Reading Response
The use of the term deconstruction in design journalism dates back to the mid-1980s. This paper is a reading response to an article that analyzes this term in the context of what Jacques Derrida, the initiator of the deconstruction theory did. Deconstruction is decisive mindset interested in the kinship between a text and its meaning. According to the article, Derrida in his book views deconstruction as a manner of questioning alongside the use of metaphors in representation. He perceives any memory as another form of writing since it allows for future retrieval. Derrida claims that language, being a combination of words and signs, only makes sense due to the demarcation between the signs. Derrida in his book explains why there was a need to reevaluate Western values brought to the 19th century by Nietzsche and Kierkegaard. He explains the need to conduct a reevaluation on Western dialectics such as reason versus revelation, poetry versus philosophy, amongst others. The author winds up by arguing that it is insufficient to deconstruct and expose and stop in a cynical or nihilistic position. Derrida recommends that deconstruction should come up with new terms by marking the internal interplay and the difference. The writer views new terms as a necessity in marking the intervals.
John D. Caputo builds on what Derrida had done. Caputo asserts that anytime deconstruction gets a strong axiom, one must crack the nut open, disturbing its calm. Such an approach is wise during deconstruction process. Caputo, therefore, gave deconstruction its real meaning. Whenever there seem to be impossibility, one must rouse deconstruction. Another person that made a unique contribution to Derrida’s theory is Richard Rorty. Rorty defines deconstruction as the description of accidental features of texts viewed as suppressing and betraying the text’s critical message.
Works Cited
Caputo, John D. "Deconstruction." Caputo (1997): 32. Article.
Davis, Meredith. "Deconstruction and Graphic Design." GRAPHIC DESIGN THEORY (1982): 5. Article.
