Book Launch: General Semantics and Politics
Edited by Corey Anton and Thom Gencarelli
Please join us on Wednesday, February 4 to celebrate the publication of General Semantics and Politics, edited by Corey Anton, Vice President of the Institute of General Semantics, and Thom Gencarelli, IGS Treasurer and editor of ETC.: A Review of General Semantics, with a discussion and book signing.
General Seman
tics and Politics is designed for those discovering general semantics for the first time, as well as for scholars who are well versed in it. This collection brings together essays that span a wide range of concerns, including the underpinnings of democracy, the challenges of media bias and the two-party system, the difficulties in thinking about money and inequality, the struggle against polarization, how to deal with conspiracy theories, and, along the way, provides ample resources for engaging in fair and rational dialogue.
In today's world, where so many people are confused and disgruntled, and perhaps on the verge of giving up on the possibility of constructive political discourse, this collection is a breath of fresh air. It reminds us that hope is not lost so long as we are willing to openly and honestly think about what is going on. Essential reading for anyone interested in general semantics, the contemporary world of politics, and/or the connection between them, it is a collection not to be missed.
Could a non-Aristotelian understanding of politics help us avert the seemingly inevitable civic conflict before us? Once again, General Semantics comes to the rescue of a society that needs to retrieve the feedback mechanisms that keep it stable, or even alive. Anyone who has questioned the red/blue TV image that defines democracy today will relish this opportunity to come to terms with the terms themselves.
Corey and Thom will discuss their book, and we will save time after the discussion for book signings.
Panelists
Corey Anton, Ph.D., is Professor of Communication and Media Studies at Grand Valley State University, Vice President of the Institute of General Semantics, Past President of the Media Ecology Association, and a Fellow of the International Communicology Institute. He is the author of A.EYE CANDY: A Museum of Imaginary Robots and Other Digital Delights and How Non-being Haunts Being: On Possibilities, Morality, and Death Acceptance. He is co-editor of Korzybski and... with Lance Strate, Taking Up McLuhan's Cause: Perspectives on Media and Formal Causality with Robert Logan and Lance Strate, and General Semantics and Politics with Thom Gencarelli.
Thom Gencarelli, Ph.D., is Professor and founding Chair of the former Communication Department at Manhattan University in Riverdale, New York. He is Editor of the IGS official journal ETC: A Review of General Semantics, as well as Past President of the Media Ecology Association, the New York State Communication Association, and the New Jersey Communication Association (twice). He is co-editor (with Brian Cogan) of Baby Boomers and Popular Culture: An Inquiry into America’s Most Powerful Generation, and he has two books due out this year: Searching for the Right Notes: Essays on Media, Music, and Meaning (Peter Lang) and, with Corey Anton, General Semantics and Politics (the New Non-aristotelian Library).
This event will take place from 6 PM to 9 PM Wednesday, February 4 at the historic Players Club in Gramercy Park.
Registration is free, but all attendees must be registered in order to gain admittance to the club. This includes any guests you might want to bring with you.
The program will take place in the Library on the 2nd floor of the club. Please note that, as an historic 19th century landmark, the site is not handicap accessible. Dress code is business casual and is strictly enforced, including no sneakers, shorts, ripped jeans, or t-shirts.
