Kenny Goldsmith takes on Al Filreis here. No contest. Note that Goldsmith makes each of his students buy a paper from a term paper mill and “present it as their final project as if they wrote it themselves.” Is that post-avant, avant—or just stupid? In the end, Al throws the match and praises Goldsmith for “rigorous uncreativity.” Now there’s desperation….
Joseph Hutchison, Colorado Poet Laureate 2014-2019, has published 20 collections of poems and edited or co-edited three poetry anthologies. He currently directs two master’s-level programs for University College at the University of Denver: Professional Creative Writing and Arts & Culture Management. Joe lives with his wife, Melody Madonna, in the mountains southwest of Denver, Colorado, the city where he was born. 
I don't know, of course, Joel, but my guess is that Goldsmith would dispute the whole idea of a "human spirit" in the sense you mean. When you and I used to discuss the imaginal, we were talking about that purposive, creative impulse—and I think we agreed that it's both primal and necessary. Goldsmith is a child of Deconstruction and anti-foundationlism, which (in my opinion)
I think it's an interesting thought that we are merely the sum of our research…or the sum of our shuffled-around information. I don't agree with it, but it's interesting. I think back to my thesis work this summer, and what if you had made me choose what somebody else concluded and take it as my own. I think back to what I learned in the actual research process–and I how didn't
What would the poetry world be without irony? I keep trying to resist all mention of Goldsmith, but it's like "The Hands of Orlac"! I—just—can't—STOP myself!
No contest, or just no real point? I can never get through these “discussions,” and am amused by the attention lavished on Goldsmith. I’m also amused that he must resort to typing out an original response to defend his ideas. The whole business strikes me as a used car spiel. But, to each his own. We all have our blind spots, and the universe laughs at us each in turn.