Re: [acornlive] (Fwd) WHY2K?

Greg Farnum (acornlive@dublinwriters.org)
Thu, 23 Mar 2000 09:35:52 -0500 

Liam,

A very interesting letter, and one that prompts two questions.  First, you
mentioned Eire being mortgaged to the hilt to the EU; are there any easily
accessible magazines or web sites that discuss this subject?  Secondly, where do
your own writings appear?

Greg Farnum
Troy, Michigan
USA


Liam Ronan wrote:

> John's observations are chiefly two (as I read them anyway). First assertion
> made is that he is in good, if depressing company and the second ventured
> that it is an obvious fact that as Ireland and the Irish grew more
> prosperous their writing grew more introspective and dark. An explanation is
> wanted. Nessa solicits suggestions from the bright people, but I decided to
> respond nonetheless.
>
> The struggle I have in replying arises more out of the terms John uses to
> posit his position than from a desire to respond with vigour. For example,
> "good" company can be an assembly of cheery fellows exchanging vapid
> pleasantries. That indeed would qualify as "depressing" company in my books.
> However, "good" company might mean a gathering that sets blood to boiling;
> ignites imagination; incites outrage (even horror); and thereby sows a rich
> crop for use as writing material. Such company would be distressing to be
> sure, but far from depressing.
>
> Now as for prosperous Eire (mortgaged to the eyeballs to the EU and on a day
> not far off doomed to pay the piper) and her increasingly introspective and
> dark writings, my wish (not my belief) is that it were indeed so. If in fact
> Eire is affluent and still able to be introspective in her creative arts,
> then it is cause to celebrate. Wealth would not have washed away her
> personal and collective sins; her conscience would be intact; her dark
> vision of the rifts in human souls would yet be clear-eyed. However, I
> humbly urge that  "introspection" not be confused with "narcissism" and
> "dark" with "despairing". Poverty stricken Eire may not have been invited to
> the cocktail party of nations in times past because she was not painted
> sufficiently. Insulated thereby, certain vile temptations never entered her
> consciousness. Now she is avant garde; dressed to the nines on borrowed
> money; giddy from the attention; but fatally innocent.
>
> I should say to you, John, that Eire is largely engaged at the moment in a
> veritable bacchanal of narcissism and despair because she is desperately
> catching up with the atheistic, humourless, consumerist good company that
> longs to depress her.
>
> Liam Ronan
> West Cork, Republic of Ireland
>
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