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Robert Pirsig: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance author dies aged 88
UK Guardian ^

Posted on 04/24/2017 5:19:16 PM PDT by ameribbean expat

Published in 1974 after being rejected by more than 100 other publishers, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, was the father-son story of a motorcycle trip across the western United States. Loosely autobiographical, it also contained flashbacks to a period in which the author was diagnosed as schizophrenic.

The book quickly became a best-seller. Pirsig said its protagonist “set out to resolve the conflict between classic values that create machinery, such as a motorcycle, and romantic values, such as experiencing the beauty of a country road”.

(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: pirsig; pirsigobit
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To: ameribbean expat

Wonder where I put my copy?

ahhh...now in a box in the hayloft. (no hay)


61 posted on 04/24/2017 9:47:56 PM PDT by G Larry (There is no great virtue in bargaining with the Devil)
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To: Billthedrill

Heh heh — you will like Polanyi I think. I got turned onto him by someone here on FR a few years back, probably on a thread like this. His critique of the scientific method is fantastic. That’s what got me hooked in. If you’re someone who’s done creative work in technical areas you will realize that he is correct when it comes to how science really works. And then from there he opens up some interesting lines of attack on materialism and the left. It’s all very perceptive and innovative. I put him up near guys like Hayek in my personal pantheon and am surprised he’s not more well known. There’s a book called Everyman Revived by Drusilla Scott that’s a nice quick primer on Polanyi, btw.


62 posted on 04/24/2017 9:51:36 PM PDT by Yardstick
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To: ameribbean expat

I read that book way back when and read it over a couple of times. I still have a copy. I will probably look at it once again.


63 posted on 04/24/2017 9:56:53 PM PDT by arthurus
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To: oldplayer

I drove nothing but MCs for about 30 years and did border to border and coast more than once. The best I ever got out of a bike was 70k miles on a 920 Virago. I drove that for a weekly 320 mile (one way) commute.


64 posted on 04/24/2017 10:09:16 PM PDT by arthurus
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To: Nailbiter; BartMan1

Reading this thread puts me in mind of an old-timer mechanic who might like to read ZMM


65 posted on 04/24/2017 10:19:19 PM PDT by IncPen (Progressivism is in perpetual need of an enemy against which to refresh its outrage.)
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To: irish guard

I read it four times. A good read when your life goes thru a transition. New job, new town, marriage, kids etc.

Helps you sort thru what is important to you. Quality is what it means to you and your value system. Fiat Soyder. Some people don’t like because they are un dependable. Others love the body style.

As my Dad said, can’t please everybody, so make sure you are proud of it and be content.


66 posted on 04/25/2017 2:36:03 AM PDT by Jimmy The Snake
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To: Jimmy The Snake

I had a 1970 Positano Yellow Fiat Spyder. Fun little car, but a mechanic I knew made fun of the “oil cooled” spark plugs.

I bought it new just before I got out of the Navy. Paid for with poker winnings on a WESTPAC cruise.

Had it a couple years, then basically lost it in a long weekend poker game in Lake Elsinore. I no longer play poker. :)


67 posted on 04/25/2017 3:16:56 AM PDT by JohnnyP (Thinking is hard work (I stole that from Rush).)
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To: Jimmy The Snake
Your observations are the same as mine. Every so often it's good to run a check list on your motorcycle (in our cases our life) to make sure it's in good running order.

I've often thought it would be among a short list of books I'd take with me if I knew I was to be stranded in isolation for a long period of time.

68 posted on 04/25/2017 4:16:27 AM PDT by irish guard
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To: kiryandil

Pirsig tried to do a lot.

He tried to unite Western and Eastern philosophy.

He tried to show the world that we should all be good.

He was fighting with the big issues.

A brilliant man with a brilliant mind who ran from his soul.


69 posted on 04/25/2017 6:01:12 AM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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To: ameribbean expat

BFL. After reading through this thread, I’ve got a new book or two to add to my “to read” stack.


70 posted on 04/25/2017 7:38:08 AM PDT by zeugma (The Brownshirts have taken over American Universities.)
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To: ameribbean expat

Those who liked ZMM might also like “Shop Class as Soulcraft.
An inquiry into the value of work” by Matthew B Crawford.


71 posted on 04/25/2017 9:22:08 AM PDT by omega4412
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