The writer's insistent name dropping, referencing, alluding, and the assumption that you would both be aware of all references with little explanation and I imagine be impressed, is a sad consequence of what is likely a lively mind that has been overwhelmed by the culture of academia. Like many of his profession, Steiner is tremendously self-conscious under the weight of the history of ideas. I wish this accomplished teacher and thinker would expound on the profession without the fear that his audience will fault him for failing to properly cite the history of every thought. If the text would focus less on impressing us with names and references, it would be very interesting to hear some of his ideas, such as his inherent eroticism in teaching, developed. ( )