now to link that title to something...I was just thinking about the title to this blog. I first heard that as a Laurie Anderson song in high school, of course it came originally and famously from William S. Burroughs, "language is a virus from outer space." As someone who has had the idea that I could communicate with aliens, this has special meaning. and as a writer who often feels that language is a prison, hence leading me to painting and other Non-Language art.
I have seen Laurie perform three times, in Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Kent, Ohio, at Kent State.thinking of renaming my novel "the politics of desire" or making that the overall title for the Novel which daydream nation is a part. living in the ice age is another title. I've been working on mash-ups and such with sony acid xpress. very fun. I did not get the job at Embarcadero, they gave it to someone with more experience in software sales. But at least they called me to let me know. Now I just need a part-time job, maybe hosting in some swanky sf restaurant. craigslist.laurie's song:Language is a Virus
Paradise
Is exactly like
Where you are right now
Only much much better.
I saw this guy on the train, and he seemed to gave gotten stuck
In one of those abstract trances.
And he was going: "Ugh...Ugh...Ugh..."
And Fred said: "I think he's in some kind of pain.
I think it's a pain cry."And I said: "Pain cry? Then language is a virus."
Language! It's a virus! Language! It's a virus!
Well I was talking to a friend, and I was saying:
I wanted you.And I was looking for you. But I couldn't find you.
I couldn't find you.And he said:
Hey! Are you talking to me?
Or are you just practicing for one of those performances of yours?
Huh?Language! It's a virus! Language! It's a virus!
He said: I had to write that letter to your mother.
And I had to tell the judge that it was you.
And I had to sell the car and go to Florida.
Because that's just my way of saying (It's a charm.) that I love you.
And I (It's a job.) had to call you at the crack of dawn
(Why?)And list the times that I've been wrong.
'Cause that's just my way of saying that I'm sorry.
(It's a job.)Language! It's a virus! Language! It's a virus!
ParadiseIs exactly like
Where you are right nowOnly much much
(It's a shipwreck,) better. (It's a job.)You know?
I don't believe there's such a thing as TV.
I mean, they just keep showing you the same pictures over and over.
And when they talk they just make sounds
that more or less sync up with their lips.
That's what I think!
Language! It's a virus! Language! It's a virus! Language! It's a virus!
Well I dreamed there was an island that rose up from the sea.
And everybody on the island was somebody from TV.
And there was a beautiful view, but nobody could see.
'Cause everybody on the islandwas saying:
Look at me! Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!
Because they all lived on an island that rose up from the sea.
And everybody on the island was somebody from TV.
And there was a beautiful view, but nobody could see.'Cause everybody on the island
Was saying: Look at me! Look at me! Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!
Why?
ParadiseIs exactly like
Where you are right now
Only much much better.
"Language is a Virus" originates in a William S. Burroughs quotation: "Language is a virus from outer space." The Buddhist implications struck Anderson too: "In Buddhist thought, there's the thing and there's the name for the thing and that's one thing too many" (qtd. in Gaar, Talk Normal 27). People's cheesy sanctimonious excuses for harassment are delightfully satirized. The bit about tv images and voices synching up involves a musical hocket effect one hasn't heard since the Middle Ages. And of course the show with celebrities on an island became a "reality," as it were, in 2003.
Posts
