[Dixielandjazz] RE: Big Word or Typo? / Was "Leonard Feather"

[Dan Augustine]

Bob, Tom, and DJML--
    Ambrose Bierce (_The Devil's Dictionary_) is quite clear about 'noumena':

"NOUMENON, n.  That which exists, as distinguished from that which
merely seems to exist, the latter being a phenomenon.  The noumenon is
a bit difficult to locate; it can be apprehended only be a process of
reasoning -- which is a phenomenon.  Nevertheless, the discovery and
exposition of noumena offer a rich field for what Lewes calls "the
endless variety and excitement of philosophic thought."  Hurrah
(therefore) for the noumenon!"

Mr. Williams changed from being the 'nominal' leader of WNJB to the 'noumenal' leader, a change possibly more of quality than intensity, but he was swift to be aware of the difference.  His legions of fans (and, by extension, fans of the band) mourn the passing of the band to the more elusive ether of existence. They were phenomenal.

    Dan
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>From: "Williams, Bob" <robert.c.williams at eds.com>
>Subject: RE: [Dixielandjazz] Big Word or Typo? / Was "Leonard Feather"
>Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 11:58:27 -0600
>
>I must admit to having learned this word from Paul Edgerton.  I am not
>nearly that smart.
>It refers to the fact that the Wooden Nickel Jass Band is no longer an
>observable "phenomenon."
>I like it.
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Tom Duncan [mailto:tduncan at bellatlantic.net]
>In a message of Thu, 16 Jan 2003 16:50, Bob Williams signs himself as :
> >>Bob Williams
>The World's Most Modest Man and
>The Noumenal Leader of the Wooden Nickel Jass Band
><http://wnjb.com> <<
>Impressive language usage, indeed. Note the definition:
>noumenal
>a Kantian term that refers to the unknowable world as it is in itself.
>According to Kant, we can only know the world as it appears to us, as a
>phenomenon. We can never know it as it is in itself, as a noumenon. The
>adjectival forms of these two words are "phenomenal" and "noumenal,"
>respectively.
>Regards,
>Tom Duncan

-- 
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** Dan Augustine - ds.augustine at mail.utexas.edu             **
** Office of Admissions, University of Texas; Austin, Texas **
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