‘Speech Is Blind’ – Jacques Derrida On ‘Echo And Narcissus’

In this video document, Derrida discusses the Greek myth of Echo and Narcissus, linking ideas such as Echo’s repeating of Narcissus’ last words (in whatever he spoke), to the non-transparency, the ‘blindness’ that he feels characterizes all speech … however, Derrida maintains that Echo is able to ‘appropriate’ Narcissus’ language in such a way that it becomes hers, in a sense, subverting Hera’s punishment… he finally asks how two such ‘blind’ persons can love one another…

Watch the clip excerpt (2:55 min) here!