<<

ANT Fall 1975 3 Letter from the President Robert H. Atwell

4 Profile: Stanley Kauffmann Karol Greene

A Mark of Genius: The Participant is mailed without charge to friends of Pitzer College in 8 The Need to Go Public the United States and abroad. The magazine is planned around themes Robert S. Albert of current and broad interest, and features articles by the Pitzer College faculty, staff, and alumni, with occasional contributions by outside Pitzer Courses writers. 14 The magazine also brings to its read­ ers accounts of the faculty's research, Old - All Around Me writing and other professional in­ 15 volvement in their respective fields. Bert Meyers Contributions to further this area of the College's effort toward visibility and communication are appreciated and may be sent to President's Office, Pitzer College, 1050 No. Mills Ave., Communication Breakdown: Claremont, California 91711. 16 Understanding Arguments Pitzer College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, religion, race, or Donnald Brenneis creed either in admitting sty-dents or in allocating financial aid.

Designed and edited by Virginia 18 Through the Boob Tube Rauch. Photographs by Michael Hur­ witz, '75, pp. 1,2,22,24; Arthur Nick Williams Dubinsky, p. 2; Judy Griesedieck, '75, pp. 4,22; George Rose, pp. 19,23; Jamie Orlikoff, senior, p. 24; Art, p. 18, Ben Bull; David Levine, p. 8. 2 0 Participating

VOL. 9, No.3, Fall 1975 Robert F. Duvall f The Pitzer Participant "is published quarterly by Pitzer College, 1050 No. Mills Ave., Claremont, Ca. 91711. Community Notes Second class permit granted by 22 Claremont, Ca. 91711. 2

OUR CONTRIBUTORS

.. . Professor Robert Albert's re­ ... Although Karol Greene's con­ Nick Williams search on genius has dislodged some centration at Pitzer was in political favorite misconceptions about the studies, she made a significant impact subject. For example, he says that with her in-depth personality profiles there are no "undiscovered genius­ for The Collegian of The Claremont es", that we rarely find geniuses Colleges. When Stanley Kauffmann among "late bloomers" and that most visited the Pitzer campus, Ms. Greene persons of genius capabilities make a tuned in on the eminent theater and significant mark in their field by the film critic for The New Republic and time they reach 24 years of age. produced the profile on page 4 . According to Professor Albert, A follower of the theatrical and " This says it's a whole new ball game political fortunes of the Smothers Professor Brenneis - we have to approach it differently. Brothers for several years - she is What I'd like to do if I had the money, now set for an exclusive interview for is choose 75 families and make predic­ a profile on the couple. tions on who will and won't evidence At publication date, she w a~ ;ob­ genius qualities when they hit their hunting in the newspaper and early 20's." magazine world, hoping to specialize His article in this issue of The Par­ in writing personality profiles. ticipant, excerpted from American Psychologist, February 1975, is part of a larger, long-term study. He is also co-author of a book in another field, Aging and the Aged, to be published early next year by Glencoe Press. Professor Meyers .. . Admirers of Nick Williams, re­ tired Editor of the Los Angeles Times, and humorist, whose articles warmed . . . Professor Donald Brenneis' arti­ the op-ed pages of that newspaper, cle is based on "You Fruithead: can enjoy him on page 18 of The Par­ A Sociolinguistic Approach to ticipant. Now Editorial Consultant to Children's Dispute Settlement" the Publisher of the Times, and co-authored with Laura Lein, and member of the Board of Trustees of originally presented at the American Pitzer College, Mr. Williams still occa­ Anthropological Association meeting sionally shares with Times readers in 1974. It is now being published in humorous accounts of his Laguna Child Discourse by Academic Press. Beach life. "Ms. Lein and I are presenting a Karol Greene follow-up paper comparing children's arguments among white Americans, . Professor Bert Meyers' poetry is black Americans, and Fiji Indian chil­ from a forthcoming book, And Still it dren this fall at the AAA meetings Happens. With his wife, Odette, a in a second session on child dis­ French literature scholar, he has trans­ course." lated Lord of the Village, "a bestiary of Professor Brenneis' major research 23 animal poems." W ri tten by Franco is interest is in conflict and law and in Dodat in French, the translated version the use of language in conflict. This appears in both French and English. fall, he and Seth Kravitz, Pitzer With a semester's sabbatical leave graduate, class of '75, will read a paper behind him, Professor Meyers is back at the American Folklore Society an­ at Pitzer teaching Modem American nual meeting in New Orleans. The Professor Albert Poetry, Shorter Russian Fiction, and title is "Comparative Study of Verbal Creative Writing: Poetry. Dueling." 3

from the President

President Atwell

(excerpted from President Robert H. American higher education, we need be­ been a good thing, particularly as we Atwell's opening remarks to the facul- lievers. This would not be an excellent have become more tenured. I also think ty) college simply because we have said it is; that excellence needs to be pushed in at but it would not have become excellent least two other respects. First, we need to We concluded several years ago that unless some of you had wanted it to be, do more to recognize and reward excel­ the beginning of the year was not the and it will only continue to improve its lent academic achievements of students. best time to try to provoke a faculty position if most of us want it to - because We are beginning to do this in terms of discussion of "Whither the College". I from here on, the 'going is tougher. honors programs, and I would urge that still feel that way, so what I want to do That moves me along rather easily into we do even more, including but certainly this morning is primarily give you some the subject of marketing. If one opts for not limited to a Phi Beta Kappa chapter of my thoughts and then simply give you the "no fundamental change" strategy, and other forms of recognition. Second­ a chance to express yours. then, the problem is marketing. We may ly, our egalitarian faculty rewards sys­ Beginning with the "change versus no already be one of the top 10 liberal arts tem should, I think, make more provision change" construct, I do not now favor colleges in the nation, but if so, that is for rewarding superior performance. The any drastic change in direction for the not generally known and understood. judgments need not be made entirely or College. That may partly be the conserv­ even primarily by the Dean and Presi­ atism which comes with age - and I do Marketing must start with the stu­ dents we have and their retention. The dent, but surely we can develop more remember times when I was pushing ways of recognizing superior work. more change than I would now advocate fact remains that better retention is the single most important key to the im­ Finally, the Rooseveltian dictum about - but I prefer to believe that it is basically the greatest fear being fear itself is because we are quite good at what we are provement of quality; if we retain a higher proportion of entering students, applicable to our situation. We do and and what we do. With an eye to the must continue to live close to the brink student market, it would be easy to con­ we can be more selective in admissions. It is everyone's problem and requires financially and accept the fact that bril­ clude that we need to change in the liant success with all of our marketing direction of some current or imagined that everyone do the myriad subtle things that will make this place more efforts will not change that picture future fads. I would confess that had we much. We can and will become renowned jumped in the direction of some fads attractive to more of our students. It may b.e conscientious advising, including as the premier liberal arts college we are, which some of us have advocated in the and will still in most of our professional past, we would h.ave hurt our position timely letters of recommendation, or lifetimes be always on the edge financial­ and not improved it. simply showing those with whom you ly, and will always fall short of doing Rather, I think we should adopt as a come in contact first that you are a everything we should do for our kind of implicit and rather unquantifiable professional with high standards that students. We may, in short, achieve goal, the objective of being one of the ten you will insist upon, and secondly that greatness without prosperity because the or twelve best liberal arts colleges in the you care about this place . I think we latter takes a lot longer than anyone nation in the next 10 years and the best have a responsibility to the students and realized back in 1963; and the America of in one or two areas. That is a straight­ their families who are shelling out $20,000 plus dollars to come here to the last quarter of the century will be forwardly elitist objective and I think much more inhospitable to higher educa­ that the elitism of academic excellence is present ourselves unapologetically as professionals with high standards, work­ tion than America of the late 40's, 50's, something we need not apologize for so and most of the 60's. long as we are making a serious effort ing in a serious academic atmosphere. It may seem hard to try to end on a Finally, I think we must insist on toward equalizing the opportunity to join note of optimism given the challenges excellence in all that we do, and reward that elite. Those are nice words, but that we face, however, I prefer to believe what does it mean and how do we get it to a greater degree than we have. I that we have so much going for us that in there? ! have observed over the past several just a few more years we will achieve the It means, first, building on our pride years a perceptible tightening of academ­ recognition we deserve. and self-respect as professionals and as a ic standards and have been pleased by college community. If we really want that. The same thing has happened with this place to improve its position in faculty personnel actions and that has Robert H . Atwell 4

...... PROFILE: ...... STANLEY KAUFFMANN

"Modest violets don't become from 1931-41 studied and trained interest those friends and interest critics. Every critic influences; with that career in mind. He fell myself in my writing, I am

however, he shouldn't have Lord into criticsm later: II Actually," he pleased. There is no other way to High Executioner status." confessed, "I have had profes­ operate," he declared. Satisfied with the impact of his sional training in all three fields in In contrasting the criticism in assertion, Stanley Kauffmann, whieh I write." He had spent ten his theatre collection, published film and theatre critic for The New years as an actor and stage man­ last year, with selections from The Republic magazine, settled back ager with the Washington Square New Republic, Kauffmann admit­ in his chair. It was mid-morning, Players and an equal number as a ted that he has noticed some dif­ with the promise of a warm and book publisher's editor before ferences in tone, but he asserted fairly clear day ahead. Turning his joining the staff of The New Re­ that these were in tone of voice gaze from the San Gabriel moun­ public,as its film critic in 1958. He only and not in intent or stan­ tains in the distance, he continued had been writing some criticism dards. He made it obvious that he to verbalize his thoughts. all along, since 1942, as well as a enjoyed his working relationship "When I was a child, the idea of large numbers of plays and seven with The New Republic: studying to be a critic was prepos­ novels. By 1960, he observed, "I terous, unthinkable. People in the thought I had written all the "I really have a dream job. I theatre saw the critic as the failed novels I had to write. Criticism fit work at home () artist - which is both true and the bent at that moment." and send in my material. They valuable. The critic who has tried rarely interfere with the text, and to make art is much better than "When I write a piece of criti­ given the rarity of the editing, I do one who has never stumbled." cism, I attempt to appeal to myself not object. I would be ungrateful As a child, he thought he'd be­ and a very few of my most de­ if I did," he insisted. Kauffmann come an actor and director, and manding friends. If I am able to shifted his position in the chair.

When I write a piece of criticism, I attempt to appeal to my most demanding friends. If I am able to interest those friends and interest myself in my writing, I am pleased. There is no other way ,to operate. 5

He was dressed in a slightly-worn society; it doesn't often initiate - more concentrated effort at pro­ brown corduroy coat, dark brown more often it amplifies." ducing a work of art." cuffed pants with a blue shirt He was eager to bring the dis­ He listed films which he tucked in; his tie of reddish­ cussion around to the film and art: claimed must be considered in orange print hung slightly askew. "There again, the two are in­ any "set of equipment for the The fob of his watch dangled out separable - film is an art. A film culturally-civilized person." In­ of his pocket and he fingered it is nothing without art. One that cluded were Potemkin, L' Aven­ from time to time. His hair was exists without being art - it's tura (" a calendar-page of 20th cen­ that shade of grey that brings to marijuana. Either it's a drug - tury consciousness"), The Gold mind a picture of the celebrated just a drug - or it's art," he de­ Rush, D. W. Griffith's Way Down artist, the learned professor, the clared firmly. East, , La Grande Illu­ classic scholar. But it was his eyes It seemed important to pursue sion, and Some Like it Hot, which that captured one's attention; it the issue with him. Kauffmann he called" a great farce." Someone was not that they were piercing, was eager to explain his concept asked him about the critic's im­ cutting through the object of their and when asked if it were possible pact on the public's attitude to­ gaze. Rather, they suggested for his vision of a truly great film ward film; he smiled, seemingly penetration, that kind of intensity to be popular with the public, he as much to himself as to anyone of perception that defies direct volunteered, "A few have been ­ of his listeners, as if the question focus in order to reach beyond take Verdi (Italian composer and were a part of some greater irony surface structure to the essence the subject of an article which that he had dealt with before. He beneath. When asked if he read Kauffmann had just completed)­ leaned forward, "The critic for the other film critics, he responded, he was the last unquestionably New York Times has the most "There are none that interest me great musical genius. He was a powerful critical job in the world. always and consistently, none for great genius and also extremely He has no other counterpart in which I have unqualified re­ any other city. He wields propor­ spect." When I was a child, the idea of tionately more influence, and, un­ less he's stupid, he almost always He preferred not to mention any studying to be a critic was prepos­ admits that power." names, insisting that he hates cri­ terous, unthinkable. People in the tics that knock other critics - "the theatre saw the critic as the failed In 1966, Kauffmann left The practice is utterly cheap and con­ artist - which is both true and New Republic to become theatre temptible," he exclaimed. valuable. critic for the Times; after an eight month period, he left to return as Kauffmann went on however, film critic for The New Republic. to state that Eric Bentley, drama popular. Except for a few He continued, "Walter Kerr, critic critic, was, in his opinion, "one of film makers of the 20th century, for the Times, once tried to deny the most significant critics in the accepted geniuses like Proust, the power, then gave up a half of history of criticism - when I say Joyce, Beckett, and Picasso oper­ it, because he was afraid of it. No history of criticism, I mean from ated for an elite. This wasn't true one assuming that position has the beginning. His Life of Drama is of Verdi or Chaplin or D. W. Grif­ done anything to increase that one of the best ever!" fith. Once in a while you get a film like that. Fellini's new one, Amar­ power. It was the theatre that gave He was questioned about his cord, is a memoir of adolescence the critics the amount of power by view of the relationship between and a very fine work of art. I can't idolizing them, by hanging on film and society, and hastily coun­ imagine anyone seeing it and not every burp that the critic emits, tered that it was impossible to responding somehow." and then complaining when the discuss: He added, "The last few years burp changes." "It's like saying, what is the have produced a fragmentation in It was evident that Kauffmann relationship of the ahn to the film audiences. This is a mixed was becoming interested in the body - film is a function of soci­ curse - which means that half of topic; as he continued talking, the ety. The two are inseparable. All it is a blessing. Film has become spaces between his comments film is social; it cannot be di­ individualistic to the public - has grew larger. It was as if this man vorced from society. It influences forced the film industry to make a of celebrated natural wit was 6

choosing his words most care­ iceberg. There are countless American Western, and Kauff­ fully, weighing each phrase in his documentaries - social documen­ mann was asked how he felt about mind before uttering it. It was taries that don't surface. There are the most recent crop of films. He almost possible to watch his mind more courageous young unrecog­ began by mentioning Butch Cas­ work; one could see that mind nized film makers today in the sidy and the Sundance Kid: functioning by observing his eyes U. S. than in any other art," he " Butch Cassidy is an example of perceive every inch of ground that exclaimed. what I call the New West End his mind covered. He volun­ This was a subject that touched Avenue Western. Here is another teered, "Film has a greater resil­ him deeply; he was excited about example - Bad Company - in iency than the theatre. You can't it and it showed. that one, there is a scene where kill a picture like Love Story by He shook his head - "There is several young cowboys are sitting laughing at it in New York. The a whole stream of films that no­ around a campfire. It involves kill­ critic should be able to say what body knows about. Film has not ing and skinning some rabbits for he has to say freely without fear­ died," he insisted. a meal. The film presents you with ing that what he says will cut the sounds of shots and the rip­ someone's throat. He can be of What the public knows of film ping apart of the flesh. In the immense aid to both art and the today is only the tip of the scene, the young members of the audience - that aid entails the iceberg. There are countless group get nauseous. Now, any­ necessity of making a negative documentaries - social documen­ body that knows anything about comment - if it is needed." taries that don't surface. the farm and living in the country Kauffmann was asked if film knows that real cowboys don't get had a responsibility to society. He nauseous; they like to kill the rab­ maintained: Kauffmann admitted that he bit and skin it. What happened in "It cannot help making social watches little television. Every this film is a city sensibility. It is comment. Even "beach party" once in a while, he has turned it anachronistic and all wrong. The pictures make them. The more on to a late night talk show. "I use urban sensibility has intruded on it as a shoehorn to get me into the Western movies like Butch bed," he chuckled, adding, "T. V. The critic for and McCabe and Mrs. Miller . .. has the most powerful critical job is the uranium lode of the 20th They get rid of attitudinizing in the world. He has no other century. The major networks are without replacing it with some­ counterpart in any other city. making billions - when Frank thing mythologically satisfying," Stanton makes an appearance at he asserted. serious the film maker is the more the Senate committee hearings - responsibility he has to himself. A it's like trying to stop a tank with a film maker like Stanley Kramer paper airplane. National advertis­ who makes a film strictly for a ing is basically interesed in T. V. Films cannot help making social profit, makes a film that is gener­ and the medium has become the comments. Even " beach party" ally a bore." money mill. For a while, the major pictures make them. He mentioned Wanda, a film networks gave some funds to pub­ which was written, and directed lic television, but public broad­ by Barbara Loden, wife of Elia casting got a little too good, and so Kauffmann concluded, " If Kazan. He said, "Now here is a they stopped giving. Hoping for you're going to try to tell the truth good picture about a Polish­ T. V. is like hoping for Broadway. about the West, don't do it with American girl who is battered into I have better things to do with my caprice. Tell what it was really like affectlessness by men - who is time." to sweat 14 hours a day for beans. almost completely anaesthetized There were still so many ques­ Cowboy is a good example - or by the pounding of society, re­ tions left to ask, and Kauffmann Pocket Money, with Paul New­ ticently ... it's unpleasant without appeared to have so much more to man and Lee Marvin. being exciting and therefore has say. The sun was getting hotter, He proceeded to recount a scene been unpopular. and he moved his chair into the from the movie. From what fol­ "What the public knows of film shade of the building. The discus­ lowed it was easy to tell that he today is only the tip of the sion moved to the area of the loved his craft, that it gave him 7

much pleasure. As he described the scene several of us who had Stanley Kauffmann on Film gathered round him, burst into W. W. and the Dixie Dancekings his own sex appeal. I have a gales of laughter. He had carried (20th Century-Fox). It's flawed and hunch that this evolution was us with him into his world and we unsatisfactory, but it does have made for Reynolds by the discov­ were delighted to accompany some breeze and life and what it ery of his private lightness at pri­ him. Here was a man of vivacity, has of them comes from its right­ vate parties or their new public of considerable wit and charm, ness on the screen. This does not equivalent - the TV talk show. who was suggesting that there imply that the screen is limited by Howard Hawks said that he made was an art form in existence that comparison with the stage, only a comedian of Carole Lombard, still offered proof of nobility, of that great plays on screen are lim­ who had not done much comedy, eloquence, of poignancy, that con­ ited. after he saw her at a party with a tinued the process of discovering couple of drinks in her. One of the those elements of existence which Burt Reynolds is W.W., a casu­ utilities of film is to be able to are essential. al, humorous Southern hold-up exploit "behavior" as against true man in 1957 who specializes in comic acting (see Lombard vis-a­ robbing - in the friendliest way vis in Twentieth The key to a great film maker is - filling stations run by the that he lets me know via his film Century). It's working again here, S.O.S. company, giving the at­ very nicely, for Reynolds, with the that he knows a great deal more tendants a small part of the stake about life than I. helping hand of the director John as a private goodwill gesture. He G. Avildsen. is a Korean War veteran, a Don This would have been a good Stanley Kauffmann stated later Juan, a staunch anti-Communist, minor piece if the scriptwriter that, "the key to a great film a vigorous, unvicious, humping, Thomas Rickman had pulled maker is that he lets me. know via country-boy hell-raiser. While W.W. himself into shape as an his film that he knows a great deal fleeing the police he gets involved understandable character. Why more about life than I - he can with a tatty little group called the did he become a criminal? Why make a picture appealing." It Dixie Dancekings and devotes against S.O.s.? Why does he would seem that the discovery of a himself to helping them make it think he can keep getting away fine film is like the discovery of a big in Nashville. His nemesis at with it? Doesn't he understand fine mind. It takes a lot of nerve to last is a fundamentalist lawman what he's doing to his musician acknowledge either these days. hired by the fundamentalist head friends when he enlists them in of S.O.S.; the lawman is played crime? Is he just a happy sexy Karol Greene, Class of '75 with his usual insufficiency by madman? None of these questions Art Carney, who never has gets answered. So a possibly enough power, technique or flavorful regional comedy be­ flavor but whose reputation grows comes a series of better and worse because he has been around a vaudeville acts. long time and now plays different Note: This makes (at least) the kinds of character leads and big third film centered on Nashville supporting roles. For me he has and country music in two years. not advanced much past the dull­ One of the other two I needn't ish and mechanical "feed" he was specify; the other, alas, I probably on the old Jackie Gleason show. must. Payday (TNR, March 17, '73) with Rip Tom was narrower in The picture is much nonsense scope than Altman's biggie, but in and some charm, and the charm is resonance was for me the best of all Reynolds. He has emerged the lot. I hope it doesn't get lost. from his beefcake persona, as in Deliverance, to become a limited Published in New Republic, 1975; copyright but pleasant light comedian, 1975 by Stanley Kallffmann; reprinted by whose forte is making some fun of permission of Brandt & Brandt. 8

:>

r---~ " --,,""- '"

/

..0 . _ ...... '--<">1- We know that genius is incomprehensible and unaccountable and it should therefore not be called upon as an explanation until every other solution has failed. Sigmund Freud, 1939 A MARK OF GENIUS: THE NEED TO- GO PUBLIC This article discusses some of the For the most part, Western as "divine spark," "divine fire." troublesome issues involved in views of extraordinary creative In' the late Renaissance, the concept of genius. An opera­ behavior have been variations of Michelangelo was called "di­ tional definition of genius is two early Greek views of genius in vino," and it is not uncommon for proposed; some of the impli­ which genius was equated with artists of all types and from all eras cations for research on high demigods, with madness, or with to be described as "divine" in achievement are presented; and both. As an act of demigods, many circles. Such a view of crea­ supporting evidence is offered to genius came from inspiration; the tiveness as inspiration places the indicate that it is possible to source of this inspiration was the creative person within an implicit operationalize such an apparently gods and to be inspired was to mythology, attributing his crea­ global concept if one restricts its personify a mystical power. Soc­ tive (inspired) moments to the in­ use to the behavioral, rather than rates described this power as a tervention or the guidance of to the sometimes superficially "daemon," heard it "murmuring gods. Viewed this way, the major dramatic, components of high in his ears like the sound of the source of an individual's creative achievement. Because genius is flute in the ears of the mystic." behavior lies less within him and typified by behavior that is excep­ Centuries later, Goethe expressed more outside him in the realm of tional, often unpredictable, and much the same point when he the supernatural or preternatural. influential to many, it is not sur­ spoke of poets as "plain children The second early Western view prising to find genius a topic of of God" and stated that his poems ascribes madness to extraordinary concern for many eminent psy­ "made me, not I them." At other creativity, which resembles what chologists and social philoso­ points in Western history, the we now speak of as severe phers. Greek daemon has been spoken of psychopathology. For Aristotle 9

"there is no great genius without The common behavioral de­ the interrelationships between madness." Coupled with "mad­ nominators to this confusion have inherited talents and conflicts in­ ness" was "possession," for ex­ been rarity and social, as well as cited and shaped by the family, a ample, Plato's view of poetic intellectual, consequences that are person's capacity for creative be­ inspiration as a madness "taking far out of proportion to, and of havior emerges. Just as important, hold of a delicate and virgin soul, greater unpredictability than, by viewing both development and and there inspiring frenzy, awak­ most human endeavors. Because capacity as matters of degree, Gal­ ens lyrical and all other numbers." of such characteristics, theories of ton and Freud made a monumen­ In both of these accounts, we see a genius, like theories of history, tal break from earlier views of relationship presumed among have been used frequently as a genius that ascribed to each per­ human creation, personal or poe­ means of selective bidding for a son distinct states of inspiration, tic madness, and demonic inspira­ particular model of human nature. of possession, of enthrallment, or tion or possession. This view is Seen from these vantage points, of complete lack of genius. not limited to early Greeks; Dry­ creative people are heroic, mys­ Needless to say, how one de­ den's seventeenth-century axiom terious, and inexplicable. But they fines genius is critical to how one has come down to us as a basic are also not the stuff of science or, will study it. It is the basic step. belief of many: "great wits are often, of this world. Galton's very effort to operation­ sure to madness near allied, and alize genius was itself extraordi­ thin partitions do their bounds Galton and Freud nary. Prior definitions had been divide." To the extent that one The study of eminence and crea­ remarkably varied, unanchored to subscribes to such views, there tive behavior needed the work of observables, and almost always are several serious implications. both Galton and Freud to get past post hoc. Despite years of study, Extraordinary creative behavior is many of the earlier, prohibitive there had been a paucity of efforts severely removed from scientific attitudes and presumptions that toward agreement on what, why, exploration as well as from the bound thinking about creative or who genius was. Galton's de­ capacities of most persons; it is behavior in such motley bundles finition was and remains one of not under the control of "sane" or of whole cloth. the few detailed ones. It rests on purposeful men. Galton and Freud shared much five interlocking propositions: Through the centuries, genius of the nineteenth century's in­ that a measure of an individual's has been modeled after every­ terest in biological and develop­ genius can be derived from his thing from demigods, heroes, mental processes; they agreed in degree of eminence; that on this prophets, martyrs, social activists, more than principle that genius rests a man's reputation; that this and supermen - "capable of re­ and creative behavior are primari­ reputation, although based on creating the human cosmos, or ly biological phenomena. Out of contemporary critical opinion, of part of it, in a way that was sig­ this shared perspective emerges long term character; that critical nificant and not comparable to what has become a contempora­ opinion is focused on a real, ex­ any previous recreation - to the ry focus on genius and creative tensively acknowledged achieve­ more mundane models such as behavior - emphasis on an in­ ment; and that such achievement children with very high IQ scores dividual's family as biological in­ is the product of natural abilities or persons with some inordinate heritance and as social-psychol­ that are made up of a blend of "luck." Encompassing such a va­ ogical influence. For Galton, the intellect and disposition (or what is riety of specimens over so long a family was a genetic pool of tal­ now termed intelligence and personali- history, the idea of genius is basi­ ents that its progeny inherit, ty). cally an intriguing idea with a sad in different degrees, depending It is interesting to note that ac­ and overgenerous past. Most of primarily on their biological dis­ cording to Galton, genius qua emi­ the work on genius, or exceptional tance from the center of the pool. nence was historically bound and creative behavior, has been a con­ For Freud, the family is a psychol­ a matter of revision, not a once­ fusion of two classes of variables: ogical reality in which conflicting, for-all-time phenomenon. There factors of motivation (the "why" motivating processes are insti­ are several crucial implications to questions) and statements of conse­ gated and defensive patterns are this definition. It deals in observ­ quences (the "effects" questions). shaped and interlocked. Out of able influences, not supposed 10

ones or the momentary opinion of types of noteworthy activities abilities and endurances of one or a few persons. In Galton's listed in such references was quite species through sheer capacity to view, eminence is an objective restricted and that such activities survive. In Freud's world, surviv­ attribute: it is known only after were very restricted socially in al is also at issue, but on a much something occurs and influences a terms of likely candidates. different level. large number of persons over Galton assumed that a man's Although he made a lifelong many years (at least long enough genius or his potential for it, practice of studying men of genius to be "revised by posterity"). An though evidenced by the man - Freud never believed that he interesting correlate is that a per­ himself, derived from genetic understood genius. son's genius may vary over the sources entirely external to him. A person of genius is anyone years, although the substrate of Even if genius was within the who, regardless of other charac­ natural abilities on which it is genetic pool of his family, the teristics he may possess or have based need not vary. locus of origin and the locus of attributed to him, produces over a Galton subscribed heavily to control were outside the indi­ long period of time, a large body the idea that the necessary condi­ vidual, since no one can choose of work that has a significant in­ tion to genius is intrinsic motiva­ his family of origin. Thus, Gal­ fluence on many persons for tion, "an inherent stimulus" that ton's position assigns importance many years. urges and compels hard work. to luck or chance as a determinant That one needs abilities to match of genius. This bears a resem­ Drawing a general conclusion at the compulsion goes almost with­ blance to the Greek view that a this point, one must confess that out saying but should be recog­ man of genius is one who, with­ there is little that specifically helps nized. Given a combination of out choice, is touched by, in­ in the understanding of genius strong urges and exceptional spired by, or visited by an outside or exceptional creative behavior. natural abilities, Galton thought god-spirit or daemon; one who is Pooling the work of Galton and that the continued interaction thereafter compelled or, in Gal­ Freud, we see genius as the es­ would establish a noteworthy ton's terms, "urged" to perform teemed product of high general reputation, that genius "would deeds that gain him a favorable abilities and continuous, energet­ out." Nonetheless, a person's reputation. ic, highly personal effort over rank or eminence was always On the other hand, in Freud's most of a lifetime. Implied in this being judged, and he or she was view of creative behavior, while conclusion are several aspects of placed by and among contem­ the locus of origin is external, the interest. One does not have poraries. locus of control, like the major genius, one does genius-level Galton's determination of the motives for creative behavior, is work. High general abilities and ranking of men is less satisfactory within the individual, allied to prolonged, personal motivations than his general model. His "madness" though may it be. Out are dispositional conditions to method was based on certain of the meshing of the claims of this level of performance. When questionable assumptions, the biology and of society comes art. we say a person has genius it is major one being the source of ac­ In Freudian theory, art, or creative much like saying they have the flu indexes of a person's repu­ behavior, is used in the service of - at best a descriptive label, su­ tation. For his rankings, Galton protecting the individual and his perficial and begging questions. relied heavily (too heavily, some primary groups, even if paradoxic­ Genius is inferred from behavior believe) on popular directories, ally it jeopardizes his reputation. having protracted influence; such as Men of the Times , and on Galton's creative individuals are equally important, it is behavior Foss' Lives of the Judges and The not the potential enemies of socie­ that is eventually recognized as London Times obituaries. Al­ ty, that is, the "detonators of influential and esteemed by many though he placed an age require­ change" that Freud's are. Galton's of the influenced. We know that ment of 50 years or older as a world is more rewarding and such behavior is itself considera­ gauge of a person's staying power accepting, "fairer," and less des­ bly influenced by situational and in the world's good opinion, Gal­ tructively critical than Freud's. environmental conditions, condi­ ton did not appear concerned with Galton's social environment is tions which if left unacknowl­ the fact that the range of different Darwinian, judging the adaptive edged and unanalyzed give the 11

appearance of luck or of genius to ence and is social, as well as indi­ lications; Darwin's 119; Einstein's extraordinary achievement. Yet if vidual, in origin and behavioral in 248; Freud's 330; Galton's 227; one wishes to go beyond this gen­ nature. For these reasons, emi­ Maslow's 165; and William James, eral statement more is called for. nence is built only on public acts. who complained most of his life of Since historical eminence occurs Therefore, a person of genius is work inhibition, produced 307 in many different kinds of be­ anyone who, regardless of other publications. H . Zuckerman havior, we need first to determine characteristics he may possess or noted even more prolific eminent if there is a set of discriminating have attributed to him, produces, mathematicians - Poincare's 500 attributes common to this diver­ over a long period of time, a large papers and 30 books over 34 years sity of activities. body of work that has a significant and the 995 papers of Arthur influence on many persons for Cayley (who published a paper Definition of Genius many years; requiring these peo­ every two or three weeks). ple, as well as the individual in One should look to persons of question, to come to terms with a recognized eminence for genius, different set of attitudes, ideas, since genius is evidenced in a viewpoints, or techniques before consensus of peers and is opera­ all can have "peace of mind," that tionalized through the various is, a sense of resolution and clo­ reward procedures that every so­ sure. ciety and profession has for acknowledging members' con­ The work associated with this tributions. This statement follows person must be presented to Galton's wish to do away with the others, for their use and evalua­ word genius. Furthermore, we tion; it is a public work and takes should accept the fact that there is other talented men and women no one criterion, person, or group years to understand, to imple­ that can determine who has ment, and equally important, to genius and who does not. Freud surpass. It is others' necessary ef­ and others dealt with the motiva­ fort that makes up the basic thrust tional and personality correlates to of this person's impact. Others creative behavior at levels and often spend their own careers complexity deeper than Galton's working out the implications of "qualities of intellect and disposi­ this work, for in the end they tion." From them we take the idea must come to terms with it. It is that for the attainment of a great, this aspect that is so important, enduring reputation, along with whether it is wanted by others or gifted cognitive abilities, there predictable. must be deep-seated, strongly The key ingredient to genius is persistent personality determi­ productivity - large in volume, nants operating, which are essen­ extraordinary in longevity, more tially developmental in nature, or less unpredictable in content. longitudinal in occurrence (rather The impact of the work is disloca­ than situationally determined and tion or sudden reorganization Influential persons' productive sporadic), and conducive to be­ constituting a major shift, that longevity is also clearly observed: havior of influence and conse­ is, productions of "originality" For example, Freud produced his quence. These determinants urge rather than of reasonable exten­ psychoanalytic work over a 45- men and women "to perform acts sion. The basis of long-term influ­ year span after shifting from that lead to reputatien" or emi­ ence, extraordinary productivity, neuropsychiatry in his late 30's; nence. Influence is a continuous can be observed for many persons Picasso worked for over 75 years; phenomenon in every sense and of extraordinary influence in a Darwin and Einstein produced is comparative and judgmental in variety of areas: Bach's 46 volumes their work over periods of 51 years part. Eminence is built on influ- of compositions; Binet's 277 pub- and 53 years, respectively. 12

So far we have spent a good deal abilities and by the subsequent cant over decades is necessary; by of time discussing influence as influence they have. The pro­ doing so, it attracts new genera­ one of the critical independent posed definition does not attempt tions of adherents. If endurance variables in the achievement of in any way to second-guess his­ tests the validity of a person's eminence. Yet, it would be mis­ tory, for clearly there are no work, then the ability to attract leading to suggest that the attain­ "might-have-beens," no undis­ and hold new students attests to ment of great influence, or impact, covered geniuses, no potential its educative and its intellectual is what extraordinary creative be­ geniuses cruelly snuffed out or significance as well as its more havior is all about, the aim of it mysteriously prohibited (usually technical importance. The signifi­ all . It is not; it is the need to work by an equally ill-defined fate). As cance of the products of long-term on problems considered signifi­ we have seen, genius is, at best, a creative behavior is on several cant and troublesome by the judgment placed on the degree of levels: cognitive, cultural, educa­ individual. Influence is a highly influence of a person's work and tive, as well as political suggesting personal, varied, and unpredicta­ cannot be meaningfully placed on a variety of areas or levels of influ­ ble adjunct to a man's work; man's the origins or the style of that ence as indexes of significance. specific aim for influence is erratic work, regardless of its appeal. Nor and its attainment out of his con­ are there particular political, re­ Contemporary Issues trol. Influence and recognition ligious, social-economic groups, and Evidence may be sought, as they were with nationalities, races, or sexes with Freud or they may be explicitly more genius than others, as others Until now we have discussed the repudiated, as they were by tried to demonstrate. problems involved in defining Wittgenstein whose voluminous genius. Within our concern for a work, both publications and lec­ proper definition has been a more Who has more "genius," the first tures, has had an impact equal to basic, if implicit, concern: Can men to harness fire or those who few other men's in generating two one predict who might become an split the atom; those who de­ major schools of philosophy, logi­ eminent person? The importance veloped the alphabet or those cal positivism and linguistic of this question cannot be under­ who used it to produce Oedipus philosophy. Influence might be estimated; related to its answer is Rex, Hamlet or War and Peace? unintended, being the "spin-off" our understanding of what the of a more immediate set of in­ major facilitative variables and terests and activities, as in the Some works are spoken of as experiences are that contribute to case of Sir Walter Scott, who being "ahead of their time" - a the works that are underlying in thought of himself primarily as a natural enough but not conclusive the achievement of eminence. The novelist but who, in the process of attribute to potentially significant essential issue is not eminence per research for his historical novels, work. This is not only post hoc se but the clues that indicate how radically changed the aim and but begs the question of what the we might increase the type of be­ some of the techniques in the merits are and for whom. Less havior that eminence results from. study of history. dramatically stated, to call work Research on eminent persons "ahead of its time" means it was has been conducted off and on Consequences of the produced before it was well un­ over the many years since Freud's Definition derstood, as in the case of Mendel; and Galton's pioneer efforts. The The above definition, therefore, before it could be technically con­ bulk of this research shows that helps to clear up several miscon­ firmed, as in the case of Einstein; persons who do achieve extraor­ ceptions linked to the extraordi­ or before it could be appreciated dinary eminence generally begin nary influences which in the past and accommodated, as in the case their productive careers signifi­ have attracted somewhat romantic of some major composers. If any­ cantly earlier than their less and even heroic explanations. thing, these examples point to productive peers. More recent "Undiscovered genius" is one another facet of the generative evidence on productive careers common misconception. If our capacity of influential work. suggests that early starts are a definition is valid, then one Important work, like all be­ solid index by which to estimate a knows of persons of extraordinary havior, is trans active . Its capacity person's productive ability. B. S. abilities by the use of these for developing and being signifi- Bloom concluded that "while pro- I 13

ductivity is clearly not synony­ tists and the 25 highest ranking the processes a person uses and mous with creativity, it seems men of letters (lists included Dar­ some of the characteristics of the quite likely that unless there is win, Faraday, Gauss, Maxwell, phenomenon dealt with. It would some minimum or threshold of and Pasteur; Balzac, Coleridge, be difficult, if not impossible, at productivity there is little probabil­ Goethe, Poe, Tolstoi, and Words­ present to characterize such a "fit" ity or likelihood that the indi­ worth), the average age for first as antecedent or consequence. vidual is creative." Bloom's sec­ productions was reduced only to ond study extends this point. It 22 years. The present study shows indicates once again that higher that Freud was 21 years old at the There are no "might-have­ productivity characterizes the time of his first professional pub­ beens," no undiscovered genius­ more creative person among lication, and Darwin and Einstein es, no potential geniuses cruelly chemists and mathematicians. each were 22 years old at the time snuffed out or mysteriously We know that genius is not a of their first papers, ages almost prohibited. function of differences in meas­ identical to Raskin's most eminent ured intelligence: Many research­ samples. Across a variety of fields ers have found that once the IQ is and a two-century time span, What begins as a vague corre­ higher than 120, other variables there is a stable age at which emi­ spondence between process and become increasingly important al­ nent persons begin to be actively phenomenon becomes progres­ though it would be absurd to and publicly influential. sively closer the more intensively argue that more "intelligence" and the longer a person does his would make no difference! work. Artists and scientists alike often speak of a dimly conceived, intuited, "reality" to their early Final Observations To call a major segment of a sci­ efforts, one that appears early in ence or art Darwinian biology, The above evidence provides life and seems to guide much of Picasso-like, etc, is to state for the strong support for the basic con­ their behavior as a concerted ef­ record that a discernible historical tention in this article: Long-term fort to apprehend, to symbolize, development has occurred. creative behavior, as evidenced in and to control such a reality. L. influential productivity, is the Hollingsworth has shown that the "carrier" of genius qua eminence. interests and questions of the ex­ There are also interesting data The earlier a person starts and the ceptionally gifted child are re­ pertaining to the "age of ascent" more he does, the more likely will markably accelerated and border in productive careers. A number his impact on others be significant on the profound very early in of studies have independently re­ and, eventually, the higher his childhood. With the "precocious" ported almost indentical ages of eminence will be. This does not questioning and interest often "creative" subjects' first produc­ say what, if any, special cognitive, comes an intense involvement tions. E. A. Raskin noted 25.2 cultural, personality, racial, re­ with selected materials, problems, years and 24.2 years for her select ligious, or social attributes are and cognitive processes that are groups of nineteenth-century sub­ necessary or involved in such be­ consonant with later-discovered jects; R. Helson and R. S. Crutch­ havior. For the time being, we adult professions and life work. If field noted 24.8 years for their can say that injecting additional one identifies his interests and subjects. Like Bloom's and L. R. words like genius or unique into special capacities early in life and Harmon's creative subjects, Hel­ our thoughts on the matter does discovers the existence of such son and Crutchfield's creative not appear at all necessary or help­ possible enterprises, it follows subjects published more, as well ful. that he is on his way earlier than as earlier, than their controls. One aspect needs further con­ most other persons. Even more telling was the fact that sideration; in many respects it The "realities" that make up the Raskin was able to det~rmine that may be the most important; it is content of long-term creative be­ as far back as 1735 the average age certainly the least understood. For havior occur noticeably early and for first publication was 25 years. creative behavior, or any behav­ more or less independently. These When she separated her samples ior, to continue, there must be parallels are not explicit and are into the 25 highest ranking scien- close congruence between some of far from exact. 14

Pitzer Courses Conclusion The above arguments suggest that The following two concentrations The Study of Woman genius is not a blessing, a danger, are new to the Pitzer College cur­ The study of woman focuses on the or a fortuitous occurrence; it is not riculum this year: nature and scope of feminine a trait, an event, or a thing. achievement. The concentration explores such areas as the changing role and conception of women; When we say a person has genius, Organizational Studies women in cross cultural perspective; it is much like saying they have Organizational Studies is an inter­ and the participation of women in the the flu - at best a descriptive disciplinary program which focuses major institutions of society. By chal­ label, superficial and begging on cultural, social, economic, histori­ lenging existing assumptions and questions. cal, and psychological factors as they models in the social and life sciences interact within complex social sys­ and the humanities, this concentra­ tems. A concentration in Organiza­ tion proposes to correct the imbalance Rather, it is, and always has been, tional Studies is intended to facilitate created by centuries of the study of a judgment overlaid with shifting an understanding of organizations man. Interested students may com­ values. What genius has often and provide an opportunity to study bine the study of woman with another been based on is far more solid - organizational change. concentration. See an advisor in the Study of Woman program to plan the behavior. What it must be based Students who are interested in Pub­ best concentration for your needs. on is creative behavior, which, lic Administration, Business Admin­ The concentration requires a although highly personalized, is istration, Public Health Administra­ minimum of eleven courses. Concen­ made public and is eventually in­ tion, Organizational Studies, Organi­ trators should complete six courses fluential over many years and zational Psychology or Sociology may directly related to woman, at least one find this program an appropriate pre­ often in unpredictable ways. By from each of the following broad paration for either graduate school or being both productive and in­ areas: careers in these areas. fluential, this behavior can be A. Natural and Life Sciences measured, its influence traced, Concentrators will be expected to B. Social Sciences and the factors and events under­ complete the core interdisciplinary C. Arts and Humanities lying it better understood. Of all course (Organizational Studies 100), Finally, the student is asked to focus the qualities attributed to persons demonstrate a proficiency in the on one of these areas by taking four of genius the most remarkable, theory and application of statistics additional relevant courses and com­ along with perceptiveness, are (courses that will meet this require­ pleting a senior project in the selected continuity, endurance, productiv­ ment are Sociology 100, Research area. Included in these four (and by the end of the junior year) should be ity, and influence. Men and Methods and Statistics; Political such courses in methods or theory as women with such attributes are Studies 100, Statistics; Psychology 91, Psychological Statistics), and partici­ are necessary to the satisfactory han­ usually esteemed and often hon­ dling of the senior project. This pro­ ored. They are almost always pate in a one year practicum. The latter requirement may be met by par­ ject is to consist of an independent eminent in comparison to others. ticipation in the Program of Public study, of one or two semesters' dura­ But they do not have genius. Policy Studies (Political Studies tion, which may take the form of 100CC), Fieldwork in Psychology either library or field research directly (186,187), or by specially arranged in­ related to woman. ternships. Other concentrations are American Studies, Anthropology, Art, Asian In addition, concentrators will be Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Classics, expected to complete a seven-course Economics, English, Environmental program of study dealing with three Studies, European Studies, Folklore, of the following concepts: French, German, History, Human Biology, Latin American Studies, Lin­ A. Individuals and Organizations guistics, Mathematics, Philosophy, B. The Group and Organizations Physics, Political Studies, (including C. Interactions among Organizations International Relations), Psychology, D. Society and Organizations Sociology, Spanish, and the Study of Robert S. Albert E. Governments and Organizations Man. 15

ALL AROUND ME

All around me, butterflies, ecstatic hinges, hunt for the ideal door. A cicada's ratchet tightens a place in the yard. Everything's warmed by a wave from the tree.

A bird trickles like the tap.

And the dog just stands there, looking down. To run, to sleep, she can't remember. It's true, it's hard to be conscious.

From here, I can watch the freeway - ants on a windowsill. The skyline doodles, an airplane floats like a fish.

Nearby, a factory smokes. I'm one of its little ash-trays.

Suddenly, a dinosaur, or Rome, will rise, then crumble in the cracks on a ragged wall.

We do marvelous things without knowing how, like the chicken whose bronze shit builds a shrine under its coop.

But, even so, one gets depressed. This morning, a field, OLD a flock of stones asleep in its mist . .. Their children are gone; This world's painted almost everyone on a glass that has they loved and half to break. of what they understood, has disappeared. I can still But the door's still open, pay the rent I and the roads aren't li~ed the porch light's on; with corpses yet. a little wind at night and they hear footsteps when a few leaves fall . Bert Meyers Communication Breakdown:

In describing an argument, we Rules for argument also vary cross­ ing. Some children's arguments often use the phrase " no holds culturally; even in the United seem indeed to be merely shout­ barred" to imply that tempers States various ethnic groups have ing matches; even in such in­ were so inflamed that there were considerably different standards stances there are some rules. First, no limits on the insults, accusa­ for what is to be taken seriously the shouting match rarely con­ tions and threats exchanged. It as insulting language, which tinues once maximum volume is may also have"degenerated into a often leads to misinterpretation reached, as the goal is to shout shouting match," in which the and overreaction in multicultural louder than one's opponent. participants forsook the conven­ classrooms. Rather than determining a winner tions of civil conversation al­ To investigate characteristic in the argument, attainment of together and relied upon volume patterns and strategies in white, maximum volume usually leaves a to make their points. We often middle-class American argu­ somewhat embarrassed silence, consider such arguments to be ments, Laura Lein, a fellow an­ followed by a new line of attack. flout of control" and to continue thropologist, and I studied argu­ Such shouting matches are more without "rhyme or reason." They ments of first, third and fourth common among younger chil­ not only threaten to disrupt graders in western Massachusetts. dren. Older children more fre­ friendships, marriages and colle­ We chose to study children's ar­ quently resort to acceleration as a gial relationships; they also just guments for several reasons. The stylistic strategy, with each child don't make sense. ability to argue well requires con­ responding more rapidly to his siderable linguistic and social opponent. These contests of speed Despite the apparent disorder, skills which must be learned by end abruptly when both children irrationality, and confusion of children. A child must not only speak at the same time; simul­ many of our arguments, however, speak English reasonably well; he taneous talking appears to violate they represent not communication must also be able to use it appro­ an underlying rule among white breakdowns but a special type of priately and effectively. He must American children that turns communication, one with its own also know what "matters" in an should be taken, even in argu­ rules and regularities and which argument; many children's in­ ments. is, indeed, often overly efficient in sults, for example, seem ridicu­ Even young children seem conveying our feelings. Parties to lous to adults not because they are aware of subtler stylistic features an argument are arguing with grammatically incorrect, but be­ as well. In some arguments, each other, not by themselves; cause they reflect the child's con­ rhythm is particularly important; they listen to what their oppo­ fusion about what types of accusa­ a rhythmic pattern is set for one nents are saying and to how they tion are socially meaningful and segment of the argument, and the say it and use this information in therefore effective. We were in­ other child must respond in a determining their own responses. terested in looking at develop­ similar rhythm or lose that part of Many holds are indeed barred or mental changes in ways children the argument. This example from would at least be useless or incon­ of different ages argued and in a fourth grade argument dem­ gruous; in carrying on an argu­ comparing children's arguments onstrates such awareness: ment, the aggravated participants with our less formal observations Bob: You're skinny. have implicitly agreed upon how of adult arguments. Tom: You're slimmy. they will disagree. Such conven­ Both children's and adults' ar­ Bob : You're scrawny. tions for arguing are different guments are distinguished from Tom : You're ... 1 don't know. from those for other types of com­ other types of communication by Bob: You're weakling. munication; a stinging rejoinder, what is said and how it is said. Tom : You're the slimmiest kid in for example, would be out of place Arguments sound different; even the whole world. in a friendly conversation, as a if we cannot hear the words, we Bob : You're the weaklingest . . . gesture like thumbing one's nose often know, guided by such stylis­ Tom: You're baloney .. . (etc.) would generally be inappro­ tic cues as increased volume or What does this say about the priate in a scholarly discussipn. speed, that two people are argu- children's ability? First, by stres- Making Sense of Arguments sing "you're" and leaving the rest legiance to the repetitive pattern sneaked through your of his statement unaccented, Bob and stood self-accused. whole house and closets has set a strong dactylic metric and everything, and I Although many children's ar­ pattern. Tom recognized this and couldn't find that magic guments consist of such relatively responded with a dactylic insult of hat. short, simple statements, they his own. "Slimmy" is a Joey: Well, I gave it to my friend. often are considerably more com­ neologism, a word he coined for plex and suggest that the children the occasion, but one which is Joey and Ann then continued to are capable of remarkable inven­ recognizably an adjective with a discuss Joey's allegations that he tion and logic. In semantically fairly apparent meaning. Bob's gave the magical equipment to his simple arguments, children ap­ later use of the noun "weakling" friend because he knew Ann was pear to concentrate upon style to as an adjective and his attempt to coming over and· that his mother make their points; style is subor­ create a superlative for it fell flat; had warned him that Ann was dinated to content in more com­ both the children recognized that coming, which she knew because plex contests. Often victory hangs it is an ungrammatical usage. A she was magic as well. At that not upon proving your own origi­ second point is that, when Tom point, Ann assured Joey that she nal claim or disproving your op­ said he didn't know, he had failed had checked out his friend's ponent's but upon winning a to come up with another dactylic house as well and found no magi­ fairly minor and often tangential insult implying physical weak­ cal gear; therefore Joey was clearly logical point; because your oppo­ ness; by failing to continue in the lying, was not magic, certainly nent is defeated on one point, he rhythmic pattern and concer.n could not touch the sun and was loses the entire argument. This is with scrawniness that hold thIS not as strong as she was. Once often embarrassingly reminiscent part of the argument together, both have accepted the admittedly of adult arguments. It is important Tom momentarily lost. Tom and improbable premise that magic to note that, while the winning Bob thus revealed considerable men exist and the necessary point may have little to do with sensitivity to rhythm and an abil­ criteria for being a magic man, the external circumstances which ity to distinguish ungrammatical Ann drove Joey to the wall in a engendered the argument, it and inappropriate responses. relentlessly logical manner, de­ necessarily makes good sense Another aspect of arguments feating him on his own claims. within the argument itself. This that often strikes listeners is their Arguments, whether chil­ repetitiveness. Children, and oc­ example is from a first grade ar­ gument about who is stronger; dren's or adults' have their own casionally, adults may continue sense and sound. They are not for several minutes saying noth- Joey had just claimed that he can touch the sun, and Ann has re­ random collections of outraged ing more t h an, II me, " II me, " /1 m,e" exclamations or inarticulate bel­ or "mine," "mine," "mine" sponded that he would bum up. lows. They are, rather, a special back and forth. Such repeti­ type of communication in which tive patterns are evident to parti­ Joey: No . I'd be fine . I'm a magic people pay close attention to each cipants as well as to the audience, man. other, explore various stylistic and and occasionally children, being Ann : Oh, you're not a magic semantic strategies and try to able to anticipate their oppo­ man. Why don't you be avoid their opponents' strong nent's response, can play strate­ quiet about that? You points and capitalize upon their gically upon these patterns, as in don't even have a magic weaknesses. Viewed from the this example from a first grade hat or a magic book like all outside, the most apparently tri­ argument about who ,is smarter. magic men have. vial argument can be a considera­ Joey: Yes, I do. You never saw it Ann: I am. John: I am. ble display of linguistic, logical before when you came Ann : I am. John: I am. and social ability. Ann : You are dumb. John: I am. over. Ann I sneaked over to your John was hung upon his own al- house yesterday, and I Donald Brenneis 18

THROUGH THE BOOB TUBE Of course I remembered what mannerism that seems to intensify information. Owls, you know, got happened to Alice when she went my capability for thinking. I'm a their reputations for wisdom sim­ through the looking glass, but I scalp-rubber, an ear-puller, a ply by blinking their eyes. didn't expect everything that chin-squeezer, and sometimes None of this seems to bother happened to me when I took a when in very deep thought I'm a most of the panelists on Los flyer in television. chest scratcher. That no-no was Angeles News Review - live on one of the worst for me while I Fridays at 7:30 p.m., pre-recorded I'd always been a written-word was on television - that, and the on Sundays at 5 p .m . and Mon­ person. Not since my last year in no-smoking, and watching the days at 12:30 p .m ., just after high school, half a century or clock while trying to be casual, lunch. But it bothered me - I thereabouts ago, had I risked witty, aggressive, and aware of didn't realize I looked as old as I spontaneous remarks in public. If the topic. am, and I didn't like my voice, I was compelled to say anything in I felt a little self-conscious, too, and I was shocked by my lack of front of people I wrote it out, after about having my face made up wit and aggressiveness. It carefully choosing each word, and with various powders that were bothered me until the day when I then read it verbatim. No interpo­ supposed to deaden the reflection walked into a grocery store in lation, no addenda - just what I'd of the lights. When I returned Laguna Beach and an old gentle­ written. home, after that first showing, my man, obviously about my age, And here I suddenly was, con­ wife immediately supposed that I spoke up and said: scious of cameras and recording had fallen victim to galloping "Hello, Mr. Williams!" devices, in front of KCET's unseen jaundice. I would have settled for I'd never seen him before, or audience, and trying to remember jaundice, for the fact is that I was not that I knew of. I suppose I what I was supposed to say - all suffering from the kind of fatigue looked baffled. of it, that is, that wasn't written in that often follows combat. I may "1 watched you on KCET," he huge letters for me on the idiot have been walking on my toes, then added. " And I sort of like the cards. doddering a little, and darting my program." head this way and that as if I was You know, I'd been with The Los It might amaze you to discover still watching that fellow with the Angeles Times for more than forty what you're not permitted to do cards that were supposed to tell years, watching it gr'ow from under those circumstances. You me how many minutes we had about 250,000 subscribers to con­ can't scratch your chest - the left. The worst of those cards is the siderably more than a million, and mikes pick that up and make it one that says 30 SECONDS. nothing like that had ever hap­ sound like thunder. You ought Meaning, wind it up. And be pened to me before. By George, at not to smoke - the man across casual, aggressive and witty while last I'd made it - I was a sort of from you will disappear in a filmy you're doing it. celebrity, recognized in Laguna cloud. You must not cough - it The fun, of course, lay in talk­ grocery stores! comes out like an artillery barrage ing to newspaper people once "Thank you," beamed. or the rumble of an approaching again. I'm always awed by how "Thank you very much." earthquake. And you must - this much they know about their sepa­ IS a must, they told me - relax, be Which was spontaneous, if a rate topics. Editors - and I was casual, be aggressive, be witty, little short on wit, just as my TV one of those - aren't expected to eschew esoteric words. And career was a little short. know details, and they develop a watch the clock! way of talking in broad My stock in trade has always generalities that sounds senten­ been esoteric words. No smoking tious. Or they rub their scalps, bugged me - I'm a three-packer which is even more effective. I - and sometimes I do scratch, not recommend scalp rubbing as a because I itch particularly. It's a method of covering up a lack of Nick B. Williams I 19

On Campus

The annual Flea Market, held the first week of classes, offered Pitzer students a variety of used furnishings with which to personalize their rooms .

Professor Light, background, adjusts tachistoscope for Cynthia Merton, junior. Machine tests subject's memory and attention. The apparatus is used during semester for Psychology 102, Memory and Attention.

~-- ;::;::::::.- Janice Berg and Phillip Bear, sophomores, test polygraph in Social Science Lab. Device rer:ords simultaneous changes in blood pressure, respiration, and pulse. 20

pAKTIClpATINe

Excerpted from a presentation at the National Conference of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education , Chicago, July 1975.

COMMUNICATING WITH PEOPLE WHO HELP PAY THE BILLS - PARENTS

It is obvious that the continued Vis-a-vis pessimistic predic­ and diversity and the needs of existence of independent colleges tions and opportunistic legis­ private higher education. depends on having a sufficient lators, let us try to be thoughtfully At Pitzer, we intend not merely number of tuition-paying stu­ bold about our public service and to confront parents with an annual dents plus regular gifts for the our future premise. Even in these fund brochure or letter, or merely to instructional budget and scholar­ times, or perhaps especially in entertain a small fraction of them at ships and income-producing en­ these times, we need to be careful an annual parents day. We are dowment. Consequently, a most about accentuating the negative, thinking of new ways to share the important dimension of our out­ the problems of high-quality edu­ successes and needs of Pitzer's dis­ reach, our development and pub­ cation. tinctive enterprise with them, and lic relations program, is or ought I fear that we may occasionally to hear from them more openly, to be addressed to parents - of resemble the fellow who said one frequently, and fully in return. prospective students, of present, evening to his girlfriend: "I don't All of this is based on the fun­ and of past students. have a boat, or a sports car, or a damental assumption that people As their associations widen out beach house or any of the other give to what they care about. in concentric circles from the col­ fine things that John Brown has; I do not think that parents, even lege, the parents, relatives, but I love you." To which protes­ of prospective students, will be friends of our students and tation came her reply, "I love you dismayed by direct presentations graduates are tremendously im­ too - but tell me more about John and publications addressed to portant in articulating our case to Brown." them, when they are tastefully the public, including potential I am at least partly persuaded by and thoughtfully done. Parents ' donors (who like to hear from what one of our economists at are a special audience, one of our someone other than the staff Pitzer calls the "Johnny Walker most important "publics," about the merits of the college'S Black Label school of thought" - genuinely interested in the issues program), legislators, and the var­ if you are costly, say so, boldly, of leadership, quality, and diver­ ious media. because you are good; and that sity in higher education. We can Like our graduates themselves, boldness (supported by evidence, and must inform and continue to the parents should have a sense of of course) encourages belief and educate them - this vital "sup­ confidence in and a sense of con­ support. Let us not neglect to port" group - our allies, poten­ cern for the college. spread the word about achieve­ tially our elite troops, in the trying, In the first place, confidence. ments of faculty and of students, testing times which surely lie Shelley wrote somewhere that particularly where students and ahead. That is and will be creative "man is in love, and loves what is faculty have worked together on a communication in the best Pitzer passing." That may be true for research problem, a paper, a pres­ spirit. romantic poets always, and for entation. most of us at times, but it is not a And that thought points to con­ viable outlook for an educational cern. The families of students and enterprise. Somehow, without graduates may well be encouraged sounding sanguine, without ap­ to gain a deeper concern for the pearing to be econo}llic fools, college; after all, they have a sub­ without exaggerated rhetoric, we stantial investment in it. So they have got to find ways to say that ought to be more than modestly we are in business, a profoundly "kept informed"; they should be significant business, and we continuously educated, not only mean to stay in business - for about our college, but generally Robert Duvall good reasons. about the importance of quality 21

SCHOLARSHIPS One of the most vital areas for the life of the college continues to be scholarships for able, needy students. In this area, philan­ thropy clearly helps persons while helping the college. Deserving students who receive scholarships would not otherwise be able to attend; as they enter, they bring much to Pitzer in self-help and in continuing loyalty and achieve­ ments. In order to stimulate student re­ Phyllis Wa yne Nota McGreevey William Guth ner, Jr. cruitment, Trustees Elise Mead gave $15,000 and Harold Melcher $6,000 SUPPORT GROUPS GLASSWORKS in the . Consequently, AT PITZER eleven students have just entered New leaders for Pitzer's support Through the generosity of Hamden Pitzer with financial aid. A great groups have been announced by M. Swift of Chicago, a new course result of vision and action! President Robert Atwell. of study was offered this spring at The Avery Foundation has Pitzer. Mr. Sw ift is the father of pledged $36,000 over a three-year The Academy, which contrib­ Jessica '74. period for an endowed scholar­ utes to teaching excellence and Students enrolled in the "De­ ship. This was arranged through the instructional program and velopment of Glassworks" class Trustee Judith Newkirk. The gift was w hich sponsors the Pitzer College this spring helped to build the made as part of Pitzer's Leadership Lecture Series on campus, will be facilities and equipment. They are Campaign. headed by Phyllis Wayne of New­ fabricating the blowpipes for the The Pitzer College Parents As­ actual blowing of glass, and build­ port Beach. sociation, representing the ing the furnaces and annealing generosity of numerous parents, ovens. contributed $6,500 last year for The Alliance, which brings per­ David Furman, Assistant Pro­ student financial aid. sons from the business and pro­ fessor of Art, says that m any fessional communities into the hours have been put into this pro­ academic community as resource ject, both by students and him­ people, will be led by William self. The project would have taken Guthner, Jr. , partner of Nossaman, much longer had it not been for Waters, Scott, Krueger & Riordan the g~nerosity and help of Pyro law firm in Los Angeles. Engineering, Interpace Company , and Jorgensen Steel. These com­ The Alumni Association, in­ panies have donated materials for cluding all former Pitzer students the glassworks and have been in a nation wide effort to continue generous with personnel time in to build the college, has a new helping to work out details and president, Ann Lawson Bilodeau types of materials needed. '68, of Palo Alto. Professor Furman stated that the new facilities are ready this The Parents Association, in­ fall semester to start blowing glass cluding all parents of present and a new art area is now availa­ Pitzer students in a program of ble to Pitzer College. The dedica­ Elise Mead mutual information and support­ tion of the glassworks will be ive activities, will be chaired by Monday, November 17. Nota McGreevey of Hollywood. Robert F. Duvall 22

• • • Community Notes

. . . Three members of the 1975 Ms. Serna read her essay on .. . "Some Determinants of Sex senior class were among only Gestalt psychology at a meeting of Roles in a Changing Indian seven Chicano undergraduates the Western Psychological Associ­ Town", written by Professor throughout the country to be ation; she was invited to chair a Susan Seymour, appears in the awarded four-year graduate fel­ session on physiological psychol­ fall issue of American Ethnologist. lowships by the Ford Foundation. ogy at that meeting, the only Through the support of the Pitzer Rebeca Barron, Jesus Salazar, undergraduate student so desig­ College Research and Develop­ and Lupe Serna began their nated. Mr. Salazar was invited to ment fund, she is studying Asian graduate work this fall at Stan­ read his paper on "Psychopathol­ Indians in Los Angeles, focusing ford, U.c. Santa Cruz, and the ogy and Demonology at the West­ on parent-child behavior, changing University of Chicago respective­ ern Psychological Association of values, and adaptation to urban ly. The grants include full tuition, Christian Psychologists. United States. fees, and stipends to cover books . . . Sally Schurr, class of '73, is in and monthly living expenses. .. . A Fulbright Research Grant her second year at Harvard Ms. Barron is an anthropologist. from the Council on International Graduate School of Education, She conducted a cross-cultural Exchange of Scholars has been working on her Ed.D. in Human study of folk healing in Mexico awarded to Professor Harry Senn Development.

Rebeca Barron, Jesus Salazar, and Lupe Serna Professor Seymour Professor Senn Professor Wachtel and in East Los Angeles; investi­ to stpdy Romanian folk narra­ .. Professor Albert Wachtel's ar­ gated attitudes toward death and tives. Two articles relating to his ticle, "Ripe for Peaching: Stephen practices regarding death in Mexi­ research will appear this year: Dedalus and the Chain of Com­ can society; and studied machismo "Dracula Doesn't Live Here Any­ mand", has been accepted by The in East Los Angeles. She submit­ more: Aspects of Romanian Popu­ James Joyce Quarterly for publica­ ted a paper to the California lar Myth", and "Melusine: French tion next spring. The article about Folklore Society and read it at the Popular Mythology in French Lit­ Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Society's annual meeting, and was erature" . Professor Senn will Young Man, is part of Professor invited to read a paper at the annual make a presentation on "Roman­ Wachtel's extended study of the meeting of the Southwest An­ ian Folk Mythology" at a spring writer's fiction manuscripts, thropological Conference in Santa meeting of the Western Folklore notes, and letters. Fe, New Mexico. Additionally, Society to be held on the west . . . The September issue of Na­ she will read her paper on coast. ture magazine featured "Auxin, machismo at the December meet­ Carbon Dioxide, and Hydrogen ing of the American Anthropolog­ ... Kirsten Gronbjerg, class of Ions", co-authored by Professor ical Association. Her essay, "Folk '68, is in her second year as As­ David Sadava. Sadava, whose re­ Concepts of Illness in Rural and sistant Professor of Sociology at search in biochemical genetics of Urban Mexico" will appear in a State University of New York at thoroughbred horses is funded forthcoming book to be published Stony Brook. Ms. Gronbjerg holds by the California Thoroughbred by the University of Arizona a Ph.D. from the University of Breeders Association, is Assistant press. Chicago. Professor of Biology. Manuel Aragon Martha Taschereau

. . . Four persons were added has since traveled widely. A · .. For the second consecutive to the Pitzer College Board of graduate of UCLA, Ross resides in year, the Henry G. Steele Founda­ Trustees at its October 7 meeting. Los Angeles. tion of Newport Beach, California, The self-perpetuating governing Roland Speers is President of has awarded scholarship funds to Board of the College unanimously Amcord, Inc. of Newport Beach. Pitzer College. A gift of $23,000 accepted four names nominated He graduated cum laude from was received this fall. by Dr. Robert J. Bernard, Chair­ UCLA, where he obtained his J.D. · .. With the primary assignment man of the Composition Com­ He is a member of the California of increasing visibility of Pitzer mittee. The new members are Bar. He is also active in several College, Martha Taschereau has Manuel Aragon, Jr., Edmund G. Los Angeles area clubs. Speers been appointed Director of Infor­ Brown, Stanley Ross, and Roland was a founding member of the mation Services. She comes from a Speers. Pitzer College Alliance. similar position at Florida State Manuel Aragon is President ... Six National Merit Scholars University. and Chief Executive of Mariscal are enrolled in Pitzer College this and Company, management con­ fall; two freshmen, Cynthia Tan­ · . . Professors Robert L. Munroe sultants of Los Angeles and ner of New Jersey, and Monika and Ruth H. Munroe are authors Washington, D.C. He recently re­ Johnson of Alaska; two sopho­ of a book published in August. tired as Deputy Mayor of Los mores, Julie Stem of Chicago, and Cross-Cultural Human Development Angeles after two years of distin­ Gail Mautner of Los Angeles; and was published by Brooks/Cole . guished public service with two juniors, Jeff Book of Arcadia, Mayor Tom Bradley. and Kelvin Connally of Brea. · .. Professor Jane Amaulfs re­ The Honorable Edmund G. search on rent control is compiled "Pat" Brown is the former gover­ in an article for the American Real nor of California. He is presently a Estate and Urban Economic Associa­ law partner in Ball, Hunt, Hart, tion Journal. The title is "Optimal Brown, and Baerwitz of Beverly Maintenance Under Rent Control Hills. Brown has a widely known with Quality Constraints", and is reputation for achievement in a portion of a larger study on housing policies which will even­ tually be published as a book. Professor Arnault was a con­ sultant to the Rand Corporation this summer for project develop­ ment on California's water re­ sources. She also participated in a session on housing policies at the Kenneth Pitzer San Diego meeting of the Western . . . Dr. Kenneth S. Pitzer, Economic Association . member of the Board of Trustees · . . Maurice Gibson Calistro, and son of the founder of Pitzer class of '74, is Director of Social College, was awarded the Na­ Services at the Indian Center, Inc. tional Medal of Science by Presi­ at Los Angeles. Among her re­ Honorable Edmund G. Brown dent Gerald Ford. The Medal of sponsibilities at the federally­ Science award is the government's funded center are arranging for public higher education, and is highest award for outstanding temporary housing, food, em­ now turning his intere!1t to quality achievement in science and en­ ployment, health care, and legal private education. • gineering development and was aid primarily on civil matters, and Stanley Ross, investor, retired bestowed upon 13 U. S. scientists. counseling for Indians from all in 1972 after successfully serving Dr. Pitzer is Professor of Chemis­ tribes. She is a full-blooded for nine years as Chairman of the try at University of California, Chocktaw Indian from the Missis­ Board of California Investors. He Berkeley. sippi band of Chocktaw Indians. 24

Professor Yates Professor" Cressy

· . . The Western Political Quar­ · .. Robin Hagler Kramer, class . . . The faculty of Pitzer College terly, journal of the Western Polit­ of '75, was named a Coro Founda­ took the occasion of Pitzer's 11th ical Science Association, has tion Fellow and began her nine­ commencement to confer upon appointed Professor John R. Rod­ month, post-graduate training in President Robert H. Atwell an man Associate Editor for political public leadership in September. award commemorating his fifth theory. The summer 1975 issue From an applicant pool of 1,000, year as president. Cited among of Inquiry, an inter-disciplinary she was among 12 in the los other qualities, were his candor, journal of philosophy and the so­ Angeles area to be selected. The forthrightness, pursuit of excel­ cial sciences, contains an essay by Foundation also sponsors 12 in­ lence for the college; for being a Professor Rodman. "On the terns in both the San Francisco "supporter of education rather Human Question" written in the and St. louis areas. than fiscal adversary". satiric tradition of Samuel Butler, is a report of the Erewhonian · . . Professor Ann Yates has been At a July meeting of the Society High Commission to Evaluate invited to serve on the newly­ for College and University Plan­ Technolo gical Society. formed Committee on Population ning in Minnesota, President At­ Education of the Population As­ well was a panelist reacting to a · .. Education in Tudor and Stuart sociation of America, which is the paper on "Alternative Futures for England, written by Professor national professional organization Higher Education." David Cressy, will be published of demographers. The commit­ by Edward Arnold publishing tee's initial efforts will focus on .. . Professor laud Humphreys, house in England and St. Martin's undergraduate education in popu­ former winner of the C. Wright Press in the United States in the lation studies. Mills Award, presented "De­ fall of 1975. Professor Cressy will viance Then and Now - But Not read a paper on "Educational Op­ · . . Professor David Furman has Tomorrow" at a special session in portunity in Tudor and Stuart been awarded a $5,000 fellowship San Francisco for other winners of England" at the conference of the from the National Endowment for the award. At a conference of the History of Education Society in the Arts to further his activities International Academy of Sex Re­ Berkeley in N ovem ber. and career as an artist. Professor Furman is introducing a course in search held at the State University · .. Four new full-time faculty glassworks this semester which of New York at Stony Brook, Pro­ appointments bring Pitzer's total will involve students in construct­ fessor Humphreys presented a to 56: Professor Jack Sullivan, ing and maintaining a glass preliminary analysis of killings political studies; Professor Peter studio. involving homosexuals. Accord­ Nardi, sociology; Professor ing to an account in the New York Michael Goldstein, political · .. Professor Peter Nardi, Times , his study of more than 111 studies; and Professor Roy Gor­ newly-appointed member of the homicide cases conducted over a don, philosophy. Part-time posi­ teaching staff, led a round table period of two years, indicated that tions are being filled by Professors discussion on "Moral Socializa­ murders of homosexuals are most Stephanie Delange and Dennis tion and Deviant Behavior" at the likely to be heterosexuals, at least Farber in art; Professor Shimshon San Francisco meeting of the outwardly, who have a great fear Zelniker, on leave from Tel Aviv American Sociological Associa­ or hatred of homosexuality, or University, will teach Political tion in August. who may themselves be fighting Philosophy and Comparative homosexual tendencies. Professor Government this fall. The Joint · . . Nancy Martin Hinkley, class Humphreys has been elected a Science Program, in which Pitzer of '70, received her Ph.D. from Member of the Committee on participates, will offer courses Harvard University in 1974 in Standards and Freedom of Re­ taught by three new faculty mem­ biology and is doing post-doctoral search, Publication, and Teach­ bers: Representing the fields of biological research at Billings ing, by the Society for the Study of biology, chemistry, and physics Hospital in Chicago. She is an Social Problems. respectively are Professors Robert American Cancer Society Fellow Enns, Andrew Zanella, and James with the Society supporting her re­ Edmonds. search.