IDIC
I’m reading I Am Spock by Leonard Nimoy. I really love this book.
In it Nimoy speaks of his love of Spock and how playing the character has affected his personality. The book contains dialogues Nimoy has written between himself and Spock, as if Spock were a voice commenting on Nimoy’s life that only Nimoy can hear.
I first read this book many years ago (before my own mental problems really started.) What I remember from it was how Nimoy’s personality came through. He has a dry ironic sense of humor that I very much enjoy. He’s thoughtful and witty and the book was a joy to read.
Now I’m reading it again, and I am at a point where Nimoy is talking about his role in a one man play about Vincent Van Gogh. Van Gogh has always been my favourite artist. There’s a dialogue at this point that I just got to, and given the events of my life since I last read this book, it is a very touching bit.
Here it is:
(Talking about Van Gogh’s belief that he was born, not to seek personal fulfillment, but to leave behind a legacy for all mankind.)
Spock: An approach I find quite logical. With the exception, of course, that I should not wish to limit my contribution merely to humankind.
Nimoy: Well, then, we’re finally in agreement on something, Spock! But Van Gogh himself could hardly be accused of logic. He was a very eccentric, emotional individual. In fact, his neighbours in Arles, France, used to taunt him, calling him a madman-even throwing garbage at his windows-all because he was different. “Alien,” if you will.
Spock: I, for one, can certainly understand the difficulties inherent in being so. But did his own brother not say, “You were blessed by that difference; that difference gave you beauty?” Certainly his unique perspective brought something glorious to the universe-a fine example of the Vulcan philosophy of IDIC (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations,) how infinite diversity among beings can add beauty and meaning. Vulcans might not approve of his emotionalism-but we can certainly appreciate his contribution to art.
Nimoy: Spock, you amaze me! There’s hope for you yet!
Spock: Thank you.
In it Nimoy speaks of his love of Spock and how playing the character has affected his personality. The book contains dialogues Nimoy has written between himself and Spock, as if Spock were a voice commenting on Nimoy’s life that only Nimoy can hear.
I first read this book many years ago (before my own mental problems really started.) What I remember from it was how Nimoy’s personality came through. He has a dry ironic sense of humor that I very much enjoy. He’s thoughtful and witty and the book was a joy to read.
Now I’m reading it again, and I am at a point where Nimoy is talking about his role in a one man play about Vincent Van Gogh. Van Gogh has always been my favourite artist. There’s a dialogue at this point that I just got to, and given the events of my life since I last read this book, it is a very touching bit.
Here it is:
(Talking about Van Gogh’s belief that he was born, not to seek personal fulfillment, but to leave behind a legacy for all mankind.)
Spock: An approach I find quite logical. With the exception, of course, that I should not wish to limit my contribution merely to humankind.
Nimoy: Well, then, we’re finally in agreement on something, Spock! But Van Gogh himself could hardly be accused of logic. He was a very eccentric, emotional individual. In fact, his neighbours in Arles, France, used to taunt him, calling him a madman-even throwing garbage at his windows-all because he was different. “Alien,” if you will.
Spock: I, for one, can certainly understand the difficulties inherent in being so. But did his own brother not say, “You were blessed by that difference; that difference gave you beauty?” Certainly his unique perspective brought something glorious to the universe-a fine example of the Vulcan philosophy of IDIC (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations,) how infinite diversity among beings can add beauty and meaning. Vulcans might not approve of his emotionalism-but we can certainly appreciate his contribution to art.
Nimoy: Spock, you amaze me! There’s hope for you yet!
Spock: Thank you.