I am interested in disinterested knowledge

Disinterested knowledge is the energy bunny. It generates the energy for exploration and for overcoming some of the inhibitions consciousness places on the unconscious.

Disinterested knowledge is an intrinsic value. Disinterested knowledge is not a means but an end. It is knowledge I seek because I desire to know it. I mean the term 'disinterested knowledge' as similar to 'pure research', as compared to 'applied research'. Pure research seeks to know truth unconnected to any specific application.

Studying disinterested knowledge is like taking off a month every year to visit a strange new land. Curiosity is reinvigorated and new meaning is created.

Knowledge is like a jigsaw puzzle. We have created many puzzles in coping with reality and when we receive a new piece of knowledge that does not fit our present puzzles we forgetaboutit (Italian word for ‘forget about it’). However, if through disinterested knowledge we have created new puzzles within which the new knowledge might fit we might find a whole new meaning in life.

Our mind is constantly working for us and when we do not give it a worthwhile project, i.e. a new puzzle, it will just waste away in boredom or worry.

Instrumental knowledge is interested knowledge. Instrumental knowledge is the life blood of a value system that places the maximizing of production and consumption as “Number One”.

Disinterested knowledge is the un-knowledge, it is the non-instrumental knowledge. Disinterested knowledge is an alien and clumsy word in a society that places maximum value on production and consumption. Disinterested knowledge is not a catalyst of production and consumption but it is the catalyst of creativity. Disinterested knowledge is the mixing bowl of creativity.

Creativity is the synthesis of the known into a model of the unknown. The value of the unknown is yet to be determined. Creativity requires a comfort with the unknown.

Disinterested knowledge is a means to defragment your brain.

Have you ever studied disinterested knowledge?

Do you think it is important to love to learn?

Disinterested knowledge? Or did you mean "disinteresting" knowledge?

A person is "disinterested", but I don't think something like knowledge can have such a thing as a lack of interest.

Baron Max

Baron

You need to extend your reading base.

No, coberst. The Baron is correct. Disinterest can only apply to an entity with conscious motivations, not to an abstract concept. I'm surprised that one slipped by me.

The term may not be appropriate but I think the concept is worth considering (perhaps a better term may be "non-instrumental"). In my own case most of the knowledge I have pursued has been non-instrumental (art, literature, music, trivia, etc.) at the time I pursued it, but of course its instrumentality is dependent on context. If you're on some gameshow useless trivia may win you $100,000 and while an interest in art may have appeared non-instrumental when you studied it if you get a job at an art gallery it becomes instrumental. So I think my conclusion would be that under capitalism at least there is no such thing as "knowledge [that] is not a catalyst of production and consumption."

The term may not be appropriate but I think the concept is worth considering (perhaps a better term may be "non-instrumental"). In my own case most of the knowledge I have pursued has been non-instrumental (art, literature, music, trivia, etc.) at the time I pursued it, but ....

Sure, but you were also interested enough to continue to studies. That's a big difference to say that you force yourself to study subjects that don't interest you. I've studied many subjects in my years, but damned few did I study that I wasn't interested in for some reason ....if nothing more than to get a passing grade and get a degree.

See? The concept of "interested", or "interesting" is much different to what you or Coberst are trying to discuss.

Baron Max

Sure, but you were also interested enough to continue to studies. That's a big difference to say that you force yourself to study subjects that don't interest you. I've studied many subjects in my years, but damned few did I study that I wasn't interested in for some reason ....if nothing more than to get a passing grade and get a degree.

See? The concept of "interested", or "interesting" is much different to what you or Coberst are trying to discuss.

Baron Max

I wouldn't disagree--which is why I suggested the term was wrong and then concluded that under our current economic/social structure even the concept really doesn't apply.

The term may not be appropriate but I think the concept is worth considering (perhaps a better term may be "non-instrumental"). In my own case most of the knowledge I have pursued has been non-instrumental (art, literature, music, trivia, etc.) at the time I pursued it, but of course its instrumentality is dependent on context. If you're on some gameshow useless trivia may win you $100,000 and while an interest in art may have appeared non-instrumental when you studied it if you get a job at an art gallery it becomes instrumental. So I think my conclusion would be that under capitalism at least there is no such thing as "knowledge [that] is not a catalyst of production and consumption."

You are correct. The word is a bit clumsey maybe because most Americans cannot imagine someone studying anything that won't provide a payoff with some consumer goods.

Psychology may be disinterested to me but of course it may be very instrumental to someone else.

Psychology may be disinterested to me but of course it may be very instrumental to someone else.

The word is "disinterestING", not disinterested!!! Please get it right, or else tell us what fuckin' language you're using?!

Baron Max

max

You do have a bad mouth!

The word is "disinterestING", not disinterested!!! Please get it right, or else tell us what fuckin' language you're using?!

Baron MaxWouldn't you prefer uninteresting?