Thank you for this moving and profoundly hope-filled piece. I have been a recipient of David Cayley’s generous intellect for decades. My wife and I listened to the Illich programs (while prepping for the next day of teaching) on their original airing dates and to others since. May “the power of hospitality and the grace of friendship” ground us in the storm.
I picked up An Intellectual Journey when it came out and found it so full of generative details and rabbit-trail footnotes that I got sidetracked in the best way. It's still hanging around in my bedside stack like a reference text.
Thank you for this warm piece. This is what hospitality mean to me.
I immigrated to Canada almost 25 years ago.
While working at Radio Shack and preparing for my medical licensing exams, I noticed "Dr. Remington" on a customenr's credit card. As I was cashing him out, I asked what kind of doctor he was. I was surprised that he was a psychiatrist. I introduced myself. We chatted and he shared his number.
I would not be where I am without him. He gave me the opportunity to learn from him while helping with his research — my first medical experience in Canada. He wrote me a reference letter and helped with my personal statement.
I haven't seen him in many years. I wouldn't dare call him a friend in the conventional sense. But his hospitality and humanity will forever live in my heart.
Perhaps that is exactly what Illich and Cayley understood. That some of the most formative human encounters don't fit the boxes we have for them.
Thank you for this moving and profoundly hope-filled piece. I have been a recipient of David Cayley’s generous intellect for decades. My wife and I listened to the Illich programs (while prepping for the next day of teaching) on their original airing dates and to others since. May “the power of hospitality and the grace of friendship” ground us in the storm.
Thank you for this sharing. Your subscribers might find this conversation between Illich and Jerry Brown fruitful as they discuss the very letter from Hugh of St. Victor you mention here. https://www.davidtinapple.com/illich/1996_illich_and_brown.html
I picked up An Intellectual Journey when it came out and found it so full of generative details and rabbit-trail footnotes that I got sidetracked in the best way. It's still hanging around in my bedside stack like a reference text.
Thank you for this warm piece. This is what hospitality mean to me.
I immigrated to Canada almost 25 years ago.
While working at Radio Shack and preparing for my medical licensing exams, I noticed "Dr. Remington" on a customenr's credit card. As I was cashing him out, I asked what kind of doctor he was. I was surprised that he was a psychiatrist. I introduced myself. We chatted and he shared his number.
I would not be where I am without him. He gave me the opportunity to learn from him while helping with his research — my first medical experience in Canada. He wrote me a reference letter and helped with my personal statement.
I haven't seen him in many years. I wouldn't dare call him a friend in the conventional sense. But his hospitality and humanity will forever live in my heart.
Perhaps that is exactly what Illich and Cayley understood. That some of the most formative human encounters don't fit the boxes we have for them.
Michael,
I've tried unsuccessfully to reach you by email. Would you kindly contact me?, Sajay