Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout

Content

Well, after a spell of serious psychosis (if I start talking about the Red Church and the Masonic Butchers on the show, you'll know it's really on), some difficulties with various drugs, and an OD trip to the emergency room (a trip recent enough, in fact, that the crook of my elbow is still sticky from the IV tape), I think it might be time to do some shows.

Before & beyond anything else: my gratitude for yr continued support is real and profound.  I can't really process the fact that there are so many people who value what I do enough to help me keep my head above water (in one dimension, at least), but I thank you all for it as deeply as I know how to.

Here's what I'm thinking:

• I've got a couple ideas for shows and a couple people I'd like to interview, all of which will take time to arrange, so

• since the last Q&A got fucked up by the Angel of Bandwidth, I hereby solicit yr questions for a new replacement Q&A episode in the comments on this post, and

• I'd also like, in a separate post, to hear about stuff you want me to address.  Yes, L. Ron Hubbard and Philip K. Dick, I know.  Hopefully Lafayette Ronald can be lined up pretty quickly (I need the corpse, after all)

So please, if you're thus inclined, ask anything in the space below, and maybe I can get started with another run of shows.  No idea as yet about frequency, number, etc. – partly depends on you guys and what you want to know.


Recently hospital-certified as not deceased,

MSJ

Comments

Mike Bilbe-Taylor

An episode (or several) on DeLillo is something I'm definitely keen to hear.

Robert

Sounds like you've been thru an intense time and I do hope you are bringing back the podcasts out of your own volition and not because you feel like you owe anything. As mentioned before, I'm just supporting you and whatever you wanna do and keeps you healthy and do not really expect anything back in return - so do go at your own pace my dude! But having said that, I have 3 questions, feel free to just choose 1 or whatever: 1. I asked before in the community section but totally forgot about it, but what role do you think Acrimboldi plays in Bolano's novels. I'd always assumed him to be a plot device to open up the narrative and give it an empty centre to move around but reading into it more, I see that it's the name of a real artist with a real identity and perhaps there is more to his presence. What do you think Bolano is trying to do/say with that character? 2. Been reading some Erik Davies as of late and enjoyed it when I pull back a bit - too much bad Adam Curtis at times. But i particularly found Techgnosis to be an incredibly prescient book with a lot to say about today. As you did an episode on the singularity and speak with Corey Pein (I loved his book from your recommendation by the way), I wondered if you had thoughts on ED and or any other more alternative tech writers. 3. Just started reading the novels of Richard Brautigan (In watermelon sugar to be exact) and not sure it's picking up the imagery or strangeness of his poetry, do you recommend/know anything of his other works that hits the same spot as his poetry? At the mo, I'm reading it and thinking I'd rather re-read Beckett and/or Flann O'Brien...

_Foxaru

Glad to have you back, even if only on a probationary basis. If I had one question to offer amongst all the most likely in-depth and niche questions of your more learned fanbase; what methods do you use to approach works and texts that you would consider to be 'difficult'?

Mark Mangiaratti

Glad you're still kickin. I just need some sort of rebuttal to that pitiful Chapo JFK episode. Help a brotha out

8985

Welcome back. I still need ur analysis of the GR seance scene. I don’t know if this is a q&a length question or a full episode thing, but that’s my Q

Jonathan Schultz

Very glad to hear you are on the up, although it sounds like a rather harrowing series of events that got you here. I would love to hear your take on the symbolism of Baby Tyrone being sold to Laszlo Jamf in Gravity's Rainbow. Given the mixing of time frames within the novel - the 60's as told through the imagery of the 40's - what is the significance of Tyrone's parent's early negotiation. Is there an historical event or precedent to which it refers? Can't wait to hear the new shows!

Dangus

As someone who struggles with various psychoses/neuroses of my own, also to the point of recent hospitalizations, I deeply empathize. I dunno the intensity of your situation, but I really hope you're at least getting some kind of relief. I will continue to support, episodes or not.

Dangus

That being said, I very much enjoyed episode #83 "Post-Solar History; or, A Treatise on Necroheliosophy" and I can't point to anything specific because I wouldn't know where to start, but another one like that would be really enjoyable. You've never really done a bad episode though so I eagerly await whatever subjects pop up regardless.

Falling Man

I was just thinking yesterday about tweeting how much I miss the show. Glad to hear you are still in successful orbit. My submissions are as follows, athough I would also, out of an interest in my own edification, also ditto every novel and film request you get from your other followers, most of whom are far more cultured than I. Some of them come from offhand remarks you've made about wanting to do an ep. about them later, and for others, I'm just interested in your take. Of course, feel free to consider absolutely none of these; I appreciate the opportunity to weigh in. 1. Recently Pat Blanchfield mentioned: "Something I think a lot about is whether Oppenheimer quoting the Gita was the beginning of postmodernity." I suggested it would make the premise of an extremely metal and extremely relevant humanities course. Might also make the premise for a great D/C episode? 2. You once suggested exploring in depth the Manson murders and much of what surrounded them. I haven't read O'Neil's book, but perhaps you could situate it in the broader context of the 60s in a more detailed way than you did with the Pynchon eps. 3. You've made some pretty heady, sweeping statements about Ezra Pound. I'd love to hear more about his work, perhaps how it might be underrated, and what makes it so great. 4. More detailed investigations (through interviews, perhaps?) of Black Lives Matter activist assassinations following the murder of Michael Brown and the BLM activism that followed. Might make for a good topic to grapple in partnership with Corey Pein. 5. Ruminations on what Pynchon might think (drawing from his texts, ideally) of the ongoing end of the world (ecological collapse), challenges or opportunities it poses for metaphysical frameworks, and comparisons with the dawn of the atomic age, with its attendant risks of catastrophe. Another great philosopher to consider on these topics is Tim Morton and his concept of hypoerobjects, and Derek Parfit, who explored questions of ethics and meaning in the context of a dire--or at least highly uncertain--future. Perhaps you could discusss some particularly relevant/helpful philosophers and works as we navigate this new era. 6. A survey of nuclear-weapons near-misses and accidents. Might not be more than an overview of Eric Schlosser's book, but it makes for some epic stories and 1000-yard-stares. 7. More interviews with Corey! lol 8. An interview with Whitney Webb concerning her recent stories, and perhaps expanding upon the pre-21st-century roots of what we see now. 9. A review of "Network," an appreciation of some of its classic moments, and consideration of the film in a modern context. Someone we both know made the astute comment to me "They Live! + Network + A Clockwork Orange form a perfect trinity that can be used to explain any event in the western world" and that might make a great premise for an episode. I should stop now! Best wishes and glad to see you considering jumping back in the saddle.

Anonymous

Could you make podcasts about William Gaddis, Joseph McElroy or about American postmodernism writers in general? Also, I'm living in Russia, so it is interesting to me what do you think about Russian literature and what Russian authors you like?

Benjamin Robinson

Love you lots, comrade. Looking forward to hearing your voice again.

Anonymous

Well, this was some lovely shit to wake up to. I have been wondering about your thoughts on the CIA possibly being involved with the spread of HIV/AIDS. I have always been stuck by the odd timing of the epidemic, although the entirety of the federal government dragging its heels for over a decade is not surprising either way. Certainly would love to know if you've stumbled across anything in your research that stands out about that particular American atrocity. Glad to have you back!!

Henry

are you reading high weirdness? how is it? thinking of picking it up but i've got so many 700 page monsters on the nighttable rn...

Henry

great to hear you're back and hope all is improving. i discovered the podcast while you were on break and i've been mainlining the episodes and recommending to anyone who will listen. idk if this is an area of expertise for you but i'd love to hear an episode on kubrick, specifically eyes wide shut/the shining as indictments of the american elite.

Kylancomeault

Hey dude! I hope things are going well, I'd kind of like to know what you think about the titans of conspiracy minded radio in the united states Art Bell, Alex Jones and Jesse Ventura? how much of the info that comes/came out of them is good and worth while? how much do you think is fed to them to launder it with fake shit? Also do you think there's a somewhat lovecraftian horror to the internet in which you have access to so much info that it allows us to correlate too much of the information in the world that it becomes paralyzing and mind breaking? Is that what Epstein brain is? Could we ever see the hosts of True Anon on the show, I feel like they'd be good guests.

Harmless Eggplant

I support the Art Bell/Alex Jones suggestions. I feel like both of those episodes would be both enlightening and extremely entertaining. Especially if the impersonations are as on point as they usually are.

Harmless Eggplant

Glad to hear things are going...as well as can be in that sort of scenario. I hope that things continue stabilizing. As far as episode suggestions: I'd love to hear some more content about various iconic pieces of American media of all sorts post-nuclear bomb. Some episodes exploring people like Don Delillo and DFW (who I'm aware you intensely dislike, but an episode on why you think he's a scrub would undoubtedly be interesting) would be cool, but stepping away from serious business 'literature' into stuff like cyberpunk ala Neuromancer, Snow Crash, and When Gravity Fails would really brighten my week. I'm sure you could do god knows how much content about Hollywood, its products, and its people. More dissections of American political heavyweights like Henry Kissinger or Dick Cheney would be excellent + content about Boeing, DARPA, Blackwater/Academi, and other more or less well-known defense industry/CIA affiliate corporations that you feel should be brought to our attention. More Ezra Pound content. Paranoia as the defining cultural trope of the American mind from the Cold War onward. I'm really not overly fussed though. No matter what you do episodes on I invariably find myself interested. Hell, just finished the 3 part Blackstar series earlier this morning and found myself compelled to start feverishly listening to Blackstar (when previously I've never really liked nor cared about David Bowie) to really grasp how well your interpretation lined up so I don't think I have much to be worried about.

Mike Bilbe-Taylor

I would also love to hear you riff for an episode on the work of Zdzisław Beksiński.

Anonymous

As others have said it's great to hear you're on the mend and feeling well enough to do some more episodes - just as long as it's at your own pace and you're not risking burnout. Any one of the ideas above would make a great episode I'm sure, and I'd be particularly interested in your take on 'cyberpunk'. Also, I don't know to what extent this really exists but if you have any recommendations or ideas about literature's engagement with Operation Mockingbird and/or COINTELPRO outside the work of Pynchon, I think that would be fascinating

Anonymous

So glad to have you back Mj! 1. I’d love to hear you talk about your writing process. 2. Who are your top 5-10 least favorite authors you’ve read?

Anonymous

Good to have you back MJ.

Anonymous

Have you ever read any Isaac Asimov? And have you seen the Bill Moyers interview where they talk about population stability?

Ryan Kane

Welcome back and hoping all is well on your end, sir! I'm almost finished reading Dreamer of the Day by Kevin Coogan and I'm wondering if you'd consider eventually doing anything on Francis Parker Yockey and the efforts to build a post-war fascist international, or really just various post-war far right movements in general?

BobbyMilk

I’m a fan of Viktor Pelevin, wondering if MJ has read anything by him.

BobbyMilk

Have you watched Mindhunter on Netflix? If so, what are your thoughts on the scene where they interview Manson....also, wondering if you’ve read that new book out on Manson by Tom O’Neill?

deathcorner

In text: never seen MINDHUNTER; have indeed read CHAOS and hoped to do a show about it when and if I can figure out the recording/medicine issue. In short, every one of my suspicions about the CIA's role in the countercultural permeation of LSD was true.

Anonymous

If you ever get back to Pynchon, and god do I hope you do, I would like to hear your thoughts on Against the Day... I know you wanted to superhumanly rip it *in two*, but maybe just a few words or something you might have gotten out of it. I think that book might be one of the most ambitious things I have ever read, just as GR and MD are, but when I hear people refer to it as "accessible" I think they're off their rocker--but I suppose I see what they mean. There's a lot going on beneath the surface of "the stories". Any more Pynchon from you would be great, rilly. His work, his possible life, his embedded theories and subtle hints at things happening "out here"...

Anonymous

"Paranoia as the defining cultural trope of the American Mind..." Yes. Yes. Wait, could it be... Yes?

Anonymous

Apocalypse Now and PKD.