Kesher Talk

Turning my midlife crisis into a second career Dept. So I head towards one of the sessions I want to attend at Lishmah, and I am waved away by a kindly volunteer (a rabbinical student who shall remain nameless in case any guilt by association with caustic me should adhere to him) - the room is too crowded. (Over 1200 people studied Judaism together today at the Skirball Center in a wildly successful multi-denominational day of learning - crowded classrooms and not enough handouts were the norm.)

"There are plenty of excellent alternatives," he says diplomatically to several people with disappointed looks on their faces. He points to a description of a panel in the auditorium downstairs with Steven Bayme and Douglas Rushkoff. "For example, that looks like a great session."

"Well," say I, "I don't dare go to that session because if I did I would be too tempted to clambor up onto the stage and strangle Doug Rushkoff with my bare hands."

"Uh, well . . . ," he stammers.

"I'm sorry, " say I, "but he just annoys the shit out of me."

Exhibit A.

(Via Protocols, of course - scroll down to the heading "Book Discussions" in the right column for all their Rushkoff fiskings.) (I should just leave the poor deluded schlub alone, but having a wonderful time at an event that refutes every one of his contentions and then going home and reading yet another snotty preen full of self-serving stereotypes - I couldn't resist leaving a few, er, comments.) (Doug, if I ever meet you, I promise I won't try to strangle you - that was a rhetorical turn of phrase. But I can't promise not to chortle a bit if you start kvetching about how the Jewish community doesn't recognize your iconoclastic genius.)

PS Speaking of Protocols, the elders were threatening to go to Lishmah and blog via the putative WIFI - I saw several lanky young frumies in dress pants, crisp haircuts, and knit kippas 2 inches above their foreheads, but none with a laptop. Guys?

UPDATE: Steven of Protocols responds with a conference report.

posted by Judith @ 9/14/2003 11:37:17 PM