|
I understand, just a matter of curiosity. In "Armies of the Night", Norman Mailer observes that conservative academics are usually more interesting than liberal and left- wing academics, because the leftish ones are so earnest, and obsessed with politics, and so bien pensant that they frequently are humorless. Conservative academics have other interests, usually have a bit more money and few dietary hang- ups, so they set a better table, are more likely to be witty, and are often delightfully eccentric. I have no idea if he is correct, as a general rule, since most of my experience is confined to one campus, but I found it provocative....Anyway, I just found the juxtaposition of Proper and Fun strange, since the things that I find fun: a good cognac, intelligent conversation, going to the movies, seeing an art exhibit, are compatible with propriety.... |
