- Resistentialism
Resistentialism is a jocular theory in which inanimate objects display hostile desires towards human beings. For example, objects that cause problems (like lost keys or a fleeing bouncy ball) exhibit a high degree of resistentialism. In other words, a war is being fought between humans and inanimate objects, and all the little annoyances objects give people throughout the day are battles between the two. The term was coined by humorist Paul Jennings in a piece titled "Report on Resistentialism" published in
The Spectator in1948 . The movement is a spoof ofexistentialism in general, andJean-Paul Sartre in particular (Jennings gives the inventor of Resistentialism as Pierre-Marie Ventre). The slogan of Resistentialism is "Les choses sont contre nous" -- "Things are against us".The concept also appears in the
Discworld novels of English authorTerry Pratchett , where it is referred to as "malignity" or "malignance"; one practical example the author gives is the tendency of garden hoses, no matter how carefully one coils and stores them, to unloop themselves overnight and tie thebicycle to thelawnmower . It is associated with theAuditors of Reality , and possibly also with Anoia, goddess of Things that Stick in Drawers.Thomas Pynchon 's novelV. examines resistentialism through the character of Benny Profane, who is under the impression that he can only deal successfully with animate objects. Throughout the novel, the dividing line between animate and inanimate objects become blurred, such as the Bad Priest, who is mostly machine, a talkingprotective suit named SHROUD, and sewer-dwellingalligators who are aware that they were intended to be toy pets for children. Pynchon's novelGravity's Rainbow deals with similar resistentialist conflicts.Farin Urlaub 's single "Dusche " is a rock song featuring the idea, in which the singer believes the contents of his house are planning to assassinate him.ee also
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Intentional stance External links
* [http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/331/7531/1498?ehom The displacement of teaspoons study ] Resistentialism and missing teaspoons.
* [http://www.handstones.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/yewtree/resources/resistentialism.htm Report on Resistentialism] byPaul Jennings
* [http://www.tuppenceworth.ie/Politics/Corrib-5.html] An application of Resistentalism to complex systems
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