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The interplay of the two worlds can be construed as relations between different models of reality. Melusine speaks to Laura about the idea that a cybernetic system, in an attempt to understand its environment, can construct a model of its surroundings, and by tweaking this model, the system can develop more models that simulate possible scenarios in the first set of surroundings. These models are actually fantasized worlds, which may not (and must not) correspond to present or even future reality; an example of this kind of fantasy would be a model of a future Communist society. Melusine emphasizes that these types of models, even if they are not consistent with anything real, are historically very important, in the event that they are realized in the future through the efforts of society. As Rasboinikowa recognizes, the counter-world in Beatriz, with its utopian visions and impossible characters, is a modeled scenario. Likewise, the historical GDR is a flawed attempt to reproduce another model (that does not correspond to reality), the Communist system of ideals. Political change necessitates the repeated collision of these worlds.
We might ask why the historical GDR is doomed to be considered an unfaithful replica; a short chapter on the state of applied physics research can provide an answer. The language of the passage, of science and ratio, gives us justification to link it with Melusine’s talk of models. According to research, “…jedes Elementarteilchen einen Doppelgänger hat… Teilchen und Antiteilchen… Die ‘Antiwelt’ ist ein Spiegelbild der Welt, das jedoch real existiert.’” This can be taken to mean that reality does, in fact, co-exist with an anti-reality, or fantasy world, where “real world” conditions are mirrored but distorted. In this sense, the historical GDR can be seen as a type of anti-world, since it is “composed of” Communist ideals, in the eyes of its leaders. However, as the passage reveals, “Teilchen und Antiteilchen vertragen einander nicht und zerstrahlen beim Aufeinandertreffen.” Matter and anti-matter are a dangerous combination; an exact copy or direct transplant of the ideal Communist society cannot endure the conditions of the real world, not merely because it is a copy of a model, but because it is a radical utopian vision that runs the risk of self-destruction.
The historical GDR must then be regarded as a prototype rather than a complete, functional model. The figure of Wenzel Morolf, a physicist who leads a research institute, comes upon this idea as a young man. It is noteworthy that this insight is put in the mouth of a man who seems to understand the necessity of utopian thinking and the interplay of models, while simultaneously entrenched in the “world” of technology and ratio. Morolf disturbs a meeting of young Communists, and when asked why he does not leave, he explains that he enjoys the experimental aspect of the discussion:
“…Physiker haben was übrig für Experimente.”
“Der Sozialismus ist kein Experiment”, sagt Karla.
“Wenn er kein Experiment ware, würde er mich nicht interessieren…fertige Sachen interessieren mich nicht.”
With this passage, Morgner intends to warn against a conception of the (historical) GDR as a perfect or even best possible implementation of Communist ideals in the world. As Morolf stresses, it is an incomplete experiment, a struggle between model and “reality”, that must be repeated again and again until there is no doubt that the model is operative and practical.
(pp. 9-10) "Irmtraud Morgner's Beatriz: Bringing the World[s] into Balance" by ozmakid
happy end of semester!
The interplay of the two worlds can be construed as relations between different models of reality. Melusine speaks to Laura about the idea that a cybernetic system, in an attempt to understand its environment, can construct a model of its surroundings, and by tweaking this model, the system can develop more models that simulate possible scenarios in the first set of surroundings. These models are actually fantasized worlds, which may not (and must not) correspond to present or even future reality; an example of this kind of fantasy would be a model of a future Communist society. Melusine emphasizes that these types of models, even if they are not consistent with anything real, are historically very important, in the event that they are realized in the future through the efforts of society. As Rasboinikowa recognizes, the counter-world in Beatriz, with its utopian visions and impossible characters, is a modeled scenario. Likewise, the historical GDR is a flawed attempt to reproduce another model (that does not correspond to reality), the Communist system of ideals. Political change necessitates the repeated collision of these worlds.
We might ask why the historical GDR is doomed to be considered an unfaithful replica; a short chapter on the state of applied physics research can provide an answer. The language of the passage, of science and ratio, gives us justification to link it with Melusine’s talk of models. According to research, “…jedes Elementarteilchen einen Doppelgänger hat… Teilchen und Antiteilchen… Die ‘Antiwelt’ ist ein Spiegelbild der Welt, das jedoch real existiert.’” This can be taken to mean that reality does, in fact, co-exist with an anti-reality, or fantasy world, where “real world” conditions are mirrored but distorted. In this sense, the historical GDR can be seen as a type of anti-world, since it is “composed of” Communist ideals, in the eyes of its leaders. However, as the passage reveals, “Teilchen und Antiteilchen vertragen einander nicht und zerstrahlen beim Aufeinandertreffen.” Matter and anti-matter are a dangerous combination; an exact copy or direct transplant of the ideal Communist society cannot endure the conditions of the real world, not merely because it is a copy of a model, but because it is a radical utopian vision that runs the risk of self-destruction.
The historical GDR must then be regarded as a prototype rather than a complete, functional model. The figure of Wenzel Morolf, a physicist who leads a research institute, comes upon this idea as a young man. It is noteworthy that this insight is put in the mouth of a man who seems to understand the necessity of utopian thinking and the interplay of models, while simultaneously entrenched in the “world” of technology and ratio. Morolf disturbs a meeting of young Communists, and when asked why he does not leave, he explains that he enjoys the experimental aspect of the discussion:
“…Physiker haben was übrig für Experimente.”
“Der Sozialismus ist kein Experiment”, sagt Karla.
“Wenn er kein Experiment ware, würde er mich nicht interessieren…fertige Sachen interessieren mich nicht.”
With this passage, Morgner intends to warn against a conception of the (historical) GDR as a perfect or even best possible implementation of Communist ideals in the world. As Morolf stresses, it is an incomplete experiment, a struggle between model and “reality”, that must be repeated again and again until there is no doubt that the model is operative and practical.
(pp. 9-10) "Irmtraud Morgner's Beatriz: Bringing the World[s] into Balance" by ozmakid
happy end of semester!