That's how hot it is outside. It's so hot that I'm seeing just how apt was the surreal worldview of William S. Burroughs (2/14/1914-8/2/1997). Setting aside his extensive drug use, the guy was very funny -- in a dark way, of course. Besides his written texts, cut-up method in collaboration with Brion Gysin, and enduring friendship with Jack Kerouac, he had a great reading voice. Thanks to the wonders of technology, his voice lives on.
So does the idea of the word virus. The Dadaists caught a glimpse of today's world during the First World War; science fiction writers like Philip K. Dick saw it even more clearly. Burroughs and Gysin swam around in texts, art, and the world, all the while creating things weird but sometimes magical.
John Geiger explores the scene in Nothing is True, Everything is Permitted: The Life of Brion Gysin (2005). Definitely worth checking out.
7 comments:
I saw him do that routine! Too cool. Unlike Detroit which is not right now.
Wasn't he friends with Carver, as well?
And Kerouac (I probably spelled that wrong) was friendly/taught Carver as well. Ahhh I thank Michelle for my new found Carver knowledge haha.
Is that the gun he used to shoot the apple? Hmmm. How much time did it get him? --Jim
Naked Lunch. No thanks, Bill, keep 'em on.
Beautiful souvenir! Erik, the time is running and you writing very and very well. Interesting editions! Beijus
Hey all, thanks for the comments! Cheri, these Beat guys were a bit older than Carver, though Burroughs outlived poor Ray. Must have been his healthier lifestyle (haha) -- or maybe because he didn't have to live with Tess Gallaher. Evil! And Jim, I guess things were looser in Mexico when he pulled his William Tell mishap. Long before his Nike ads, he just did it. Joan Vollmer was cool, though; it's too bad he shot her, even if it was an accident.
Cheers, E'
Burroughs. Wow, he is amazing isn't he? Anyone out there (ANYONE) who hasn't read his book Junky (also found under the titles Junkie & Junk) should read it. It is, hands down, my favorite book on earth. If you've never had an experience with drugs, some things might seem strange, but if you read Naked Lunch, that's practically a drug experience in text XD
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