Talk:’Pataphysics
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[edit] etymology
Do we get an explanation of the apostrophe?
- It was Jarry who declared that: "Pataphysics, whose etymological spelling should be 'EPI' and actual orthography 'pataphysics, preceded by an apostrophe so as to avoid a simple pun ... " --jenlight 20:31, 13 January 2006 (UTC)
Personally I miss the pataphysical nature of earlier versions of this article. Contributors would do well to remember that pataphysics is the science of imaginary solutions, not an imaginary science; this article should not be treated as a Nihilartikel, though it probably ought to resemble one.
Tolken 18:49, 12 Apr 2005 (UTC)
(cur) (last) . . 10:30 2 Jun 2003 . . Pcb21 (rm Heath Robinson see also, not strictly correct analogy)
user pcb21 has removed the following useful links:
- The root prefix element "Pata-" is still not explained. Is it from Greek like "Meta-" is? I know Greek transliterated spellings can be of separate rooted words 'pedo' meaning either "youth" or "foot" & 'homo' meaning either human or same, so I am not entirely sure if I am to believe what I find when looking online that "pata" is Greek for "to step on". Nagelfar 13:08, 22 February 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Page move
A user recently moved this page from 'Pataphysics to ’Pataphysics; I see no explanation in the text for the distinction being important enough for a page move, so if there's no objections I'll move it back in ~24 hours. Not everyone has curly quotes in their browser font. -- nae'blis (talk) 14:51, 9 June 2006 (UTC)
[edit] See Also
- Rube Goldberg and Heath Robinson-machines - practical applications of pataphysics
- Pataphysical situation - a situlogical critique of pataphysics
- The Rube Goldberg and Heath Robinson links were listed in the example of the writings of a pataphysician. Since (and you can confirm this if you check the history) those links were NOT written by a pataphysican, then they should not be in the example. The pataphysical situation link.. oops sorry about that. Thanks for putting it back. By the way please sign your comments. It makes for a more constructive dialogue if people know who they are talking to. You can do this by typing ~~~~ at the end of your comment. Pcb21 13:35 2 Jun 2003 (UTC)
[edit] What found where?
Moved the italicized section here. When making historical claims, especially ones that may be contentious, the claim must be spelled out exactly (in this case, it needs to be made clear what was found in the ancient writings) and backed up with references, and with explicit reference to what was found in what passages of each work, preferrably with quotes. In this case, the removed section seems to be making the claim that Faustroll was found in the ancient writings...
- Pataphysics is sometimes defined as "the science of imaginary solutions, which symbolically attributes the properties of objects, described by their virtuality, to their lineaments" (from Alfred Jarry's Book Faustroll). It is found in the ancient writings of Chinese philosopher Dzu-tse (Jootsius), Ibicrate the Geometer and Sophrotatos the Armenian.
-Seth Mahoney 18:52, Sep 11, 2004 (UTC)
- Those are fictional people and their works are referred to 'pataphysically. I think that sentence is rather important to the article. I will refrain from replacing it because I have the impression that that would not be seen as constructive but I hope a consensus would see its value. SpacemanSpork 23:49, 2005 Feb 28 (UTC)
[edit] Correct spelling?
Isn't the correct spelling " 'pataphysics " (beginning with an apostrophe)?
Yes. Merely follow the external link to the LIP and see for yourself.
[edit] Eadem mutata resurgo
Eadem mutata resurgo translates into English as what? --sparkit (talk) 15:08, July 11, 2005 (UTC)
I too would like to know the significance of the apostrophe :) porges 05:18, July 31, 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Beatles?
The article claims 'pataphysics is mentioned in the lyrics to "Maxwell's Silver Hammer," but I've just found a copy of the lyrics online and there's no mention of 'pataphysics anywhere. Can someone verify? --Jay (Histrion) (talk • contribs) 21:20, 28 November 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Re: Beatles song
It appears in the first two lines of the "Maxwell's Silver Hammer":
'Joan was quizzical; studied pataphysical Science in the home.'
The official Abbey Road lyrics verify this.
With all due respect to the people who drop by from time to time to argue about this, please consult the album, not lyrics online, which are basically best guesses by random people.
Thanks!
[edit] punning nature of "'pataphysics"
With respect to Mr. Bill Thayer's interpetation of the "pun" behind "'pataphysics", I would like to make the following observations:
- "Patte a physique" or "leg of physics" is the pun as interpreted in citable sources, namely the works of Keith Beaumont (Alfred Jarry: A Critical and Biographical Study. U.S.: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-3120-1712-X) and Roger Shattuck's Selected Works of Alfred Jarry: Ubu Cuckolded, Exploits and Opinions of Doctor Faustroll, US: Grove Press. ISBN 0802151671)
- Having said that, the pun as cited in the aforementioned sources has never made much sense to me. (Is "leg of physics" really a very cutting insult?)
- My choice was to put the citable interpretation to the pun back in, and leave a little of Mr. Thayer's interpretation
- However, the pun could not possibly be "pas ton physique", as that would no longer be a pun with "pataphysique", but "patonphysique", a word which does not (yet!) exist
[edit] Addition to Music section
I believe the music section should include Pataphysical Introduction (parts 1 & 2) on Soft Machine's album Volume Two, 1969, but I'm new around here and don't want to do it myself at this time. Here's an informative but not authoritative link: http://starling.rinet.ru/music/soft.htm#Two I'm Robin Faichney, robin@reborntechnology.co.uk
[edit] Beatles song does indeed mention "'pataphysics", NOT "metaphysics"
As has been previously said, the Beatles song DOES mention "'pataphysics", as anyone can see who has a copy of Abbey Road.
It also appears in various authorized, published versions of "Maxwell's Silver Hammer", including the following book, which has been added to the bibliography:
- Schonberg, Bo (1986). Beatles Complete Guitar. U.S.: Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 0-88188-605-X.
