intellectuals

Murray K. Simpson wrote:

>Thus when he says above 'By what right would _he_ do so?'
>he is clearly attempting to resist an expectation being placed on
>himself.

If an intellectual has spent his or her life studying birdsong or mapping
the migration pattern of salmon, there are no such expectations. But is it
wrong to expect that a student of the history and mechanics of political
and cultural power might have some advice to offer people involved in
practical struggles? I wonder if behind this stance of modesty there isn't
an arrogant detachment from the mob.

Doug