My general theory since 1971 has been that the word is literally a virus, and that it has not been recognised as such because it has achieved a state of relatively stable symbiosis with its human host; that is to say, the word virus (the Other Half) has established itself so firmly as an accepted part of the human organism that it can now sneer at gangster viruses like smallpox and turn them in to the Pasteur Institute.
—William Burroughs, The Adding Machine
2006-11-29 08:24:24 · 8 answers · asked by a_delphic_oracle 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Really? Dawkins mentions this? Interesting.
2006-11-29 08:31:39 · update #1
Words are the source of all the trouble between people. Words cause the hate and misunderstanding of the world. This is more harmful than even proper diseases like small pox.
2006-11-29 08:50:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That sounds to me like a portrait of a human being and the outside world/society that he sees. It's not so much a virus as a landscape or reality that he has to see. Even if he was blind, he'd be essentially looking out upon a landscape of darkness.
2006-11-29 16:31:51 · answer #2 · answered by Julian 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Burroughs is agreeing with Dawkins' concept of the 'meme,' that is, that words have a viral type of power by being passed from person to person and affecting them.
2006-11-29 16:27:45 · answer #3 · answered by Cobalt 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Which word is the virus? It is not clear to me.
2006-11-29 16:27:59 · answer #4 · answered by saopaco 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well what's the "word" that he's equating with a virus?
2006-11-29 16:30:08 · answer #5 · answered by nuthnbettr2do0128 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Freemasons are the virus.
2006-11-29 16:34:37 · answer #6 · answered by KOY3S 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nothing, just the ramblings of someone.
2006-11-29 16:34:18 · answer #7 · answered by IN Atlanta 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
psycobabble
2006-11-29 16:29:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋