8 Comments
Sep 6, 2022Liked by GD McClintock

I quite like this; it's mostly well-written, where it's not overwritten with showboaty rhetorical jargon. I suppose that's an 'About Barthes' thing, I've seen it before, lots. Academia, eh? I feel I already have a pretty good handle on pop-culture Barthes, having never actually read him (I tend to skate over texts, avoiding the thin ice). Always fun to get a new, thoughtful and erudite take!

The ostensible subject of this one, "Keeper of the Hearth" is unclear until almost half-way through, where it is named. Ok...

“Here already from the very beginning England’s heart shines,” admires EZM. “She wishes to create a network and community of colleagues banded together to interpret ideals of love, responsibility, comfort, and most importantly care taking.” England? WTF? Oh, the editor.

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Thanks very much for your comment. If you read Barthes, you may find that his texts differ significantly from how they have been appropriated by his acolytes in academia.

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Sep 6, 2022Liked by GD McClintock

I have no doubt. That's why I like your take, I've never encountered it before. I might even read Barthes, one day!

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If you decide to take the plunge, I recommend starting with Mythologies and, if you like it, then move on to Camera Lucida. Enjoy, and thanks again!

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Jan 5, 2023Liked by GD McClintock

I enjoyed your review, which convinces me that it is not an essential book to look for, as if it would be available for perusal anywhere near me.

As I looked further down your comments here I flashed on the title as Camera Luddite thinking it of a piece with your review and appropriate, which isn't to say that I have not found Barthes' small book without merit (its the "acolytes in academia" I have mostly not read), illuminating and identifying issues beyond the circularity of most photospeak., pertinent to contemporaneity.

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Thanks for your comment. I wish the academically inclined would read Barthes for Barthes, rather than for photography.

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Sep 7, 2022Liked by GD McClintock

The gatekeepers. The emergents. The holy lucky ones. The smoothies. The ones who lend the moon a beam. The ones who defer to degrees of lockstep. The bald cynicism which informs my viewfinder. Thank you, Mr. McClintock. Your essay underlines the lubrication of a pervasive machination, which thrives on rehashing contemporary photographers the world needs to watch.

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Thank for your poetic reading of my text. I really appreciate your remarks.

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