THE UNIVERSE OF INFORMATION.pdf - ideals

they begin to understand this, and that they proposed to come to-
Brussels, without my having to prompt (as you can imagine, I have
done and will do all I can to see that he does not forget this good'
resolution). He understood that all the ideas that you believe valuable
behind your works, were from Leon Bourgeois to whom they attributed
the paternity. But don't write anything: he is intelligent enough
to understand ... They have had much difficulty with the philistinism
of the politicians ... Now for your part, dear friend, let me make my
little protest to you. The question is not as simple as it appears to
you in your isolation as specialist for generalisation, and in the face
of a Committee of amateurs. Believe me that they are still educable.
Remember also that you are not the only prophet... Go on tour, from
Aberystwyth to Tagore, from New York to San Francisco... It is
necessary to come out of your absorption, even in your work. I have
loyally recognised them as being the most important I know — but
not the only ones.
Geddes saw Otlet and himself as struggling to achieve a
wider recognition of the «synthetic» philosophy or motivation
underlying their work. He was concerned with an idea, not
like Otlet who jealously identified himself with the institutions
he had created to embody it. Geddes promised to do all
he could with Bergson to encourage him to support the Palais
Mondial, to emphasise its value to the Committee.
But, thanking you again for all you have given me, and congratulating
you again on your work, I am a little disappointed, even in terms
of your own interests, that your tension of mind does not permit you
to give me an hour for criticism and for strengthening my line af attack
which is not only that of presenting my own personal efforts for
a common synthesis, which I believe would be useful to you, but also
the general movement — I dare say mondial — however fragmented
and dispersed.
You are like a general too separated from his army which, for the
most part, doesn't know him any more. Think of synthesis as a movement
in progress, more vast even than the field of your associations,
of your bibliography, etc., despite their importance, even as their center.
Think of the Universities in the same way — that you wish to repeat
the dominating influence of the University of France earlier,
even of Oxford, and now of London for Great Britain and Salamanca
for Spain. Down with the super-universities! Long live free civic and
regional universities. But create a clearing—house for them, congresses,
summer, Christmas, Easter meetings. But take notice of realities too...
Will the International University be international always? It is
beyond the capabilities of any man; all you will do is to create a revolt
against the new Vatican. You will say that it isn't your intention
to pontificate at all. I know it—but unfortunately this is the impression
you continue to give. And I seriously believe that if you substitute
the idea of International University meetings for your ^International
University* you would in fact have something more than that indeed.
I depend upon our long friendship for you not to be hurt by this
frankness, and to recognise the loyalty of co-operation which
inspires it. 41
For Otlet, in the middle of his feverish struggle to keep the
Palais Mondial alive, this letter must have been something of
a shock, but he took no offence from the penetrating criticisms
it contained. In replying to it, he expressed regret that he had
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