Hello, readers.
Here are some things for Tuesday.
Thing one.
A few days ago I watched The End of the Tour, a film based on a book1 written by the journalist from Rolling Stone 2 who joined David Foster Wallace for that writer’s final days on tour for Infinite Jest. The film contains some deliciously uncomfortable expressions, and accurate definitions, of shyness, brilliance, and at least one perfect shot of the snow-covered plains of Indiana. There is also a surprising amount of Alana’s Morrissette and slow-motion dancing in a slantly lit midwestern Baptist Church.
There is, at its heart, a depiction of David Foster Wallace as kind and difficult and confused and alone with everyone, even himself. It’s happiest moments were its saddest and best.
Jason Segel did a wonderful job.
I almost loved it.
This is what David Foster Wallace said in 1996.
There’s no single more interesting time to be alive on the planet Earth than in the next 20 years.
I should probably get on with reading Lipsky’s book.
Thing two.
Jason Segel on Making Sci-Fi and Growing Oranges (Really).
When did you decide it was time to move out of Hollywood?
I went to a small town to get ready for “End of the Tour” and read “Infinite Jest.” I didn’t feel I could do that with the distraction of the big city. In L.A., there’s a real quiet “what’s next?” being whispered into your ear, constantly. All of a sudden, with that voice gone, I realized that I felt significantly better.
Thing three.
There’s a new episode of Storyological:
We discuss, as we generally do, two stories. In this case, “Starver” by Daisy Johnson and “Trauma Plate” by Adam Johnson3.
Also, as we also generally do, we discussed other things. Such as universalities, privileges, and Bob’s Burgers.
Thing four.
Aimee Mann has a new album out called Mental Illness. I like it.
Happy Tuesday, readers.
ttfn.
- Although of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself ↩
- David Lipsky ↩
- Almost certainly no relation. Though, I didn’t check. ↩
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