Message-ID: <Pine.NEB.4.64.0805051142200.21718@panix3.panix.com>
From: Alan Sondheim <sondheim@panix.com>
To: Cyb <cybermind@listserv.aol.com>, Wryting-L <WRYTING-L@listserv.wvu.edu>
Subject: Experiment solitary touching appetite of union in bodies.
Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 11:42:34 -0400 (EDT)
Experiment solitary touching appetite of union in bodies. 293. It is certain that in all bodies there is an appetite of union, and evitation of solution of continuity; and of this appetite there be many degrees; but the most remarkable, and fit to be distinguished, are three. The first in liquors; the second in hard bodies; and the third in bodies cleaving or tenacious. In liquors this appetite is weak; we see in liquors the threading of them in stillicides (as hath been said); the falling of them in round drops (which is the form of union); and the staying of them for a little time in bubbles and froth. In the second degree or kind, this appetite is strong; as in iron, in stone, in wood, &c. In the third, this appetite is in a medium between the other two: for such bodies do partly follow the touch of another body, and partly stick and continue to themselves; and therefore they rope, and draw themselves in threads; as we see in pitch, glass, birdlime, &c. But note, that all solid bodies are cleaving, more or less; and that they love better the touch of somewhat that is tangible, than of air. For water, in small quantity, cleaveth to any thing that is solid; and so would metal too, if the weight drew it not off. And therefore gold foliate, or any metal foliate, cleaveth: but those bodies which are noted to be clammy and cleaving, are such as have a more indifferent appetite (at once) to follow another body, and to hold to themselves. And therefore they are commonly bodies ill mixed: and which take more pleasure in a foreign body, than in preserving their own consistence; and which have little predominance in drought or moisture. (from Francis Bacon, Sylva Sylvarum: or A Natural History, 1627) ( think of electrick fluid, magnetism, electrostaticks; think of mud or other problematic 'objects' in Plato; of abjection; of Kristeva's Powers of Horror; of Being and Nothingness (last sections); of the analogick; of substance and its uncanniness; of the discrete and its imaginary. this has always been with us, think of Visuddhimagga, highest tantra, think of purification rites, scapegoats, abjections, dis/ease, dis/comfort, think of anything unthought ... )