Sorry I've disappeared. Update:
Could not find the master key that I so crucially needed, so I had to adjust my plans a bit. What I've decided to do is format a few of my pieces to look like the standardized test that all Texas students have to take (T.A.K.S.) and distribute copies of them at my former high school as classes let out. Along with the pieces I'll attach a little manifesto of sorts on the many, oh so many, flaws of our current education system and how to begin to possibly fix it. The whole point to this little project is to hopefully open these students minds a bit and allow them to actually think by inviting them to respond to the pieces any which way they see fit (no multiple choice here) on a blog I'll be creating for this purpose. Even though this isn't what I initially envisioned for my publishing project I'm quite happy with how it's turning out.
There are however a few concerns I have:
1. One of the key aspects to my original project idea was the "sneak attack" style of distribution, by leaving copies randomly throughout the school for the students to find. Unfortunately, this simply doesn't seem possible anymore without the master key. I wonder if me just distributing the copies all normal-like still fulfills the purpose of this publishing group. Thoughts?
2. I haven't decided exactly which pieces I'll be using (tomorrow I'm gonna print everything up), but it's quite possible that some of the pieces will contain obscene language/scenes (ranging from mere swearing to not-so-graphic-but-not-exactly-pg-rated-either depictions of sexuality.) Could I get in trouble for distributing this type of writing on a high school campus?
3. My biggest worry is: no one will care. The students will glance at it, if I'm lucky, then discard of it. I'm thinking it's a long shot that anybody will get all the way to the point of responding to it online. I suppose that is part of the experiment though; the results will be telling.
Good luck to everyone in their endeavors, school-wise, or otherwise
- alexander
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2 comments:
Hi Alexander:
I'm glad you exist!!
Your project sounds excellent, and very in keeping with a long history of agit-prop political instigation.
Here are some thoughts about your questions, in order:
1. Making any text in any form and distributing it in any way (and particularly with attention to non-traditional modes of distribution and non-typical audiences for your writing) fulfills the purpose of this group. You're fine -- you're better than fine!
2. I don't know if you can get in trouble for distributing material that could be defined as obscene on your high school campus. You have a few options in that regard, as I see it: distribute elsewhere (i.e. in public space but not on the campus of your school per se -- though depending on the nature of your materials you may or may not run the risk of getting into trouble in public space as well); figure out a way to distribute anonymously; research local laws and/or the specific rules of your high school as to what constitutes obscenity and what can happen if a person disseminates it; find a way to express your views without using obscenity, if that is even possible.
Anyone else have any thoughts about this?
3. It's very likely -- perhaps, even, guaranteed -- that many of the people you're seeking to affect won't care much about your writing. Welcome to the world! On the other hand, you never know when you're planting seeds of ideas in people, affecting them with your words and your philosophies, creating the conditions in which those seeds might blossom at some other time, perhaps in ways you might never perceive. So for starters, it's important to remember that direct and immediate response is not necessarily a measure of the "success" of your project. At the same time, you might think about ways to expand your parameters a bit. Is it important to you that this project address students from your former high school specifically and exclusively? If you cast a slightly wider net (distributing anonymously in coffee shops, bookstores, public libraries, tutoring centers, other places where kids might hang out, etc) perhaps you will find readers you would not otherwise have encountered. It's possible -- even likely -- that you won't get the level of online response you seek, but it's worth a try, and who knows what unexpected results might occur...
Keep us posted on your progress -- and please don't disappear again!
Bests,
Jen
hey alex----
1. As far as sneaky distribution goes, do you have friends at the high school who could help you? Maybe people that have some kind of in, like an after school club or something. I'm thinking yearbook here. Maybe the debate team. 2. I don't know what your high school is like, but all the big wigs at mine were so stressed out with the chaos of adolescence that, with a little knack for sneakiness, one could get away with a lot. There's a lot of places you could leave them conspicously, too...lockers, bathrooms, the library...
Unless you're handing them out and/or your name is on them, I wouldn't worry about obscenity. In fact, go for it. It'll probably get their hormonal attention. Which, speaking of, (3)I would not sweat over. Students will eat it up, at least the thinking ones who appreciate anything such as (but not limited to ) creativity, independent thought, uh...as for the rest: fuck em. Leave the real standardized tests for the herd. I remember your writing from the residency and would go nuts stumbling upon it during a mundane day of public education
Good luck!
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