[MD] Responding to DQ

[Gene M]

>
> Hi Margaret,
>
> If the response such as that of the amoeba to acid is automatic and
> predictable it is not a response to DQ. Pirsig describes what a
> response to DQ is like in Chapter 9 of Lila where it writes: "Dynamic
> Quality comes as a sort of surprise." One can hear a new song a hundred
> times and not experience DQ. But once in a great while, suddenly on
> hearing a song for the first time Dynamic Quality all around you shines
> through.
>
> Regards,
> Platt


But since an amoeba has no means to remember anything that has happened to
it, wouldn't it be surprised All the time? You could do this to an amoeba a
hundred times, and every time it would be caught off-guard. Because it has
no means of knowing it just happened. That's why the Now is always Dynamic
Quality. Because you never know what is about to happen. We usually have
strong expectations and beliefs about what will happen next, thanks to our
static patterns, we can assume things will remain pretty much as they were.
But if you put your hand on a hot stove two days in a row, I bet you'll
still be surprised and pull the hand away just as quickly the second time!

-Gene