Jules and the CNN pix -Reply -Reply

[john wells]

Tom Gorman wrote:
> 
> John: I'm sorry, I just have a hard time believing that CNN would consider
> it worth its while to say Pynchon is among the people they showed if
> they knew he was not. (And they did say he was in the footage; they
> didn't simply suggest or imply it). Furthermore, bestseller or no, it's still
> only a small segment of the population that would be seriously engaged
> by the prospect of finding out who Pynchon is or what he looks like. At
> the risk of tautology, a best-selling book is simply a book that sells more
> than other books. But of course most people don't care about books at all
> and haven't even heard of TRP. That is, people who buy books constitute
> a small segment of the population, those who would buy M&D yet
> smaller, those who would actually READ M&D smaller still, and those
> who care enough about Pynchoniana to join a listserver infinitesimal. A
> LOT more people give a rip about pick-up trucks than literature, and at
> any rate the NBC story you referred to has wider implications that touch
> on the overall safety standards of a large auto manufacturer. I
> sometimes think that we Pynchon fans are too easily wrought into a
> conspiratorial froth. Perhaps we should all take a five minute break from
> ourselves and enjoy a moist towelette. Thanks for the response.

Thank You Tom, 
But one problem the media always has is simply filling space or time (in
radio and tv) and a best-selling author is a good space filler. As for
CNN saying Pynchon is actually in the video, well hell, he could've been
squating in the back of the crowd -- anyone counted feet? I don't think
it's a big deal if CNN "pumped up" the broadcast by saying or suggesting
that Pynchon was in the video, it's just par for the course, "Standard
Operating Procedure."

You are quite right when you say there are a lot more people interested
in pickups than Pynchon, but that doesn't matter, CNN wants you all to
watch their station, and like I said they NEED stories to fill time.
It's only practical.

Sincerely,
John