At the moment I’m trying to think through a kind of peculiar imperative, that of the conversation. Imagine a scene: a pub, restaurant or party, one in which the focus is a kind of average everyday, ‘passing the time’ conversation. The subjects roam across TV programs, a little current affairs, perhaps venturing into some personal experience. Maybe the topics don’t even reach this far and consist of a banter about women, men, sex, people that are hated or disliked. At some point in this situation someone begins to express an opinion that is unusual and they continue to express it even when it comes up against confusion and disagreement. Each time someone objects, another reason is given. The game becomes one of giving and taking reasons, except it is at this point that something arises that is no longer smooth. Aggression, anger or a general heightened emotional state begin to be displayed - the scene is decsending into an argument and not a reasonable, debating society type of argument nor an emotionally over-loaded inter-personal conflict but rather a confrontation and disruption.

Read the rest of this entry »