente de escritura).

LA PARADOJA: “el mito romántico (produciré una obra inmortal escribiendo mi pasión). Sin embargo, W., que en otro tiempo dibujaba mucho y bien, no puede hacer el retrato de Carlota (…) <He perdido… la fuerza sagrada, vivificante; con que creaba mundos en torno de mí.>”

Esa mañana de verano, en calma la bahía,

me quedé largo rato en la mesa,

sin hacer nada.”

BASHŌ – Haikú

Oscilando entre um Jimi Hendrix engasgado que morreu de cólera (o homem que morreu de raiva) e um blog adolescente: “Por una parte es no decir nada y por la otra es decir demasiado: imposible el ajuste. Mis deseos de expresión oscilan entre el haikú muy apagado, capaz de resumir una situación desmedida, y un gran torrente de trivialidades. Soy a la vez demasiado grande y demasiado débil para la escritura (…) Cierto que el amor tiene parte ligada con mi lenguaje (que lo alimenta), pero no puede alojarse en mi escritura. No puedo escribirme. ¿Cuál es ese yo que se escribiría? (escribir sobre algo es volverlo caduco) – Lo que bloquea la escritura amorosa es la ilusión de expresividad: escritor, o pensándome tal, continúo engañándome sobre los efectos del lenguaje: no sé que la palabra <sufrimiento> no expressa ningún sufrimiento y que, por consiguiente, emplearla, no solamente es no comunicar nada, sino que incluso, muy rápidamente, es provocar irritación (sin hablar del ridículo). Sería necesario que alguien me informara que no se puede escribir sin pagar la deuda de la <sinceridad> (siempre el mito de Orfeo: no volverse a mirar). Lo que la escritura demanda y lo que ningún enamorado puede acordarle sin desgarramiento es sacrificar un poco de su Imaginario y asegurar así a través de su lengua la asunción de un poco de realidad.

Ante la muerte de su hijo-niño, para escribir (no serían más que jirones de escritura), Mallarmé se somete a la división parental:

Madre, llora

Yo, pienso”

soy mi propio niño: soy a la vez padre y madre (de mí, del otro): ¿cómo podría dividir el trabajo?”

Saber que no se escribe para el otro, saber que esas cosas que voy a escribir no me harán jamás amar por quien amo, saber que la escritura no compensa nada, no sublima nada, que es precisamente ahí donde no estás: tal es el comienzo de la escritura.”

ESPERA. Tumulto de angustia suscitado por la espera del ser amado, sometida a la posibilidad de pequeños retrasos (citas, llamadas telefónicas, cartas, atenciones recíprocas).

Espero a gaivota azul.

escenografía de la espera: destaco un trozo de tiempo en que voy a imitar la pérdida del objeto amado y provocar todos los efectos de un pequeño duelo, lo cual se representa, por lo tanto, como una pieza de teatro.”

(miro mi reloj muchas veces); el Prólogo concluye con una acción súbita: decido <preocuparme>, desencadeno la angustia de la espera. Comienza entonces el primer acto; está ocupado por suposiciones: ¿y si hubiera un malentendido sobre la hora, sobre el lugar? Intento recordar el momento en que se concretó la cita, las precisiones que fueron dadas. ¿Qué hacer (angustia de conducta)? ¿Cambiar de café? ¿Hablar por teléfono? ¿Y si el otro llega durante essas ausencias? Si no me ve lo más probable es que se vaya, etc. El segundo acto es el de la cólera; dirijo violentos reproches al ausente: <Siempre igual, él (ella) habría podido perfectamente…>, <Él (ella) sabe muy bien que…>. ¡Ah, si ella (él) pudiera estar allí, para que le pudiera reprochar no estar allí! En el tercer acto, espero (¿obtengo?) la angustia absolutamente pura: la del abandono [e o pior: lendo Kierkegaard!]; acabo de pasar en un instante de la ausencia a la muerte [não existo nessa cidade; acabou meu fim de semana]: explosión de duelo: estoy interiormente lívido. Así es la pieza; puede ser acortada por la llegada del otro; si llega en el primero, la acogida es apacible; si llega en el segundo, hay <escena>; si llega en el tercero, es el reconocimiento, la acción de gracias: respiro largamente, como Pelléas saliendo del túnel y reencontrando la vida, el olor de las rosas.” Quem me recomendou este livro?

O metrô de 100 saídas; o parque gigantesco, escuro labirinto. O banheiro com uma passagem secreta – onde me é proibido entrar. O parquinho desolado, a casa inachada longe longe de casa, pessoas sem rosto num show, ela faltou à aula hoje, justo quando mais tinha coisas a dizer, etc.

(La angustia de la espera no es continuamente violenta; tiene sus momentos apagados; espero y todo el entorno de mi espera está aquejado de irrealidad: en el café, miro a los demás que entran, charlan, bromean, leen tranquilamente: ellos no esperan.)

La espera es un encantamiento: recibí la orden de no moverme: me privo de salir de la pieza, de ir al lavabo, de hablar por teléfono incluso (para no ocupar el aparato); sufro si me telefonean (por la misma razón); me enloquece pensar que a tal hora cercana será necesario que yo salga, arriesgándome así a perder el llamado bienhechor, el regreso de la Madre.” Verdadeiro purgatório do escritor. Universo em estado de crisálida.

Y si no viene lo alucino: la espera es un delirio.” Me passou um trote! Fui a sua casa… Encontrei a roommate dela. Desconfio que ela desconfia da verdade. “Todavía el teléfono: a cada repiqueteo descuelgo rápido, creo que es el ser amado quien me llama (puesto que debe llamarme); un esfuerzo más y <reconozco> su voz, entablo el diálogo, a riesgo de volverme con ira contra el importuno que me despierta de mi delirio. En el café, toda persona que entra, si posee la menor semejanza de silueta, es de este modo, en un primer movimiento, reconocida. [!!!] Y mucho tiempo después que la relación amorosa se ha apaciguado conservo el hábito de alucinar al ser que he amado: a veces me angustio todavía por un llamado telefónico que tarda y, ante cada importuno, creo reconocer la voz que amaba: soy un mutilado al que continúa doliéndole la pierna amputada.”

recrio no recreio, não creio!

¿Estoy enamorado? – Sí, porque espero. A veces, quiero jugar al que no espera; intento ocuparme de otras cosas, de llegar con retraso; pero siempre pierdo a este juego: cualquier cosa que haga, me encuentro ocioso, exacto, es decir, adelantado.”

Erostartes: “Eu amo, logo espero.”

Más aún: si espero frente a la ventanilla de un banco, en la partida de un avión, establezco enseguida un vínculo agresivo con el empleado, con la azafata [aeromoça, recepcionista], cuya indiferencia descubre e irrita mi sujeción”

Hacer esperar: prerrogativa constante de todo poder, <pasatiempo milenario de la humanidad>.” Coitados dos apaixonados por Cristo…

Un mandarín estaba enamorado de una cortesana: <Seré tuya, dijo ella, cuando hayas pasado cien noches esperándome sentado sobre un banco, en mi jardín, bajo mi ventana.> Pero, en la nonagesimonovena noche, el mandarín se levanta, toma su banco bajo el brazo y se va.”

EXILIO. Al decidir renunciar al estado amoroso, el sujeto se ve con tristeza exiliado de su Imaginario. [AUTOLUTO]

(La pasión amorosa es un delirio; pero el delirio no es extraño; todo el mando [mundo?] habla de él, está ya domesticado. Lo que es enigmático es la pérdida del delirio: ¿se entra en qué?)”

VICTOR HUGO: “El exilio es una especie de largo insomnio” (Pierres, 62).

FREUD: “El duelo mueve al yo a renunciar al objeto declarándoselo muerto y ofreciéndole como premio el permanecer con vida” (Duelo y melancolía, 254).

(¿El punto más sensible de este duelo no es que me hace perder un lenguaje, el lenguaje amoroso? Se acabaron los <Te amo>.)”

Esta tristeza no es una melancolía, o al menos es una melancolía incompleta (de ningún modo clínica), puesto que no me acusa de nada y no estoy postrado.”

Carencia redoblada: no puedo siquiera investir mi desdicha, como en el tiempo en que sufría por estar enamorado. En ese tiempo deseaba, soñaba, luchaba; un bien estaba ante mí, simplemente retardado, atravesado por contratiempos. Ahora ya no hay resonancias; todo es calmo, y es peor.” “el duelo amoroso tiene siempre un remanente: una expresión regresa sin cesar: <¡Qué lástima!>.”

Nunca mais caminharei na passarela a passos largos, autoconfiante e de bermuda. O pôr-do-sol é triste… Mario para crianças… Jogo para crianças, com chifres, sem dinheiro, vencidas como pelo último chefe apelão da máquina… 72 horas: o tempo da crisálida? Isso de você aparecer quando você quer é que é o problema!

Prueba de amor: te sacrifico (…) una guedeja [trança]. De ese modo tal vez accederé al <amor verdadero>. (…) el analista debe despreocuparse de su paciente (a falta de lo cual el análisis amenaza con ser interminable) (…) el ser amado debe entrar en la melancolía de su propia decadencia.”

pero lo Imaginario arde por debajo, como el carbón mal apagado; se inflama de nuevo; lo que había sido abandonado resurge; de la tumba mal cerrada retumba bruscamente un largo grito.” Cenas 2007: “(Celos, angustias, posesiones, discursos, apetitos, signos, de nuevo el deseo amoroso ardía por todas partes. Era como si quisiera estrechar una última vez, con locura, a alguien que iba a morir – a quien yo dispondría a morir –; produje una negativa de separación.)

Esta renuncia puede alcanzar tal intensidad que produzca un extrañamiento de la realidad y una retención del objeto por vía de una psicosis alucinatoria de deseo” Freud

FADING. Prueba dolorosa por la cual el ser amado parece retirarse de todo contacto, sin que siquiera esa indiferencia enigmática sea dirigida contra el sujeto amoroso ni se pronuncie en provecho de quien sea otro, mundo o rival.

si la voz se pierde, es toda la imagen que se desvanece (el amor es monológico, maniaco; el texto es heterológico, perverso).”

El fading del objeto amado es el retorno terrorífico de la Mala Madre, la retracción inexplicable del amor, el desamparo bien conocido de los Místicos: Dios existe, la Madre está presente, pero ellos no aman ya.”

La voz del ser amado no la conozco nunca sino muerta, rememorada, recortada en el interior de mi cabeza, mucho más allá del oído”

la fatiga es el infinito mismo: lo que no termina de acabar.”

A Freud [a nadie, en verdad], al parecer, no le gustaba el teléfono, a él que le gustaba, sin embargo, escuchar. ¿Tal vez sentía, prevía, que el teléfono es siempre una cacofonía, y que lo que deja pasar es la mala voz, la falsa comunicación?”

FREUD, Martin. Freud, mon père

(se dice, las máscaras de la tragedia griega tenían una función mágica: dar a la voz un origen ctónico, deformarla, descentrarla, hacerla venir del más allá subterráneo)”

¿a quién hablar?” “Te voy a dejar, dice cada segundo la voz del teléfono.”

Me asusto de la fatiga del otro: es el más cruel de los objetos rivales. ¿Cómo luchar contra la fatiga?” Pero ¿qué hacer con ese paquete de fatiga depositado ante mí? ¿Qué quiere decir ese regalo? ¿Déjame? ¿Acógeme? Nadie responde, porque lo que se regala es precisamente lo que no responde.” “(En ninguna novela de amor he leído que un personaje esté fatigado.)”

BLANCHOT. Vieja conversación

FALTAS. En tal o cual ocasión ínfima de la vida cotidiana el sujeto cree haber faltado al ser amado y experimenta un sentimiento de culpabilidad.

la observación de los rótulos, el temor de estar retrasado, el hecho de alocarse en una estación, ¿no revelan una manía de viejo, de jubilado?”

A partir de entonces no vio nada, sino la parte trasera, obtusa, del último vagón, a lo lejos. (…) El tren no partía. Sin embargo, no osaba moverse, dejar el andén, aunque fuera absolutamente inútil quedarse ahí. Una especie de obligación simbólica (la obligación muy fuerte de un pequeño simbolismo) lo forzaba a quedarse ahí, mientras el tren estuviera detenido (con X… dentro). Estaba pues quieto, como un estúpido, no viendo nada, sino el tren lejano, no siendo visto por nadie, sobre el andén desierto – impaciente finalmente de que el tren partiera –. Pero hubiera sido una falta partir primero, y tal vez de hacerlo se habría sentido atormentado por mucho tiempo.”

cada vez que, para romper la servidumbre, intento <dominarme> (es el consejo unánime del mundo), me siento culpable. Soy culpable entonces, paradójicamente, de aligerar el peso, de reducir el embarazo exorbitante de mi devoción, en suma de <lograr> (según el mundo); en última instancia es ser fuerte lo que me da miedo, es el dominio (o su simple gesto)”

BANQUETE: Fedro: “si un hombre que ama hubiese cometido una mala acción […] más vergüenza le causaría presentarse ante la persona que ama que ante su padre”

FASTIDIOSO. Sentimiento de celos tenue que se apodera del sujeto amoroso cuando ve el interés del ser amado captado y desviado por personas, objetos u ocupaciones que actúan a sus ojos como otros tantos rivales secundarios.

LoL, estudos, amigos, mesmo a mãe… Ou o sono.

El mundo está lleno de vecinos indiscretos, con los que debo compartir al otro.” “Soy incesantemente perturbado por Fastidiosos: una vaga relación reencontrada por azar y que se sienta a la fuerza junto a nosotros; vecinos de mesa cuya vulgaridad visiblemente fascina al otro, al punto que no escucha si le hablo o no; un objeto, incluso, un libro, por ejemplo, en que el otro se encuentra sumergido (estoy celoso del libro).”

Carlota reparte su naranja por cortesía mundana, o, si se quiere, por bondad; pero esos son motivos que no apaciguan al enamorado: <¿De que sirvió que yo apartara esas naranjas para ella, si ella las regala a otros?>” “Contradicción insoluble: por una parte, es absolutamente preciso que Carlota sea <buena>, porque ella es un objeto perfecto; pero, por otra parte, no es necesario que esta bondad tenga por efecto abolir el privilegio que me constituye. Esa contradicción se vuelve vago resentimiento” “estoy irritado contra los otros, contra el otro, contra mí (de ahí puede surgir una <escena>).” “Não acredito que você está com ciúme disso!…”

FIESTA. El sujeto amoroso vive todo encuentro con el ser amado como una fiesta.

y sea de mí lo que fuere no podré decir no haya saboreado las alegrías, los más puros goces de la vida.” W.

(¿No es acaso nada, para ti, ser la fiesta de alguien?)”

GASTO. Figura mediante la cual el sujeto amoroso titubea y busca a la vez situar el amor en una economía del puro gasto, de la pérdida <por nada>.

Alberto, personaje plano, moral, conforme decreta (siguiendo a tantos otros) que el suicidio es una cobardía. Para W., por el contrario el suicidio no es una debilidad, puesto que procede de una tensión: <Oh! querido mío, si tensar todo el ser es dar prueba de fuerza, ¿por qué una tensión demasiado grande sería debilidad?>.” “(Un lord, después un obispo inglés, reprocharon a Goethe la epidemia de suicidios provocados por Werther. A lo que Goethe respondió en términos propiamente económicos: <Vuestro sistema comercial ha hecho por cierto miles de víctimas; ¿por qué no tolerarle algunas a Werther?>.)”

La exuberancia amorosa es la exuberancia del niño cuyo despliegue narcisista, cuyo goce múltiple, nada (todavía) contiene. Esta exuberancia puede estar atravesada de tristeza, depresiones, movimientos suicidas, porque el discurso amoroso no es un promedio de estados; pero semejante desequilibrio forma parte de esa economía negra que me marca con su aberración, y, por así decirlo, con su lujo intolerable.”

GRADIVA. Este nombre, tomado del libro de Jensen (…) designa la imagen del ser amado en cuanto acepta entrar un poco en el delirio del sujeto amoroso a fin de ayudarlo a salir de él.

El ser amado parece entonces enpeñarse en hundirme en mi delirio, en mantener e irritar la herida amorosa: como esos padres de esquizofrénicos que, según se dice, no cesan de provocar o agravar la locura de su hijo por medio de pequeñas intervenciones conflictuales, el otro intenta volverme loco. (…) ponerme en contradicción conmigo mismo (…) alterna actos de seducción y de frustración a la frialdad, al silencio (…) <quebrar> la conversación, ya sea imponiendo pasar bruscamente de un tema serio (que me importa) a un tema trivial, o bien interesándose visiblemente, mientras hablo, en otra cosa distinta de lo que yo digo.”

una gota de estar-enamorado diluida en una vaga relación amistosa la colorea vivamente, la hace incomparable”

Si el enamorado llega a <amar> es en la medida misma en que se feminiza, en que se une a la clase de las grandes Enamoradas, de las Suficientemente Buenas.”

WINNICOTT. La Madre

Quien son Norbert y Zoe?

Qui sont N. et Z.?

Who are N&Z

Wer sin

HABLADURÍA. Herida experimentada por el sujeto amoroso cuando comprueba que el ser amado está metido en habladurías, y escucha hablar de él de una manera común.

Sobre la ruta a Falera un hombre se aburre; percibe a otro que marcha delante de él, lo alcanza y le pide que le narre el banquete dado por Agatón. Así nace la teoría del amor: de un azar, de un tedio, de un deseo de hablar, o, si se prefiere, de una habladuría de 3 kilómetros de longitud. Aristodemos asistió al famoso banquete; se lo ha contado a Apolodoro que, sobre la ruta a Falera, lo relata a Glauco (hombre, se dice, sin cultura filosófica), y, al hacerlo, por mediación del libro, nos lo cuenta a nosotros que hablamos de él nuevamente.”

conversación (hablamos de una cuestión)” x “habladuría (hablamos entre nosotros de los demás)”

la lingüística oficial sólo se ocupa del mensaje.”

(en El Banquete la disposición de los lechos tiene gran importancia)” O banquete não é numa mesa?

está ya prometido, [W.] no debe caer enamorado, etc. Así las habladurías resumen y anuncian la historia por venir.” “la amiga es un hada mala, que, so capa de disuadir, predice y apela. Cuando la amiga habla, su discurso es insensible (un hada no se apiada jamás): la habladuría es ligera, fría, adquiere así el status de una especie de objetividad; su voz, en suma, parece doblar la voz de la ciencia. Esas dos voces son reductoras. Cuando la ciencia habla llego a veces a escuchar su discurso como el rumor de una habladuría que propala y critica ligeramente”

El pronombre de tercera persona es un pronombre pobre” “es como si lo viera muerto, reducido” “Para mí, el otro no podría ser un referente: tú no es jamás sino tú, yo no quiero que el Otro hable de ti.”

IDENTIFICACIÓN. El sujeto se identifica dolorosamente con cualquier persona (o con cualquier personaje) que ocupe en la estructura amorosa la misma posición que él.

¡Nada puede salvarte, desdichado! Veo perfectamente que nada puede salvarnos”

La estructura no tiene preferencia por nadie; es pues, terrible (como una burocracia). No se le puede suplicar, decirle: <Vea cómo soy mejor que H…>. Inexorable, responde: <Usted está en el mismo lugar; por lo tanto es H…>. Nadie puede alegar en contra de la estructura.”

Una larga cadena de equivalencias une a todos los enamorados del mundo. En la teoría de la literatura, la <proyección> (del lector en el personaje), hoy, ya no tiene curso: leyendo una novela de amor es poco decir que me proyecto; me uno a la imagen del enamorado (todos saben que esas novelas se leen en estado de secesión, de reclusión, de ausencia y de voluptuosidad: en los cuartos de baño).

IMAGEN. En el campo amoroso, las más vivas heridas provienen más de lo que se ve que de lo que se sabe.

O STALKER PERFEITO: “yo no estoy en la escena: la imagen carece de enigma.”

La imagen es perentoria; ningún conocimiento puede contradecirla, arreglarla, sutilizarla.”

Yo sé que Carlota no me pertenece, dice la razón de W., pero de todos modos, Alberto me la roba, dice la imagen que tiene bajo sus ojos.” Esperança: Kevin não existe, tenho que ver a traição com meus próprios olhos; deixa eu conhecer esse seu novo namoradinho; quem é seu novo amigo, etc.

a veces también soy apresado en la imagen.” “Não é o que você está pensando, eu posso explicar”

me veo como una estatuilla, sentado sobre uno de esos bloques, abandonado para siempre.”

El enamorado es pues artista, y su mundo es un mundo al revés, puesto que toda imagen es su propio fin (nada más allá de la imagen).” A prisão do mundo sem paixão do homem pab.-uéslico.

INCOGNOSCIBLE. Esfuerzos del sujeto amoroso por comprender y definir al ser amado <en si>, como tipo caracterial, psicológico o neurótico, independientemente de los datos particulares de la relación amorosa.

(<Yo te conozco. ¡Nadie más que yo te conoce bien!>)”

¿De dónde viene? ¿Quién es? Me agoto; no lo sabré jamás.”

¿conocer a alguien, no es solamente eso: conocer su deseo?”

el enamorado no es Edipo. No es cierto que cuanto más se ama mejor se comprende” “el otro no es para conocerlo; su opacidad no es en absoluto la pantalla de un secreto sino más bien una especie de evidencia, en la cual se anula el juego de la apariencia y del ser.” “movimiento místico: accedo al conocimiento del no conocimiento.”

INDUCCIÓN. El ser amado es deseado porque otro u otros han mostrado al sujeto que es deseable: por especial que sea, el deseo amoroso se descubre por inducción.

parte de los otros, del lenguaje, de los libros, de los amigos: ningún amor es original.”

todo rival ha sido al comienzo maestro, guía, presentador, mediador.”

INDUMENTARIA. Todo afecto suscitado o mantenido por las prendas que el sujeto viste en el encuentro amoroso o que usa con la intención de seducir al objeto amado.

Quiero ser el otro, quiero que él sea yo, como si estuviéramos unidos”

Es con esa indumentaria (traje azul y chaleco amarillo) que W. quiere ser enterrado y que se lo encuentra en trance de morir en su cuarto.” “Ese vestuario perverso ha sido usado en toda Europa por los fans de la novela, bajo el nombre de <traje à la W.>”

INFORMANTE. Figura amistosa que parece, sin embargo, tener por función constante herir al sujeto amoroso entregándole, como si tal cosa, informaciones sobre el ser amado de carácter anodino [antálgico, paliativo], pero cuyo efecto es el de perturbar la imagen que el sujeto tiene de ese ser.

el Informante, que se afana y dice todo a todo el mundo. El informante, ingenuo o perverso, tiene un papel negativo.” o tipo Pablo – ou eu mesmo? “Estoy por cierto obligado a escucharlo (mundanamente no puedo dejar ver mi irritación), pero me esfuerzo en volver a mi escucha sorda, indiferente, como comprimida.” “Lo que quiero es un pequeño cosmos (con su tiempo, con su lógica), habitado solamente por <nosotros dos> (nombre de una revista sentimental francesa). Todo lo que viene del exterior es una amenaza: ya sea bajo la forma de tedio (estoy obligado a vivir en un mundo del que el otro está ausente) o bien bajo la forma de herida (si ese mundo me endilga sobre el otro un discurso indiscreto).” “es el exterior del otro lo que se me ocultaba. El telón se abre al revés, no a una escena íntima sino a una sala pública. Cualquier cosa que diga, la información me es dolorosa: un trozo sordo, ingrato, de realidad me cae encima. Para la delicadeza amorosa, todo hecho tiene algo de agresivo” El Carnaval, tiempo universal de las ausencias.

INSOPORTABLE. La sensación de una acumulación de sufrimientos amorosos explota en este grito: <Esto no puede continuar>.

es propio de la situación amorosa ser inmediatamente intolerable” “Un demonio niega el tiempo, la maduración, la dialéctica, y dice a cada instante: ¡Esto no puede durar! Sin embargo dura, si no siempre, al menos mucho tiempo. La paciencia amorosa tiene pues por punto de partida su propia negación: no procede ni de una espera, ni de un dominio (…) una desgracia que no se usa, en proporción a su agudeza (…) la repetición (¿cómica?) del gesto por el cual yo me manifiesto que he decidido – ¡valientemente! – poner fin a la repetición; la paciencia de una impaciencia.”

ese grito: manifestándome a mí mismo que es preciso salir de el Insoportable, por cualquier medio que sea, instalo en mí el teatro marcial de la Decisión, de la Acción, de la Salida. La exaltación es como la ganancia secundaria de mi impaciencia; me nutro de ella, me revuelco [derrubo] en ella. Siempre <artista>, hago de la forma misma un contenido. Imaginando una solución dolorosa (renunciar, partir, etc.), hago retumbar en mí el fantasma exaltado de la salida; una gloria de abnegación me invade (renunciar al amor, no a la amistad, etc.), y olvido enseguida lo que debería entonces sacrificar: nada menos que mi locura – que, por definición, no puede constituirse en objeto de sacrificio

Cuando la exaltación ha decaído quedo reducido a la filosofía más simple: la de la resistencia (dimensión natural de las fatigas verdaderas).

un tentetieso [joão sorrisão, pino com peso] sin piernas al que se le dan papirotazos incesantes, pero que finalmente retoma su verticalidad, asegurada por un contrapeso interior (¿pero cuál es mi contrapeso? ¿La fuerza del amor?).”

Así es la vida;

caer 7 veces

y levantarse 8”

Ainda bem que há números infinitos (transcendência)

LANGUIDEZ. Estado sutil del deseo amoroso, experimentado en su carencia, fuera de todo querer-asir.

es como si el deseo no fuera sino esta hemorragia. He aquí la fatiga amorosa: un hambre sin satisfacción.”

la languidez sería ese pasaje extenuante de la libido narcisista a la libido objetal.”

LOCO. El sujeto amoroso es atravesado por la idea de que está o se vuelve loco.

insensato ante mis propios ojos (conozco mi delirio), simplemente irrazonable a los ojos de los demás, a quienes relato muy juiciosamente mi locura: consciente de esta locura, dando exp[l]i[c]aciones acerca de ella.”

Este hombre, en los tiempos en que estaba en el manicomio, era feliz: no sabía nada de sí mismo. W. se reconoce a medias en el loco de las flores: loco de pasión, como él, pero privado de todo acceso a la felicidad (supuesta) de la inconsciencia: sufriente por haber malogrado incluso su locura.” Impressionante como do livro lido em 2006 só retive a cena do suicídio.

Mafalda: “Yo no soy otro: es lo que compruebo con pavor.”

estoy loco puesto que consisto.” Compenso logo insisto.

Conceptos de San Agustín: “Es loco aquel que está limpio de todo poder. – ¿Cómo? ¿Acaso el enamorado no conoce ninguna excitación de poder? El sometimiento es no obstante asunto mío: sometido, queriendo someter, experimento a mi manera la ambición de poder, la libido dominandi: ¿es que no dispongo, como los sistemas políticos, de un discurso bien construido, es decir sólido, ágil, articulado?” (citado por Sainte-Beuve, II, 160) “estoy loco: no porque sea original burdo ardid de la conformidad. Si los demás hombres son siempre, en grados diversos, militantes de algo, yo no soy soldado de nada, ni siquiera de mi propia locura” “(¿Puede reconocerse aquí la escisión muy singular que deslinda, en el Enamorado, la voluntad de dominio de la voluntad de poder?)”

LOCUELA. Esta palabra, sacada de Ignacio de Loyola, designa el flujo de palabras a traves del cual el sujeto argumenta incansablemente en su cabeza los efectos de una herida o las consecuencias de una conducta; forma enfática del <discursear> amoroso.

Trop penser me font amours”

al capricho de un estímulo ínfimo, se desencadena en mi cabeza una fiebre de lenguaje, un desfile de razones, de interpretaciones, de alocuciones. No tengo conciencia sino de una máquina que se alimenta a sí misma de uma zanfonía cuyo manubrio [manivela] gira titubeante un tocador anónimo, y que no se calla nunca. En la locuela, nada impide la repetición.”

SCHUBERT. “Der Leiermann”, Winterreise, com poemas de Müller.

(hallar la palabra adecuada es eufórico); la rumio, me nutro de ella; como los niños o los dementes atacados de mericismo, vuelvo a sorber incesantemente mi herida y la regurgito. (…) y recomienzo (tales sentidos del verbo meruomai: enrollar, devanar, tramar).”

a menudo, el niño autista mira sus propios dedos mientras manosea objetos (pero no mira los objetos mismos): es el twiddling.”

Humboldt llama a la libertad del signo locuacidad. Soy (interiormente) locuaz (…) Si pudiera forzar el signo, sumeterlo a una sanción, podría finalmente encontrar descanso. ¡Que no puedan enyesarse las cabezas, como las piernas! (…) ningún director de escena está ahí para decirme: ¡Corte! (…) nadie me escucha, nadie me mira, pero (como el tocador de zanfonía de Schubert) continúo hablando, girando mi manivela.”

Tengo en mí dos interlocutores, atareados en elevar el tono, de réplica en réplica, como en las antiguas esticomitis (…) algazara final (escena de clowns).” Devaneios & DaVanIaS…

Em vão

Em vãos não-ocupados por nenhum cérebro nem coração

(…IV. <A Los 20 años, dice la señora Desbordes-Valmore, penas profundas me forzaron a renunciar al canto, porque mi voz me hacía llorar>.)” V. Hugo + Macross Plus

LLORAR. Propensión particular del sujeto amoroso a llorar: modos de aparición y función de las lágrimas en ese sujeto.

¿En W. es el enamorado que llora o el romántico?” “se mofa de la censura que mantiene hoy al adulto lejos de las lágrimas” “sigue las órdenes del cuerpo enamorado, que es un cuerpo bañado, en expansión líquida: llorar juntos, fluir juntos”

¿Quién hará la historia de las lágrimas? ¿Desde cuándo los hombres (y no las mujeres) ya no lloran? ¿Por qué la <sensibilidad> en cierto momento se ha vuelto <sensiblería>?” “los Griegos, la gente del siglo XVII, lloraban mucho en el teatro.”

SCHUBERT. Lob der Thränen (“Elogio das lágrimas”), poesia de Schlegel.

cuando lloro me dirijo siempre a alguien: adapto mis modos de llorar al tipo de chantaje que, a través de mis lágrimas, pretendo ejercer en torno mío.” “(<Mira lo que haces de mí>)” “me pongo a llorar para probarme que mi dolor no es uma ilusión.” “produzco un mito del dolor” “<el más verdadero> de los mensajes”

MAGIA. Consultas mágicas, pequeños ritos secretos y acciones votivas no están ausentes de la vida del sujeto amoroso, sea cual fuere la cultura a la que pertenezca.

La dialéctica diría: la hoja no caerá, y después cae; pero entretanto habrás cambiado y no te plantearás ya la pregunta.”

si (tú vuelves…) entonces (cumpliré mi voto).”

MONSTRUOSO. El sujeto se da cuenta bruscamente que constriñe al objeto amado en una red de tiranías: de piadoso se siente devenir monstruoso.

desea secretamente la pérdida de lo que el amado tiene de más querido: padre, madre, parientes, amigos; no quiere para el amado ni hogar ni hijos”

Yo hablo y tú me entiendes, luego existimos” Ponge

yo, que amo, soy indeseable, alineado en las filas de los fastidiosos: los que son pesados, molestan, se inmiscuyen, complican, reclaman, intimidan (o más simplemente: los que hablan).”

(…como en esos sueños horrorosos en que una persona amada se nos aparece con la parte inferior del rostro integramente borrada, privada de su boca (…) el soliloquio hace de mí un monstruo, una enorme lengua.)”

MORTIFICACIÓN. Escena múltiple en la que lo implícito de la relación amorosa actúa como coacción y suscita un embarazo colectivo que no es explícito.

La situación está cargada. Lo pesado es el saber silencioso: yo sé que tú sabes que yo sé”

No hago más que ver lo que se habla, como en el cine mudo. Se produce en mí (contracción en los términos) una suerte de fascinación alerta: estoy metido en la escena y sin embargo bien despierto: mi atención forma parte de lo que se actúa, la escena carece de exterior y no obstante la leo; no hay candilejas [gambiarras], es un teatro extremado. De ahí el malestar – o para algunos, perversos, el goce –.”

MUTISMO. El sujeto amoroso se angustia de que el objeto amado responda parcimoniosamente, o no responda, a las palabras (discursos o cartas) que le dirige.

(…El interlocutor perfecto, el amigo, ¿no es entonces el que construye en torno nuestro la mayor resonancia posible? ¿No puede definirse la amistad como un espacio de sonoridad total?)”

como si mi cualidad excedese la del objeto amado, como si yo estuviera adelantado respecto de él.”

¿debo proseguir, hablar <en el desierto>? Necesitaría una confianza que precisamente la sensibilidad amorosa no permite. ¿Debo detenerme, renunciar? Eso tendría el aspecto de vejarme, de enjuiciar al otro y, a partir de allí, dar la señal de partida de una <escena>.”

La muerte es sobre todo esto: todo lo que ha sido visto, habrá sido visto para nada. Duelo de lo que hemos percibido.” FRANÇOIS WAHL, Chute

NOCHE. Todo estado que suscita en el sujeto la metáfora de la oscuridad (afectiva, intelectiva, existencial) en la que se debate o se sosiega.

No Ser y Ser, saliendo de un fondo único, no se diferencian sino por sus nombres. Ese fondo único se llama Oscuridad. – Oscurecer esta oscuridad[*], he ahí la puerta de toda maravilla” CHU. Tao Te King/Ching [taoísmo]

[*] Intepretação: ignorar?

NUBES. Sentido y uso del ensombrecimiento de humor que se apodera del sujeto amoroso bajo el efecto de circunstancias variadas.

El rostro del señor Schmidt, el prometido de Friederike, se ensombrece paralelamente; rehúsa participar en la conversación. W. enjuicia entonces el malhumor; viene de nuestros celos, de nuestra vanidad, es un descontento de nosotros mismos cuyo peso descargamos sobre los otros, etc. <¡Nómbrenme>, dice W., <el hombre que, estando de mal humor, es lo bastante honesto para disimularlo, para soportarlo completamente solo, sin destruir la alegría en torno suyo!> [A Emoção Anti-Carolíngia][*] Tal hombre es evidentemente inhallable, puesto que el malhumor no es más que un mensaje. No pudiendo estar manifiestamente celoso, sin diversos inconvenientes, de donde proviene el ridículo, desplazo mis celos, les doy un efecto derivado, atemperado, y como inacabado, cuyo motivo verdadero no se expresa abiertamente: incapaz de ocultar la herida y no osando declarar la causa, transijo; hago abortar el contenido sin renunciar a la forma [No (ex-)trabalho: a forma sem conteúdo: “Vocês não têm conteúdo.”]: aquí, usted debe leer (que algo no va bien): pongo simplemente mi pathos sobre la mesa, reservándome desatar el paquete más tarde según las circunstancias: ya sea que me descubra (al grado de llegar a una <explicación>) o bien que me encubra.” “¿El suicidio de amor será un malhumor un poco extremo?)”

Você ficou com ciúmes?”

Não, impressão sua!”

Me explica.”

[*] Você exala ódio pelas narinas! Há quem desabe se não for unanimidade…

Hay sin embargo nubes más sutiles; todas las sombras tenues, de causa ligera, incierta, que pasan por encima de la relación, cambian la luz, el relieve; hay de repente otro paisaje, una ligera embriaguez negra.” “Recorro rápidamente los estados de carencia, a través de los cuales el Zen ha codificado la sensibilidad humana (furyu): la soledad (sabi), la tristeza que me llega de la <increíble naturalidad> de las cosas (wabi), la nostalgia (aware), el sentimiento de lo extraño (yugen).”

OBJETOS. Todo objeto tocado por el cuerpo del ser amado se vuelve parte de ese cuerpo y el sujeto se apega a él apasionadamente.

Del ser amado surge una fuerza que nada puede detener y que impregna todo lo que toca, así sea con la mirada: si W., no pudiendo ir a ver a Carlota, le envía su doméstica, es esta doméstica misma, sobre la que ella ha posado su mirada, la que se convierte para W. en una parte de Carlota (<Bien le habría tomado la cabeza entre mis manos para darle un beso si no hubiera sido por el respeto humano>).”

Tan pronto el objeto metonímico es presencia (engendrando alegría) como ausencia (engendrando desamparo).”

OBSCENO. Desacreditada por la opinión moderna, la sentimentalidad del amor debe ser asumida por el sujeto amoroso como una fuerte transgresión, que lo deja solo y expuesto; por una inversión de valores, es pues esta sentimentalidad lo que constituye hoy lo obsceno del amor.

doy un curso <sobre> el amor; el auditorio es femenino, algo maduro; soy Paul Géraldy.”

los gritos de una eyaculación grandiosa pero insoportable, don extático que el ser hace de sí mismo en tanto que víctima desnuda, obscena […] ante las grandes carcajadas de las prostitutas” Bataille

La verdadera música popular, la música de las masas, la música plebeya, está abierta a todos los despliegues de las subjetividades de grupo, no ya a la subjetividad única, a la bella subjetividad sentimental del sujeto aislado…” DANIEL CHARLES. Musique et oubli

THOMAS MANN. La montaña mágica

Di con un intelectual enamorado: para él, <asumir> (no reprimir) la extrema tontería, la tontería desnuda de su discurso, es lo mismo que para el sujeto batailleano desnudarse en un lugar público: es la forma necesaria del imposible y de lo soberano: una abyección tal que ningún discurso de la transgresión puede recuperarla y que se expone sin protección al moralismo de la antimoral.”

El sello distintivo de las almas modernas no es la mentira sino la inocencia, encarnada en el moralismo falso. Hacer en todas partes el descubrimiento de esta inocencia tal vez sea el aspecto más repulsivo de nuestro trabajo.” N. – G. da Mor.

(Inversión histórica: no es ya lo sexual lo que es indecente; es lo sentimental…)”

no sé ordenar mi discurso, graduarlo, disponer los enfoques, las comillas; hablo siempre en primer grado; me mantengo en un delirio prudente, ajustado, discreto, domesticado, trivializado por la literatura.”

Todo lo que es anacrónico es obsceno. Como divinidad (moderna), la Historia es represiva, la Historia nos prohíbe ser inactuales. Del pasado, no soportamos más que la ruina, el monumento, el kitsch o el retro, que es divertido“El sentimiento amoroso está pasado de moda (démodé), pero ese démodé no puede ni siquiera ser recuperado como espectáculo; el amor cae fuera del tiempo interesante; ningún sentido histórico, polémico, puede serle conferido; es en esto que es obsceno.”

Cuando imagino seriamente suicidarme por una llamada telefónica que no llega, se produce una obscenidad tan grande como cuando, en Sade, el Papa sodomiza a un pavo [pavão ou palerma].” “nada puede superar el inconveniente de un sujeto que se hunde porque su otro adopta un aire ausente, <mientras existen todavía tantos hombres en el mundo que mueren de hambre, mientras tantos pueblos luchan duramente por su liberación, etc.>.”

Todo el mundo comprenderá que X… tenga <enormes problemas> con su sexualidad, pero nadie se interesará en los que Y… pueda tener con su sentimentalidad” “(Nous deux – la revista – es más obscena que Sade.)”

(todo obsceno decible como tal no puede ya ser el último grado de lo obsceno; yo mismo diciéndolo, aunque sea a través del parpadeo de una figura, soy ya recuperado)”

OCULTAR. Figura deliberativa: el sujeto amoroso se pregunta no si debe declarar al ser amado que lo ama (ésta es una figura de declaración), sino en qué medida debe ocultarle las perturbaciones> (las turbulencias) de su pasión: sus deseos, sus desamparos, en suma, sus excesos (en lenguaje racineano: su furor).

¿Deberé ocultarle mi perturbación, ya ahora pasada (<¿Cómo estás?>)?” “Una angustia de segundo grado se apodera de mí y es la de tener que decidir el grado de publicidad que daré a mi primera angustia.”

¿El exceso, la locura, no son mi verdad, mi fuerza?”

los sinales de esta pasión amenazan con asfixiar al otro.”

a veces lo veo como objeto, a veces como sujeto; vacilo entre la tiranía y la oblación.”

trampa: estoy condenado a ser un santo o un monstruo: santo no puedo, monstruo no quiero: por consiguiente, tergiverso: muestro un poco de mi pasión.” <Es indigno de las grandes almas difundir a su alrededor la perturbación que experimentan> (Clotilde de Vaux)” BALZAC. La fausse maîtresse “Sin embargo, ocultar totalmente una pasión (o incluso simplemente su exceso) es inconcebible: porque la pasión está hecha, por esencia, para ser vista: es preciso que el ocultar se vea: sepan que estoy ocultándoles algo, tal es la paradoja activa que debo resolver: no hay oblación amorosa sin teatro final: el signo siempre vence.”

quiero ser a la vez lastimoso y admirable, quiero ser en el mismo momento niño y adulto.” “Puedo modelar mi mensaje a mi gusto, pero no mi voz. En mi voz, diga lo que diga, el otro reconocerá que <tengo algo>. Soy mentiroso (por preterición), no comediante. Mi cuerpo es un niño encaprichado, mi lenguaje es un adulto muy civilizado.”

POR QUÉ. Al mismo tiempo que se pregunta obsesivamente por qué no es amado, el sujeto amoroso vive en la creencia de que en realidad el objeto amado lo ama, pero no se lo dice.

Existe para mí un <valor superior>: mi amor. No me digo jamás: <¿Para qué?>. No soy nihilista. No me planteo la cuestión de los fines. Nunca hay <porqués> en mi discurso monótono, sino uno solo (…) ¿Cómo puede no amarse ese yo que el amor vuelve perfecto (que da tanto, que hace feliz, etc.)?”

O sprich, mein herzallerliebstes Lieb, warum verliessest du mich?”

HEINE. Lyrisches Intermezzo

¿Cómo haces para amar un poco? Vivo bajo el régimen del demasiado o del no bastante; todo lo que no es total me parece parsimonioso; lo que busco es ocupar un lugar desde donde las cantidades no se perciban más. O incluso – puesto que soy nominalista –: ¿por qué no me dices que me amas?”

La verdad es que – paradoja exorbitante – no ceso de creer que soy amado. Alucino lo que deseo. Cada herida viene menos de una duda que de una traición: porque no puede traicionar sino quien ama, no puede estar celoso sino quien cree ser amado; el otro, episódicamente, falta a su ser, que es el de amarme; he aqui el origen de mis desgracias. Un delirio, sin embargo, sólo existe si despertamos de él (no hay sino delirios retrospectivos): un día comprendo lo que me ha ocurrido: creía sufrir por no ser amado y sin embargo sufría porque creía serlo; vivía en la complicación de creerme a la vez amado y abandonado. Cualquiera que hubiese entendido mi lenguaje íntimo no habría podido menos que exclamar, como se lo hace de un niño difícil: pero en fin, ¿qué quiere?

metametempsicose

metá-metá

metametemparanoid

(Te amo se vuelve me amas. Un día, X… recibe orquídeas anónimas; enseguida alucina su origen: no pueden venir más que de quien lo ama; y quien lo ama no puede ser más que aquel a quien ama. Sólo después de mucho tiempo de crítica, llega a disociar las dos inferencias…)”

QUERER-ASIR. Comprendiendo que las dificultades de la relación amorosa provienen de que quiere incesantemente apropiarse de una manera o de otra del ser amado, el sujeto toma la decisión de abandonar en adelante a su respecto todo querer-asir.

El N.Q.A. (el no-querer-asir, expresión imitada del Oriente) es un sustituto inverso del suicidio. No matarse (de amor) quiere decir: tomar esa decisión, la de no asir al otro. Es un mismo momento aquel en que W. se mata y habría podido renunciar a asir a Carlota (momento, por lo tanto, solemne).” A plenitude da indiferença. O contrário da chantagem (chanter les gens) do tudo ou nada. A plena carência ou incompletude. O ESTAR-E-ACEITAR. O um pouco ou muito. Mas faltam pedaços. Mas há pedaços. Esperar para abocanhar. Libido com calma para devorar. Nada disso faz sentido, muito menos se matar. O desbunde do budismo. Quero bater uma no escuro, o chuveiro bem ligado.

<El mundo me debe aquello de lo que tengo necesidad. Me son necesarios la belleza, el brillo, la luz, etc.> (leído en un programa de La tetralogía, en Beirut).” Wagner

No quiero sustituir el arrebato cálido de la pasión por <la vida empobrecida, el querer-morir, el gran hastío>.” “por una parte, no me opongo al mundo sensorial; dejo circular en mí el deseo; por otra parte, lo apuntalo contra <mi verdad>; mi verdad es amar absolutamente, a falta de lo cual me retiro”

¿Y si el N.Q.A. era un pensamiento táctico (¡por fin uno!)? ¿Si yo quisiera todavía conquistar al otro fingiendo renunciar a él? ¿Si me alejara para asirlo más seguramente?” “una ficción bien conocida de los sabios (<Mi fuerza está en mi debilidad>)”

No se exhibe y brillará. No se afirma y se impondrá. Cumple su obra, no se apega a ella y puesto que no se apega a ella, su obra quedará” Tao, XXII

<Weil ich niemals dich anhielt, halt ich dich fest> (<Puesto que no te retengo nunca, te tengo firmemente>): verso de 2 melodías de Webern, 1911-12.” Rilke

Posto que nenhuma vez a ti retenho,

firme te tenho

Eu li gado mas entendi múmia.

quietude do quitute. Que tudo!

TAO BRUTAO

Última trampa: renunciando a todo querer-asir, me exalto y quedo encantado con la <buena imagen> que voy a dar de mí. No salgo del sistema” Taoísmo consciente. Heroísmo voluntário a-heróico. Sem querer precipitar-me, chovi. Fugi do céu. Talvez por isso ninguém lembre de mim… Mas há coisas inevitáveis, sabendo-se ou não. Não se pode jogar uma moeda pro alto a vida toda.

O LADO BOM DA HIPOCRISIA: “(<Sentada apaciblemente sin hacer nada la primavera llega y las hierbas crecen por sí mismas>). Y una vez más el Oriente: no querer asir el no-querer-asir; dejar venir (del otro) lo que viene, dejar pasar (del otro) lo que se va; no asir nada, no rechazar nada: recibir, no conservar, producir sin apropiarse, etc. O bien: <El Tao perfecto no ofrece dificultad, salvo que evita elegir>.”

STENDHAL. Armance: “Que el No-Querer-Asir quede pues irrigado de deseo por ese movimiento riesgoso: te amo está en mi cabeza, pero yo lo aprisiono tras de mis labios. No profiero. Digo silenciosamente a quien no es ya o no es todavía el otro: me contengo de amarte.”

alma libre y embriagada, olvidadiza, olvidada, ebria de lo que no bebe ni beberá jamás!” Rusbrock apud Laporte

Esqueçam que esqueci vocês.

RAPTO. Episodio considerado inicial (pero que puede ser reconstruido después), en el curso del cual el sujeto amoroso se encuentra raptado (capturado y encantado) por la imagen del objeto amado (flechazo, prendamiento).

Cada vez que un sujeto <cae> enamorado, prorroga un poco el tiempo arcaico en que los hombres debían raptar a las mujeres (para asegurar la exogamia)”

RAPTOSA: “curiosa contradanza: en el mito antiguo, el raptor es activo, es sujeto del rapto (cuyo objeto es una Mujer, como se sabe, siempre pasiva); en el mito el raptor no quiere nada, no hace nada; está inmóvil, y el objeto raptado es el verdadero sujeto del rapto; el enamorado es siempre implícitamente feminizado.”

AFERIDA: “el <sujeto> es para nosotros (¿desde el cristianismo?) el que sufre; die Wunde! die Wunde! [A ferida! A ferida!] disse Parsifal

nada de mundanidad, de ócio, sólo la lectura de Homero, una suerte de acunamiento [embalamento; to rock (in a cradle), movimento que lembra a inércia] cotidiano un poco vacío, prosaico (se hace cocer guisantes). Esta <maravillosa serenidad> no es más que una espera, un deseo –: no caigo nunca enamorado, si no lo he deseado; la vacancia que he creado en mí (y de la que como W., inocentemente, me enorgullezco) no es otra cosa que ese tiempo, más o menos largo, en que busco con los ojos, en torno mío, sin que lo parezca, a quien amar.

ATHANASIUS KIRCHER. Experimentum mirabile de imaginatione gallinae. In: MILLER, Gérard. Sobre la hipnosis (Ornicar, 4)

Sin embargo, el mito del <flechazo> es tan fuerte que uno se queda estupefacto al oír que alguien decide caer enamorado: como Amador viendo a Florinda en la corte del gobernador de Cataluña: <Después de haberla mirado largo tiempo resuelve amarla.> [Heptamerón] ¿Cómo, voy a decidir si devo volverme loco (el amor sería esta locura que yo quiero)?”

lo que llega bruscamente a tocarme (a raptarme) es la voz, la caída de los hombros, la esbeltez de su silueta, la tibieza de la mano, el sesgo de una sonrisa, etc. Desde ese momento, ¿qué me importa la estética de la imagen? Algo viene a ajustarse exactamente a mi deseo (del que ignoro todo); no haré pues ninguna preferencia de estilo. (…) puedo prendarme de una pose ligeramente vulgar (adoptada por provocación): hay trivialidades sutiles, móviles, que pasan rápidamente sobre el cuerpo del otro: una manera breve (pero excesiva) de separar los dedos, de abrir las piernas, de remover los carnosos labios al comer, de dedicarse a una ocupación muy prosaica, de volver idiota a su cuerpo un segundo, por continencia (lo que fascina en la <trivialidad> del otro es tal vez que, por un momento muy corto, sorprendo en él, separado del resto de su persona, como un gesto de prostitución).”

Y parece que usted está ahí cuando leo pasajes de amor en los libros. – Todo lo que se tacha allí de exagerado usted me lo hace sentir, dijo Friederike. Comprendo, W., que no cansen los panecillos [pãezinhos] de Carlota” FLAUBERT. L’éducation sentimentale

schema, es el cuerpo en movimiento, en situación, en vida.”

(ella corta rebanadas de pan para los niños: escena célebre, frecuentemente comentada): amamos primeramente un cuadro.”

lo que no había sido nunca visto es descubierto en su integridad, y desde entonces devorado con los ojos”

puedo caer enamorado de una frase que se me dice

el flechazo se dice siempre en el pasado simple (el ser de la fotografía no es representar, sino rememorar) no ceso de asombrarme de haber tenido esa oportunidad:[*] someterme de golpe a una imagen desconocida

[*] A garota bunduda e indiferente na quadra de basquete, sozinha.

RECUERDO. Rememoración feliz y/o desgarradora de un objeto, de un gesto, de una escena, vinculados al ser amado, y marcada por la intrusión de lo imperfecto en la gramática del discurso amoroso.

destiempos: es la anamnesis, que no encuentra sino rasgos insignificantes, de ningún modo dramáticos, como si me acordara del tiempo mismo y solamente del tiempo: es un perfume sin soporte, un grado de memoria, una simple fragrancia; algo así como un gesto puro, tal como sólo el haikú japonés ha sabido decirlo, sin recuperarlo en ningún destino.”

E era Abril no hemisfério norte…

<Las estrellas brillaban>. Nunca más esa dicha volverá tal cual.”

A MACIEIRA: “Lo imperfecto es el tiempo de la fascinación: parece estar vivo y sin embargo no se mueve: ni olvido, ni resurreción; Desde el origen ávida de representar un papel, las escenas se ponen en posición de recuerdo: frecuentemente lo siento, lo preveo, en el mismo momento en que se forman. – Este teatro del tiempo es precisamente lo contrario de la búsqueda del tiempo perdido; puesto que yo me acuerdo patética, puntualmente, y no filosófica, discursivamente: me acuerdo para ser infeliz/feliz – no para comprender –. No escribo, no me encierro para escribir la novela enorme del tiempo recobrado.”

Tempo sempre achado

ΔT sempre achato

mas maximizo,

na câmera lenta

desfocada

Apesar da organização alfabética, parece ter sido uma obra escrita ou intensamente revisada cronologicamente, linearmente.

RESONANCIA. Modo fundamental de la subjetividad amorosa: una palabra, una imagen resuenan dolorosamente en la conciencia afectiva del sujeto.

algo tenue y agudo despierta bruscamente a ese cuerpo que, entretanto, se embotaba en el conocimiento razonado de una situación general” O sofrimento tão restrito a essa época e a essa região que eu batizo “O VANISMO”

VAMPIRISMO

VACÚOLO DE IDÉIAS

VVV DE VACILO VICIOSO VINGATIVO

vá de ré! conde

l d Darkula|i lama

Você deve fingir que está doente”

niñería

Remete ao verbete INSOPORTABLE (“Isto não pode continuar!”): “Mi cuerpo interior se pone a vibrar, como sacudido por trompetas que se responden y se superponen: la incitación hace huella [impressão], la huella se amplía y todo es (más o menos rápidamente) devastado. En lo imaginario amoroso nada distingue la provocación más fútil de un hecho realmente consecuente; el tiempo es conmocionado hacia adelante (me suben a la cabeza predicciones catastróficas) y hacia atrás (recuerdo con pavor los <precedentes>): a partir de una pequeñez todo un discurso recuerdo y de la muerte se eleva y me arrastra: es el reino de la memoria, arma de la resonancia del <resentimiento> –.”

meMoiras podem mudar o futuro?

detesto acústicos!

(La resonancia de un <accidente imprevisto que […] cambia súbitamente el estado de los personajes>: es un golpe teatral, el <momento favorable> de una pintura: cuadro patético del sujeto asolado, postrado, etc.)”

En el temor común – el que precede alguna actividad difícil de cumplir –, me veo en el futuro en un estado de fracaso, de impostura, de escándalo. En el temor amoroso, tengo miedo de mi propia destrucción, que entreveo bruscamente”

Si la cosa resuena muy fuertemente, hace tal estrépito en mi cuerpo que estoy obligado a detener toda ocupación; me tendo en mi lecho y dejo transcurrir, sin luchar, la <tempestad interior>; al contrario del monje zen, que se vacía de imágenes, me dejo llenar por ellas, experimento hasta el fin su amargor. La depresión tiene por lo tanto su gesto – puesto en clave –, y es eso sin duda lo que la limita; puesto que basta que en cierto momento pueda sustituirlo por otro gesto (incluso vacío, como levantarme, ir a mi mesa, sin que forzosamente trabaje en ello enseguida) para que la resonancia se amortigüe y deje lugar al hipócrita taciturno. El lecho (diurno) es el lugar de lo Imaginario; la mesa es nuevamente, haga lo que haga, la realidad.” 04/03/2017 Trabalho: onde jamais se deita. “por una parte, recibo en carne viva el propósito del mensaje, me indigna su falsedad, quiero desmentir, etc.; por otra parte, percibo perfectamente el pequeño movimiento de agresividad que ha impulsado a X… – sin que lo sepa demasiado él mismo – a transmitirme una información hiriente. (…) [Trampa:] Ahora bien, ¿qué hago yo? Conjugo las dos lingüísticas, la tradicional y la filología activa: me instalo dolorosamente en la sustancia misma del mensaje (a saber, el contenido del rumor), y amargura la fuerza que lo funda: pierdo en los dos tableros, me hiere por todas partes. Tal es la resonancia: la práctica afanosa de una escucha perfecta: lejos de <flotar> mientras el otro habla, escucho completamente, en estado de conciencia total: no puedo abstenerme de escucharlo todo y es la pureza de esta escucha lo que me resulta doloroso: ¿quién podría soportar sin sufrir un sentido múltiple y sin embargo purificado de todo <ruido>? (…) estrépito inteligible (…) oyente monstruoso (…) inmenso órgano auditivo – como si la escucha misma entrara en estado de enunciación –: en mí, es la oreja la que habla.

SACIEDAD O COLMO. El sujeto plantea, con obstinación, el anhelo y la posibilidad de una satisfacción plena del deseo implicado en la relación amorosa y de un éxito sin falla y como eterno de esta relación: imagen paradisíaca del Soberano Bien, dable y aceptable. [O ACHAMENTO DA CARA-METADE]

en cuanto no estoy en el exceso me siento frustrado”

sobrepaso los límites de la saciedad y, en lugar de encontrar el asco, la náusea, o incluso la embriaguez, descubro… la Coincidencia. La desmesura me ha conducido a la mesura; me ajusto a la imagen, nuestras medidas son las mismas: exactitud, precisión, música; he terminado con el no suficiente.”

la relación amorosa parece reducirse a una larga queja.” “cuando estoy colmado o recuerdo haberlo estado el lenguaje me parece pusilánime: <Se produce un encuentro que es intolerable a causa del gozo y a veces el hombre queda reducido en él a nada; es lo que llamo el transporte. El transporte es el gozo del que no se puede hablar> [Rusbrock].”

creer en el Soberano Bien es tan loco como creer en el Soberano Mal: Heinrich von Ofterdingen [personagem folclórico alemão romancizado por Novalisresponsável pela origem da imagem da flor azul e também pelo Tannhäuser de Wagner] es filosóficamente de la misma naturaleza que la Julieta de Sade.”

(Saciedad quiere decir abolición de las herencias: <El Gozo se quiere él mismo, quiere la eternidad, la repetición de las mismas cosas, quiere que todo permanezca eternamente igual> [Nie.]. El enamorado colmado no tiene ninguna necesidad de escribir…)”

SALIDAS. Señuelos de soluciones, sean cuales fueren, que proporcionan al sujeto amoroso, a despecho de su carácter a menudo catastrófico, un descanso pasajero; manipulación de las salidas posibles de la crisis amorosa.

el discurso amoroso es en cierta forma un a puertas cerradas de las salidas.”

este teatro, de género estoico, me engrandece, me da estatura. Imaginando una solución extrema, produzco una ficción, me convierto en artista, hago un cuadro, pinto mi salida”

DOUBLE BIND: Situación en la que el sujeto pierde siempre: cara, gano yo; cruz, pierdes tú” (Bettelheim, 81)”

Para que haya infortunio es necesario que el propio bien haga mal” Schiller

SIGNOS. Ya sea que quiera probar su amor o que se esfuerce por descifrar si el otro lo ama, el sujeto amoroso no tiene a su disposición ningún sistema de signos seguros.

¿soy amado (no soy ya, lo soy todavía)? Es mi futuro lo que intento leer, descifrando en lo que está inscrito el anuncio de lo que me va a ocurrir, según un procedimento que tendería a la vez a la paleografía y a la adivinación? (…) pido al rostro del otro, incansablemente, la respuesta: cuánto valgo?”

Ella era entendida y sabía que el carácter amoroso se cifra de algún modo en las cosas sin importancia. Una mujer instruida puede leer su porvenir en un simple gesto, así como Cuvier sabía decir viendo el fragmento de una pata: esto pertenece a un animal de tal dimensión, etc.” BALZAC. Les secrets de la princesse de Cadignan

Como el Octavio de Stendhal, no sé nunca lo que es normal; privado (lo sé) de toda razón, quiero refugiarme, para decidir acerca de una interpretación, en el sentido común; pero el sentido común no me suministra más que evidencias contradictorias”

Gide: <Todo en su comportamiento parecia decir: puesto que no me ama nada me importa. Ahora bien, yo la amaba todavía, e incluso nunca la había amado tanto; pero probárselo me era imposible. Ahí estaba, sin duda, lo más terrible.>

Los signos no son pruebas por que cualquiera puede producirlos falsos o ambiguos. De ahí ese volverse, paradójicamente, sobre la omnipotencia del lenguaje: puesto que nada asegura el lenguaje, tendré al lenguaje por la única y última seguridad: no creeré ya en la interpretación [o que gera mágoas de vez em quando]. De mi otro recibiré toda palabra como un signo de verdad: y cuando sea yo el que hable, no pondré en duda que recibe como verdadero lo que diga. De donde se deduce la importancia de las declaraciones; quiero permanentemente arrancar al otro la fórmula de su sentimiento y le digo incesantemente por mi parte que lo amo: nada es dejado a la sugestión, a la adivinación: para que una cosa sea sabida es necesario que sea dicha

SOLO. La figura remite no a lo que puede ser la soledad humana del sujeto amoroso sino a su soledad filosófica, al no hacerse cargo hoy del amor-pasión ningún sistema importante de pensamento (de discurso).

¿Cómo se llama a ese sujeto que se obstina en un <error>, contra todos, como si tuviera ante él la eternidad para <equivocarse>? – Se lo llama un recalcitrante.” “no dejo de <recaer> en una doctrina interior que nadie comparte conmigo.”

<ningún sacerdote lo acompañó> (es la última frase de la novela). La religión no condena solamente, en W., al suicida, sino también, quizás, al enamorado, al utópico, al desclasado, a aquel que no está <religado> sino a sí mismo.”

En El banquete, Erixímaco comprueba con ironía que ha leído en alguna parte un panegírico de la sal, pero nada sobre Eros; y es porque Eros está censurado como tema de conversación que la pequeña sociedad del Banquete decide hacer de él la materia de su mesa redonda: se dirían intelectuales de hoy aceptando discutir a contracorriente, precisamente del Amor y no de política, del Deseo (amoroso) y no de la Necesidad (social).” “Eros es para cada uno de ellos un sistema. Hoy, sin embargo, no hay ningún sistema del amor: por más que se vuelva hacia tal o cual de los linguajes recibidos, ninguno le responde, si no para alejarlo de lo que ama. El discurso cristiano, si todavía existe, lo exhorta a reprimir y sublimar. (…) En cuanto al discurso marxista, no dice nada.”

estoy solo para hacer el sistema (tal vez porque soy incesantemente compelido hacia el solipsismo de mi discurso). Paradoja difícil: puedo ser entendido por todo el mundo (el amor viene de los libros, su dialecto es corriente) pero no puedo ser escuchado (recibido <proféticamente>) sino por sujetos que tienen exactamente y presentemente el mismo lenguaje que yo. Los enamorados, dice Alcibíades, son semejantes a aquellos a quienes ha mordido una víbora: <No quieren, se dice, hablar de su accidente a nadie, salvo a los que han sido víctimas de una circunstancia semejante>

no enfrento ni contesto: simplemente no dialogo: no estoy forzosamente <despolitizado>: mi desviación es la de no ser <excitado>.”

Todo el mundo tiene espíritu perspicaz,

sólo yo tengo el espíritu confuso,

(…)

Todo el mundo tiene su fin pre[ci]so,

sólo yo tengo el espíritu obtuso del campesino.

Sólo yo difiero de los otros hombres”

Tao

SUICIDIO. En el campo amoroso, el deseo de suicidio es frecuente: una pequeñez lo provoca.

una especie de álgebra rápida de la que tengo necesidad en ese momento de mi discurso (…) En una frase, solamente una frase, que acaricio sombríamente: <Y el hombre que durante ¾ de hora había pensado en terminar con su vida, subía al instante sobre una silla para buscar en su biblioteca el catálogo de los cristales de Saint-Gobain> [Stendhal].”

La idea de suicidio, entonces, me salva, porque puedo contarla (y no me privo de ello): renazco y coloreo esta idea con los colores de la vida, ya sea que la dirija agresivamente contra el objeto amado (chantaje bien conocido) o que me una fantasmáticamente a él en la muerte”

Después de haberlo discutido los sabios llegaron a la conclusión de que los animales no se suicidan; a lo máximo algunos – caballos, perros – tienen deseos de mutilarse.”

Acabo de releer Werther no sin irritación. Había olvidado que empleaba tanto tiempo en morir {lo que es completamente falso — Barthes}. A las 4 o 5 recuperaciones, lo que se esperaba, su último suspiro, es seguido por otro más último todavía […] las partidas ornamentadas me exasperan” Gide

TAL. Llamado sin cesar a definir el objeto amado, y sufriendo por las incertidumbres de esta definición, el sujeto amoroso sueña con una sabiduría que lo haría tomar al otro tal cual es, eximido de todo adjetivo.

haga lo que haga, por más que me prodigue para él, no renuncia nunca a su propio sistema. Experimento contradictoriamente al otro como una divinidad caprichosa que cambia incesantemente de humor con respecto a mí (…) esta cosa envejecerá tal cual es, y por ello sufro). O también, veo al otro en sus límites. O, en fin, me interrogo: ¿hay un punto, uno solo, sobre el cual el otro podría sorprenderme? Así, curiosamente, la <libertad> del otro de <ser él mismo> la experimento como una obstinación pusilánime. (…) ese tal me es doloroso, puesto que nos separa” Uma divindade que não gosta de animes

cuanto más lo designe menos le hablaré: seré semejante al infans que se contenta con una palabra vacía para mostrar alguna cosa: Ta, Da, Tat (dice el sánscrito). Tal, dirá el enamorado: tú eres así, precisamente así.”

Accedo entonces (fugitivamente) a un lenguaje sin adjetivos. Amo al otro no según sus cualidades (compatibilizadas) sino según su existencia” “Lo que liquido, en ese movimiento, es la categoría misma del mérito: del mismo modo que el mítico se vuelve indiferente a la santidad (que sería de nuevo un atributo), accediendo al tal del otro no opongo ya la oblación al deseo”

(El enemigo negro del tal es la Habladuría, fábrica inmunda de adjetivos…)”

A****** e T*****: “Éramos amigos y nos hemos convertido en extraños uno del otro. Pero es bueno que así sea, y no buscamos disimulárnoslo ni oscurecerlo como si tuviésemos que tener vergüenza de ello. Como dos navíos que prosiguen cada uno su camino tras sus propias metas: así sin duda podemos cruzarnos y celebrar fiestas entre nosotros como ya lo hemos hecho – y entonces los buenos navíos reposaban lado a lado en el mismo puerto, bajo el sol, tan calmos que se hubiera dicho que estuviesen ya en su destino y no hubiesen tenido sino el mismo rumbo –. Pero enseguida el llamado irresistible de nuestra misión nos impulsaba de nuevo lejos uno del otro, cada uno sobre mares, hacia parajes, bajo solos diferentes – tal vez para no vernos nunca, o tal vez para volvernos a ver una vez más, pero sin reconocernos ya –: ¡mares y soles diferentes han debido cambiarnos!” La gaya ciencia af. 279

TE AMO. La figura no remite a la declaración de amor, a la confesión, sino a la proferición repetida del grito de amor.

Pasada la primera declaración de amor, <te amo> no quiere decir nada; no hace sino retomar de una manera enigmática, hasta tal punto parece vacía, el viejo mensaje. Lo repito fuera de toda pertinencia; sale del lenguaje, divaga, ¿dónde? No podría descomponer la expresión sin reír. !Cómo! Estaría <yo> de un lado, <tú> del otro, y en el medio un nexo de afecto razonable (por léxico).” “je-t-aime debe entenderse (y leerse aquí) a la húngara, por ejemplo, en que se dice con una sola palabra, szeretlek” “decir te-amo es hacer como si no hubiese ningún teatro de la palabra, y esta expresión es siempre verdadera (no hay otro referente que su proferición)” “no es metáfora” “(Aunque dicho miles de veces, te-amo está fuera del diccionario; es una figura cuya definición no puede exceder el encabezado.)” “La palabra (la frase-palabra) no tiene sentido sino en el momento en que la pronuncio” te-amo no compete ni a la lingüística ni a la semiología. Su instancia (eso a partir de lo cual se lo puede hablar) sería más bien la Música.” “El goce no se dice: pero habla y dice: te-amo.” “Te amo. – Yo tambien. (…) la forma es aquí claudicante, por el hecho de que no retoma literalmente la proferición – y es propio de la proferición ser literal –. ” “El niño proustiano – al pedir que su madre duerma en su habitación – quiere obtener el yo también” “Fantaseo lo que es empíricamente imposible: que nuestras dos profericiones sean dichas al mismo tiempo, que una no siga a la otra, como si dependiera de ella; sólo le conviene el relámpago único: la abolición de toda contabilidad.” “Te amo, dice Pelléas. – Yo te amo también, dice Mélisande.”

La Bestia [de RavelLes entretiens de la Belle et de la Bête, Ma Mère l’Oye] – retenida en estado de encantamiento en su fealdad – ama a la Bella; la Bella, evidentemente, no ama a la Bestia, pero, al fin, vencida (poco importa por qué; digamos: por los encuentros que tiene con la Bestia), le dice la palabra mágica: <Yo lo amo, Bestia>; y enseguida, a través de la desgarradura suntuosa de un arpegio de arpa, un sujeto nuevo aparece.”

alguien sufre porque su mujer lo a dejado; quiere que vuelva, quiere – precisamente – que le diga te amo, y corre, él también, tras la palabra; para terminar, ella se la dice, luego de lo cual él se desmaya: es un filme de 1975.”

(el esclavo es aquel que tiene la lengua cortada, que no puede hablar sino por gestos, expresiones, caras)”

TERNURA. Goce, pero también evaluación inquietante de los gestos tiernos del objeto amado, en la medida en que el sujeto comprende que carece de su privilegio.

El gesto tierno dice: pídeme lo que sea que pueda aplacar tu cuerpo, pero tampoco olvides que te deseo un poco, ligeramente, sin querer tomar nada enseguida.” ver Musil – L’homme sans qualités, II, 772.

El placer sexual no es metonímico (*): una vez tomado, se le corta. La ternura, por el contrario, no es más que una metonimia infinita, insaciable; el gesto, el episodio de ternura (el acorde delicioso de una velada) no puede interrumpirse sino con aflicción: todo parece puesto en duda: retorno del ritmo – vritti (para el Budista, es el curso de las olas, el proceso cíclico) –, alejamiento del nirvana.”

(*) Toda puta se arrepende de engolir, o promíscuo mais ainda de soltar.

L… veía con asombro a A… hacerle a la camarera de ese restaurante bávaro, al pedirle su schnitzel [costeleta], los mismos ojos tiernos, la misma mirada angélica que tanto lo commovían cuando esos gestos le estaban dirigidos.”

UNIÓN. Sueño de unión total con el ser amado.

mal dibujante o mediocre utopista, no llego a nada.”

Orfeo, debilitado, no era sino una mujer, y los dioses lo hicieron morir por las mujeres.”

la pareja perfecta es la de Aquiles y Patroclo: no por un prejuicio homosexual sino porque en el interior de un mismo sexo la diferencia permanece inscrita: uno (Patroclo) era el amante, el otro (Aquiles) era el amado.”

<¿Adónde llegaste con X…?>, yo debo responder: ahora exploro nuestros límites”

Sueño de unión total: todo el mundo dice que ese sueño es imposible y sin embargo insiste. No renuncio a él.”

VERDAD. Todo episodio de lenguaje llevado a la sensación de verdad que el sujeto amoroso experimenta pensando en su amor, ya sea que crea ser el único en ver al objeto amado en su verdad o bien que defina la especificidad de su propia exigencia como una verdad sobre la cual no puede ceder.

Me ocurre no comprender como otro la puede amar, tiene el derecho de amarla, cuando que mi amor por ella es tan exclusivo, tan profundo, tan pleno, cuando que no conozco, no me interesa, no tengo nada más que ella.” W.

(Amor ciego: este proverbio es falso. El amor hace clarividente: <Tengo, de ti, sobre ti, el saber absoluto>. Informe del sabio al amo: tú puedes todo sobre mí pero yo lo sé todo sobre ti.)”

Siempre la misma inversión: lo que el mundo tiene por <objetivo> yo lo tengo por artificial y lo que tiene por locura, ilusión, error, yo lo tengo por verdad.”

GRIMM. Periódico para eremitas

G.B. SCHOLEM. La Cábala y su simbolismo, Siglo XXI, 174.

– ¿Cuál es la única y última palabra de la verdad?

– Sí.”

Entiendo que el maestro, oponiendo curiosamente un adverbio a un pronombre, a cuál, responde al lado

* * *

Uma breve lista de livros para ler…

BATAILLE. L’oeil pinéal

BENVENISTE. Problemas de lingüística general

JEAN-LOUIS BOUTTES. Le destructeur d’intensité (manuscrito)

BRECHT. Madre coraje y sus hijos

DJEDIDI. La poésie amoureuse des arabes

MÉLANIE KLEIN. Essais de psychanalyse

LECLAIRE. Psicoanalizar

MANDELBROT. Les objets fractals

MAURICE, PERCHERON. Le Bouddha et le bouddhisme

SAINT-BEUVE. Port-Royal, Hachette, 6 vols.

SEARLES. The effort to drive the other person crazy, Nouvelle Revue de Psychanalyse, 12.

SOLLERS. “Paradis” Tel Quel, 62.

WATTS. Le bouddhisme zen

…e de músicas para escutar e filmes para assistir:

BOUCOURECHLIEV. Thrène

DEBUSSY. Pelléas et Mélisande (especialmente o ato III).

DUPARC. Chanson triste

MOZART. Les noces de Fígaro

RAVEL. Ma mère l’Oye

WAGNER. El buque fantasma

FRIEDRICH. Los restos de la esperanza captados en los espejos [???]

BUÑUEL. El discreto encanto de la burguesía, 1972.

* * *

Uma breve lista de livros para reler:

El Banquete (y Obra Completa de Platón)

Werther

Sociedade do Espetáculo

Obra Completa de Shakespeare e Sófocles

Morro dos Ventos Uivantes

O Mundo como Vontade e Representação

COOL MEMORIES 2DOUBLEBIND2 (1987-90)

Jean Baudrillard – trad. inglesa Chris Turner; trad. inglês-português Mr. Cila

At the computer screen, I look for the film and find only the subtitles. The text on the screen is neither a text nor an image – it is a transitional object (video is a transitional image)”

Must one really force oneself to think? Sometimes it seems the other experience – of the progressive extenuation of both thought and the energy for writing – is newer and more extraordinary. How far can this dishabituation go?”

ANSIEDADE INCUBADA

O pressentimento radical de algo realmente poderoso prestes a acontecer; essa verdadeira idéia fixa, ainda que passageira, de todas as mentes civilizadas… A iminência de um evento que marcará indelevelmente nossa existência, a a-verbalidade desse fenômeno… Eu tenho certeza, Luísa! E tem a ver com a Copa do Mundo… Como numa novela interminável, uma Malhação, o pré-adolescente jornalista militar deve caminhar pelas comerciais e entre-quadras candangas, cruzar as pistas e encruzilhadas, a W3 que não some nem no horizonte, sem esperar muita coisa, mas regalando a vida em oferta por essa aparição incerta duvidosa segura banal. Não se sabe onde nem quando, mas virá, qualquer coisa há-de vir, do contrário não faria o menor sentido… Cada beijo aleatório tem um significado hegeliano profundo, que chatice a aborrescência! Mexe com a essência… Carência, estimulante… Qual será o clímax da temporada de expulsões? Por que eu estou sempre ou magro ou gordo demais? As camisas nunca me servem (por muito tempo). Está sol mas faz frio. Calor, tempo abafado, mas o céu é cinza como a fuligem de minhalma. Desata esse nó górdio das amizades… Emba(ra)çamento furioso. Não resolveu e se desenvolveu, hoje é um mal perdurável, antes mera possibilidade remota latente, pior cenário catastrófico de um talento promissor chegando ao seu fim pessoal em poucos anos.

<It’s a miracle! This morning I dropped my slice of bread and it didn’t fall on the buttered side!> The rabbi replies, <That’s because you’d buttered it on the wrong side, little Sarah.>”

How a woman can once again become violently desirable after you have broken up remains a mystery. Unless it is from a desire to immortalize the break-up.”

Everything makes us impatient. Perhaps we feel remorse for a life which is too long, from the point of view of the species, for the use we make of it.”

Um acidente num monitor de tráfego aéreo, o ataque cardíaco de uma velha, um foguete em chamas, uma telha que cai, tudo engatilha um processo de responsabilidade infernal. Crimes reais seriam preferíveis, crimes causados pela paixão e não pela poluição, pelo mal e não pela profilaxia e pela inócua masturbação mental de uma consciência dementizada.”

É assim que o tédio funciona, como um súbito estalo na linha telefônica cerebral que nos conecta à vida. É como algo numa quina de nossas vidas que se recusa a morrer. É como com o homem da estória de Buzzati-Traverso, que, chegando em casa à noite, esmaga um besouro enquanto avança corredor adentro. Ele não consegue dormir, sua mulher não pára de ziguezaguear ruidosamente pela casa, o galo canta no meio da madrugada, o cachorro se torna agitado. O homem se ergue da cama e, no corredor, percebe o besouro, ainda agonizando. Ele o pisoteia de uma vez por todas, terminando o serviço, no que o lar recai no silêncio outra vez. Sua esposa deita e ressona, o cachorro se aquieta e tudo se torna tranqüilo.”

A indiferença cresce conforme o destino se externaliza em tecnologias sofisticadas. Todas essas manipulações médicas e genéticas que se dizem descobridoras de todos os segredos do corpo apenas tornam as pessoas indiferentes a seus próprios corpos. Todas essas tecnologias que exaltam ou exasperam o pensamento apenas o tornam indiferente a si mesmo. Alguma vez alguém disse: Le câblage est accablant. Mais ou menos o seguinte: Conectar-se é fatigante.”

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

#Recanto99

Memória d’água (se nem peixes podem se lembrar de nada(r)!), coisa pra navio inglês deslizar. Tá tudo branco, chefia! Papá não pode mais diminuir, é um feixe. Gato-de-luvas. Cu paira no ar-rêgo. O Rocha Negra e o buraco de minhoca temporal. Minha ôca, mandióca, vazia sem água. Série atemporal de fenômenos esquizo-coletivistas. Grão funesto do passado. Jogo da memeria na internet zombeteira. Particows, partibees, partibeetles and queens in-betweens… Partisheep. Parte o navio negreiro satisfeito, da costa do Brasil. Honra a tarântula, totem sagrado! Índio não quer cachimbo, índio quer contracorrente.

BRASÍLIA

Cidades e vilas antigas possuem uma história; as americanas, sendo verdadeiras bombas urbanas sem planejamento, possuem verdadeiras expansões epidêmicas, incontroláveis e vertiginosas. Cidadezinhas recentes não têm nem uma nem outra coisa. Elas sonham com um passado impossível e uma explosão improvável.”

a terna loucura dos subúrbios”

Ação ou isenção? Votação, petições, solidariedade, informação, direitos humanos: todas essas coisas são extorquidas de você sob a forma de chantagem promocional ou pessoal.”

INDOLÊNCIA, INATIVIDADE

“Se gerações de camponeses jogaram a vida fora com trabalho duro, certamente devemos reconhecer, outrossim, que eles não gastaram mais tempo em labuta do que em momentos de preguiça.

Meu avô parou de trabalhar quando ele morreu: era um camponês. Meu pai parou bem antes do seu tempo: funcionário público, aposentadoria precoce (ele pagou por isso na forma de uma hipocondria mortal, mas sem dúvida isso foi como tinha de ser). Eu nunca comecei a trabalhar, tendo usufruído bem cedo de uma situação marginal e sabática: a de professor universitário. Quanto às crianças, elas não tiveram filhos. É então que a seqüência prossegue até o estágio supremo da impassibilidade.

Essa inatividade é rural na essência. É baseada num senso de mérito e equilíbrio <naturais>. Você nunca deve fazer demais. É um princípio de discrição e respeito pela equivalência entre trabalho e terra: o camponês dá, mas cabe à terra e aos deuses dar o restante – a maior parte. Um princípio de respeito pelo que não vem do trabalho e nunca virá.

Esse princípio traz consigo uma certa inclinação para acreditar no destino. A indolência é uma estratégia fatal, e o fatalismo uma estratégia de indolência. É dessa correlação que derivo uma visão de mundo que é ao mesmo tempo extremista e preguiçosa. Eu não vou mudar nesse aspecto, não importa como caminhem as coisas. Detesto a agitação buliçosa dos meus concidadãos, detesto a iniciativa, responsabilidade social, ambição, competição. Esses valores são exógenos, urbanos, coisas eficientes e pretensiosas. São qualidades industriais, enquanto que a indolência é uma energia natural.”

OBS: Eu sou o pai e o avô de Baudrillard num só: funcionário público que não se aposentará. Semi-homem rural. Camponês de terno. Meu pai concentrou ambivalentemente as duas vidas, não ao mesmo tempo, intercaladas, mas nos extremos: o funcionário dedicado e de chefia, ideal burocrático, décadas a fio, e depois, ainda antes da velhice, o “homem fazendeiro”, em ócio idílico, o sonho-mor da meia-idade industrial fatigada. Overdose decantada. Meu filho (?!) poderá ser qualquer coisa, não há nada que nos diga se estamos marchando para frente ou para trás, em que pese eu ter renegado a universidade com todas as forças… Ou quem sabe estamos estagnados no Zeitgeist da França da Guerra Fria, a da juventude baudrillardiana: ainda não tivemos nosso Maio de 68.

SALDO ZERO

Ainda na p. 7: Eu e o Paraíba: há aqueles que por onde passam geram eventos e acontecimentos, cheios de lubricidade, e há eu, para quem nada de bom ou ruim acontece. Nenhum “influxo demoníaco”, o silêncio da sina. Nós, os solitários e indiferentes (em mão dupla: o mundo também pouco nos dá), não gostamos de reciclar máquinas, revender notebooks antigos na OLX. Só nos daria dor de cabeça, perda de tempo. Não vale o que custa. A esterilidade nos infecta, pelo menos isso: quarentena móvel e virótica, eliminando os vírus do caos onde quer que resvalem nas imediações. Falta de carisma, falta de aura natal. Não nasci para ser prefeito de uma cidade. “Na falta de um destino que vivenciar, você só pode ironizar sobre as coisas – compensação bastarda.” “fui forçado a admitir a mim mesmo que minha imaginação conceitual advinha, no fundo, da minha impotência e esterilidade hereditária. Vingança do fatal (oh estratégias!).” “uma reflexão pálida do demônio da entropia” “Ah, the desert. There was something I experienced intensely. But then all the rest is justified, since it only takes one passion to justify an existence. But that’s just it – it was a passion for emptiness.”

Doubtless it is the secret aim of computers to put an end to the world by an exhaustive listing of data, as it is the secret aim of the photographer to exhaust the real by the endless production of images.”

Flies in the plane – a rare sight.”

speculation would never go so far as fornication, since penetration is metaphysical (Derrida dixit).”

On the lines of the Jesuit republics of the past, they ought now to found a Psychoanalytic Republic of Argentina, which would extend the rule of the Unconscious as far as Patagonia.” “After socialism in one country, psychoanalytic dictatorship in one country. Without it, the Unconscious will just fade away one day, leaving no trace.”

Word-processing as the artificial paradise of writing. The computer as the artificial paradise of intelligence. Like a landscape where the camera lens would automatically correct the contours of the land, it is now impossible, on some computers, to make spelling mistakes. On some others it is even impossible to exchange ideas. The machine corrects automatically.”

Reagan’s smile still hovered in the air after Reagan had disappeared. Kennedy’s murder was also still in the air long after Kennedy had disappeared. Reagan’s cancer is in keeping with his smile, since the person who can only smile is a candidate for cancer, whereas those who show political imagination expose themselves to murder.”

the oceanographer of ennui.”

There is no word in Japan for referring to communication. No concept of the universal either. For them, the universal is a local system, Western in character.”

O <livre-arbítrio> é grandemente assegurado no exterior hoje em dia. Mas se torna, por dentro, tristeza sob a ação repelente automática dos anticorpos, o enduro da vontade provocado por enzimas perversas – a rejeição da mente. (…) Isso é basicamente a rebelião das energias, a conspiração de uma vontade secreta contra todas as escolhas e cálculos existenciais. Logo depois você tem de recair em qualquer velha forma supersticiosa de tomada de decisão. (…) (e a liberdade é um corpo heterogêneo no universo metafísico), na animadversão ou qualquer loucura do gênero – o equivalente mental da rejeição biológica.”

O sofrimento é sempre um sofrimento relativo à indiferença patética do mundo quanto a nós” “A ironia é uma arma da astúcia, inevitavelmente maliciosa, inevitavelmente tornando as coisas piores, mas nos confortando frente à crueza da doença.” Esse comentário me lembra o P**** M******. O bom compadecido.

A BERMUDIZAÇÃO DO TRIÂNGULO DA REALIDADE

The invisible aircraft. So impossible to locate that it can no longer even locate itself and loses track of its own position (three of the planes crashed during testing).” “como é bem sabido, ao brincar de pique-esconde você nunca deve ficar invisível demais, ou os outros vão se esquecer de você.”

Hoje os grevistas são utilizadores-de-greves. O mesmo para greves de consumo.” Talvez seja bom deixar de comprar o suco de uva provisoriamente; quem sabe um suco de laranja seja um bom refresco, uma agradável novidade… Vamos curtir uma praia, mas com moderação. Não diga sim ao sindicato, diga ‘mais ou menos’.

Firmes convicções só podem ser derrotadas pela imbecilidade mais desenfreada.” D***, o eterno “último a falar”, irrefletido no espelho.

TEMERIDADES

PRÓLOGO DO FIM: O presidente, no acme da impopularidade indissolúvel, que dança para se conservar no cargo até o fim concreto do mandato (mais abstrato do que nunca, a essa altura), contra todas as probabilidades, é o verdadeiro esfomeado do bandejão. Não contente com a montanha de arroz, feijão, salada e carne de segunda que conseguiu deglutir, quase sem ter de pagar por isso, ainda lambe o prato de forma impecável, recusando qualquer ajuda, repelindo o mau-olhado dos garçons ou responsáveis por lavar a louça suja, sugando qualquer grão ou partícula sobrevivente. Com efeito, é ridículo o espetáculo e inócuo o banquete, não há calorias ou sinal de nutrição real, e há um constrangimento difícil de disfarçar nas mesas em torno, mas o que importa é a auto-satisfação, que se explodam as testemunhas, o tribunal da consciência: talvez a côdea de pão, o restolho de purê ou pirão, realmente valham a pena, não importa quão bem-vestido seja o lambedor, quão desprezível e caricato seja o ganho. Ele simplesmente não pode evitar…

INTERMEZZO

se consolar na desaparição

tocar sanfona para o auditório vazio

gozando na própria cara

ADÁGIO-RESUMO: De tanto simular a própria morte, ninguém irá ao enterro verdadeiro da democracia, passaram a ignorar a velha e sua tosse que já não sabem se é qualquer espasmo doentio ou fabricado. Na verdade, é bem possível que isso (a última missa) tenha sido num passado remoto. Nossas memórias andam mesmo pra lá de desreguladas. A dama era tão velha que talvez já tivesse uma filha idosa, e confundimos as duas. Uma já morreu, a outra é só uma cópia. Especulamos, somente, porque nenhum repórter daria mesmo esse furo.

Toda a arte da política hoje pode ser resumida assim: chicotear a indiferença popular.”

A painter exactly repaints a particular Picasso, a Matisse or a Velázquez. He signs this work, which is not a copy, finds a gallery to exhibit it and people to buy it. He may even merely sign the photo of a famous work. Why is it not possible to republish Sein und Zeit [Ser e Tempo de Heidegger] or La Chartreuse de Parme [O Monastério de Parma, de Stendhal] under my own name? Why is what is possible in painting, not possible in literature (and in music and architecture)?”

THIN [R]ICE

sideral sai do real

areal ao lado

irreal acima

desreal abaixo

pan-real nas latereais

dia-agonal

Escrever numa pressa enorme, quase até o ponto de haver terminado antes de haver começado, produz uma leve ansiedade – a impressão de ter concluído rápido demais, de que você está se destruindo com impaciência. Uma ansiedade ligada ao eclipse do Outro e, ao mesmo tempo, ao eclipse do conteúdo referencial. Um efeito de eletrocussão, de recuo – igual o de uma arma. Tudo sobre o que se escreve está desaparecendo – essa é a única razão convincente para escrever. Jenseits des eigenen Schattens [O Acolá da própria Sombra].”

CRISÁLIDA DE HERÁCLITO

Escrever as coisas muito rápido para não deixar a linha de raciocínio em aberto, aguardando uma chamada excepcional, um insight, <travado>, <dependente>, <responsável>, <lógico demais>… Melhor um auto-circuito fechado. Retrô alimentado. Alienado. Bifê refogado. Patógeno alienígena. Vírus adaptativo. Micróbio super-resistente. Super-ei. Superei a mim mesmo. A mímica. A mimese. Alívio nas costas sempre tensas. Explicar, esmiuçar, abordar, antecipar, sair do lugar? Convencer? Em plena era dos crentelhos? A-ham, espelhos… Convencidos os Narcisos… Atitude inicial, iniciativa, resposta anterior à provocação, é sempre pior que uma queda, uma precipitação! Jamais prova nada além do outro, mesmo que só para si prove os próprios pontos de vista, diante de D. Polícia da interpolação. Pop ululação das massas. Nelson Gaga. Ruptura. Tontura. Acupuntura. Suturas e remédios. Não é um cura, é só um médium.

Deveríamos nos admirar não de que haja tanto caos e violência, mas de que haja tão pouco e tudo funcione tão bem. Dados o nível de agressividade de cada motorista, as fragilidades dos equipamentos e a correria do tráfego, é um milagre que milhares não morram todo santo dia, é um milagre que não nos matemos uns aos outros senão raramente e que só uma pequena porção dessas possibilidades desastrosas atinjam a fruição. Quando se vê o imenso caos burocrático, o número de decisões absurdas, a fraude universal e o desperdício de nossas virtudes cívicas, a única reação natural é maravilhar-se diante do milagre diário dessa máquina que, de um jeito ou de outro, continua a funcionar, puxando consigo em sua órbita todo o detrito que ela mesma gera. Afora quebradeiras episódicas (não mais comuns, definitivamente, que tremores de terra), é como se uma mão invisível gerenciasse toda essa bagunça, normalizando a anomalia. Esse é talvez o mesmo milagre que nos previne de sucumbir, dia a dia, à idéia da morte ou à melancolia suicida.”

TRADUÇÃO LIVRE, ASPECTOS AUTORAIS: “Uma economia da poeira e da sujeira é uma aventura em si mesma e uma economia das aranhas, além de um desafio à natureza, é incorrer num risco ainda maior. Mas tentar uma economia do livro, abrir bibliotecas, organizando o inorganizável, permutando desordens que jamais se repetirão (Heráclito?) é realmente absurdo, deve trazer até má sorte. É tão pretensioso quanto a idéia de reorganizar num índice alfabético os neurônios do seu cérebro! Além do mais, a biblioteca é o topo da cadeia alimentar, acumula as 3 funções descritas, ao invés de ser apenas uma crematística dos livros: todo livro é um depósito de ácaros, todo livro é um lar em potencial de aracnídeos…”

A interdisciplinaridade vai matar os conceitos.

Num sistema tão perfeito quanto este, basta que te tirem o café-da-manhã para que te sintas imprevisível.”

Glenn Gould, o pianista definitivo do séc. XX.

OLÁ EU SOU FRANCÊS

se tivéssemos depositado todas as nossas energias para consumar a revolução de 1789, fato é que não teria sobrado nenhuma energia para celebrá-la.” “A energia usada para mentir não pode ser usada para falar a verdade. São duas energias totalmente distintas. Talvez que ambas as vertentes jamais se cruzem em algumas individualidades peculiares. Isso explicaria vermos alguns sujeitos que são perfeitamente sinceros e perfeitamente hipócritas, sem a menor imagem de contradição. § Toda transfusão de energias heterogêneas leva a sérias desordens (como um erro numa transfusão de sangue). Querer comungar energia sexual e energia mental soa tão aberrante quanto pedir que células cerebrais executem funções do fígado. Há uma energia específica para palavras e uma energia própria para imagens. Nem sempre apenas cópias se anulam, mas até figuras opostas! Canibalismo somático.” “Em suma, a energia que se dissipa comemorando uma revolução nada tem a ver com a energia-matriz que a gerou anteriormente.” “a energia das eleições é desespero; ainda que multiplicada ao infinito, não transmuta numa só esperança ou fato político” “Também é mentira que hoje em dia o social <perde> uma vez que temos muitas expensas militares.” Só haveria entropia verdadeira no cenário mais improvável da coincidência de infinitas entropias infinitesimais…

é a precessão da resposta sobre o enigma da (a pergunta sobre a) existência que torna o mundo indecifrável.” “A Filosofia moderna se jacta, afetando auto-suficiência, de haver formulado inúmeras questões decisivas para as quais não há respostas, mas na verdade o que temos de aceitar de uma vez é que não há, nunca houve [doente é ser o que?], pergunta alguma, caso em que nossa responsabilidade se torna total, já que SOMOS a resposta – e o enigma permanece, assim, insolúvel e pleno — eu diria, unilateral.”

Me pedem para escrever ficção. Ficção? É o que eu já faço. Meus personagens são um número de hipóteses malucas que maltratam a realidade de várias formas e cada um deles eu mato no fim, quando já cumpriram seu papel.” No meu livro agathachristieano, o bandido não é descoberto no final.

ME RECORDO DE TER SIDO PLATÃO SÓ NÃO LEMBRO QUANDO EXATAMENTE

Um romance ambientado no STF seria chamado como? Justiça & Repartição, é lógico…

CARAMBA, QUE INCONSCIENTE CAVERNOSO VOCÊ TEM, LOBA VOVÓ MÁ! Por que uma cabeça tão inchada e um poço de memórias tão profundo, hein? Bom, não vivo em prol da utilidade, mas, isso à parte, digo-te: é para te englobar sem o menor esforço, é para sumires sem pista nem recordo nessa imensidão não-azul, te nadificares todito… Sou espaçoso, ainda que ocioso… Burp!

Como as jovens cegas se maquiam?

O anúncio publicitário é a Extrema Unção reconciliadora de nós mesmos com o artificial.”

PSICANALIZADO & ZERADO: Encarando duas psicanálises ao mesmo tempo. Mais sutil que isso seria ter dois inconscientes e só um psicanalista (que não teria mais nenhum).”

Cicciolina é uma espécie de personificação do amor. Na verdade ela dissemina o amor sexual pelo corpo todo, isto é, desviriliza o órgão genital; irônico para alguém que é a encarnação de algo abstrato! Diz Baudrillard: é o sonho consumado, a meta, de Reich. “O último avatar do desejo se torna membro do parlamento – fantástico! [O que vem a seguir, a Playboy da mulher do Cunha?!] Em suas aparições televisivas pré-rafaelíticas [pré-renascentistas], ela parecia a única a estar viva, a única natural! Tendo exorcizado toda a modéstia, extravasado toda a imodéstia, ela finalmente se tornou, em sua doçura espectral, sedutora.”

Curiosamente, todos os adjetivos conceituais que definem os fenômenos extremos da contemporaneidade têm uma forma plural anômica no Francês: fatals, fractals, banals, virals. Já os antigos valores possuem plurais tradicionais: égaux, moraux, finaux, globaux.” Desse ponto de vista, o Português é a média com o universo, o bajulador perfeito; e o Inglês, a nadificação ultimada da língua e do homem. Não declino-para-nada, soul-pára-mor.Te

Hegemony of the commentary, the gloss, the quotation, the reference. But absolute superiority of the ellipsis, the fragment, the quip, the riddle, the aphorism.”

On me (us): “Deconstructing is a weak form of thought, the inverse gloss to constructive structuralism.” “it exhausts itself in passing the wor(l)d th(r)ough the sieve [peneira] of the text, going over and over the text and the exege(ne)sis with so many inverted < commas >, italics, ([pa](ren[t)h]ese[(s)] and so much etymology that there is literally no text left.” I’m bored

O dicionário é a minha faca (que corta e liga as coisas).

Deconstructing is as interminable as psychoanalysis, in which it finds a fitting partner.”

psicossíntese

By his own admission, Descartes only thought for two to three minutes a day. The rest of the time, he went riding, he lived. What are we to make of these modern thinkers, then, who think for fourteen hours a day? Just as Barthes said of sexuality that in Japan it was to be found in sex and nowhere else, whereas in the USA it was anywhere but in sex”

P. 17: “Todo ser humano julgado inferior por um outro automaticamente se torna superior a esse outro. É o que acontece em relações homem-mulher: a mulher presumida inferior imediatamente se torna superior. O oposto não é verdadeiro: quando uma mulher vê um homem como um ser superior, ela não se torna seu inferior mas está, ao invés, meramente em postura de sedução. E se um homem vê uma mulher como um ser superior, ele não se torna seu inferior: ele descansa meramente em postura de admirador.

A mulher atenta a essas coisas as nega veementemente, alegando que a tal superioridade feminina é uma fantasia masculina – mas dado que a suposta inferioridade da mulher é da mesma ordem, quiçá haja apenas fantasias masculinas? Nesse ponto, a mulher está sob risco de ceder à tentação de acreditar em si mesma como superior ao homem (o que é diferente de sê-lo). É então que ela se torna imediatamente inferior à própria feminilidade, i.e. igual, com efeito, ao homem quando ele, como é usual hoje, se torna inferior à própria essência masculina.”

investimos toda nossa liberdade no louco desejo de tirar o máximo de nós mesmos.”

Loucura horizontal, a nossa loucura (…) a loucura do autismo – em oposição à loucura <vertical> de anteontem, a loucura psíquica, a loucura transcendente da esquizofrenia, da alienação, da inexorável transparência do Outro. Hoje em dia tudo o que vemos são as monstruosas variantes da identidade: a do isofrênico, sem sombra, transcedência, Outro ou imagem, a do autista que, como tinha de ser, devorou seu próprio duplo e absorveu seu irmão gêmeo (ser um gêmeo é, por sinal, uma forma de autismo <a dois>). Loucura identitária, ipsomaníaca, isofrênica. Nossos monstros são todos autistas maníacos. Como produtos de uma combinação quimérica (mesmo quando é uma genética), desprovidos da heterogeneidade hereditária, afligidos com a esterilidade hereditária, eles não têm outro destino senão caçar-se desesperadamente uma <Outridade> por intermédio da eliminação de todos os Outros (Frankenstein – mas esse é também o problema do racismo). Computadores são autistas, máquinas celibatárias: a fonte de seu sofrimento e a causa de sua vingança é a natureza recalcitrante e tautológica de sua própria linguagem.

Onde quer que observemos, constatamos loucura horizontal se opondo à vertical.”

Todas essas coisas – ser um gêmeo, incesto e, até um certo ponto, homossexualidade e narcisismo – são mais profundas e potentes que a sexualidade e a única fuga em potencial é a morte.”

Ao princípio da separação de Segalen, da eterna incompreensibilidade, devemos agregar o princípio da eterna inseparabilidade em física de partículas. Essa simultaneidade de dois princípios opostos tem de ser pensada por inteiro até o fim. Não se pode estar mais separado e mais inseparável que o eu e a vida.” Obstinado em cristalizar-se. O banhista do rio heraclitiano quer agarrar-se às margens, e de fato o consegue por alguns poucos segundos, mas a correnteza é muito forte, e lá vai ele de novo, atabalhoado e engolindo água… Este eu que sou agora, é a Pura Morte, até virar apenas pegadas, e depois tudo menos isso, nem ao menos isso… Obstinado em morrer, mas ainda não é a sua hora. Ha-ha, nem é sua nem é hora. Nem o “mas”, muitos menos o “é”, talvez então o NÃO, talvez… a… não, de novo não… Rio Heraclitiano hoje é Zeus-peniano. Translúcido eletrochoque não-venenoso. Água-viva arraia-miúda do fundo do corrégomar. Medusa desperta, mentira que faz mimir. A água é um excelente metal.

A Metempsicose do Gato: ele foi camelo, cachorro, tartaruga, homem, planta, bruxa e filósofo.

Andar atrás de alguém é a ilusão cômica de nosso tempo.

Andar atrás dos outros é a ilusão trágica.”

Nunca um elevador sem piso

Nunca um sonho sem elevador”

Sempre um sonho meio aéreo

A viagem, como a existência, é uma arte não-figurativa.”

Para nós ir a Buenos Aires é como pisar na Lua. Tanto faz se o astronauta é de verdade ou o ambiente é simulado. Deserção: virtude feminina. A(s irmãs) América, a (lua) Europa, a Oceania, a África, a (linda) Ásia (de Maomé), a Patagônia…

Um dia descobriremos o gene da revolta. E talvez até o gene da revolta contra a engenharia genética. E muda isso alguma coisa sobre a revolta em si mesma?”

O caminhão carregando 35 toneladas de iogurte que colidiu contra a fábrica de laticínios. Uma excelente sacada acidental do real.

Médicos sem Fronteiras aumentam a taxa de mortalidade por onde passam, quando passam e por lá ficam. Ficam, ficam, ficam e morrem.

Alergia a coisas muito mais impalpáveis que a poeira.”

DV: “O compact disc. Ele não se desgasta, mesmo após usado. Espantoso. É como se você nunca tivesse usado. Então é como se você não existisse. Se as coisas não envelhecem mais, então é porque é você que está morto.”

Debaixo de sua franja, isolada do mundo via fones de ouvido. Coração moído, sentimentos intra-expansivos. Cartões-postais de cidades mal-conhecidas é seu único passatempo ou meio de comunicação. Durante o vôo, logicamente.

O mundo tornou-se um seminário. Tudo agora se reveste dessa forma acadêmica cansativa. Algumas existências são meramente um perpétuo seminário, sequiosas por uma lápide feliz à sombra da Cultura em seus estertores. O Juízo Final se converteu num simpósio gigante, com toda locomoção e estadia pagas de antemão.”

TRANQÜILO CHÁ DAS 5, MUITO EMBORA VAMOS TODOS MORRER MESMO DE TANTO O SOL BATER EM NOSSAS NUCAS DESPROTEGIDAS…

A camada de ozônio é a desculpa perfeita para o chato não trabalhar. Crachá de chato. Chatocrachá. Crachato, cara chato. Cratera terrestre-solar. Chávena de chá. Craque em ser chato como uma tocha que deve ser carregada num dia de calor. Regar a tocha, cagar conteúdos, óleo, óleo verbal escorrendo às pampas. Cálcio nos ossos. Coceira extremamente chata. Inoportuna. Gastar calorias com a língua. Ser. Ser chato. Ser chato tomando chá. Sendo chato tomar chá. o Ser-chato-chá. O estar-sendo, o ser-para-as-5, o ser-para-o-chá, a hora do inglês ver e ouvir embalado e embalando na cadeira de balanço à penumbra da porta, ante a penteadeira da vovó. Cheiro de mofo engraçado e prazenteiro. Vai um biscoitinho? Feito com muito amor e carinho. Impulsividade impossível. Acabamos aceitando.

What is being destroyed more quickly than the ozone layer is the subtle layer of irony that protects us from the radiation of stupidity. But, conversely, we may also say that the subtle film of stupidity, which protects us from the lethal radiation of intelligence, is also disappearing.”

O desejo, o corpo, o sexo terão sido meras utopias como o restante: Progresso, Iluminismo, Revolução, felicidade. Já estamos evitando o sol por medo do câncer (com um olho na ressurreição dos corpos?), desistimos do sexo diante dos perigos, nos exprimimos cada vez menos em público, paramos de fumar, beber, foder. A Nova Ecologia Política está em marcha. Vigie a sua parte da equação! Concentre-se na salvação das espécies e se divirta o menos que puder. Mas coragem! Um dia a camada de ozônio vai ser substituída pela camada de todos os detritos que dejetamos no espaço. Há uma justiça nisso: um dia seremos salvos pela poluição como hoje somos salvos, politicamente, pela servidão.”

o desejo foi para toda uma geração algo como uma estrela-guia. Hoje é só um satélite-observatório.”

Não temos aiatolás.

Não há mais como ofender ou causar aversão; em prol da subversão, nenhuma reação. Será que alguma manipulação secreta já teve êxito em desligar todos os genes da negatividade, todos os reflexos da violência, todos os signos do orgulho?”

ora, se até para obras de arte (nas quais o autor dá sempre o seu melhor para eludir qualquer tipo de interpretação) arranjam significados, por que não posso ser o crítico-entusiasta do belo movimento de implosão da vazia fascinação pós-hollywoodiana?”

os artistas plásticos, quem diria, me lêem me levando a sério, literalizando todas as minhas metáforas” “simulação não é o modelo de nada; assumir a simulação é a abandonar a simulação”

toda a nulidade do mundo contemporâneo na brancura da escrita. Com a piscadinha vulgar da pós-modernidade inclusa no pacote. Mas, diante disso, Camus é quase um clássico metafísico inatingível.” A era em que “pintura ruim” não mais é pintura ruim… Deduza as consequências, grave uma britadeira no estúdio e ganhe milhões, sem dividir com o inventor da britadeira…

Lixeira poética – títulos de possíveis obras:

POT-POURRI DO CILA

A ÉTICA DO DESTINO

SOBRE AS CINZAS DE DEUS

DESALENTO TOTAL

MEU NU É O NADA

A SEMIÓTICA DE TUDO AO MESMO TEMPO

PÓLVORA EM PALAVRAS

PARA DESAPRENDER O QUE EU JÁ SEI

O LIVRO DA BATATA QUENTE

900 PÁGINAS DE UM TUMOR ESBRANQUIÇADO

A INFUSÃO DO MAL

COMUNICAÇÃO (IGNORÂNCIA) É UMA BÊNÇÃO

A ALEGRIA DA DESRESPONSABILIZAÇÃO

PODIA SER PIOR

MONOTONIA CENTRÍPETA

PIONEIRISMO CIRCULAR

O LABIRINTO DA LINHA RETA // TODA LINHA RETA É UM LABIRINTO

Quem fala não desejar catástrofes e diz nunca esperar o mal do próximo nunca precisou de um órgão na fila da emergência. Transfusão, rá!

Sou um inquebrantável bloco de fragilidades autorreguladas

Microtrabalho em equipe do solitário

Golfinista

mesmo os suburbanos possuem um ânimo pioneiro ou animal”

Hamlet das horas de sono: dormir ou não dormir, eis a questão.

Que horas são? Hora de encontrar o meu relógio…

US: “Tanto com os puritanos faraônicos – os dos domos e templos – quanto com os grandes apostadores – os dos porn-shows e das luzes ofuscantes – ficamos com a mesma impressão de umpovo eleito ou maldito, talvez por conta do local desértico e da luz.” Coast to coast the same boast Dinheiro opaco do cassino, Jesus de vidro transparente A. o “proud of his values” de terno, gravata e cartão estourado assepsia de quem anda comigo engenharia social seleção supranatural

Uma das atrações de um parque americano: você adentra um labirinto e se perde, sem saber por onde ir, verdadeiramente inábil para achar a saída. Isso dura uma ou duas horas, dependendo de qual ingresso você comprou na entrada, no fim das quais um helicóptero pousa e o extrai.”

Na Disneyworld da Flórida eles estão construindo uma paródia gigantesca de Hollywood, com boulevards, estúdios, etc. Mais uma espiral no simulacro. Um dia vão reconstruir a Disneylândia na Disneyworld.”

A estupidez do exagero dos meios para um fim. A única coisa comparável à força bruta e ao esforço desproporcionais empregados por três escavadeiras que fazem o serviço normalmente alocado a dois trabalhadores manuais é a pletora de referências, bibliografia e registros em cartões de biblioteca necessária em exercícios pré-natais para o parto sem dor de uma pequena e digna de pena verdade objetiva [, necessária para construir as máquinas].”

A tentação de não existir para ninguém, de demonstrar que não existe para ninguém. Esse é o complexo do refém – o refém em quem todos logo perdem o interesse. Uma fantasia pueril: verificar se alguém o ama. Algo que você nunca deve tentar. Ninguém encara tantos suplícios por uma pessoa.”

Não se pode ter o bolo e comê-lo também

Não se pode ter a esposa e fodê-la ao mesmo tempo

Não se pode foder a própria vida e salvá-la junto”

Um dos prazeres de viajar é mergulhar nos lugares em que tantos outros estão obrigados a viver e depois emergir incólume, cheio de um prazer malicioso de abandoná-los a seus próprios destinos. Mesmo sua felicidade local parece estar subordinada a uma resignação secreta. Ou, ao menos, nunca pode ser equiparada à liberdade de partir. É nesses momentos que você percebe que não é o bastante estar vivo; é preciso atravessar a vida. Não é o bastante ter visto uma cidade; é preciso tê-la atravessado.” Aplicável ao TEMPO (“Eles ainda estão no meu ontem, coitados!”). “O essencial não é pensar a idéia, mas superá-la.”

Uma nova arte do body-building: engordar até os mais de 100kg, tornar-se um obeso, massa amorfa, para depois modelar a massa via escultura interna ao desenvolver os músculos de uma área particular e usar os exercícios apropriados para tirar da gordura uma forma.”

As vitrines de loja, a flora intestinal da cidade.”

O sono pode às vezes ser o equivalente a uma briga doméstica silenciosa. Pela manhã, dependendo de como foi o sono de cada um, marido e mulher podem ter se tornado completos estranhos um ao outro.”

É difícil fitar alguém terna e desapaixonadamente enquanto a insulta carnalmente no mesmo grau da impassibilidade e ternura faciais usadas. É difícil falar com aquela engenhosidade, distraído pela sensualidade das pernas nuas debaixo da minissaia negra, em que alguém poderia resvalar sem sequer ser percebido. Ainda assim a beleza de seus traços contraria qualquer senso de ciúmes ou concupiscência. Nesse nível, a diferença sexual desafia a imaginação, a beleza é como um signo astrológico.”

No passado, as doenças físicas eram sublimadas nas paixões da alma. Hoje, a dessublimação das paixões é expulsa pelos vírus do corpo.”

Pensamentos circulam como o bolo alimentar no labirinto do intestino delgado, com a certeza de encontrar a saída sob a forma de excremento.”

Já foi dito que a probabilidade de um macaco digitar o Hamlet é infinitesimal. Mas a probabilidade não é só baixa; é zero. E menor que zero, já que, se houvesse uma oportunidade do macaco conseguir, significaria que Hamlet seria só uma probabilidade em bilhões, o que é estúpido. É o sonho dos cretinos da estatística que, exaurindo as probabilidades, você possa terminar escrevendo o Hamlet. Mas isso é impensável: o Hamlet não é da ordem da probabilidade. Ele é tanto radicalmente improvável quanto supremamente necessário. Probabilidade minúscula, necessidade máxima. O mundo é o que é e isso é tudo. A probabilidade de que ele pudesse ser diferente ou que o Hamlet eventualmente nunca tivesse existido é a única chance que resta a uns sujeitos de segunda classe de reinventá-lo em seus computadores. Ou, pensando bem, a única chance em aberto para os macacos. (Nada tenho contra os macacos; isso é uma metáfora.)”

Contrariamente à superstição, que consiste, sob o véu dos direitos humanos, no estender responsabilidades ao infinito, ansiamos por coisas que nos aconteçam pelas quais não sejamos os responsáveis, e nem nos deleguem essa responsabilidade.”

Outra Catástrofe jaz a nossa espera, a da superprodução cultural. Somos impelidos a acreditar que no mercado cultural a demanda vai exceder a oferta ainda por um bom tempo (então todos os estoques vão zerar). Mas podemos mensurar desde já um apreciável excesso de oferta sobre demanda na economia cultural do cidadão médio. Mesmo hoje, a criatividade desenfreada excede nossa capacidade de absorção. O indivíduo mal tem tempo para consumir os próprios produtos culturais, quanto mais o dos outros. O público faz o seu melhor: corre para as exibições, festivais, mas se aproxima o limite. Eles vivem repetindo que o público quer ainda mais e que as pessoas nunca terão cultura demais. Mas é uma ilusão de perspectiva colossal. E de duas uma: ou a cultura é meramente um rito ou idioma, e neste caso nunca foi produzida aquém ou além do necessário, ou passou a se comportar como o mercado, com suas edições limitadas, concorrência desleal e especulação, e só se pode esperar os mesmos efeitos que na ruína de 1929 na esfera da produção material: o fim das assunções <naturais> da economia, que depois das imagens de hot capital (bolhas inflacionárias) e circulação exponencial, tornou-se especulativo. Assim como tivemos a Quinta-Feira Negra [que ironia…] de Wall Street, teremos também um Black Sabbath da cultura.”

cabarE.U. (Exclusão do Um or Eunuch Ultimatum): “The age of exegesis and pleasure is disappearing, each person producing his performance in a climate of general indifference.” Ícone: um blogueiro que não consegue digerir e ruminar o próprio conteúdo tendente ao infinito que gera em seu blog. De qualquer jeito, seus dedos “defecam” “novas” mais rápido do que seus olhos e miolos conseguem processar a informação.

Eu não ligo pro seu

você não liga pro meu

Seus anúncios ostensivos são em vão

Eu me recuso a mostrar sinal de vida

ou animação

Morra famélico, produtor!

Vou passar a devorar meu próprio rabo

até ficar mais chato…

O que há lá além de bens imateriais que reestimule a demanda?”

haverá uma destruição em massa desses bens a fim de resgatar o signo-valor / valor simbólico, bem como sacas de café foram destruídas em locomotivas para resgatar outrora o valor de troca.”

batismo por imersão fetal.”

Esse é o destino de todo sacramento: se simplifica com o tempo.”

consenso: talvez seja ele o vírus epidêmico e devastador de nossos tempos modernos, contra os quais produzimos menos e menos anticorpos.”

Comunicação é para a linguagem o que a reprodução é para a sexualidade.” Um mal necessário. “By contrast, the poetic ecstasy of language corresponds to the libertine phase of a sexuality without reproduction (poetic language is exhausted in and by itself and no more reproduces itself than does thought which, for that reason, is never assured of continuity).”

Esse poder que temos de nos identificarmos com o outro nos sonhos, de substituir nós mesmos por esse outro, de fazê-lo falar mais sutilmente do que fazemos nós mesmos. De saber nos sonhos o que não sabemos sobre ele na realidade. Como se estivéssemos vivendo instintivamente na cabeça do outro. Como se a inteligência dos sonhos fosse a de um diretor de teatro exógeno, impessoal (muito embora completamente imerso ele mesmo no sonho), cuja identidade não é mais relevante para ele mesmo do que a de qualquer outra pessoa.”

Mesmo se o santo sudário fosse genuíno, a Igreja, tendo mais precisão hoje de uma garantia de capacidade crítica que da fé dos seus crentes, teria tido ainda assim de reconhecê-lo como falso.”

limpamos nossa consciência como brancos; nos tornamos mais brancos que brancos.”

A pessoa cujo stereo quebra um dia e nunca mais em sua vida volta a ouvir música.

A pessoa que perde seu avião por puro azar e volta pra casa para jamais sair de novo.

E por que nâo?”

Em algumas situações, basta uma palavra a mais para acarretar um suicídio, mas basta só um miligrama a mais de barbitúrico para acarretar a ida além do próprio suicídio.”

Madrugada no hotel nos limites da cidade. O fio do sono é cortado pela insônia da matilha. Você gostaria de se levantar e estrangular aquele cachorro que acaba de latir lá longe, mas qual é o sentido disso? O contágio começa de novo aqui e acolá, esporadicamente, e de repente explode num uivado generalizado. Depois, traiçoeiramente, começa a diminuir no espectro (fade out) e você já imagina poder tirar seu ronco novamente, quando alguma criatura quadrúpede patética solta outro ganido solitário em direção à lua, acordando seus clones sonambúlicos, que latem um atrás do outro… A noite chega ao fim e o galo começa a cacarejar. Só aí é que vence o silêncio, sucedido pelos sons baixinhos e anestesiantes dos primeiros hóspedes que acordam.”

A condição ideal do trabalho é a indolência. A vacuidade espacial da viagem é o equivalente da vacuidade temporal da desídia. Você pode se mover em todas as direções e o ritual do espaço é confortavelmente o equivalente do ritual do confinamento numa sala fechada.

(…) você pode dissolver no nirvana da viagem e perseguir tarefas burocráticas como caçaria sua própria sombra. O que ainda é melhor do que perder sua sombra por trabalhar.”

ninguém quer engravidar a filosofia, mas pouco importa: a criança nasce mesmo assim, por telepatia. Essa desafortunada criança já nasceu recebendo a Extrema Unção heideggeriana dos satélites além-túmulo e saiu flutuando, iluminada pelos reflexos dos picos transalpinos, rumo ao sétimo céu da filosofia.”

ESTRANHAMENTE AUTOBIOGRÁFICO: “Comportamento territorial furioso. Não cace em minhas terras e eu não caçarei nas tuas. Furiosamente temperamental. Rimbaud. Lentidão, falta de cultura, o desejo fremente de cortar relações. De se livrar inclusive da família, dos objetos, da memória, de tudo – de sofrer uma purificação total. Ab-reação[*] violenta à origem, desgosto pela continuidade. Camponês nômade. Ainda é a Temporada no Inferno.”

[*] “[Psicanálise] Reaparição consciente de sentimentos até aí recalcados.” MURO DAS LAMENTAÇÕES. DESVIO DA ROTA. PREDESTINADO. MISSÃO. O SOFREDOR INCOMUNICÁVEL. X-TUDOTUDO. REMORSO ESGOTO. PEDRO. TIANGUÁ. PEDRA. MOLE. RAIVA. PAI. MORTE. FINALMENTE ESTOU VIVO MAS QUERIA ESTAR MORTO (caleidoscópio de sensações 2009-2013) TO BE CONTINUED?! VONTADE DE REPISAR ESSES ACONTECIMENTO ESPREMIDOS NO TEMPO ATÉ DESFIGURAR A FACE DE CADA UM QUE ME DESPEITOU NESTE PERÍODO INTENSOINSANO DE MINHA VIDA LASTIMÁVEL. ONDE ESSAS MEMÓRIAS SE TRANCAFIARAM ESSE TEMPO TODO? A DOR DE PERCEBER QUE NUNCA ESTIVE UM DÉCIMO DE SEGUNDO EQUIVOCADO.

A má fé para com a história é total: Heidegger, Hitler, os campos, o Terror. Isso tudo é insultado e repudiado, mas totalmente lavado e glorificado, não obstante, num conta-gotas midiático. Pelos ditames da moralidade, nada disso deveria ter existido, não mais do que o ato homicida de Caim ou o extermínio dos selvagens. Mas teríamos de ter inventado tudo isso da mesma forma – senão, do que é que falaríamos?”

Toda nossa semiótica é meramente caridade fora de lugar com seres tão-somente inumanos, essências canibalísticas, com sua hipocrisia semântica (a constante aparência de ter significado).”

Chega de piedade pelos signos. (…) Signos são tão arcaicos quanto as pedras, mas mais sutilmente indiferentes”

No escrever, o momento mais encantador é o da condensação, elipse, rarefação. Construir núcleos cada vez mais densos em torno dos quais a luz se desorienta, e o pensar também”

Fruir o signo em vez de usá-lo é a perversão dos seres humanos. Porque a única fruição é de Deus e o único uso é o uso do signo (Santo Agostinho).”

É muito fácil se adaptar à vida australiana ou americana porque elas são o grau zero do estilo de vida. Mas o grau zero é também o da exterminação de todos os outros, e a tentação do fácil é a tentação da morte.”

Um cego vai virar dono de uma cadeia de canais de TV na Espanha (depois de se livrar do Presidente do Instituto para os Deficientes Visuais ao empurrá-lo poço do elevador abaixo).

A luta entre os incapacitados e os cegos pelo direito de vender bilhetes de loteria é apenas o prelúdio de uma luta pelo poder. Um dia, ele vai estar todo nas mãos dos incapazes. Comandar os outros, ou ser comandado por eles, pressupõe um tipo de mutilação. Então, como nos computadores e eletrônicos, aqueles incapazes de nascença – aqueles com vantagens hereditárias – serão cada vez mais capazes (com o perdão do trocadilho).

As hierarquias do futuro serão hierarquias da falta. Os intelectuais, que estiveram até hoje bem-situados na corrida, perderão os privilégios, já que seu handicap é apenas simbólico e não se compara a um bom handicap físico, seja anatômico seja cerebral, que é mais visível, mais efetivo, mais eficiente. Não estamos mais na idade da metáfora.

(…) Políticos e intelectuais serão sucedidos por mutantes de verdade, esses sem um gene ou cromossomo ou com extras (quando o vírus da AIDS tiver se tornado parte da herança genética da humanidade), ou mesmo por mutantes artificiais que não terão reprodução sexual – (…) sucessores aos eunucos que infestavam os haréns da antiguidade e os coros da Renascença, e aos hemofílicos impotentes que comandavam impérios, etc.

Isso não é pejorativo. É apenas a expressão da lei que diz que só o indivíduo a quem falta algo é capaz de preencher o vácuo de poder.”

Toda sociedade deve se escolher um inimigo, mas ela não deve tentar exterminá-lo. Esse foi o erro fatal do fascismo e do Terror revolucionário. Mas é o mesmo erro cometido pelo terror democrático, que agora elimina o Outro com ainda mais segurança que o holocausto. Se não hipostasiamos mais nenhuma raça diretamente, damos a cada indivíduo o direito de escolher o que é melhor para si, inclusive na reprodução e perpetuação do análogo – e o indivíduo ainda é racista. Aliás, é o único racista.”

Quanto mais a imagem evolui rumo à alta-definição, mais a identidade segue rumo à baixa-definição. Quanto mais a sexualidade segue rumo à baixa-definição, mais evoluímos rumo à alta-definição de todas as técnicas corporais.

Alta-definição é a definição-média de pornográfica. Todas as formas de alta-definição são indexadas ao genital (e aos genitais) no pornô. Sempre há algo obsceno na alta-definição, pois, mesmo no campo cultural – aliás, particularmente nesse campo.”

Não há prova mais clara de que o poder do Ocidente está ancorado na aflição do resto do mundo inteiro, e de que o espetáculo dessa aflição é sua glória suprema, do que a inauguração, no telhado do Arco da Defesa, na França, com um bufete oferecido pela Fundação dos Direitos do Homem, de uma exibição das melhores fotos da miséria.”

in the void the most distant objects are in radical proximity.”

essa ideologia rousseauísta da boa natureza apenas oculta pobremente a consciência obscura de uma predestinação para o mal”

Yellowstone, talvez a primeira e maior reserva natural do mundo, nos EUA, demonstra como incêndios naturais podem ser benéficos a várias espécies de plantas e animais.

Os aztecas acreditavam que apenas pelo derramamento de sangue humano a energia solar podia ser regenerada. Podemos mesmo acreditar que eles erraram tanto assim em suas crenças?”

Ficar sem signo é tão grave quanto perder a própria sombra.”

O fim da História, o fim do real, o fim dos dinossauros, o fim do ozônio, a desaparição da mulher – um fim ao remorso, o objeto perdido está atrás de nós! Há uma última vez pra tudo – a última vez já foi!”

Drogas: a única commodity ilegal sobrevalorada em escala global. O que não deixa alternativa ao Terceiro Mundo senão explorá-las assiduamente.”

Um dia veremos o reemergir do circuito paralelo do álcool.”

AIDS é a África, drogas a América do Sul, terrorismo o Islã, dívida o Terceiro Mundo. Quebras econômicas e vírus eletrônicos são, mais ou menos, os únicos sucessos do Ocidente.”

O pós-moderno é o primeiro conduíte verdadeiramente universal e conceitual, como jeans ou Coca-Cola. Tem as mesmas virtudes em Vancouver ou Zanzibar; Chicago ou Budapeste. É uma fornicação verbal global.”

Há duas espécies animais de intelectuais: aqueles que preferem carne fresca e aqueles que preferem carniça. Aqueles que preferem destroçar conceitos vivos e aqueles que preferem os restos. Eles não possuem nada em comum, exceto que são ambos mamíferos.”

Não há sentido nenhum em questionar a realidade quando mais de dez estão presentes. Toda audiência de mais de 10 se torna automaticamente defensiva e reage violentamente a qualquer desafio ao real e verdades manifestas. Nenhuma asserção radical pode ser feita para mais de 10 pessoas.”

São Paulo – indiferença e loucura

Como o céu: luminoso e fumacento – o tráfego: sonhodoramente violento

Uma passagem estridente sob a varredura das avenidas

Uma passagem estridente através da indistinta mistura das raças”

BRAZIL

Talvez a predileção brasileira pelo desfile de carnes, particularmente a das nádegas, seja mais da ordem do comestível do que do sexual. Esse era o pedaço do corpo humano mais delicioso para uma sociedade canibal que acabou permanecendo delicioso aos olhos. E esse olho talvez seja mais canibal do que luxurioso.”

As estátuas com olhos de ágata e cabelo humano imputrescível nas igrejas barrocas de Minas Gerais.”

Ao sul do Rio Grande, assim que se cruza a fronteira dos Estados Unidos, a maldição começa. A América do Sul inteira continua a viver o momento da imolação dos impérios que colapsaram à chegada dos espanhóis e portugueses e que continuarão colapsando para sempre.”

a cena de um desespero absoluto da conquista, que passou a correr nas veias de uma população inteira (…), incluindo a raça branca, que parece aceitar que não há esperança para esse continente e ele está condenado ao escândalo da exterminação. Lar das reservas planetárias da clorofila e cocaína, do oxigênio e da corrupção total dos recursos e das mentes.”

“Ninguém tem qualquer esperança real de sair desse cenário. Talvez nunca tenha havido desejo algum de libertação, de se arrancar desse primitivismo, exceto dentro de um estrato político-intelectual reduzido e epifenomênico. E mesmo seu comportamento é problemático. Tudo é planejado em termos de normas modernas (planos, programas, organização), mas, no momento da ação, há uma perda de motivação quanto aos resultados. Como se tivessem provado o que deveria ser feito, mas em seguida não tivessem mais vontade de insistir. As coisas vão bem mal, é claro, mas não pense que isso os torna infelizes, já que esse contratempo apenas lhes confirma a impossibilidade de escapar do atoleiro.

É o mesmo com as relações interpessoais: generosidade à flor da pele, uma afeição tocante e, ao mesmo tempo, apatia, despreocupação – talvez tão artificial quanto as demonstrações calorosas? Mas não: a questão é que nada deve ser dado como certo, para que o jogo continue. A relação com o tempo é a mesmíssima que a com o dinheiro e as demais: encontros, reuniões, o volume das trocas é deliberadamente todo deixado no ar. Todos são felizes com esse estado de permanente instabilidade monetária e temporal. É um jogo, é um destino. Todos os planos econômicos são condenados ao fracasso aqui com tanta segurança que o que vem a acontecer não é nem mesmo uma falha; é um espetáculo, e, como tal, compete com o futebol, o samba, os cultos, o jogo do bicho. Esse é o Brasil real, como Muniz Sodré fala, não o Brasil simulado, aquele que querem que ande no mesmo ritmo das tecno-democracias ocidentais. Como é realmente, o país está condenado, sem dúvida, e com auto-contentamento, a perpetuar o sacrifício, a imolação, a canibalização ritual de toda a sua riqueza. E por que não?”

o curto-circuito entre um mundo ritualístico e primitivo da lentidão, em que o ciclo se completa espontaneamente, e um mundo moderno da velocidade e aceleração. O resultado é incoerente: eles avançam, tomam a dianteira com determinação, e logo em seguida recaem, fatalmente, no mesmo ciclo de lentidão e são mais uma vez contaminados pelo vírus letárgico da indolência. Se eles não se mostram comprometidos com a consequência de seus atos, não é por falta de determinação ou energia, mas porque parte dessa energia permanece presa ao primeiro ciclo, ao qual ainda estão apegados. Daí a severidade com que os brasileiros lidam com as falhas em seus projetos ou programas. Nada é destinado a ir direto ao seu alvo, não se espera de ninguém que leve a operação até sua conclusão. O final tem de ser deixado ao acaso, ao diabo, à fatalidade. Reivindicar controlar essa parte do fogo, essa partilha maldita, assumir responsabilidade por tudo isso, seria altamente absurdo e sacrílego. É o ciclo que comanda, e o ciclo é como a curvatura da terra. E a indolência, o improviso é apenas a aceitação tácita no coração das pessoas desse elemento enigmático que frustra todo projeto e ordena que as chances de dar certo sejam meramente figurativas.”

Crises são para as camadas mais altas do capitalismo, que rapinam todos os lucros derivados em escala mundial. Catástrofes são para a classe média, que vê suas razões para viver desaparecerem. Os outros (80%) estão tão abaixo do nível da crise que nem mesmo a experimentam. Eles sobrevivem a tudo, se puderem, é claro, instintivamente. Desprovidos até de uma existência econômica, é mais fácil para eles achar um equilíbrio catastrófico simbólico.”

A crise econômica brasileira é tão ininteligível quanto a especulação wallstreetiana, exceto em sua obscura tentativa de demonstrar a absurdidade do sistema econômico. É um tipo de jogo coletivo, uma aposta alta na hipótese de que uma sociedade pode sobreviver – e por muito espaço de tempo, sem se desesperar de si – na desordem econômica mais absoluta, pelo menos enquanto não dispõe de estruturas racionais ou rígidas. Isso tudo é correlato ao caso dos italianos e o poder político: eles apostam na hipótese de que uma sociedade pode prosperar, insolentemente, sob a ausência de um Estado e de um governo, desde que se conserve sardônica e teatral o suficiente. Itália e Brasil são prefigurações do futuro. Pois todas as sociedades estão condenadas a um dia viver além do político e do econômico.”

NERVO INICIÁTICO: COM(G)R(ESSO) NACIONAL

In Brasilia, the abstraction of the city offers at least one certainty: at least those who are mad enough to cross its urban expressways – endangering their lives in the process – are human beings. The human race is nowhere so incongruous as in these extra-terrestrial surroundings, with the exception of these tiny touching creatures who go on foot. Otherwise, human beings take refuge around Brasilia in the numerous cults of the satellite towns, in an atmosphere of initiatory kitsch the more flamboyant and syncretic for being so opposed to the sidereal geometry of the mother-city.” “Em Brasília, a abstração da cidade oferece pelo menos uma certeza: ao menos os que forem loucos o suficiente para atravessar suas vias expressas – arriscando suas vidas no processo – são seres humanos. A raça humana não é em lugar nenhum tão incongruente quanto nesses domínios extra-terrestres, com a exceção dessas criaturazinhas tão tocantes que passeiam a pé. Mas, em última hipótese, os seres humanos da capital, para se sentirem mais humanos, se refugiam de quando em quando num dos numerosos cultos das cidades-satélites, numa atmosfera de kitsch iniciático mais exibicionista e sincrética justamente por ser tão contrastante com a geometria sideral da cidade-mãe.”

Os ricos de Copacabana são mantidos confinados pelos seus próprios escravos. Escravos que, pacificamente, silenciosamente, devoram o espaço-tempo de seus mestres. Mestres que vedam o acesso, mesmo em sonho, aos seus apartamentos luxuosos, mestres que detêm as chaves para as próprias almas dos escravos; exatamente como os escravos detêm as chaves dos elevadores pessoais de seus mestres.”

A mais requintada catástrofe, maior ainda que o naufrágio do Titanic, ocorreu na noite de 31 de dezembro de 1899, a primeira noite do século. O transatlântico saído de Manaos [grafia de Baudrillard], transbordando em riquezas ligadas à indústria da borracha, velejou rio Amazonas acima, cheio de aristocratas e famosos do mundo inteiro, para a mais luxuosa das festas internacionais. Esses membros da alta sociedade beberam e dançaram a noite toda ao ritmo das bandas, enquanto o transatlântico afundava vagarosamente e se perdia no labirinto da floresta. Eles conseguiram se dirigir para uma das margens secas de um dos inúmeros tentáculos do rio, mas não foram achados até ser tarde demais, quando todos já tinham morrido de fome, sede e calor. Dessa forma foi que uma parte da élite do mundo acabou oferecida como sacrifício humano para a entrada do novo século. Manus deusManaus – consonância maléfica.

Não só eles desapareceram, mas até mesmo essa história desapareceu dos arquivos. Eu nunca fui capaz de re-apurá-la na fonte eu mesmo. Será que eu alucinei com o tédio ou o calor? Não, eu tenho certeza que a li como um item genuíno de informação. Por que ela não está na memória de todo mundo, como a tragédia do Titanic?”

CATASTROPHY

Acho bom ter feito as pazes com esse livro, uma vez que a expulsão de objetos hostis é extremamente perigosa. É como um extravio num estado de pecado mortal. Ao invés de seguir seu caminho e entrar em órbita, o objeto força sua passagem de volta nas nebulosas profundezas do corpo. Exatamente o título inicial: <A vida, movendo-se por si mesma, do que está morto> [Memórias Refrigeradas]. E a morte do livro deve, de fato, ser vista como a vingança do mundo físico (e dos outros) contra o simbólico que o(s) nega – um ato sacrifical que é parte do livro em si mesmo. É por isso que você tem que se livrar dele e repassá-lo para outras pessoas, porque, como com qualquer bem simbólico, o mal e a transparência do mal não são coisas de que você deva desfrutar sozinho. É a regra do sacrifício.”

Toda mulher é única. Ela nunca é, portanto, ideal, porque a mulher ideal é um duplo.

Duas mulheres sempre se fundem numa só, combinadas numa eterna duplicidade.

Duas mulheres reais, se se combinam não só na imaginação, podem constituir uma mulher ideal.”

Mas, lá no fundo, duas mulheres não são o bastante. O homem moderno (Der Philosoph, Le Philosophe, Three Women in Love, 1989; Drowning by Numbers, Afogando em Números, 1989) está condenado à fantasia das três mulheres. Com 3 mulheres (ou mais), não há ciúmes nem predileção; uma progressão ritual [encadeamento] é criada, uma transferência de qualidades de uma a outra, uma nada sabendo da outra. Nenhuma quebra: a fagulha de uma nos olhos das outras, os ciúmes de uma no gozo das outras, a transparência de cada uma nas nuances das demais.”

Masculino e feminino estão a anos-luz de distância. Ninguém nem mesmo sabe se persiste uma relação entre os dois. É como bolas de bilhar que se chocam em velocidades diferentes, uma tocando a outra antes que a outra a toque: a não-polaridade dos sexos significa que eles não mais compartilham o mesmo espaço. Cada sexo não mais é, exatamente, o outro do outro sexo. Destarte, não há mais, exatamente, diferenças de sexo.”

RELAÇÃO ASSIMÉTRICA NO MUNDO DO AMOR: “O homem nunca significou a morte para a mulher” “Para haver diferença, as coisas têm de ser comparáveis. Apaixonar-se pelas próprias diferenças – o modelo do sexismo.”

Assim como as defesas do corpo precisam ser neutralizadas antes de um transplante cardíaco, a imunidade da mente precisa ser desligada antes de ela ser inicializada no mundo da inteligência artificial (computadores).

Os intelectuais estão condenados ao desaparecimento quando a inteligência artificial estourar no mercado, igual quando os heróis do cinema mudo desapareceram com a ascensão do cinema falado. Somos todos Buster Keatons.”

Caminhar entre tantos rostos de cujos nomes sua memória se esqueceu é como estar cego. A obliteração de nomes e rostos na memória é como o escurecimento da luz do dia para os olhos.” “Uma luta-livre entre cegos. O árbitro é cego também. Bem como os expectadores. E todo o evento acontece no escuro (essa última condição é supérflua).”

Comunicar? Comunicar? Só meios comunicam.”

Eu sou uma sobremesa para os lobos

#deathmetalyrics

AM I A MAN OR A MEDIUM?

I am mice

Yes we are

Media

I’m in half

Butchered

Pitilessly

Means to an end

Don’t you make no amends

Ships sink

Full of friends

Frenzy’s freak

Machiavelli does not justify my existence

Tense existence

Past tense

Present perfect

Future inexistent

Destined to doom

I’m centered in the edges and thresholds of the world

Where there is this eye that beholds

The eye of the hurricane

Storming sorrow towards my vanquished soul

Há um quê de orgulhoso no ato de evitar se repetir. Você está se iludindo se pensa que os outros prestaram atenção cuidadosa no que você disse, o que é muitas vezes o caso. Na outra mão, há qualquer coisa de uma modéstia exagerada nisso de repetir a mesma história dez vezes: porque isso é agir como se os outros não estivessem ouvindo, o que também não é sempre verdade.”

mais além da alienação, dissolvendo-se na pura outridade.”

O próprio Deus não acredita em Si, de acordo com a tradição. Fazê-lo seria uma fraqueza. Também seria uma fraqueza acreditar que temos uma alma ou um desejo. Deixemos essa fraqueza aos outros, como Deus deixa as crenças para os mortais.”

M., C., J. (C.A.A.O. – COSCUVILHEIRAS AMIGAS, ANGELICAIS E OTIMISTAS)

Histéricos [nós os ansiosos, instáveis por natureza] são esquivos, porque, quando generosos de espírito e demonstrando admiração, obtêm uma forma de reter o controle sobre seus favores. Ou eles são generosos com seus favores, mas mantêm uma distância mental. Esse equilíbrio é uma forma de sedução. Por outro lado, aqueles que se doam completamente são insuportáveis. São o tipo das mulheres harmoniosas, insignificantes e em paz consigo mesmas que qualquer um gostaria de trancar nalgum lugar e fazer sofrer.

ANÁLISE PSICOLÓGICA DO TRIO (AS CARACTERÍSTICAS SE INTENSIFICAM EXPONENCIALMENTE, COMO NUMA FÓRMULA, COM BASE NO AUMENTO DO NÚMERO DE MEMBROS DA PANELINHA):

Devotas, quase casadas, bonitas, na moda, honradas, sociáveis, boas oradoras, boas até demais, com defeito no disfarce de manipuladoras. Risadeiras. Sem senso do tempo apropriado para intervir. Têm consciência (ou chegam perto de achar) que suas vidas são espécies de modelos para o resíduo da gentalha. Inspirações medianas (“qualquer um gostaria de estar no meu lugar”), mas falta-lhes: consciência da própria repelência, o sentido do asco da homogeneidade, o sentimento de grandeza do mundo, do quão pouco seu papel representa, mesmo no sentido quantitativo da coisa, que é sempre onde podem levar vantagem. De certa forma são, sim, invejáveis, pois poucos conseguem possuir fé no futuro. Quem disse que animais não podem ter consciência do estado da felicidade?! Qualquer Outro também invasivo (espelho de suas personalidades, portanto idêntico na forma, porém discordante no conteúdo) torna-se O Inimigo. Senti na pele. Tanto as vantagens de estar alinhado com seu “perímetro do consenso” quanto o tormento de estar “do lado de lá” desses muros. Tirar a prova da panela: todo grupo de fêmeas coscuvilheiras tem a sua vedete masculina, normalmente um afeminado considerado “fiel”, que faz a ponte para salvar as aparências, tornar o hermetismo sectário do grupo algo mais “diplomático” e “palatável” (M., C. e J. possuem E.).

Uma pessoa SS: sempre solícita.

Eventos cativos não reproduzem em cativeiro.” (ler: notícias plantadas)

Which will win out in the long term, enforced idleness or frenzied activism?”

Nossa alta sociedade cultivada só se empanturra de Beckett, Cioran, Artaud [Baudrillard seria o quarto destes cavaleiros do Apocalipse?] e todas essas formas consagradas de cinismo e niilismo para se evadir melhor de qualquer análise das formas atuais de desespero. Eles denunciam com a maior energia político-moral toda presente instância do niilismo, da niilidade dos valores, enquanto <culturalmente> saboreiam as formas heróicas porém anacrônicas de niilismo e o inumano. Eles enaltecem a divisão maldita, todavia mantêm a água benta ao alcance.” Entende-se o que Nietzsche queria dizer com: eu não sou nenhum santo.

Anorexia: ab-reação a nossa euforia (bem-estar)” expiar culpas em dietas

Hipocondria: auto-ingestão de má consciência, digestão de nossos próprios corpos mortos.” Minha expiação: sentar e trabalhar quando nem preciso.

Resumo da minha história: patafísico aos 20 – situacionista aos 30 – utopista aos 40 – transversal aos 50 – viral e metaléptico aos 60.”

O paradoxo de Groucho: não quero pertencer a nenhum clube que me aceite como membro.”

Já matou uma baleia hoje?

Mesmo que não se escutem senão a si mesmas, duas pessoas como o meu pai podem discutir. Já eu comigo ou eu com ele, é totalmente diferente.

If nuclear technology is disappearing over the horizon, this is because new forms of war have taken its place.” Reversibilidade da guerra total: como fomos ingênuos ao esgotar as possibilidades, então!

Casanova conta como ele começou a ter hemorragias nasais por volta dos 4 anos e que foi aí que ele começou a se sentir vivo, sentir que era um ser humano.”

A mulher da sua vida – a expressão é absurda. De fato, é a mulher ou a vida. Não há espaço para as duas juntas. A competição é por demais acirrada.”

Agência Alérgica Apoteótica”

Philippe Alfonsi – Au nom de la science

Vattimo & Rovatti – Il pensiero debole

FREIO

Messala contra o Judaísmo

Roma contra Messala e os cristãos

Cristo contra os judeus

Mas não contra Ben-Hudá

A pragmática contra a crença

Poderá haver amizades?

Rivalidade agônica

Cristianismo: avatar final, vingança da Grécia

Roma, sacrílego, que reifica os deuses perenes, tem que pagar.

Aristocratas são sempre aristocratas

Conde Monte Cristo em nossos corações.

Tudo é permitido para o Senhor dos Exércitos

Tudo é permitido para o Homem, a imagem e semelhança de Deus.

Deus de escravidão – eu queria estar em outra vida, pois não suporto mais esta.

Não suporto mais a religião homem

Não me suporto, portanto

Não suporto a natureza, as chicotadas diárias,

A fome o sono, a falta dum fim depois de tanta aplicação de minha parte

Vou ser a Morte deste Planeta

Onde está sua cara?

Só vejo suas mãos

Todos são falsos iguais

ou falsos igual: é, César de ouro e César maltrapilho

Que vergonha limitar-se a ser dos poderosos!