in the critique article of wisdom sits in place there was made a distinction between space and place: "'space '[is]...an abstract or physical category and 'place' [is]...the realm of cultural meaning, identity, imagination, and significance." this is true about my places on earth. it is also true that while some people might consider a certain space a place, others might see it only as an arbitrary space with no significance.
I took this distinction between physical spaces and places and applied in to more abstract forms, in particular, texts. i believe that a similar division can be made. although, few, if any texts would be placed exclusively 'space' category (operation manuals, calculus textbooks, informative pamphlets) the category of place is a bit more tricky to define. the epitome of a 'place' text would be scripture. however, just as in the physical cases, some people might not agree on one scripture's categorization as 'place' text. for example, what of a really good text that has endured centuries of scrutiny and criticism, and still managed to be remembered and revered?
personally, one novel i have read that has really impacted my life in many dimension is one hundred years of solitude. even the review of it on the back cover says that it is the first book since the book of genesis that should be required reading for all mankind. that is a powerful statement, and i agree. in it's own way, it can be interpreted as a type of scripture. it is surreal, it follows the lineage of a family down to its apocalyptic ending, and it contains many, many themes that pertain to life: death, solitude, love, incest, insomnia, war, pride, jealousy, drought, flood, gypsies, innovation, wisdom, salvation, to name some. there are others..
so..does this book belong in the space category? certainly not, because it has tons of cultural meaning, identity and imagination. does it belong in the space category? and if so, does it deserve a status equivalent to holy scriptures?
some people (my sister, for example) would definitely attest that that book is far more important to them than the bible.
blasphemy?
blasphe-you?
blasphe-everybody-in-the-room.
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