Beyond the Infinitude + Apple

Inspired by a Dissolve article, decided to combine Radiohead's Motion Picture Soundtrack with the David Bowman/"beyond the infinitude" sequence in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Behold: Beyond the Infinitude.

Also, Psycho/Scream Apple produced over lunch break:

Punic Cinema Conspiracy

Reading thru a volume of the Cambridge Ancient History, discover that the Fandango paperbag puppet things are the last vestiges of a Carthaginian world-conspiracy. Observe:

Comsplutterment: Sam Watkin's "Company Aytch: or, a Side Show of the Big Show"

"Comsplutterment" neatly encapsulates most of the qualities of Sam Watkin's memoir-cum-proto-creative-nonfiction Company Aytch: or, A Side Show of the Big Show. Watkins uses the word to describe the effect of "minnie balls" on a line of Federal troops at Rocky Face Ridge.  "Comsplutterment," of course, perfectly conveys the notion, but lends it a creepily humorous, light-hearted tone that makes the reader stop short and cringe at his own chuckle. This is the entire book (at least up to page 118 where I currently am) in an nutshell.

Fearful Symmetry

(N.B. Northrop Frye and George Steiner are my gold standard(s) for scholarly ability. Dynamic Duo.) Frye's Fearful Symmetry defies any sort of summary response. Just read it. Imma include a section below whenever I build up the energy to walk up the stairs and retrieve my copy.

Die Leiden Des Jungen Werthers & Blakeathon Wrap-up

Read Die Leiden Des Jungen Werthers. Better late than never. Writing drips with romantic pathos -- to the point where Werther can even say "Mein Gott, mein Gott, warum has dust mich verlassen?" and "o Schicksal! o Menschheit!" in a mostly non-ironic way. Interesting read just to see the changes in taste since the 1780s. Although it's actually rather modern come to think of it -- Werther's obsessive, unbalanced personality is very 20th century. Haven't decided how ironically I want to read it, yet. Goethe evidently despised the book later in life (and, predictably, it was his most popular work during his lifetime) becuase of it's romantic/sentimental nature, which suggests that Goethe would have it read unironically. The writing itself is as flawless as one would expect.

✣

Rounding off my Blakeathon by reading Frye's Fearful Symmetry. Has yet to disappoint. Frye's usual erudition and wit.

This guy.

This guy: night rpm.

New internet hero.