Week 4 01.11.09

It seems that like I many people found Henri Lefebvre's 'The Production of Space' challenging. To be quite frank I’m just not sure that I got it.

I did however very much enjoy the discussion it lead to despite feeling somewhat inferior to the source material.

Theory was discussed in this workshop as a seeking of truth. I thought that this was a most thought provoking phrase. I drew a doodle (see above).

My first problem with this phrase is that I find it difficult to accept there being one truth. I find it quite plausible to believe in the possibility of their being many truths surviving simultaneously without one being superior to or more correct than the other.

Secondly, assuming that there is a singular truth- how can anyone recognise that it is the one truth? How can anyone judge this? To live a life trying to find this one truth appears foolhardy to me. Striving for an impossible and unworthy goal will not lead to happiness.

I believe that because of this strange desire to pursue the truth that people construct theory in order to try and access the truth. From my experience theory (and concepts) do not fit well within a list of categories and descriptions as life is far more akin to amorphous forms blending into one another with both shared and dissimilar characteristics and aspects than a filing cabinet type organisational system.

Then comes the individual in relation to both the truth and the constructed theory. People like to align themselves within this arrangement either in groups such as is seen in religion or as individuals. We find this comforting, this is human and it ok. Each person is never aligned perfectly with any one concept as the concepts are changing and amorphous therefore we all enjoy a unique and changing relationship with theory at different times of the day and at different times of our life. I celebrate this.

Scott’s statement the having a concept is important also sat uncomfortably with me. As one who does not recognise a need for a universal truth I find it hard to be attached to a single concept. I find theory and concept fascinating and useful on a descriptive level but am unsure as to what purpose it ultimately serves as I have sneaking suspicion that theorising is ultimately a self indulgent pursuit.