CNN blows chunks

[Craig Bleakley]

Due to technicalities beyond my control, I did not *see* the CNN piece, but
I did hear it.  And it was "T-herrrri-bul!" as Bill Walton would say.  The
story of a famous recluse who happens, by the way, to be a novelist.  No
discussion of themes, or style (unless "complex" counts as analysis), no
mention of books by name, more emphasis on Wanda and the Unibomber (and John
Larraquette!) than on any work he's published under his name, and more on
his reputation than on how he got it, which was little enough anyway.
Apparently, the purpose of the segment was not to explore the relationship
between his themes and his his refusal to play the game, but rather to
encorage people who know nothing about him to invade his privacy ("Hey,
Mister--are you that hard writer?")

I doubt the p-list need worry about too many new subscribers as a
result--what in the piece would have piqued one's interest to read the man's
stuff, or exchange ideas with people who have?
 
There'a also a cautionary tale here--Pynch speaks to a reporter for the
first time in forty years--er, um, that is, seeks out a reporter for the
first time in forty years, agrees to let them obscurely film him, and the
media heads at CNN have to struggle over whether to maintain his privacy, or
blow his annonymity anyway.  Which they will, sooner or later.  We'll all
have posters hanging over our beds in a month.  If "slip is crash's law," as
Ms. Dickinson contends, our boy may have slipped.

And people call USA Today "McPaper"!  The web site, like the TV segment,
might best be described as part of Mr. Turner's Neighborhood.  Except that
even Fred Rodgers deals with issues and events in a more thoughtful,
thorough manner--and he's talking to pre-schoolers.

Here's hoping Charlie Rose assembles a Pyn/M&D roundtable to rectify matters.

Parenthetically, the phrase "Where's Waldo?" always reminds me that that's
the question asked by a friend of mine in the Art Institute as we stood on
front of Seurratt's "Isle of the Grand Jette." (?) 

Craig Bleakley