[MD] Responding to DQ

[Platt Holden]

> > 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

[Gene] 
> But since an amoeba has no means to remember anything that has happened
> to it, wouldn't it be surprised All the time? 

How can an amoeba be surprised if it has no memory? Surprise 
presupposes expectation, expectation presupposes memory. 

>You could do this to an
> amoeba a hundred times, and every time it would be caught off-guard.

You could also sit on a hot stove a hundred times and every time you 
would know you were in a low quality situation. Pirsig points out that 
the action is completely predictable and reproducible -- a static 
pattern of behavior if there ever was one.

> 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!
 
I wouldn't be the least surprised. I can predict with absolute  
certainty that I will pull my hand away quickly. In fact, "I' will have 
no control over my reaction. It will be automatic, like breathing.

I don't think an instinctive reaction in the presence of danger is 
indicative of DQ. DQ as illustrated by Pirsig is associated with a 
sense of awe or wonder, like beauty.

Platt