Book 2 - #43 1/7/01 1:19:30 PM
Revised: - 1/31/01 12:42:13 AM

It is not inconceivable that the reason
for our unfortunate circumstances
could be things, things from our everyday existence.
they are powerful with a reality 
somewhat different than the reality of [ourselves]
Somehow these multiple tendencies toward 
isolation reinforce one another [to the point that]
isolation yields an emotional vacuum.
we try to suppress this strange feeling.
I clothe my naked villainy with old odds and ends
a beautiful mind comes from meeting with things. 
When we meet with things, the mind has a chance to grow.
people are saddened when they do not find 
some unexpected element in the known.
Don't waste another minute...
try rubbing some objects together
stop for a moment to encounter each other
and see what happens.
You have many to choose from.
a single layer of tissue paper, 
a golden bees wax candle taper,
a piece of wire in an uninterrupted loop, 
quilts, coverlets and rugs, bowl for soup,
old yogurt container, jar of beans,
coins and silver objects, fine wool skiens
a corrugated cardboard box painted blue
lighting devices, vintage toaster of silver hue
two paper clips, a Model-T Ford 
objects for food processing, length of board
high-wheel bicycle and roller skates
streetcar, buggies, artificial baits,
a black marker, a fishing line
a few ceremonial objects, lemon rind
complete set of dental office equipment,
wooden crates for overseas shipment,
1 foot of plastic-coated wire, 
pencil, key, bundle of briar,
bright pink eraser, wine bottle cork, 
a pen cap, extra long bar-b-que fork, 
insulated copper wire, black frying pan, 
measuring spoon, mug, and architect’s plan,
agricultural implements, music playing machines,
dog eared book, a pair of faded blue jeans
hacksaw (the volunteer should be the only one using this), 
spatula, the foil from a hershys chocolate kiss
bikes and refrigerators, small smithereens
hair pins, clothes pins, can of sardines
paper clips, credit cards, a long blue shoe lace
Hairspray, some tape, a cigarette case
a glass bottle of vinegar, a small velcro strap,
a piece of cloth covered in plastic wrap,
114 metres of thin silver foil, 
a large piece of string dipped in peppermint oil, 
cardboard container, 3 oz. box of orange jello, 
silver candlesticks, thumbtacks bright lemon yellow, 
a staple remover, and water storage pots,
microphone cables tied together in knots
picture frame, serving fork, lard-hook, soup-ladle,
cooking pot, brazier, baby doll cradle
a comb with carved handle, a rectangular wooden stool,
fireplace utensils, a cross-shaped tire tool
tiny strips of metal printed on a sheet, 
a teapot, a pitcher, a bicycle seat
X-Acto knife, andiron, shovel for ash, 
poker, bellows, studio trash
trammel, pot stand, a variety of warmers, 
a tripod, a sponge, electrical transformers
turnspits and ash holders, an old-fashioned hair dryer
bungie cords, duct tape, tie wraps and baling wire
a soft-bristled hair brush, pony tail holders,
various kinds of rocks, landscaping boulders
soup-bowl, goblet, serving platter, plate, 
a round, 5 pound exercising weight,
measures and pitchers, forks and spoons.
A small box full of butterfly cocoons 
skillet, waffle-iron, frying-pan and coffee-roaster,
glass casserole, stew kettle, beer bottle coaster
a wooden 78rpm record player
cauldrons, pie-dishes, an ordinary garden sprayer,
cake moulds, computers of all types
and fritter-irons, knives, cleavers, and pipes
larding needles, graters, old oak mallets,
rolling pins, pepper and salt mills, wooden pallets
skimmers, collanders, spoons, and spatulas, 
4 Zip-Lock bags and a plastic grocery bag
a oily old red mechanic’s rag
lances, halberds and spitoons full of tobacco spittle,
a sheet of paper with a riddle
rapiers, swords in random order, 
Handkerchief with a yellow border
dead pets, such as dogs and cats. 
Even mice and squirrels and rats
a box of cosmetic items, an acetylene torch
the wooden swing on the front porch
linen, a bed, a headrest, a jar stand, a jar, 
a wheel taken from an old railroad car,
a long thin watering can spout
black-and-white negatives spaced out 
so they cannot accidentally touch one another, 
a clear plastic computer cover
sewing machine foot, a piano hinge.
An unsharpened pencil with a yellowish tinge
old Bank notes, vacuum gas extractor
field notes, a candy wrapper, 
a piece of silk, a ball of aluminum foil, 
a plastic pen, a copper coil
and  a small magnet with a hole in the center 
are closely related to each other,
keys, the bottom of a shotgun shell, 
a small brass dinner bell
You have to keep it simple.
scientists have only begun to approach a resolution to this problem.
particularly the new awareness of the importance of studying the behaviour of matter in its full complexity.
It has to survive the intense criticism and scrutiny 
that are part of the scientific method of validation
(For those of you that may be interested) 

 
 
 
 


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