A RANTING

(which has no business in criticism, but I can't help myself)

But it's relevant, you'll see, you'll see.

For all of you who say, “how can you condemn a book you haven't even read through? Isn't that being unfair and snobby and a basic review Nazi?” Well, yes, but the last time such criticism was applicable was about the same time Gaddis wrote The Recognitions . Even though our life span has increased about 10 years in the last half century, everything else has increased 100 times, 1000 times. There's just more, more, more stuff. Everything's closer, demanding more attention. I don't need to make a rabid diatribe out of this. Just look around. But don't forget the invisible things.

Like thoughts.

As always, some thoughts are worth entertaining, some are not. Some worm into us for vicarious life, some annoyingly stick to our soles like dog turds. Some we file away, some we throw out, some we give to others, and some we have to abandon like a played-out romance.

Also, because of sonic-boom speed media, thoughts attack as if they're bee swarms gone African. Stupid thoughts take up the same amount of space as profound ones. Its catchy advertising jingles verses Nietzsche's Zarathrustra.

Unfortunately, with the extra 10 years of longevity, my cranium didn't get any more acreage. Nor did the dirt I'm standing on. We all need to weed.

And that's why I stomp on these invisible monsters before they blossom.

Besides, there's always more of something else.

11/21/2005