The Second Innocence
November 24, 2009The Second Innocence is an experimental project drawing on nearly five years of thought and work.
It draws on literature, philosophy, social research, educational theory, music, film and a massive amount of very self indulgent imaginings. It is effectively, a book which will grow in readable chunks on this blog as long as anyone is interested to read it. It aims to be a narrative, moving from fictional allegory to philosophical enquiry and back again; until a final point is reached and the entirety of the story becomes apparent, though along the way it will pick up on a lot of topics of interest and creative experiments. It will be published in a fairly draft form however; and I would be fascinated and and greatly appreciative of any feedback, questions or additions; though I should probably warn the unwary – I will make no apologies for not making it too obvious, or keeping some of meanings hidden for a time.
This blog will tell a story of a trail of thinking around the subject of childhood innocence… and hopefully it will, if not prove interesting to you, then at least open your mind to a way of thinking that never seems to reveal its depths to me.
I sincerely hope you enjoy it.
LATEST UPDATE: 20th December 2009
The final part of the second chapter is up, so that’s the first two down. Hopefully it’s a bit clearer what this project is all about now – although chapter three will be another departure into unexpected waters.
At this point, I really would like to invite anybody reading this to share their opinions on the topic. Even if the first chapter was a bit puzzling, have a look at chapter two and tell me: what do YOU think innocence means? What images, feelings, emotions and connections come to mind when you think about it? Is there are any specific element which you think has to be considered when we think about innocence might be? Or have you got any feedback on anything I’ve posted so far? What have I got wrong so far? Let’s hear your thoughts…
Also, in an effort to get some debate moving on this I’ll try and plug the site a bit more – and I would be endlessly grateful and appreciative of everything you are if you point people in this direction. We’ve had some great stuff on this site before so let’s see if we can’t get it moving again! There must be a few mothery types out there in webland – I’d love to know what you think makes your child’s childhood so special…
In the meantime, Happy Christmas one and all and here’s hoping for a fun new decade (where maybe we fix a few things wrong with the world…)
xxx
Yay!!! I’m so excited! Well, you have one reader hanging on your every word in any case… xx
Where is the first chapter then? Does the title Second Innocence assume that: the first innocence was lost and that the first innocence isn’t still carrying on somewhere? What is innocence – is it that sense of unknowing – therefore when you know you are no longer innocent? Am looking forward to reading –
Thankyou for your interest!
You are asking precisely the right questions – but I’m afraid I’m not going to give you a clear cut answer straight away… Chapter 2 will spell things out a little more, Chapter 1 will just open up the questions – and maybe give a hint where I’m going with this.
It’s on its way – and it won’t be what you think. But I do hope it grabs you – and would love to know what thoughts it inspires. Be up shortly.
Here I am at last – so sorry it has taken me such an age but I wanted to give it the attention it deserved.
So. My thoughts. Constructively critical ok?
I didn’t feel the first couple of paragraphs, I found it really hard to get going with to be honest. It felt like you were saying the same things over and over with only slight variation which meant the words ran together a bit and I found it hard to get your point – I think everything you were trying to say could have been summed in a much shorter section. I don’t imagine birth to be quite so drawn out – it would be a rush, a sudden burst of sensation. The this happened, then this happened, then this just didn’t ‘feel’ right to me.
But.
But then Eleanor started to run and I was THERE! Loved this next sequence, the way she is immersed in her world and her new experiences. The sprites and spirits are delightful and beautifully described.
I get the Garden of Eden parallels and the idea that Eleanor must ‘leave behind’ this innocence somehow to be able to grow (and survive!) but I’m not quite with you yet as to why or the bigger themes at play. But I guess that’s what the rest of it’s for!
Bravo BB. Can’t wait for the next instalment xx
Eleanor is beginning a journey – which is a different journey for each one of us. The steps alter, the way winds, the path is covered over, she will have to sometimes seek help from some other ‘spirits’ to uncover the path that lead back to innocence.
But can you be led back to innocence – once it is lost is it lost forever, or does the knowledge that it is lost increase the loss of the innocence?
But will it matter if she does lose her innocence? Is it any bad thing that she gets swept away by the world and all that there is in it? Because if there is nothing other than now it will matter not – but if…
