Lucianesque

Lucianesque

Mopsius: Didn't you say that you never wanted to see or talk to me again?

Mopsia: That was the past. That's over and done with.

Mopsius: But that was just a few seconds ago.

Mopsia: Still it's the past. It's over and done with. It's insignificant.

Mopsius: May I ask a question?

Mopsia: Shoot.

Mopsius: How do you speak a sentence, let alone write one? Isn't the beginning of the sentence already the past when the sentence is being finished?

Mopsia: That's easy--it's assembled and understood in the continuous present.

Mopsius: The continuous present?

Mopsia: The continuous present.

Mopsius: I am not sure I understand. What is assembled in the continuous present? Isn't it a sentence constructed in the past and thus insignificant?

Mopsia: No, the assembly is in the present. That's the important thing. That's the meaning. It's always in the present.

Mopsius: So there is no such thing as a past meaning?

Mopsia: There may have been meanings meant in the past but they are past. Only the present meaning is important. We live and breathe in the continuous present. Isn't that obvious. You can't live in the past. The past is dead.

Mopsius: I see. Meaning may continuously change but only the present meaning is significant. Like the weather or a feather in the wind.

Mopsia: You might say that.

Mopsius: So there are no consequences?

Mopsia: Nothing final. Nothing that can't be changed.

Mopsius: Changed in the present, I presume.

Mopsia: Naturally. You can't change things in the past.

Mopsius: I suppose not.

Mopsia: It's all perfectly clear.

Mopsius: But you keep saying, "There are consequences".

Mopsia: The consequences too are always in the continuous present.

Mopsius: For yourself. Or only for other people?

Mopsia: I am a continuous present.

Mopsius: But you are always saying to other people, "There are consequences."

Mopsia:That means there will be consequences in the future if others do not act according to the dictums of the present.

Mopsius: Your dictums.

Mopsia: Of course--why should I be concerned about any dictums but my own. I can't speak for anyone else.

Mopsius: I see.

Mopsia: And my dictums exist in the continuous present.

Mopsius: But you don't follow your own rules.

Mopsia: That's a 'you' statement. And I will not listen to it.

Mopsius: Are you sure there is no way you can hold yourself to your determination never to want to see me or talk to me again?

[copyright EAC]