Psycho-Babble Social Thread 471915

Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

abject

Posted by zeugma on March 16, 2005, at 22:35:32

that is the word for me.

terrified of losing my job

that is abjection

awake with nothing in my head

abjection is dull, passionless, it hates itself

but not the piercing hate that drives one

it is nearer contempt than hatred.

and abject is part of a series, object, subject

(talsimanic words)

eject, the unrefined version of abjection

if you add an 'r' it becomes a torment

surject, I loved learning that word

but it's drugs or age, they've destroyed my memory, and neither drugs nor age

dull abjection

abjection is the least dignified of the series, but am I wrong

in thinking it subtle

it is emptiness with movement

[it's constipation, no more]

-z

 

Re: abject » zeugma

Posted by alexandra_k on March 16, 2005, at 23:11:15

In reply to abject, posted by zeugma on March 16, 2005, at 22:35:32

I haven't heard that word before...
Today everything seems 'dull flat and unprofitable'. Is that related at all?

 

Re: abject

Posted by sunny10 on March 17, 2005, at 9:42:37

In reply to Re: abject » zeugma, posted by alexandra_k on March 16, 2005, at 23:11:15

Main Entry: ab·ject
Pronunciation: 'ab-"jekt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin abjectus, from past participle of abicere to cast off, from ab- + jacere to throw -- more at JET
1 : sunk to or existing in a low state or condition <to lowest pitch of abject fortune thou art fallen -- John Milton>
2 a : cast down in spirit : SERVILE, SPIRITLESS <a man made abject by suffering> b : showing utter hopelessness or resignation <abject surrender>
3 : expressing or offered in a humble and often ingratiating spirit <abject flattery> <an abject apology>


I personally am amazed that it is not used more often these days.

My constant reaction to the news programs is abject horror. I believe my reaction to be part of the desensitization of our era.....

 

Re: abject » alexandra_k

Posted by zeugma on March 17, 2005, at 16:26:54

In reply to Re: abject » zeugma, posted by alexandra_k on March 16, 2005, at 23:11:15

> I haven't heard that word before...
> Today everything seems 'dull flat and unprofitable'. Is that related at all?
>>

Yes, the Hamlet-like vacillations and equivocations. I'm sorry you didn't get in to grad school :-) You WILL have better luck in October, I am sure.

I feel a little better. But I do feel a little 'abject', chronically. I didn't pull the word from Shakespeare, though. Here's where I got it from:

What if the world crashed in
Refolding behind your eyelids
Cracked your mind
Cracked your mind

Janet and Johnny and James
Crash your mind
Behind your eyelids

The people behind you
With nepotism
Explodes
All that rubbish you create
In the [lock]
Suddenly [cranking]
Nepotism

Janet and Johnny and James
Janet and Johnny and James

Dearest Lord, hear me now
Janet and Johnny
Coming over the mountain
From New Guinea
They see the star
From you, our creator
A startling vision of a future that didn't happen
Ian and Eric
The stars trace
Over Janet and Judy
And James
And Susan and Johnny
The skies reflect
Dear Lord, help them in their abject search
From Guineas and the bearded man
From the hills
Never seen again
Janet and Johnny and James
Reflect on your life

-Mark E. Smith, The Fall


The Fall have a number of other songs where the word 'abject' turns up, and there is a motif of abjection pervading their work. I am a freak, because I obsess over music: I listen to ONE band at a time, and they're all I can listen to for months or even years. It's been the Fall since last fall. Abjection.

-z

 

Re: abject » sunny10

Posted by zeugma on March 17, 2005, at 16:30:45

In reply to Re: abject, posted by sunny10 on March 17, 2005, at 9:42:37

Thanks for doing the dictionary work and digging up the etymology and illustrious uses (I had forgotten the Milton usage, reminds me of why I carried Paradise Lost everywhere with me for two years!).

We have become desensitized. It's our loss. I don't know if desensitization is going to reverse itself at some point. Thanks for the reply.

-z

 

Re: abject

Posted by zeugma on March 17, 2005, at 17:16:22

In reply to Re: abject » alexandra_k, posted by zeugma on March 17, 2005, at 16:26:54

I'm sorry you didn't get in to grad school :-)>> that was an embarrassing typo, if not abjectly so :-( as I posted elsewhere you deserve better and will get to where you want to be.

-z

 

Re: abject

Posted by sunny10 on March 18, 2005, at 9:41:14

In reply to Re: abject » sunny10, posted by zeugma on March 17, 2005, at 16:30:45

I certainly hope so- though, in truth, I'm now sure how that would come about...


This is the end of the thread.


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.