Donald Phillip Verene famous quotes

Technological consciousness takes itself dead seriously; it has no sense of humor. The fool can play no role in it, for there is no other realm that is can see beyond itself to which the fool can point. Consciousness in the throes of desire cannot tolerate laughter any more than criticism of laughter can be tolerated in a moment of sexual lust.
-- Donald Phillip Verene

#Laughter #Play #Lust

The media is the thought-form of the technological society, and it finds nothing it does to be laughable, a sure sign that it is not human.
-- Donald Phillip Verene

#Media #Doe #Form

The promise of technology is to remove the division between culture and nature. Whatever part of nature that is left over as an independent force is covered by the technological bluff, which refers it to the agenda of the future and disguises the deficiencies of the present.
-- Donald Phillip Verene

#Independent #Technology #Promise

No new choices are introduced by raising the specter of disaster. These become opportunities for swearing new allegiance to technology. The solution is to discover new technologies that will correct and modify the harm either potentially or already caused by present technologies.
-- Donald Phillip Verene

#Technology #Opportunity #Choices

The Book of Job is advice on how to live in terms of the absolute power of nature. Leviathan is advice on how to live in terms of the absolute power of the state.
-- Donald Phillip Verene

#Jobs #Book #Advice

Contemporary philosophy illustrates Hegel's dictum that philosophy is its own time apprehended in thought, for in our age philosophy yields to the objectifying technical impulse and loses its ancient task of pursuing the Socratic ideal of the wisdom of the examined life.
-- Donald Phillip Verene

#Philosophy #Yield #Age

After the first few readings in comedy venues I did begin to write for laughs. There's something so gratifying about stimulating laughter.

Laughter springs from the lawless part of our nature.

In the midst of the sense of tragedy or loss, sometimes laughter is not only healing, it's a way of experiencing the person that you've lost again.

Tell me not here, it needs not saying, What tune the enchantress plays In aftermaths of soft September Or under blanching mays, For she and I were long acquainted And I knew all her ways.

If you want to know about the Sixties, play the music of The Beatles.

People will insist on treating the mons Veneris as though it were Mount Everest. Too silly!

For pure will, unassuaged of purpose, delivered from the lust of result, is every way perfect.

Because no one has more thirst for earth, for blood, and for ferocious sexuality than the creatures who inhabit cold mirrors

To what base ends, and by what abject ways, Are mortals urg'd through sacred lust of praise!

He ran his finger along my jawline and down my neck. "The wait will be fun, but it's not going to be easy."