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June 10, 2005
Against Research
I want a new word for what I do because I'm not at all convinced that I do research. My work is more or less wholly about the consumption of media-92% of it in book form-and the reguritation of new orderings of that media. Theologians don't, as a rule, conduct surveys, dissect corpses, collide atoms, or blow things up. My hunch is that we started calling what we did research because to fit into the idea of the scientific university. I'm not admitting that what I do is less valuable than people who conduct surveys, dissect corpses, collide atoms, or blow things up; it's not. I'm not admitting that what I do belongs in the university any less than people who conduct surveys, dissect corpses, collide atoms, or blow things up. I belong in the university; anyone who has endured my standard comeback to the intended slight, "oh you study theology, the queen of the sciences" ... "well yes thank-you it's so rare to hear anyone outside my discipline acknowledge that these days", knows I believe this. But I don't do research. I read and watch and think. I hug people sometimes. I talk alot. I want a word for this.
Posted by Trevor at June 10, 2005 11:37 AM
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Comments
"Building up the Body of Christ" comes to mind, but that's six words...
Posted by: Susie Shaefer at June 11, 2005 04:29 PM
Oh, I think that's research but if you want another word, how about "living"? ;)
Posted by: Anne at June 16, 2005 07:23 AM
Prayer.
Posted by: Tripp at June 16, 2005 03:46 PM
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