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Spring Hopes Eternal? David A Westbrook on Neo-Liberalism, "Paranoia within Reason" (David A. Westbrook, USA, 05/18/23 9:32 am)

Hope this finds everyone well.

WAISers might like the open letter "After Liberal Economics," in my latest substack: Springtimes; Paranoia Within Reason; After Liberal Economics. (Hank Levin has gotten back to me on this...)

Springtimes; Paranoia Within Reason; After Liberal Economics (substack.com)

WAISers into podcasts might also like Maguire & Westbrook, Getting Through Security Part III.

David A. Westbrook Intermittent Signal | a podcast by davidalbertwestbrook (podbean.com)

Construction here in the Highlands! Big window, tree planting, slowly adding on.

JE comments:  Bert, on your two-mile-high perch in Fairplay, Colorado, spring springs very late.  Your essay (first link) is a beautiful example of the Westbrook genre:  the sweeping open letter, with equal parts erudition, humor, and "aw shucks" introspection.  There's never a shibboleth you don't question.  And don't overlook the photographs.  WAIS today has been about coincidences, so here's another one:  I was in the MoMA courtyard just last summer, and spoke with Aldona on the phone while sitting in one of those chairs.

But yikes:  you have a 70-year-old Belgian crystal tumbler balanced very precariously on the railing.  Perhaps, in some unconscious way, it's a metaphor for today's economy?  Looks good (and tastes very good), but everything could shatter in an instant.

When time permits, I'd like to pick your brain for how "innovation" is an article of faith.  As you point out, this is especially the case in Academia, where "publish or perish" has seemingly been replaced with "innovate or perish."

Your essay and podcast give much food for thought.  WAISers, please chew thoroughly, and send me your postprandial reflections.

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