Macherey and Locus of Control

What is most important in the work is what it does not say- Pierre Macherey

This quote seems to intend that the circumstances and bias surrounding media give meaning between the lines. I struggle with this stance, Macherey is normally a critique of structuralist thought. This text, taken literally, implies that there is some malignant all-seeing organization of thought presiding over world affairs. What the script does not say is the personal bias and ideas each reader brings to the page. Each individual interprets everything under a microscope of memories, each passing lens slightly filtering the experience. I think that Macherey is proposing the importance behind an internal locus of control. The power of intention lies within the individual, to hand off the small burden of cerebral stimulation is to also donate precious independent thought.

Stance on any given perspective is swayed not only by the idea but often the nature of said idea’s presentation. Understanding why something was omitted gives a peek at what might be reasoning behind a given  sector of thought. Conversely it might display errors or counter - arguments within the presenters logic. Representing or omitting certain facts can often be used in a pathos-styles statement: “vapes have killed 6 kids this year” while this might be true, it offers little vantage over the entire vaping debate. This single data point is much like peering from the side window of the Titanic; it is simple to understand and easy to agree with but from the inside, you will never see the vastness of the entire vessel - a simple response to the above vaping quote is: “how many are killed by tobacco products each year?” This gives a broader understanding of the issue and its connections/roots. As more data and evaluation is presented, a better picture can be produced.