Having been a grad student in Derrida’s heyday, and not being exceptionally advanced at theory, the responses to Derrida’s death have, I have to confess, tickled my fancy.

The Guardian asked prominent Brits for comments. They’re interesting. Here’s a sample:

“Denis MacShane, minister for Europe

The core of Derrida’s thinking is that every text contains multiple meanings. To read is neither to know nor to understand, but to begin a process of exploration that is essential to comprehend oneself and society. This is, however, the sort of pretentious bullshit language a minister for Europe can only use when speaking French.”

I got to the site above from here which also discusses Derrida in a way that I understand and agree with. Although he is quoting someone else.