The Reality of Ethnomethodology

Some of the implications are considered of traveling together, or living a form-of-life--as presented in The Reality of Ethnomethodology, (Mehan, H., & Wood, H., New York: John Wiley, 1975). Despite the fact that the authors insist that their treatment of ethnomethodology should not be viewed as pictures, they seem bent on providing a comprehensive examination of the discipline. Their work can be seen as a grand overview. Readers are presented with a collection of ethnomethodological strategies which look more like an occasion to display their eclecticism than remain faithful to a form-of-life. However, the book can not really be seen as a grand overview; the title misleads & should be read "Ethnomethodology as a Reality," or, "Ethnomethodology as a form-of-life"--this would seem to be more in line with the authors' intentions. By viewing the work as a joke one is allowed to disregard the contradictory evidence & misleading signs which populate the book. In this vein there is much to enjoy: a clear written style & an absolute relativism, which not only makes the attacks on other writers weak, but also allows an imperviousness to any criticism. The authors promise an ethnomethodology which "avoids all theorizing, reporting, describing, & analysis" & yet, one never gets to see it. Mehan & Wood want an ethnomethodology which will witness the end of the social scientist as a privileged person & yet, they chose to engage in those same alienating practices. Mehan & Wood seem unable to come to terms with the metaphysical grounds of their arguments which they are reluctantly forced to invoke in order to buttress their emancipatory interests. Their form-of-life is neither appealing nor convincing. Modified AA.