David Foster Wallace on Literature
Edited version of the ZDFmediatek interview with David Foster Wallace, 2003. This version offers David Foster Wallace’s ideas, without repetitions, long paus…
Track 4 of ” Our earthly pleasures”.
Video Rating: 4 / 5
I think it was Woody Guthrie who said that the job of folk music was to
“comfort the disturbed and to disturb the comfortable,” at least that’s
what I heard recently at a Slaid Cleaves show.
And who do you think understands life?
@CastleRockFan agreed. Sadly though we’re dominated by the ego and theres a
sort of internal stigma associated with reading outside (or acknowledging
the legitimacy) of certain genre’s.
Is it really the fact that literature is bad, or is it the fact that people
today do not have the ability to take anything beneficial from it?
@dodecachordon I think it’s a misconception to believe that everyone has
the potential for something extraordinary. It’s a comforting thought,
maybe, but it’s just wrong. There are many people with some talent, but
genius is something that seldomly occurs. If everyone could do
extraordinary things, it wouldn’t be extraordinary but ordinary. No,
extraordinary things are made by extraordinary people with absurd amounts
of talent.
@chicoriagrande I suggest reading “Oblivion” first, which is a collection
of short stories. Good way to test his style before starting the 1000+
pages of Infinite Jest. (and I actually preferred Oblivion but that’s just
me)
can anyone suggest where to start with DFW books? should i read infinite
jest directly?
he speaks the truth.
Watching this video as an assignment from my English teacher. Interesting.
So great to have DFW talking here, about the importance of reading. These
videos will keep the importance of DFW alive in an increasingly dumbed down
society. And I say this as someone who lives in a country that gave the
world Shakespeare and Dickens.
@dodecachordon wtf is wrong with you? it is just an acknowledgement,
neither did he say that he himself wasn’t a genius nor was he trying to say
anything about himself.
@chicoriagrande Read The Girl With Curious Hair. If you can’t get through
that, you’ll know DFW isn’t for you. Infinite Jest is far far far more
involved than “The Girl” but the set up and the punches are the same.
So tiresome.
Art is a constant pendulum, as long as people live it will never die.
@CastleRockFan that’s a good point. Very good point.
Well said, my friend.
That was amazing.
@CastleRockFan I think its the other way around, often 🙂
This man truly loved to read.
I gotta do a project
So go watch T.V.
@voodooeconomix Thus breaking flow, which many (some might argue ‘all’)
films rely on for pacing, immersion, emotion, and tension.
@prrrrecious Great literature today, I think, is not in short supply.
Great–even good–readers, however, are.
@chicoriagrande I recommend starting with his essay collections Consider
the Lobster and A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again just as fun
though really enlightening background. His first two books, Broom of the
System and Girl With Curious Hair are no way near as long as IJ but their
much less accessible and require an almost unfair amount of work to get at.
After the essays you’ll be well primed. Honestly, IJ is really fun and
probably the most rewarding book I’ve ever read, don’t worry
Sadly, he’s gone. However if anyone can publish from the AFTERLIFE, it is
this guy. we have all heard of Life after Death, well i hope with him there
is Write after Death.
Trapped in Transpeninne, love the lyrics!
andy drums i second that!
<33333333333
i’m just gullible lol, and i’m a fan of modern architecture. true stories
are the best haha
great band i buy tomorow the cd XD
ARE YOU HOPEFUL OR JUST GULLIBLLLLLE?
I agree with diezape, they are poems the lyrics speak for themself, the
music and the lyrics – wow, you’re getting two for the price of one really!
everything about them is amazing.
agaaaaaain I need to listen to this agaaaaaaaaaaaain I love this song, full
volume, soooooooo awesome :]
i think they are a Newcastle band. Not sure.
LOL. 😀
very well written song
what the fuck are idlewild are doing in this vid??…they suckkk!!!!!!!!!!
sexy bitchess 😉
Very tempted to attack you for your personal views.
divine.
Awesome Awesome Awesome! I am in love with maximo park. <3
the best song on the album. god they are feckin brilliant!
awesome.such a genius song.
Thank you so much, whoever told me about these guys.. This song is amazing,
I keep listening to that part 1:22-1:27
Why do you say that?
they are!
@haveyouseenherlately Was it worth it?! Great tune…..
1:10 haha thats not Maximo Park.
Such a ridiculously good tune.
i can’t live my life being nervous about tomorrow.. fucking genious.