Sunday, September 30, 2007
Don't box me in ...
... Rise of the Office Romancers. Must be a younger office crowd than the one at The Inquirer.
Clear thinking ...
... and the lack thereof. I have remarked here that it seems to me that there are more and more scientists who, however fine their expertise in their specialty, seem to lack a capacity for clear thinking. This, I think, is made manifest here: Biological Basis For Creativity Linked To Mental Illness. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
It would appear that they have established that mental illness and creativity both correlate to low levels of latent inhibition. They have not, however, established that mental illness and creativity correlate to each other. They assume that. Notice also this quote: "The normal person classifies an object, and then forgets about it, even though that object is much more complex and interesting than he or she thinks. The creative person, by contrast, is always open to new possibilities." Again, creativity is assumed to be abnormal, and normal people are assumed to lack creativity.
It would appear that they have established that mental illness and creativity both correlate to low levels of latent inhibition. They have not, however, established that mental illness and creativity correlate to each other. They assume that. Notice also this quote: "The normal person classifies an object, and then forgets about it, even though that object is much more complex and interesting than he or she thinks. The creative person, by contrast, is always open to new possibilities." Again, creativity is assumed to be abnormal, and normal people are assumed to lack creativity.
We can't all agree ...
... on everything: Owe Canada. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
I share Patrick's fondness for David Solway and I agree with much that Solway says in Director's Cut. I am inclined to agree with Timothy Murphy about Ammons. But I can't agree on Ashbery. While I don't hold him in as high regard as Bryan does, I do find much of his work entertaining. Now there may be a peculiar reason for that. Ashbery was for many years an art critic. I was for a few years (long, long ago) a gallery director. Often, when I read Ashbery, I am reminded of those years: His poems read to me like a montage of snatches of conversation heard at an art opening. Read as such, let me tell you, they are spot on.
A Carlin Reader ...
... Carlin Romano has been writing so much lately, I thought I'd just do a roundup:
Why publishing book reviews makes sense
There, in the mirror - a book banner!
His last tome is a big one.
Local writers repay their mentor: David Halberstam. Memoir of family tragedy.
Why publishing book reviews makes sense
There, in the mirror - a book banner!
His last tome is a big one.
Local writers repay their mentor: David Halberstam. Memoir of family tragedy.
Today's Inquirer reviews ...
... I riff on Jack: Jack Kerouac's sound of America.
... Bryan Appleyard looks at The Spiritual Brain: A response to atheists, materialists. Bryan links to this here and comments have started to arrive.
... David Hiltbrand is underwhelmed by the new Ron Liebman: Oh, for characters with character!
... Katie Haegele doe multimedia: Multimedia: The more the merrier.
... Elizabeth Fox has mixed feeling about C.S. Richardson's latest: A flawed run through the alphabet.
... Katie Haegele likes Zane' Trace: Young Adult Reader | Teen boy has a compulsion to write, and a death wish.
... Bryan Appleyard looks at The Spiritual Brain: A response to atheists, materialists. Bryan links to this here and comments have started to arrive.
... David Hiltbrand is underwhelmed by the new Ron Liebman: Oh, for characters with character!
... Katie Haegele doe multimedia: Multimedia: The more the merrier.
... Elizabeth Fox has mixed feeling about C.S. Richardson's latest: A flawed run through the alphabet.
... Katie Haegele likes Zane' Trace: Young Adult Reader | Teen boy has a compulsion to write, and a death wish.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Yes, I guess I missed ...
... the heroic atheists in Burma: Religion as a force for good. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
But I have heard that Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett and Christopher Hitchens are on their way there to lead some more demonstrations. I have heard that, haven't I?
But I have heard that Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett and Christopher Hitchens are on their way there to lead some more demonstrations. I have heard that, haven't I?
In a pinch ...
... we have thought something like this was likely to happen: Will Pinch Sulzberger be 'The Man Who Lost the New York Times'?
More may be less ...
... N.Y. Times creates more bestsellers. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
"It's a balancing act," said Carlin Romano, the longtime book critic for the Philadelphia Inquirer. "And in this case, I think the Times Book Review knows exactly what it's doing, to tilt the balance in order to attract more advertising. But they're also giving a lot more authors the right to claim now that they're bestsellers. This will give them very good exposure, but philosophically, the more bestsellers you have, the less the term means."
I believe Carlin has questioned the accuracy - or something - about this quote, but I can';t seem to find what his objection was. As it stands, though, I tend to agree.
"It's a balancing act," said Carlin Romano, the longtime book critic for the Philadelphia Inquirer. "And in this case, I think the Times Book Review knows exactly what it's doing, to tilt the balance in order to attract more advertising. But they're also giving a lot more authors the right to claim now that they're bestsellers. This will give them very good exposure, but philosophically, the more bestsellers you have, the less the term means."
I believe Carlin has questioned the accuracy - or something - about this quote, but I can';t seem to find what his objection was. As it stands, though, I tend to agree.
Me, too ...
... though I think I know why:`Transient Magic'. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Patrick wonders, "Why do I find this poem so moving?" I find it moving also, but in my case I think it's because I spent the first eight years of my life living across from a rail yard, in the shadow of factories, amid vacant lots filled with ailanthus and blackberry brambles. Paintings of industrial scenes always stir something in my heart.
I've been reading him, too ...
... and may have more to say later: The Last Man of Letters. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
By the way, read this while you can. It won't be available for free much longer.
By the way, read this while you can. It won't be available for free much longer.
Not all is lost ...
... apparently, in translating poetry: Translating poetry opens up new worlds of language. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
We have been added ...
... to the Philly Blogmap. We're at Broad & Locust, a nice central location.
... Maxine notes a London counterpart: A map by any other name.
... Maxine notes a London counterpart: A map by any other name.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Perhaps I can help ...
... in He asks in exasperation, Dan Green wonders "why is it so hard for even otherwise competent critics such as Romano to understand that when discussing a book ('pages') it's best to stick to what does exist there and avoid speculation about what doesn't?" (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
It's a fair question. To what extent are the details of an author's life pertinent to that author's fiction? Usually not to any very great extent, even when the fiction is evidently "autobiographical." Henry Miller the person was apparently not all that much like the Val Miller of the Tropics. The real Jack Kerouac wasn't that much like Sal Paradise or Ray Smith. But Carlin's point in the case of Roth is, I think, that Roth's fictions are not really very fictitious and are in fact self-justifications - apologiae pro vitae suae. Can they therefore be judged as one might an autobiography? Well, as I said, it's a fair question.
It's a fair question. To what extent are the details of an author's life pertinent to that author's fiction? Usually not to any very great extent, even when the fiction is evidently "autobiographical." Henry Miller the person was apparently not all that much like the Val Miller of the Tropics. The real Jack Kerouac wasn't that much like Sal Paradise or Ray Smith. But Carlin's point in the case of Roth is, I think, that Roth's fictions are not really very fictitious and are in fact self-justifications - apologiae pro vitae suae. Can they therefore be judged as one might an autobiography? Well, as I said, it's a fair question.
I'm off today ...
... and will be spending most of my time preparing cassoulet (with goose) for tomorrow nighi's Michaelmas dinner. So blogging will be spotty.
Nothing new here ...
... another grand statement about blogs clearly deriving from virtually no acquaintance with them: Foaming Moore.
Didn't even know ...
... he was sick: The death of the reader. (Hat tip, Rus Bowden.)
Since there are more people than ever before, I think it's safe to assume there are more readers than ever. There certainly seem to be more books being published, in one way, shape, form or another than ever before. The literary landscape is different from what it was, not necessarily worse, and not, of course, necessarily better. The only constant is change.
Since there are more people than ever before, I think it's safe to assume there are more readers than ever. There certainly seem to be more books being published, in one way, shape, form or another than ever before. The literary landscape is different from what it was, not necessarily worse, and not, of course, necessarily better. The only constant is change.
Oh, no, Paris Hilton ...
... makes her Books, Inq. debut: Paris Hilton: poetry plagiarizer? (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Say it ain't so, Paris.
Say it ain't so, Paris.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
I am weary ...
... after a couple of very busy days - and I have some reading to do. So that's it for today.
Dryden would understand ...
... because there were plenty of poetic squabbles in his day, and most were just as petty and puerile as this: Poetry Prize Sets Off Resignations at Society. (Hat tip, Laurie Mason.)
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
On this date ...
... 1888, T.S. Eliot was born.
Here's something from "Gerontion":
Here's something from "Gerontion":
| After such knowledge, what forgiveness? Think now | |
| History has many cunning passages, contrived corridors | |
| And issues, deceives with whispering ambitions, | 35 |
| Guides us by vanities. Think now | |
| She gives when our attention is distracted | |
| And what she gives, gives with such supple confusions | |
| That the giving famishes the craving. Gives too late | |
| What’s not believed in, or if still believed, | 40 |
| In memory only, reconsidered passion. Gives too soon | |
| Into weak hands, what’s thought can be dispensed with | |
| Till the refusal propagates a fear. Think | |
| Neither fear nor courage saves us. |
Happy days ...
... in Brooklyn and elsewhere: Wonder Bread.
"Nice thought if you can abide it. Unfortunately, it’s false to all human experience to find “growth” in tragedy. In fact, the dull truth is that pain is tautological. The only thing suffering teaches us is that we are capable of suffering. "
Maugham makes a quite similar point. Read to the end of this.
"Nice thought if you can abide it. Unfortunately, it’s false to all human experience to find “growth” in tragedy. In fact, the dull truth is that pain is tautological. The only thing suffering teaches us is that we are capable of suffering. "
Maugham makes a quite similar point. Read to the end of this.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Lovely and touching ...
... A Teacher Remembered. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
"... his greatest legacy was that he embodied the true meaning of education - not something you pick up at school and university and are done with, but a lifelong exploration, as natural as breathing, and ending only with the breath."
(Of course, it is a stretch to imagine Nige "at loggerheads with all other teachers," don't you think?)
"... his greatest legacy was that he embodied the true meaning of education - not something you pick up at school and university and are done with, but a lifelong exploration, as natural as breathing, and ending only with the breath."
(Of course, it is a stretch to imagine Nige "at loggerheads with all other teachers," don't you think?)
Oh, a list ...
... we haven't had one of those for a whiel. So here's Tuesday Top Ten from Stephen Mitchelmore. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Speaking of Carlin ....
... if you thought his review of Philip Roth's Exit Ghost was harsh, take a look at Christopher Hitchens's: Zuckerman Undone.
Monday, September 24, 2007
High praise ...
... from a most reliable source: Terry Teachout on Mary McCarthy, drama critic. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Dangers of adaptation ...
... 'Kite Runner' actor's family wants rape scene cut. (Hat tip, Scott Stein.)
Desert Storm ...
... not that one, though. The original one: Understanding the capricious God of the Psalms. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Trinity ...
... Art, Beauty, and Judgment. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
The third tends to be overlooked, but is crucial to art.
The third tends to be overlooked, but is crucial to art.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Free or not ...
... Seeking Free Will in Our Brains: A Debate. (Hat tip, Lee Lowe.)
I have only skimmed over this, but it looks interesting.
I have only skimmed over this, but it looks interesting.
Cause for laughter ...
... perhaps: Rapeseed biofuel ‘produces more greenhouse gas than oil or petrol’.
"The concerns were raised over the levels of emissions of nitrous oxide, which is 296 times more powerful as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Scientists found that the use of biofuels released twice as much as nitrous oxide as previously realised."
Nitrous oxide is laughing gas. Maybe if enough of it gets into the atmosphere, we'll all start having a brighter outlook.
"The concerns were raised over the levels of emissions of nitrous oxide, which is 296 times more powerful as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Scientists found that the use of biofuels released twice as much as nitrous oxide as previously realised."
Nitrous oxide is laughing gas. Maybe if enough of it gets into the atmosphere, we'll all start having a brighter outlook.
Not my problem ...
... since Freud has never impressed me: Who’s Your Daddy? (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
"Over time, Freud came to see that his patients were transferring feelings and hopes from other phases of their lives onto him." Let's assume this was true. How do you extrapolate from his relations with his patients and their attitude toward him to arrive at some general conclusion about human nature?
"Freud said we all seek [authoritative father] figures, in both political and personal life." Now I'm only one person, but that is still enough to call into question a universal proposition, and actually, I know perfectly well that I am not the only person who not only has never sought such, but has always been antipathetic to same.
"Freud said we all seek [authoritative father] figures, in both political and personal life." Now I'm only one person, but that is still enough to call into question a universal proposition, and actually, I know perfectly well that I am not the only person who not only has never sought such, but has always been antipathetic to same.
Today's Inquirer reviews ...
... I have slightly mixed feelings about Barbara Quick's Vivaldi's Virgins: Musical musing orphans of Venice.
... Glenn Altschuler looks back at when pop music was, well, musical: Composers who set America hummingBold fictions aimed at getting to the facts.
... Michelle Reale is moved by Pia Erhardt's debut collection of stories: The pursuit of love, searingly depictedThriller's hero is an everyday guy.
... Sandy Bauers listens to Barry Eisler: A voice that makes a mundane spy caper escapist fun.
This past week:
... Allen Barra liked the book accompanying Ken Burns's latest documentary: 'War' springs from the page Halberstam friends band for book blitz
... Glenn Altschuler looks back at when pop music was, well, musical: Composers who set America hummingBold fictions aimed at getting to the facts.
... Michelle Reale is moved by Pia Erhardt's debut collection of stories: The pursuit of love, searingly depictedThriller's hero is an everyday guy.
... Sandy Bauers listens to Barry Eisler: A voice that makes a mundane spy caper escapist fun.
This past week:
... Allen Barra liked the book accompanying Ken Burns's latest documentary: 'War' springs from the page Halberstam friends band for book blitz
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
At least it's not outsourcing ...
... Internationalizing American Poetry? (Hat tip, Rus Bowden.)
I've spent some time with Charles Simic and he seems pretty American to me, even if he did start out in Yugoslavia. We are an immigrant country, after all.
I've spent some time with Charles Simic and he seems pretty American to me, even if he did start out in Yugoslavia. We are an immigrant country, after all.
On the road ...
... at home with Jack. Well, not really. Been there, done that already. Rather in Paris, as in Satori in Paris.
Compris? Non?
Compris? Non?
Translation: I'm working at home on a piece about Jack Kerouac, whose On the Road was published 50 years ago this month, and I'm digging his jazzy prose.
And so, dear readers, light blogging today.
And so, dear readers, light blogging today.
There is much ...
... in what he said: Menckenmania. (Mencken frequently wrote back to those who had written to complain or denounce: "There is much in what you say."
Sprezzatura ...
... Ted Williams and Bill Clinton. Writing as Performance: Revealing "the calculation that underlies the appearance of effortlessness."
As Dave Lull points out, we've linked to this before: Uh-oh ... It's just when I see that word sprezzatura ....
Of course, sprezzatura has its perils: If you don't look like you're working at something, some people may think you're not working at it.
As Dave Lull points out, we've linked to this before: Uh-oh ... It's just when I see that word sprezzatura ....
Of course, sprezzatura has its perils: If you don't look like you're working at something, some people may think you're not working at it.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Let's be civil ...
... a call for a kinder, gentler atheism: Are Sacred Texts Sacred? the Challenge for Atheists. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Carlin and I have no trouble getting along.
Carlin and I have no trouble getting along.
Present indicative ...
... Mervyn Bragg interviews Dennis Potter: 'We tend to forget that life can only be defined in the present tense' (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Thank you ...
... Partick Kurp: `This Is a Poem I Must Live'. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Many years ago, after reviewing both the collected poems and collected essays of J.V. Cunningham, I got a thank-you note from Cunningham, who said, "Tt is nice to be praised for the things one would want to be praised for." I now really know what he meant.
Many years ago, after reviewing both the collected poems and collected essays of J.V. Cunningham, I got a thank-you note from Cunningham, who said, "Tt is nice to be praised for the things one would want to be praised for." I now really know what he meant.
Often at odds ...
... Art and Life.
I suppose the only way to approach Gill's devotional art is to remind oneself that it was made by a man who committed terrible sins. The human psyche is complex, inconsistent, contradictory, and as often as not downright appalling.
Bad news ...
... for Shameless. Seems Shame is the new fame. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Hey, suppose it turns out to be a good novel?
Hey, suppose it turns out to be a good novel?
Ubiquitous ...
... that's what Paul Muldoon is: Pulitzer Winner to Take Over as New Yorker’s Poetry Editor. (Hat tip, Rus Bowden.)
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Almost as if ...
... you were there: CJR Panel: The Case of the Vanishing Book Review. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
I was not there. I was editing book reviews.
I was not there. I was editing book reviews.
A mighty wind ...
... Blame the Cows.
Of course, evidence-based science is always a good idea: More Than Half of Analyzed Weather Stations Don’t Meet Federal Guidelines.
Of course, evidence-based science is always a good idea: More Than Half of Analyzed Weather Stations Don’t Meet Federal Guidelines.
Dog bites man ...
... and then some: The Anarchist's Chapbook. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
To wit: "In the vicinity of Noisysur-École, M. Louis Delillieau, 70, dropped dead of sunstroke. Quickly his dog Fido ate his head."
I must say, Fénéon does have a certain sociopathic look to him.
To wit: "In the vicinity of Noisysur-École, M. Louis Delillieau, 70, dropped dead of sunstroke. Quickly his dog Fido ate his head."
I must say, Fénéon does have a certain sociopathic look to him.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Three views ...
... of John Gray's Black Mass. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
- Bryan Appleyard's - John Gray's apocalypse.
- John Banville's - Rocky Road to utopia.
- A.C. Grayling's - Through the looking glass.
I am actually closer to Grayling's views than to Bryan's or John's. Bryan, I know, has said that apocalyptism is simply realism. And that is so in the sense that empires always fall and disasters inevitably occur. Only I don't regard any of that as truly apocalyptic, or at least not apocalyptic in the strict sense. The only apocalypse I place any faith in is the one that will accompany the parousia.
I think Grayling is right when he criticizes Gray for a too broad application of the term religion. but I think Grayling is wrong when he fails to see that it is not religion itself that causes the evils he deplores. It is is when religion is joined with political power. This usually happens because the state finds religion useful as a social adhesive. Moreover, the connection between political power and religious belief seems to have been operative in human affairs from the beginning. Jesus appears to have first formulated a doctrine of separation of the church from the state when he declared, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's." Which his professed followers probably honored until they had the chance to share in Caesar's power. Lord Acton remains correct: "Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Here is some further comment, also courtesy of Dave: Are we making progress?
I think Grayling is right when he criticizes Gray for a too broad application of the term religion. but I think Grayling is wrong when he fails to see that it is not religion itself that causes the evils he deplores. It is is when religion is joined with political power. This usually happens because the state finds religion useful as a social adhesive. Moreover, the connection between political power and religious belief seems to have been operative in human affairs from the beginning. Jesus appears to have first formulated a doctrine of separation of the church from the state when he declared, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's." Which his professed followers probably honored until they had the chance to share in Caesar's power. Lord Acton remains correct: "Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Here is some further comment, also courtesy of Dave: Are we making progress?
On the one hand ....
... but on the other: In God We Doubt by John Humphrys. (Hat tip, Rob Mackenzie.)
We link ...
... you decide: Is it time for Americans to start cutting our baby emissions? (Hat tip, Rus Bowden.)
October fest ...
... well, mostly: the 07 Durham Literature Festival. Among others who will be there: Will Self, Pat Barker and A.S. Byatt.
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